Administrative
Report
N.1., File # 22-3682 Meeting Date: 3/15/2022
To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: CAMERON HARDING, COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR
TITLE
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO APPROVE A LICENSE AGREEMENT WITH THE
SOUTH BAY PARKLAND CONSERVANCY FOR INSTALLATION AND OPERATION OF A
COMMUNITY GARDEN AT ALTA VISTA PARK
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The topic of community gardens has been discussed for many years by various groups at various locations throughout the City. The most recent effort to bring a community garden to Redondo Beach is from the Redondo Beach Community Garden (“RBCG”) Committee, which is a group of the South Bay Parkland Conservancy (“SBPC”). At the October 14, 2020 Recreation & Parks Commission (“Commission”) meeting a presentation on community gardens was made by Brianna Egan, Chair of the RBCG. The presentation included Alta Vista Park as a possible location for a community garden.
The Commission unanimously voted to receive and file the presentation and to forward the proposed concept to the City Council.
On February 9, 2021, the City Council voted unanimously to place an item related to community gardens on the March 9, 2021 City Council meeting agenda. The March 9 City Council discussion was continued to April 13, 2021 at which time the Council directed staff to work with the SBPC to develop plans for a community garden at Alta Vista Park.
Following direction, staff met with the SBPC at Alta Vista to view the proposed site for the community garden and discuss logistics including site plan, layout, irrigation, and maintenance. Following the meeting, staff began working with the SBPC on a license agreement to authorize the group’s use of approximately 4,500 square feet of the southwest parkway of Alta Vista Park for the operation of a community garden that would be constructed in partnership with the City. Staff recommends the City Council approve the license agreement with the SBPC for the community garden at Alta Vista Park.
BACKGROUND
Community Gardens are known for their many benefits, such as providing access to green space and food growing space, to improve nutrition and food access for families and to strengthen community connections. Community Gardens can currently be found in neighboring cities such as Torrance, Hermosa Beach, and Palos Verdes Estates.
The effort to create a Community Garden in Redondo Beach was renewed in the Summer of 2020.
The effort is being led by the RBCG Committee and seeks City approval to move forward with a license agreement between the City and SBPC to construct, maintain and operate a community
N.1., File # 22-3682 Meeting Date: 3/15/2022
license agreement between the City and SBPC to construct, maintain and operate a community garden site.
At the October 14, 2020 Recreation & Parks Commission meeting a presentation, “A Community Garden for Redondo Beach: Informational Presentation” was made by Brianna Egan, Chair, or the RBCG Committee. The presentation included Alta Vista Park as a possible location for the Community Garden. The Commission unanimously voted to receive and file the informational materials and to forward the idea of a Community Garden to the City Council.
Subsequently, at the October 29, 2020 Strategic Planning Meeting, Council identified a potential objective to “Provide a report to City Council on possible sites for the installation of a Community Garden” under the goal, “Ensure Environmental Sustainability, Livability, Public Health & Safety by Evaluating All Policy and Operational Decisions through the Lens of a Climate Emergency. More recently, on February 9, 2021, the City Council voted unanimously to have a report presented on Community Gardens at the City Council meeting of March 9, 2021.
At the March 9, 2021 City Council meeting Brianna Egan presented an overview of the RBCG Committee’s vision that includes:
· Shared community elements such as workshop space with seating area, communal garden with drought-tolerant fruit trees, compost system, toolshed and sink prep space; · Plots available for annual rental by Redondo Beach residents; and · Future gardens in multiple locations throughout the City that will improve access to gardening and healthy food.
The March 9 City Council discussion was continued to the April 13, 2021 meeting at which time the Council directed staff to work with the SBPC to develop plans for a community garden at Alta Vista Park.
Following direction, Community Services and Public Works staff met with the SBPC at Alta Vista to review the proposed community garden site and discuss logistics including site plan, layout, irrigation, and maintenance. As a result of the meeting, staff began working with the SBPC on a license agreement to authorize the SBPC’s use of approximately 4,500 square feet of the southwest parkway of Alta Vista Park for the installation and operation of a community garden.
The community garden will be constructed in partnership with the City. The City’s Capital Improvement Program includes $35,000 to install ADA access to the site, (including curb cuts, ADA parking and a concrete pad at the garden’s point of entry); perimeter fencing (including up to two gates); and water connections.
The license agreement provides for the installation of a water sub-meter at the site which would track costs associated to water usage of the garden and only apply charges to SBPC if water consumption exceeds the average amount to irrigate the existing grass area (which has been identified as 5.4 CCF per month).
The community garden will be open daily for gardening activities from 6AM to sunset. The SBPC will be responsible for enforcing operation hours and to close and secure the premises during hours of non-operation. The SBPC will also be responsible for the use of the community garden including the assignment of garden plots, maintaining wait-lists, access to the premises, the gardener conduct, and
N.1., File # 22-3682 Meeting Date: 3/15/2022
assignment of garden plots, maintaining wait-lists, access to the premises, the gardener conduct, and related activities (see attached Garden Rules and Operations). The SBPC will be responsible for the construction costs, (including labor, materials, and utilities) not provided by the City and ongoing garden maintenance.
COORDINATION
The Community Services Department coordinated this report with the Public Works Department. In addition, Community Services met with and consulted the SBPC on the terms of the proposed license agreement. The City Attorney’s Office helped prepare and approved the license agreement as to form.
FISCAL IMPACT
The City’s Capital Improvement Program includes $35,000 to complete construction of the ADA access, fencing, and water connection(s) identified in the license agreement.
ATTACHMENTS
· License Agreement Between the City of Redondo Beach and South Bay Parkland Conservancy for Community Garden
· Redondo Beach Community Garden Rules and Operations
· Redondo Beach Community Garden Waiver Form