Agenda Item A.5
CPMS CONSENT CALENDAR
Meeting Date: September 2, 2025
TO: Mayor and Councilmembers
SUBMITTED BY: JoAnne Plummer, Neighborhood Services Director
PREPARED BY: Justin Wilkins, Parks and Recreation Manager
SUBJECT: Approval of Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant Applications for the Stow Grove Park Next Phase and Nectarine Park Renovation Projects
RECOMMENDATION:
A. Adopt Resolution No. 25-__ entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Goleta, California, Approving the Application for the Land and Water Conservation Fund for the Stow Grove Park Renovation Project”; and
B. Adopt Resolution No. 25-__ entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Goleta, California, Approving the Application for the Land and Water Conservation Fund for the Nectarine Park Renovation Project.”
BACKGROUND:
Earlier this year , the State Park Office of Grants and Local Services (OGALS) issued a Notice of Available Funding for a federal Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant-In-Aid program. The program provides matching funds for eligible projects, up to $6 million.
Upon review of current park-related projects, staff identified the next phase of Stow Grove Park Renovation and Nectarine Park Renovation as the two most eligible opportunities for this funding. While the grant funding has a strong focus on adding park acr eage, specifically in disadvantaged areas, it does support renovation projects that expand capacity which makes the Stow Grove Park and Nectarine Park projects applicable.
The Stow Grove Park Master Plan was adopted by City Council on December 19, 2023, and reflects a three-phase approach to the overall park renovation. Currently, Phase One design and construction documents are anticipated to be completed by October 2025, with construction to begin in January 2026. Construction must be completed by Septemb er 2026 to adhere to grant funding deadlines. Phase One is primarily focused on the parking lot renovation, the universal playground, and a new Americans with Disability Act restroom.
The next phases will focus on the rehabilitation of existing features such as the bathroom, 1 Meeting Date: September 2, 2025
picnic areas, fields, walking trails , development of natural features, and public access points of entry.
In 2023, Nectarine Park was identified as a priority project for the City to improve safety and provide the opportunity to enhanc e play equipment. During the most recent budget and Capital Improvement Program (CIP) update, Nectarine Park was added to the Five - Year CIP as a new project (CIP Project No. TBD-04), with an estimated cost of $745,000.
The project is currently unfunded; ho wever, including it in the Five -Year CIP allows staff to focus work efforts on pursuing grant opportunities and to prioritize funding as resources become available. The project scope would include replacing and expanding existing playground equipment, altering the layout of the park to improve line of si ght and safety, and exploring alternative options to support the bus stop along Nectarine Avenue.
DISCUSSION:
The competitive grant process requires that successful recipients place the funded project in the approved Land Water Conservation Fund Boundary Map, placing it under federal protection, preserving the public’s outdoor recreation use of the site(s) in perpetuity for the benefit of future generations. Once placed in that boundary map, the parks will be subject to compliance inspections by OGALS to identify any operation or maintenance concerns. This language is similar to the language in the property deed for Stow Grove Park, requiring the space to be maintained as a public park. This would not be t he only City property on this boundary map, as the County had used similar funding to purchase a portion of Lake Los Carneros, requiring that space to be available to the public for outdoor recreation in perpetuity.
Nectarine Park does not currently have a deed restriction requiring it to remain as a public park and would require action on the part of City Council to instruct staff to implement the restriction should funding be received. The City-owned park s currently with deed restrictions in perpetuity are Stow Grove Park, Evergreen Park, and Lake Los Carneros, with Jonny D. Wallis Neighborhood Park and the field at the Community Center having a thirty-year deed restriction that began in 2019.
The resolutions have been prepared for the renovation of Stow Grove and Nectarine Parks authorizing the City Manager to conduct all negotiations and execute and submit all documents including, but not limited to, contracts, amendments, payment requests, and compliance with all applicable current state and federal laws which may be necessary for the completion of the aforementioned project (Attachments 1 and 2).
Initial g rant applications were due August 5, 2025 , with additional documentation due within 60 days thereof. Staff submitted two applications, one for Stow Grove Park with a minimum request of $2.5 million and a maximum of $4.5 million, and an additional application for Nectarine Park with a minimum of $500,000 and a maximum of $745,000.
