CITY OF GROVER BEACH
CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Agenda Item No. 7
Placement: Consent
Meeting Date: April 27, 2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Matthew Bronson, City Manager
PREPARED BY: Kristin Eriksson, Assistant City Manager
SUBJECT: Ramona Garden Park Community Donation Policy Amendment
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a Resolution to amend the Ramona Garden Park Community Donation Policy for donations received after the completion of the Ramona Garden Park Rehabilitation Project.
BACKGROUND
Ramona Garden Park (“Park”) is a multi-use park, bounded by North 9th and North 10th Streets on the west and east, and Ramona Avenue and Brighton Avenue on the south and north, respectively. The Park is the focal point for activities in Grover Beach and the South County, in general. Many public and private functions are held at the park such as the Stone Soup Music Festival and Street Fair and the City’s Summer Concert Series.
After extensive community outreach beginning in 2019, the Council adopted the Ramona Garden Park Master Plan (“Master Plan”) in November 2020, providing a vision or “road map” for park improvements over a multi-year period along with implementation and construction of these improvements. The Master Plan is divided into four phases and Phases 1 and 2 of the project, including the playground and new restroom facilities, as well as the amphitheater and bandshell began construction in 2025 with completion anticipated in early June 2026.
In March 2024, the City received approval for a 2023 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) in the amount of $3,150,000 to fund Phases 1 and 2 of the project. Along with the CDBG funding, the City reported in October that funding from the Parks Construction Fund, Parks Development Impact Fee Fund (DIF), and Recreation DIF Fund was being used to fund this project for a total of $3.6 million in available project funding. Given that the total cost of the project is $4.1 million, there was a gap of approximately $450,000 to fully fund construction.
Council also authorized the community donation program with the Foundation to help offset this and staff developed a Ramona Garden Park Community Donation Policy (Community Donation Policy) to guide this effort. In total, the Foundation sold 173 commemorative pavers along with two benches which generated $56,100 in net proceeds after the paver purchase. During an update to the Council on April 13, 2026, the City reported that the gap to fund construction has been closed with these net proceeds along with additional DIF funds for parks-related projects.
However, the City is continuing to work with prospective donors on naming rights for the bandshell at the new amphitheater in the park for 25 years pursuant to the Community Donation Policy.
Staff Report: Amendment to Ramona Garden Park Community Donation Policy Page 2 April 27, 2026
Such naming rights would involve a significant donation for this notable sponsorship opportunity and staff will bring a naming rights agreement to the Council for approval if this donation is secured.
The Community Donation Policy provides that all donations will be directly applied to the project.
However, should a donation to secure bandshell naming rights be received after the project is completed and final project accounting is completed, this would not be possible. At the April 13th meeting, Council directed staff to amend the Community Donation Policy to allow for funds received after the end of the fiscal year to be used for maintenance of the improved areas of Ramona Garden Park. Adoption of the resolution shown in Attachment 1 will effectuate this change.
FISCAL IMPACT
There are no funding impacts to this action. If a donation is made to secure the bandshell naming rights at Ramona Garden Park after the end of the fiscal year, the funds will be placed in a designated account for maintenance of the improved area of the park. In contrast, if a donation is secured prior to the end of the fiscal year, the funds will be applied to the project and DIF funding will be returned to the respective DIF funds for future parks projects.
ALTERNATIVES
The Council has the following alternatives to consider:
