City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: JUNE 6, 2023 FROM: LIBRARY DEPARTMENT WARDS: ALL
SUBJECT: AUTHORIZATION FOR A GRANT APPLICATION, AND RECEIPT OF A LIBRARY EXPLORE THE OUTDOORS PARKS PASS GRANT AWARD, FROM THE CALIFORNIA STATE LIBRARY IN THE AMOUNT OF $75,000 - SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION ISSUES:
Authorization of a grant application, and receipt of a Library Explore the Outdoors Parks Pass Grant award, from the California State Library for the Explore the Outdoors Program in the amount of $75,000, and approval of a supplemental appropriation in the amount of the grant award.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council:
Authorize a grant application, and receipt of a Library Explore the Outdoors Parks Pass Grant in the amount of $75,000, or the actual grant award amount, from the California State Library for the Riverside Public Library to purchase grant programming materials; With at least five affirmative votes, and upon receipt of the grant award, authorize the Chief Financial Officer, or designee, to record an increase in revenue and an appropriation of expenditures in the amount of $75,000, or the actual grant award, in the Grants and Restricted Programs Fund, Explore the Outdoors Parks Pass grant accounts; and Authorize the Library Director, or designee, to execute any and all grant documents with the California State Library, including making minor and non-substantive changes as necessary.
BACKGROUND:
The Riverside Public Library actively pursues grant funding as an alternative 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 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.
The Program, which officially closed on May 4, 2022, funded libraries in the creation of outreach and programming to support park access equity, and to 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, however these facilities are often 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 now that 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 project for a total of $5,000 in California State Library funds and on March 7, 2023, the Library received notice of an additional grant award in the amount of $75,000 for the Park Pass Program (Attachment 1). The Riverside Public Library will receive payment from the California State Library of $67,500 upon execution of the agreement and submission of claim and the remaining amount of $7,500 upon the approval all final reports and claim forms (Attachment 2).
With these funds the Riverside Public Library 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 a State park. Backpacks 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 system. The Project term begins upon execution of the grant agreement through February 29, 2024.
Park Pass Program will be offered to the Riverside Public Library customers. The Park Pass Program allows customers to check out a Park Pass for 1-3 weeks. The Riverside Public Library will provide mid-project financial and narrative reports to the California State Library on September 1, 2023, and final financial and narrative report by March 30, 2024.
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 $75,000, or the actual amount of the grant award inclusive of any additional funds that may be awarded by the California State Library. Upon City Council approval and grant award receipt, an increase in revenue and appropriation of expenditures in the amount of $75,000, or in the actual amount of the grant award, will be recorded in the Grants and Restricted Programs Fund, Parks Pass, revenue account 9348600-334100 and expenditure account 9348600-440210. No City match is required.
Prepared by: Erin Christmas, Library 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:
Award Letter
Agreement and Certificate of Compliance
CSL Explore the Outdoors Parks Pass Grant Award $75,000 ● Page 3