City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: JULY 19, 2022 FROM: LIBRARY DEPARTMENT WARDS: ALL
SUBJECT: RECEIPT OF GRANT FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $5,000 FROM THE CALIFORNIA STATE LIBRARY TO PROVIDE A PARK PASS PROGRAM THROUGH JUNE 30, 2023 - SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION ISSUES:
Approve the acceptance of grant funds in the amount of $5,000 from the California State Library for the Library to provide a Park Pass Program and authorize a supplemental appropriation in the amount of the grant award.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council:
Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to accept the amount awarded, including amounts lesser or greater than the amount applied for, by the California State Library for the Library to provide a Park Pass Program; With at least five affirmative votes, authorize the Chief Financial Officer, or designee, to record an increase in revenue and appropriation expenditures in an amount equal to the grant award to the Grants and Restricted Programs Fund, Park Pass Program Project Grant Account following receipt of the grant award, and Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute all grant documents, including making minor and non-substantive changes to documents associated with the grant as necessary.
BACKGROUND:
The Riverside Public Library actively pursues grant funding as an alternative funding source and/or supplement to City funds to enable the purchase of library materials to enhance its collection for use by the public. Grants offer valuable, unique opportunities for local jurisdictions to compete for funding sources available through, State, Federal, or other agencies to assist in covering the costs of select projects.
Through a partnership with the California State Parks, the California State Library Parks Pass Program provides 5,000 free vehicle-day use passes for circulation (for a minimum of three passes per outlet, including mobile libraries) at all branches of public libraries in California. As part of a three-year pilot program, the new Library Pass programs was launched in April 2022. The passes are a physical hangtag and are valid at over 200 parks for one car’s access.
A grant program, which closed on May 4, 2022, funded libraries in the creation of outreach and programming to support park access equity and generate positive measurable impacts in the areas of health, natural resource stewardship, and historical, and cultural connections.
Research shows that spending time in green space such as parks is associated with better mental and physical health measures. California has a wealth of state parks – your library is most likely within driving distance of one. However, parks are not accessed equitably. Proximity, lack of transportation, lack of exposure to parks/nature/outdoors activities, not feeling welcomed (i.e., language barriers), perceived safety of parks, and other issues are all aspects of park access inequity. Libraries are a clear partner to support their communities in accessing parks once the financial barrier of day-use fees have been removed.
DISCUSSION:
On June 20, 2022, the Riverside Public Library was awarded the Park Pass Program Grant for a total of $5,000 in California State Library funds (Attachment 1). With these funds the Riverside Public Library (RPL) will purchase and create explorer backpacks to circulate at all library locations. Each explorer backpack will include locally printed park guides in both English and Spanish, trail maps, and information about the California Citrus State Historic Park. They will also include a family hiking book/nature book in English or Spanish, a pair of children’s binoculars, a compass, and a magnifying glass. Explorer backpacks will strengthen the relationship between community members and the outdoors as it will provide all items needed to have a great day at the park. They will encourage families to gather outside together, learn about existing local wildlife and fauna, and provide the means to fully utilize the local State Park.
The Park Pass Program will be offered to the Riverside Public Library customers from July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023. The Park Pass Program allows customers to check out a Park Pass for 1-3 weeks.
Reporting guidelines: The Riverside Public Library will provide mid-project financial and narrative reports on January 31, 2023, and final financial and narrative report by June 30, 2023.
In accordance with the City Grant Administration Policy 01.006.00, the Department Director evaluated the award to determine the benefit to the customers of the City’s Library, long and short-term financial implications, feasibility and compatibility with existing City priorities/goals and services and determined the community and City would benefit with accepting this grant.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
The item presented in this report contributes to Strategic Priority No. 1 Arts, Culture & Recreation and Goal 1.1 - Strengthen Riverside’s portfolio of arts, culture, recreation, senior and lifelong learning programs and amenities through expanded community partnerships, shared use opportunities and fund development.
The item aligns with each of the five Cross-Cutting Threads as follows:
Community Trust - This item aligns with Community Trust by minimizing the expenditure of City funds through community partnership and involving the members of the community to encourage or enhance communication.
Equity - This item aligns with Equity by facilitating equitable distribution of services to every member of the community.
Fiscal Responsibility - This item aligns with Fiscal Responsibility as the community would benefit by accepting this award with no financial implications to the City other than in-kind contributions of staff time.
Innovation - This item aligns with Innovation by continuing partnership with the California State Library.
Sustainability & Resiliency - This item aligns with Sustainability & Resiliency by potentially providing fund development opportunity.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total fiscal impact of this action is $5,000. No City matching funds are required. With at least five affirmative votes of the City Council and following receipt of the grant award, an increase will be recorded in revenue and appropriations in an amount equal to the grant award, including amounts lesser or greater than the amount applied for, in the Grants and Restricted Programs Fund, Library, Park Pass Grant revenue account no. 9346200-334100 and expenditure account no. 9346200-440210.
Prepared by: Erin Christmas, Library Director
Certified as to
availability of funds: Kristie Thomas, Assistant Chief Financial Officer Approved by: Rafael Guzman, Assistant City Manager
Approved as to form: Phaedra A. Norton, City Attorney
Attachment:
Award Letter
Agreement and Certificate of Compliance
CSL Park Pass Program Grant Award ● Page 3