City Council Agenda Report
September 3, 2024
TO: Honorable City Council
FROM: Jesus M. Gomez, City Manager
BY: Salpy Kabaklian-Slentz, Management Analyst
SUBJECT: RESOLUTION NO. 24-48 - APPROVAL OF AN APPLICATION FOR GRANT
FUNDS FROM THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY REGIONAL PARK AND OPEN
SPACE DISTRICT FOR MEASURE A FUNDING FOR HOLIFIELD PARK
EXPANSION
Background:
On November 8, 2016, Los Angeles County voters approved the Safe, Clean Neighborhood Parks, Open Space Beaches, Rivers Protection, and Water Conservation Measure (Measure A). This measure created several funding opportunities and programs. Among them was the Acquisition-Only Competitive Grant Program (RPOSD grant) administered by the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District (the District). The RPOSD grant aims to increase parkland acreage totals through the acquisition of land for new parks and expansion of existing parks.
The City has been engaged in a decades-long process to purchase land owned by the U.S. Air Force (Air Force) and once used as a tank farm located next to Holifield Park at Excelsior Drive and Norwalk Boulevard. Norwalk was deeded 15-acres of the property in August 2016. Since then, the land has been going through a remediation process. The Air Force is overseeing remediation on the remaining 36-acres. The City’s intent is to acquire the remaining 36-acres and develop the entire parcel into a regional park. As the Air Force has stated an intention to sell the remaining acres at or close to full market value, the City needs to prepare funds for the purchase. This grant is specifically for the purchase of land for park purposes. The maximum that can and will be requested is $2,000,000.
Fiscal Impact:
The City engaged California Consulting, one of the top grant writing firms in the state, to prepare the RPOSD grant application for $12,000. This amount was budgeted in the Fiscal Year 2024/25 budget and will be paid with General Fund monies.
City Council September 3, 2024
Resolution No. 24-48 – Approval to Apply to RPOSD Grant Page No. 2 9 8
1 If awarded the full requested amount, the City can expect to receive $2,000,000 to help fund the purchase of the remaining 36-acres. There is no match requirement, though the City will likely need further funding for the purchase.
Citizens Advised:
N/A
Strategic Plan 2023 Implementation:
The recommended action will further the City’s Strategic Plan Goal 3: Create and Sustain a Resilient and Economically Prosperous City; Complete the expansion of Holifield Park.
Recommended Action:
Staff recommends City Council adopt Resolution No. 24-48, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWALK APPROVING THE FILING OF AN APPLICATION FOR
GRANT FUNDS FROM THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY REGIONAL PARK AND OPEN SPACE DISTRICT FOR MEASURE A FUNDING FOR THE HOLIFIELD PARK EXPANSION.
Attachments:
Resolution No. 24-48