City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: JUNE 21, 2022 FROM: PARKS, RECREATION AND COMMUNITY WARDS: 1, 2
SERVICES DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE RECREATIONAL TRAILS PROGRAM GRANT FOR THE GAGE CANAL TRAIL - PHASE 1 PROJECT IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,400,000 – SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION ISSUE:
Adopt a resolution authorizing the submission of a grant application for the Recreational Trails Program grant for the Gage Canal Trail – Phase 1 project, in the amount of $1,400,000, and authorize the Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Director to execute all necessary documents to secure grant funds and implement the approved grant project.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council:
Adopt a Resolution authorizing the submission of a grant application to the California State Parks Department for the Recreational Trails Program Grant for the Gage Canal Trail – Phase 1 Project; With at least five affirmative votes, and upon receipt of the grant award, authorize an increase in revenues and appropriation expenditures in amount up to $1,400,000, or in the amount of the grant award, in the Grants and Restricted Programs Fund, Parks and Recreation Administration, Recreational Trails Account for the Gage Canal – Phase 1 Project; and Authorize the Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Director to execute all necessary documents, including but not limited to applications, payment requests, agreements and amendments necessary to secure grant funds and implement the approved grant project, including making minor and non-substantive changes.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) provides funds to the States to develop and maintain recreational trails and trail-related facilities for recreational trail uses. The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) defines the program at the federal level in Title 23, United States Code, Section 206. For RTP apportionments, see Title 23, United States Code, Section 104(h). State law further defines the program (California Public Resources Code 5072.8.).
BACKGROUND:
On October 1, 2019, City Council adopted a resolution authorizing the submission of a grant application to the California Natural Resources Agency Urban Greening Grant Program for the Gage Canal Trail Phase 1 Project.
The City was awarded the Urban Greening Grant funds and entered into a grant agreement with the California Natural Resources Agency on April 1, 2020, for $3,708,509.00.
On December 3, 2020, ALTA Planning + Design, Inc. was awarded a contract in the amount of $532,431.65 for design and engineering services to conduct community outreach, prepare a master plan, and prepare construction bid documents for the project.
DISCUSSION:
The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) provides funds to the States to develop and maintain recreational trails and trail-related facilities for recreational trail uses. The Gage Canal Trail – Phase 1 project will construct two miles of decomposed granite multi-purpose recreational trail parallel to a paved Class I trail to support active transportation modes. The project will span from Palmyrita Avenue, near the northern City limits, to Blaine Street, just north of the UC Riverside Baseball Complex, providing a connection between residential areas in the University neighborhood, the Hunter Industrial Park area, and the University of California. Landscaping, lighting, drinking water and related trail user support amenities will be provided to facilitate and encourage community use of the trail. Trees will be planted to provide shade for trail users and to sequester carbon for greenhouse gas reductions. The paved trail can be used comfortably and efficiently by commuters traveling by bike and other faster active transportation modes, further contributing to greenhouse gas reductions by reducing automobile trips. As an integral part of Riverside’s history and agricultural legacy, the trail project will provide interpretive panels to tell the story of the Canal and its role in doubling the citrus producing area in Riverside.
Alta Planning + Design has completed community outreach and prepared the Gage Canal Trail Master Plan (attached). The draft construction bid documents have been prepared and are being circulated for review prior to being posted for public bids. The estimated project construction costs have increased above the amount awarded by the Urban Greening Grant due to factors such as supply chain issues, inflation, and labor shortages. Additional grant funds are being sought from the Recreational Trails Program to cover increased construction costs.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This item contributes to Strategic Priority 1 – Arts, Culture and Recreation and Goal 1.3: Improve parks, recreational amenities, open space, and trail development, and fulfill critical lifecycle and facility maintenance needs; Strategic Priority 2 – Community Well-being and Goal 2.3: Strengthen neighborhood identities and improve community health and the physical environment through amenities and programs that foster an increased sense of community and enhanced feelings of pride and belonging citywide; and Strategic Priority 5 – High Performing Government and Goal 5.3: Enhance communication and collaboration with community members to improve transparency, build public trust, and encourage shared decision-making.
This item aligns with each of the five Cross-Cutting Threads as follows:
Community Trust - The planning process has been built upon community engagement to earn community trust and ensure that the project reflects the public’s interests and needs.
Equity - Multiple opportunities and modes for community input using multiple tools and platforms in English and Spanish for advertising the opportunities were used to engage a broad spectrum of Riverside’s diverse population. These outreach and engagement efforts were advertised using social media posts, e-blasts, newspaper ads, a press release, postcards/flyers, and signs posted at the project sites.
Fiscal Responsibility - The project is grant funded and does not require use of the City’s General Fund for design or construction.
Innovation - This project is responding to the community’s changing recreational, social, and health and wellness needs to provide additional trails as requested during outreach for the 2020 Parks, Recreation and Community Services Master Plan preparation. The project will allow use of active transportation modes, instead of cars, to travel between neighborhoods, places of employment and the University of California campus.
Sustainability and Resiliency - The project increases park and recreational resources to meet the needs of the present community, without compromising the needs of the future by finding solutions that help Riverside adapt to climate change and resource depletion through actions such as planting more trees, using native and low-water landscaping, implementing on-site stormwater infiltration, and supporting active transportation.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total fiscal impact of this action is up to $1,400,000. The previously awarded Urban Greening Grant funds are being used as matching funds for this Recreational Trails Program grant. Upon grant award, an increase will be recorded in revenues and appropriations in an amount up to $1,400,000, or in the amount of the grant award in the Grants and Restricted Programs Fund, Parks and Recreation Administration, Recreational Trails Account for the Gage Canal – Phase 1 Project, revenue account number 9409210-334300 and expenditure account number 9409210-440220.
Additional maintenance costs will result from implementation of this project. The annual on-going maintenance costs are estimated to be $50,000. These additional maintenance funds will be requested in future budgets to ensure that the project is maintained to meet City, California Natural Resources Agency, and California State Parks Department standards.
Prepared by: Pamela M. Galera, Parks, Recreation and Community Services Director Certified as to
availability of funds: Edward Enriquez, Interim Assistant City Manager / Chief Financial Officer / Treasurer
Approved by: Kris Martinez, Assistant City Manager
Approved as to form: Phaedra A. Norton, City Attorney
Attachments:
Gage Canal Trail – Phase 1 Grant Resolution
Gage Canal Trail Master Plan
Recreational Trails Program Grant – Gage Canal Trail – Phase 1 ● Page 3