DATE: MARCH 11, 2025
DEPARTMENT: LIBRARY & COMMUNITY SERVICES
FROM: KRISTAN LUNDQUIST, LCS DIRECTOR
TITLE: CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 5 RECREATION CENTER
RECOMMENDED MOTION:
A motion to approve a Resolution appropriating $8.1 Million Dollars from the District 5 Recreation Center Reserve fund to CIP 9342 - District 5 Recreation Center.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
On May 10. 2022, the City Council approved an $8.1 million dollar reserve to build a recreation center in City Council District 5. These funds need to be appropriated to CIP 9342 in order for staff to initiate the feasibility and design portion of the project.
BACKGROUND:
In early 2022, the Library & Community Services Department and the Fire Department began collaborating on a potential shared use of a site for a new fire station and recreation center in City Council District 5. In February of 2022, a request was submitted to Assemblymember Rivas’ office in the amount of $20 million for consideration of State funding for the fire station and park improvements portion of the project. This request was contingent upon the City funding the recreation center portion of the project, in the approximate amount of $8.1 million dollars. While the City ultimately did not receive funding from the State for the fire station and park improvements, on May 10, 2022, the City Council approved an $8.1 million dollar reserve from general funds to build a recreation center in City Council District 5.
The City currently has (7) recreation centers including:
Facility
Address
City Council District
Bread Box Rec Center
740 N. Sanborn Rd.
District 1
Central Park
420 Central Ave.
District 3
Closter Park
401 Towt St.
District 2
El Dorado Park
1655 El Dorado Dr.
District 6
Firehouse Rec Center
1330 E. Alisal St.
District 2
Hebbron Family Center
683 Fremont St.
District 4
Recreation Center
320 Lincoln Ave.
District 3
The only City Council District that does not have a recreation center located within its boundaries is District 5. Recreation centers provide critical prevention services including youth programs, senior programs, community spaces, opportunities for learning. These services contribute to the quality of life for Salinas residents and create a sense of place.
Following the determination that the State would not provide funding for the fire station and park improvements, staff conducted outreach to determine the best location for the proposed recreation center. Staff conducted an interactive survey which resulted in 130 responses primarily from the 93906 zip code. The survey respondents identified a number of locations for a possible recreation center including City-owned properties and non-City-owned properties. Of the City-owned properties, Northgate Neighborhood Park received the most votes. Staff also conducted 4 pop-up outreach activities with a total of 151 participants, again Northgate Neighborhood Park rose to the top. Staff evaluated all suggested locations and determined that there were 3 potential City-owned properties that would work including Northgate Neighborhood Park, Laurelwood Neighborhood Park and Laurel Neighborhood Park. These sites along with the data from the survey and pop-up activities were presented to residents at a community meeting on October 25, 2022. During this meeting, Northgate Neighborhood Park rose to the top as the most suitable location.
Staff is ready to move this project forward beginning with a feasibility study to analyze the potential construction of a recreation center in Northgate Neighborhood Park and is requesting to appropriate the reserve funds to CIP 9342. The feasibility study will include additional community outreach regarding program needs, park amenity upgrades, and a conceptual design for the future recreation center. It will also incorporate the universal playground and ADA site improvement project creating synergy and improved access and recreational opportunities for the 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).
CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLIES:
No.
STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVE:
This action supports the City Council Goals of:
Infrastructure and Environmental Sustainability
Public Safety
Youth and Seniors
DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION
Staff from the Library & Community Services and Finance have collaborated on the need for appropriating funds. Moving forward, coordination between Library & Community Services, Public Works and Community Development will be critical in order to bring the District 5 Community Center to fruition.
FISCAL AND SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT:
Fund
Appropriation
Appropriation
Name
Total Appropriation
Amount for recommendation
FY 24-25 Operating Budget Page
Last Budget Action (Date, Resolution)
1100
$6.9 Mil
District 5 Recreation Center Reserve
$6.9 Mil
$6.98 Mil
May 10, 2022,
22352
1200
$1.2 Mil
District 5 Recreation Center Reserve
$1.2Mil
$1.2 Mil
May 10, 2022,
22352
This action would appropriate the $8.1 Million Dollars from the District 5 Recreation Center Reserve to CIP 9342 so that the project can move forward with a feasibility study. Additional operating cost are yet to be determined; these costs will be better understood at the completion of the design process when we have determined the facility size and scope and will be brought back to the City Council at a later date.
ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution
Aerial Photo of Northgate Park
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