DATE: MARCH 19, 2024
DEPARTMENT: LIBRARY & COMMUNITY SERVICES
FROM: JIM PIA, INTERIM CITY MANAGER
CHRISTOPHER A. CALLIHAN, CITY ATTORNEY
KRISTAN LUNDQUIST, LCS DIRECTOR
TITLE: MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE CITY OF SALINAS AND THE BIG SUR LAND TRUST FOR THE CARR LAKE PARK PROJECT RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council approve a resolution authorizing the Interim City Manager to execute a Memorandum of Understanding with the Big Sur Land Trust for the Carr Lake Park Project.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Since approximately 2008, the City of Salinas and Big Sur Land Trust (BSLT) have been working toward the development of a park and open space area within Carr Lake. Upon the BSLT’s acquisition of land within Carr Lake, the concept could be put into reality. For the last two years, the Interim City Manager, City Attorney and Library & Community Services Director have been collaborating with the BSLT to develop an agreement to memorialize the planning, ownership, and long-term management of the Carr Lake Park Project. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is presented with this Report for the City Council’s consideration.
BACKGROUND:
Since 2017, BSLT has been planning, designing, permitting, and fundraising for a two-phase park development project, with the ultimate goal of the entire 73-acre property to be owned and managed by the City as a public park. Implementation of the Carr Lake Park Project realizes a goal long held by the City and its residents, as exemplified by its consistency with numerous City plans and initiatives, including the General Plan, which has identified the area as “park” since 2002. BSLT has fundraised for and received over $27 million in funding to support this project to date. In November 2022, the Salinas City Council unanimously approved allocation of $1 million from the fiscal year 2022 available fund balance to BSLT for construction of the Project.
BSLT, working with community partners including Center for Community Advocacy and CSUMB’s Habitat Stewardship Project, held formal community meetings to engage residents in the iterative park design process, which included educating residents about Carr Lake, explaining the project, and soliciting ideas. In addition to the formal meetings, BSLT and partners also held dozens of site tours, school field trips, educational programs, surveys, and community stewardship workdays at the site to engage residents of all ages and collect input on the project design. Over 6,700 residents have participated in these and other project activities. The input collected was analyzed, considered, and incorporated into the park design plan to the greatest extent feasible. As a result, the project design directly reflects community input and guidance.
As project construction is nearing, BSLT and City staff drafted an MOU for the purpose of coordinating and memorializing the planning, ownership, and long-term management of the Carr Lake Park Project. The MOU details the roles and responsibilities of each party, as well as the plans to transfer to the City each phase of the park once construction is complete. Additionally, public and private grants and agency permits secured by BSLT have specific deliverables, timelines and deadlines that are detailed in the MOU.
DISCUSSION:
The project will occur in several phases and will require both parties to take certain actions to ensure timely completion of the different phases. Following are some key provisions of the MOU so as to provide the Council and the community with a general understanding of the project.
Phase 1 of the project will include the development of a six-acre neighborhood park. Construction of this portion is expected to begin in spring of 2024 with the park expected to be open to the public in spring 2025. This project phase includes construction of traditional park amenities such as restrooms, picnic tables, a skate spot, trails, parking lots, basketball courts, and a gazebo and/or playground. Once development of the park is completed it will be transferred to the City for ongoing management and responsibility, including maintenance and upkeep of the park and its facilities. As with the other City parks, this park will be open to the public from dawn to dusk. The BSLT will continue its efforts within the park to facilitate construction of the adjacent restoration area, which will another feature open and available to the public upon completion.
Phase 2 of the project will include development of a sixty-seven acre restoration and open space area. Construction of this phase is expected to begin in spring of 2025, with construction expected to be completed and the area open to the public by spring of 2026. This phase of the project includes restoration of creek and wetland habitat, planting, fencing, signage, and trail construction. BSLT will have responsibility for all construction costs and upon completion of the project and transfer to the City, the City will have responsibility for maintenance of the restoration area to include general trash pick up, removal of graffiti, patrols, pedestrian and maintenance bridges, crossings, boardwalks, trail maintenance, perimeter fending, sediment removal, and moving and weeding. BSLT will be responsible for implementing vegetation and habitat management as required under grant agreements and permits to ensure that the restoration is successful. BSLT will also be responsible for all monitoring and reporting as required under the grant agreements and permits, implementation of an adaptive management plan, and coordination of compliance with timeframe requirements under all permits and grant conditions. BSLT will also install and maintain temporary wildlife exclusion fencing each year, in coordination with the neighboring farm properties. This area will also be open to the public from dawn to dusk, like other City parks.
The property contains two single-family residences, currently occupied by tenants. It is anticipated that one house (the “front house”) will be transferred (donated) to the City, independent of the construction schedules mentioned above, to be managed by the City as part of their affordable housing program. The other house (the “back house”) may be transferred to the City as well. It may not continue to be used as a residence due to grant conditions, but can be used for caretaker housing or storage of park related tools or equipment or it can be demolished. The BSLT has been working with the residents on relocation.
It is important for the Council to note that upon completion of the different phases of the project, the City will be responsible for assuming responsibility for management and maintenance of the park and the park facilities as required under the grant agreements. To address concerns for adequate funding to support the management and maintenance efforts, the BSLT will work with the City and the community to investigate and develop funding mechanisms for long term maintenance of the park. In addition, BSLT will also work with the City and community to explore potential public-private partnership models such as the development of a supporting community-based organization (e.g., a “Friends of Carr Lake”) to assist with certain park maintenance and monitoring tasks or other activities as may be appropriate.
The introduction and summary of the MOU was presented to the LCS Commission on March 13, 2024. The Commission voted unanimously to recommend to the City Council that it approve a resolution authorizing the Interim City Manager to execute a Memorandum of Understanding with Big Sur Land Trust for the Carr Lake Park Project.
CEQA CONSIDERATION:
Environmental impacts of the Carr Lake Park Project were analyzed in accordance with CEQA. An Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration adopted by the City Council on September 14, 2021, found that the Project will not have a significant effect on the environment.
STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVE:
This action supports the City Council goals of:
Economic Development
Infrastructure and Environmental Sustainability
Youth and Seniors
DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION:
The Library & Community Services Department coordinated with the City Attorney’s Office and the City Manager’s Office on the development of the MOU for the Carr Lake Project.
FISCAL AND SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT:
At the time of the transfer of the Carr Lake property, the City will be responsible for the ongoing operations and management of the Neighborhood Park and Park Restoration and Open Space Area. Additional Park Maintenance resources will be required in FY 25-26 to fund the operation and maintenance of an additional 76 acres of parkland.
ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution
Memorandum of Understanding
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