1. Adopt a Resolution to approve an amended Ramona Garden Park Community Donation Policy; or
2. Do not adopt a Resolution; or
3. Provide alternative direction to staff.
PUBLIC NOTIFICATION
The agenda was posted in accordance with the Brown Act.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution to Amend Ramona Garden Park Community Donation Policy Multi-Year Goals
☒ Public Safety and Community Services ☐ Economic Development and Housing ☒ Community Infrastructure ☒ Financial and Organization Sustainability Council Priorities
☐ Water & Wastewater Infrastructure ☐ Community Engagement ☐ Street Improvements and Maintenance
RESOLUTION NO. 26-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GROVER BEACH,
CALIFORNIA, AMENDING THE RAMONA GARDEN PARK COMMUNITY
DONATION POLICY
WHEREAS, the City of Grover Beach has coordinated with the Grover Beach Community Foundation on a Ramona Garden Park Community Donation Program; and WHEREAS, the City of Grover Beach wishes to establish a Ramona Garden Park Community Donation policy that is flexible and allows for maximum donor support of the park; and WHEREAS, the City of Grover Beach’s Ramona Garden Park Community Donation Policy will aid in guiding staff, the Community Foundation and community members who wish to donate to the program, which demonstrates the City’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and prudent management; and
WHEREAS, the City of Grover Beach wishes to apply any donations provided after the close of the Ramona Garden Park Rehabilitation Project Phases 1 and 2 to park maintenance as needed for those improved areas;
NOW, THERFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GROVER BEACH, CALIFORNIA, DOES DELARE, DETERMINE, AND ORDER AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The City Council hereby adopts the amended Ramona Garden Park Community Donation Policy, as set forth in Exhibit A, attached hereto and incorporated herein, is SECTION 2. This Resolution shall take effect on the date it is approved.
On motion by Council Member _____, seconded by Council Member ____, and on the following roll-call vote, to wit:
AYES: Council Members –
NOES: Council Members –
ABSENT: Council Members –
ABSTAIN: Council Members –
RECUSED: Council Members –
the foregoing Resolution was PASSED, APPROVED, and ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Grover Beach, California this 27th day of April 2026.
KASSI DEE, MAYOR
Attest:
WENDI B. SIMS, CITY CLERK
Attachment 1
City of Grover Beach
Ramona Garden Park
Community Donation Policy
As Approved by City Council Resolution 2024-XX
Date:
December 9, 2024Apri l 27, 2026
Exhibit A
1 Table of Contents
SECTION 1 – OVERVIEW ............................................................................................................ 2
1.1 Introduction.................................................................................................................... 2
1.2 Administration of Policy ................................................................................................. 2
1.3 Role of the Grover Beach Community Foundation ........................................................ 2 SECTION 2 – DONATIONS PROCESS ....................................................................................... 2
2.1 Donations Processing ................................................................................................... 2
2.2 Accounting of Donations ............................................................................................... 2 SECTION 3 – RECOGNITION ITEMS AND DONATION LEVELS .......................................... 332
3.1 Donation Levels......................................................................................................... 332
3.2 First-Come First-Served ................................................................................................ 3
3.3 City Discretion and Approval for Recognition Items .................................................. 334
3.4 Other Donations ........................................................................................................ 334 SECTION 4 – MAINTENANCE OF DONATED ITEMS ................................................................ 4
4.1 Bandshell Naming Rights .............................................................................................. 4
4.2 Picnic Tables and Benches ........................................................................................... 4
4.3 Bike Racks .................................................................................................................... 4
4.4 City Website Acknowledgement .................................................................................... 4 SECTION 5 – LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS ............................................................................. 4
2 SECTION 1 – OVERVIEW
1.1 Introduction
The purpose of this policy is to guide City staff, the Grover Beach Community Foundation and community members who wish to support the Ramona Garden Park Improvement Project in managing donations for the project. The City values the support of the community and seeks to incentivize and acknowledge community generosity with appropriate recognition. The policy is intended to protect park resources and to assure the goals of Ramona Park Master Plan are adhered to.
Guidelines established by this policy will apply to all donations made after the effective date of this policy. Standards established by this policy will apply to purchased equipment, installation techniques, donation acknowledgements, and long-term care of all donations made after the adoption of this policy.
1.2 Administration of Policy
The City Manager, Assistant City Manager and Community Services Supervisor are authorized to administer and adjust this policy, including adjustment to the donation items and methods. Adjustments to the levels of acknowledgement and recognition requires City Council approval.