GOLETA STRATEGIC PLAN:
This effort furthers the City’s Strategic Plan as follows:
2 Meeting Date: September 2, 2025
City-Wide Initiative: 2. Support Community Vitality and Enhanced Recreational Opportunities.
Strategic Goal: 2.2 Support programs that enhance quality of life in the Goleta community such as recreation, public safety, human services, and cultural arts.
FISCAL IMPACTS:
There are no fiscal impacts associated with submitting the grant applications. I f one or both grants are awarded, the City will be required to provide a 50% local match for each grant/project awarded.
For Stow Grove Park (CIP Project No. 9074), the total project is estimated to cost just over $10 million. There is approximately $1.3 million budgeted in FY 2026/27 in Quimby funds that may be applied towards the match. Depending on the final grant award, the total required local match could be between $2.5 million and $4.5 million. Additional local matching funds could be sourced from available Park DIF or Quimby funds. Should the grant application for Stow Grove Park be successful, the originally planned phase two and three projects could be completed in one final phase.
For Nectarine Park (CIP Project No. TBD -04), the total project cost is an estimated $745,000, with the entire amount currently shown as unfunded in the Five -Year CIP.
Depending on the grant award, the total required local match could be between $500,000 and $745,000. Additional local matching funds could be sourced f rom available Park DIF or Quimby funds.
If awarded, staff will return to the City Council with detailed funding recommendations and appropriation requests. Should one or both grant applications not be successful, staff will continue to pursue additional funding options.
ALTERNATIVES:
The City Council may elect not to approve one or both resolutions supporting the applications, but this could eliminate potential additional funds needed to complete the Stow Grove and Nectarine Park Renovation projects, based on current cost estimates.
LEGAL REVIEW BY: Isaac Rosen, City Attorney
APPROVED BY: Robert Nisbet, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution No. 25 -_ entitled “ A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Goleta, California, Approving the Application for the Land and Water Conservation Fund for 3 Meeting Date: September 2, 2025
the Stow Grove Park Renovation Project”
2. Resolution No. 25 -_ entitled “ A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Goleta, California, Approving the Application for the Land and Wate r Conservation Fund for the Nectarine Park Renovation Project”
4 ATTACHMENT 1
Resolution No. 25-_ entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Goleta, California, Approving the Application for the Land and Water Conservation Fund for the Stow Grove Park Renovation Project”
5 RESOLUTION NO. 25-__
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
GOLETA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE APPLICATION FOR
THE LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND FOR THE
STOW GROVE PARK RENOVATION PROJECT
WHEREAS, the Congress under Public Law 88-578 has authorized the establishment of a federal Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant -In-Aid program, providing matching funds to the State of California and its political subdivisions for acquiring lands and developing Facilities for public outdoor recreation purposes; and
WHEREAS, the California Department of Parks and Recreation is responsible for administration of the program in the State, setting up necessary rules and procedures governing applications by local agencies under the program; and
WHEREAS, the applicant certifies by resolution the approval of the application and the availability of eligible matching funds prior to submission of the application to the State; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF GOLETA, AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1.
Approves the filing of an application for Land and Water Conservation Fund assistance for the proposed Stow Grove Park Renovation.
SECTION 2.
Certifies that the applicant has reviewed, understands, and agrees to the General Provisions contained in the contract shown in the Grant Administration Guide.
SECTION 3.
Agrees to abide by 54 U.S.C. §200305(f)(3) which requires, “No property acquired or developed with assistance under this section shall, without the approval of the Secretary, b e converted to other than public outdoor recreation use. The Secretary shall approve a conversion only if the Secretary finds it to be in accordance with the then -existing comprehensive statewide outdoor recreation plan and only on such 6 @BCL@3C16C83F – Stow Grove Park Renovation Project
conditions as the Secretary considers necessary to ensure the substitution of other recreation properties of at least equal fair market value and of reasonably equivalent usefulness and location.”
SECTION 4.
Certifies that said agency has matching funds from eligible source(s) and can finance 100 percent of the project, which up to half may be reimbursed.
SECTION 5.
Agrees to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws, ordinances, rules, regulations and guidelines.
