CITY OF SALINAS
COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
_____________________________________________________________________________________ DATE: February 15, 2022
DEPARTMENT: LIBRARY AND COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT
FROM: KRISTAN LUNDQUIST, LIBRARY AND COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR BY: JOSE ARREOLA, COMMUNITY SAFETY ADMINISTRATOR
TITLE: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE OF PROPOSITION 68 PER CAPITA GRANT FUNDS RECOMMENDED MOTION:
A motion to approve a resolution authorizing the acceptance of Proposition 68 Per Capita Program funds of $177,952 and the establishment of the Prop 68 Per Capita fund with appropriations totaling $177,952 and corresponding revenue budget Cesar Chavez trail improvements and expansion.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that Council approve the resolution authorizing the acceptance of Proposition 68 Per Capita Program funds of $177,952 and the establishment of the Prop 68 Per Capita fund with appropriations totaling $177,952 and corresponding revenue budget Cesar Chavez trail improvements and expansion.
BACKGROUND:
In 2019 the Library Community Services Department concluded a Parks, Recreation and Libraries Master Planning (PRLMP) effort which included a full assessment of our park, recreation, and library facilities. Following this assessment and the community engagement process which included over two thousand community engagement touch points, our consultants proceeded to develop plan content, key project recommendations, implementation strategies and a capital investment plan. Based on this extensive community engagement all our assets requiring capital improvements were ranked. Cesar Chavez is a top ranked park with a high overall priority score. The priority score includes community need, significance, funding leverage, safety/security, usage/benefits, and location/demographics.
This non-competitive grant made possible by the passage of the Proposition 68 - Per Capita Program has awarded the City of Salinas $177,952. The intent of the Prop 68 funded Per Capita Program is to create opportunities for high quality outdoor recreation and connect residents to parks in critically underserved communities across California. The Cesar Chavez Park project consists of renovating 3,000 linear feet of trail and adding 1,000 linear feet of new trail using Decomposed Granite (DG) with a binding element, which will provide a more durable surface to avoid rutting and depressions. The length of the trail is estimated to be 4,000 linear feet and will be 4-feet in width and 4-inches in depth. The Fitness Trail is designed to provide a loop for walking or running and will connect to an existing pathway at the trail in addition to a possible future connection with a proposed regional trail outside the park. Also provided along the trail will be Mile Marker posts that will inform the length in segments so that those exercising can be aware of the how far they go and based on their time, can calculate how fast or slow they went for a given segment. Pads of DG large enough to hold an exercise station will be placed throughout the trail.
The project will involve working closely with the Community Development Department to leverage Alisal Vibrancy Plan (AVP) implementation funds designated for park and open space improvements. AVP funds would be used to augment the project with low level lighting along the trails, trash and recycling receptacles, and exercise stations. Increasing lighting in parks to improve safety, adding more trash and recycling receptacles for cleanliness, and the addition of exercise stations to promote healthy activity were identified as priorities in the resident led AVP and implementation plan. This collaboration allows the City to maximize both the use of the per capita grant funds and the AVP implementation funds to increase community benefit and achieve the priorities of both the PRLMP and the AVP.
Cesar Chavez Park is a top priority because of its critical condition and heavy use by the community. The park hosts hundreds of people daily on the basketball courts, playground, and jogging or walking around the park. This grant application is part of our goal to finding a solution to develop this important park central to a thriving and densely populated community.
CEQA CONSIDERATION:
Not a Project. The City of Salinas has determined that the proposed action is not a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (CEQA Guidelines Section 15378).
STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVE:
The application for this grant funding supports the following City Council Goals:
Operational Efficiencies
Public Safety
DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION:
Throughout project implementation, the Library & Community Services Department will continue to coordinate and collaborate with the Public Works and Community Development Departments. The Library Community Services Department will work with the Finance Department to receive funds, provide financial progress reports to the granting agency and manage the spending of grant funds on the project.
FISCAL AND SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT:
The recreational amenities funded by this grant are designed to require a very low-level maintenance. The grant ensures an expanded and renewed walking and jogging path central to thousands of youths and their families in the heart of Salinas for decades to come. No matching City funds are required. Funds should be appropriated and made available in a newly created expenditure account.
ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution
Contract