1.3 Role of the Grover Beach Community Foundation
The Grover Beach Community Foundation has partnered with the City to manage the Ramona Park Community Donation program. The Foundation is authorized to accept donations on behalf of the City and to work with City staff to provide acknowledgements/recognition as specified by this policy.
SECTION 2 – DONATIONS PROCESS
2.1 Donations Processing
The Community Foundation will set up a webpage to process donations from the community. The Community Foundation will communicate with donors who will receive recognition items to coordinate language for plaques and/or pavers.
2.2 Accounting of Donations
All donations collected for this program prior to July 1, 2026 will be placed in a designated account and will be tracked to ensure all donations are directly applied to the Ramona Garden Park project. Donations collected after July 1, 2026 will also be placed in a designated account that may be used for ongoing maintenance of the portions of the park improved by the Ramona Garden Park project.
3 SECTION 3 – RECOGNITION ITEMS AND DONATION LEVELS
3.1 Donation Levels
The following are levels of donations under the Ramona Park Community Donation program and their respective recognition or items funded by each donation level.
Recognition Item Donation Level Number
Available
Picnic Tables $7,000 6
Park Benches $5,000 4
Bike Rack $3,000 1
Dedicated Pavers (Large – 8”x8”) $500
200
Dedicated Pavers (Small – 4”x8”) $250
Letter of Appreciation/Feature on Website $50 or more Unlimited
3.2 First-Come First-Served
Recognition items listed in Section 3.1 will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis, based on the time a donation is completed.
3.3 City Discretion and Approval for Recognition Items
3.3.1 – City Discretion. The City shall have sole discretion on the site placement, style and material of recognition items, in compliance with the Ramona Park Master Plan and design plans approved by the City Council.
3.3.2 – City Approval. Naming or other language featured on recognition items must receive prior approval from the City prior to installation to ensure it meets community standards and aligns with the park’s intended atmosphere. See Section 5 for language requirements.
3.4 Other Donations
3.2.1 - There may be additional donations of items possible other than those expressly listed or contained within this policy. The City may accept those donations subject to a review by the City Manager or designee. Additionally, the City may elect to seek additional donations to sponsor replacement recognition items after expiration of the maintenance period specified in Section 4.
3.2.2 – The City will accept donations in any amount, provided that they may not qualify for recognition as noted in Section 3.1.
4 SECTION 4 – MAINTENANCE OF DONATED ITEMS
4.1 Bandshell Naming Rights
The City may consider naming the bandshell to be installed at Ramona Garden Park.
Should the City approve naming the bandshell following a substantial donation, it shall remain for a period of twenty-five (25) years or the useful lifespan of the bandshell, whichever comes first.
4.2 Picnic Tables and Benches
Picnic tables and benches, along with the commemorative donor plaques, will be maintained by the City for ten (10) years or the useful lifespan of the items, whichever comes first. Upon removal of these items after this term, the City will contact the donor, if possible, to return plaques to the donor.
4.3 Bike Racks
Bike racks will be maintained by the City for ten (10) years or the useful lifespan of the item, whichever comes first.
4.4 City Website Acknowledgement
The City will maintain a list of donors on its website for a period of five (5) years.
SECTION 5 – LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
Language and names applied to plaques and pavers listed in Section 3.1 must comply with the following:
No profanity or derogatory language.
Plaques should avoid language that may be offensive, divisive, or inflammatory. Words and phrases must be respectful and inclusive.
Statements that advocate for specific political, religious, or social causes are not permitted. Dedications should reflect a positive and inclusive tone without specific ideological or religious language.
Plaques should not include purely commercial content or advertisements. Recognition should be limited to the donor's name and, if appropriate, a brief dedication statement that aligns with the park's public mission.
All language must comply with the text length determined by the City. This list is not exhaustive and the City reserves the right to reject any language deemed inappropriate or inconsistent with community standards or the City’s desired atmosphere for City parks.