SECTION 6.
Appoints the City Manager, Robert Nisbet , as agent of the applicant to conduct all negotiations and execute and submit all documents, including, but not limited to, applications, contracts, amendments, payment requests, and compliance with all applicable current state and federal laws which may be necessary for the completion of the aforementioned project.
SECTION 7.
The City Clerk shall certify to the passage and adoption of this resolution and enter it into the book of original resolutions.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this __ day of _____ 2025.
__________________________
PAULA PEROTTE, MAYOR
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_________________________ __________________________
DEBORAH S. LOPEZ ISAAC ROSEN
CITY CLERK CITY ATTORNEY
7 @BCL@3C16C83F – Stow Grove Park Renovation Project
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF SANTA BARBARA ) ss.
CITY OF GOLETA )
I, DEBORAH S. LOPEZ, City Clerk of the City of Goleta, California, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Resolution No. 25-__ was duly adopted by the City Council of the City of Goleta a t a regular meeting held on the ___ day of ______, 2025 by the following vote of the Council:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
(SEAL)
_________________________
DEBORAH S. LOPEZ
CITY CLERK
8 ATTACHMENT 2
Resolution No. 25-_ entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Goleta, California, Approving the Application for the Land and Water Conservation Fund for the Nectarine Park Renovation Project”
9 RESOLUTION NO. 25-__
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
GOLETA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE APPLICATION FOR
THE LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND FOR THE
NECTARINE PARK RENOVATION PROJECT
WHEREAS, the Congress under Public Law 88-578 has authorized the establishment of a federal Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant -In-Aid program, providing matching funds to the State of California and its political subdivisions for acquiring lands and developing Facilities for public outdoor recreation purposes; and
WHEREAS, the California Department of Parks and Recreation is responsible for administration of the program in the State, setting up necessary rules and procedures governing applications by local agencies under the program; and
WHEREAS, the applicant certifies by resolution the approval of the application and the availability of eligible matching funds prior to submission of the application to the State; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF GOLETA, AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1.
Approves the filing of an application for Land and Water Conservation Fund assistance for the proposed Nectarine Park Renovation.
SECTION 2.
Certifies that the applicant has reviewed, understands, and agrees to the General Provisions co ntained in the contract shown in the Grant Administration Guide.
SECTION 3.
Agrees to abide by 54 U.S.C. §200305(f)(3) which requires, “No property acquired or developed with assistance under this section shall, without the approval of the Secretary, be converted to other t han public outdoor recreation use. The Secretary shall approve a conversion only if the Secretary finds it to be in accordance with the then -existing comprehensive statewide outdoor recreation plan and only on such 10 @BCL@34166477 – Nectarine Park
conditions as the Secretary considers necessary to ensure the substitution of other recreation properties of at least equal fair market value and of reasonably equivalent usefulness and location.”
SECTION 4.
Certifies that said agency has matching funds from eligible source(s) and can finance 1 00 percent of the project, which up to half may be reimbursed.
SECTION 5.
Agrees to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws, ordinances, rules, regulations and guidelines.
SECTION 6.
Appoints the City Manager, Robert Nisbet, as agent of the applicant to conduct all negotiations and execute and submit all documents, including, but not limited to, applications, contracts, amendments, payment requests, and compliance with all applicable current state and federal laws w hich may be necessary for the completion of the aforementioned project.
SECTION 7.
The City Clerk shall certify to the passage and adoption of this resolution and enter it into the book of original resolutions.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this __ day of _____ 2025.
__________________________
PAULA PEROTTE, MAYOR
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_________________________ __________________________
DEBORAH S. LOPEZ ISAAC ROSEN
CITY CLERK CITY ATTORNEY
11 @BCL@34166477 – Nectarine Park
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF SANTA BARBARA ) ss.
CITY OF GOLETA )
I, DEBORAH S. LOPEZ, City Clerk of the City of Goleta, California, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Resolution No. 25-__ was duly adopted by the City Council of the City of Goleta a t a regular meeting held on the ___ day of ______, 2025 by the following vote of the Council:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
(SEAL)
_________________________
DEBORAH S. LOPEZ
CITY CLERK
12