March 7, 2023
U.S. REGULAR MAIL / PERSONAL COURIER
The Honorable Nancy Skinner The Honorable Buffy Wicks California State Senate California State Assembly 1021 O Street, Suite 8630 1021 O Street, Suite 4240 Sacramento, CA 95814 Sacramento, CA 95814
RE: 2023-24 STATE OF CA BUDGET REQUESTS - CITY OF SAN PABLO
Dear Senator Skinner and Assembly Member Wicks:
On behalf of the City of San Pablo, I want to express my gratitude and appreciation to the two of you and your staff for your leadership and support over the years.
As the State Legislature begins their work on the 2023-24 Budget process, I would like to respectfully present a list of needs from the City that are Gann Appropriations Limit exempt, are critically needed infrastructure related, and will help improve the quality of life for a socio-economic, disadvantaged community
Below are (no more than 5) projects for consideration with a brief description and funding amount in order of State funding preference. After further discussion , the City of San Palo are happy to provide a more in depth budget and answer any questions you or your staff may have.
Thank you for your consideration, and I look forward to working together to secure State funding to help the San Pablo community.
In partnership:
Abel Pineda, Mayor
City of San Pablo
cc: Mayor and San Pablo City Council
City Manager
1000 Gateway Avenue ● San Pablo, CA 94806
Main: 510-215-3000 ● Fax: 510-215-3011
www.SanPabloCA.gov
CITY OF SAN PABLO PROPOSED PROJECTS FOR STATE BUDGET FUNDING
Proposed for Potential State Budget 2023-24 One-Time Funding Allocation Requests February 2023
Project #1: San Pablo Area for Recreation and Community (SPARC) Project Total State Funding Request: $3 million
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The Project site (2600 Moraga Road) is an old elementary school that the school district closed in 1997 and the City of San Pablo purchased in 2006 with the intention of developi ng a park.
However, the City has not had the funds to follow through with this opportunity and been seeking grant support on an ongoing basis. The 2600 Moraga Road property is 4.5 acres.
The proposed new park will provide
enough space to add numerous
resident-selected amenities, including a
playground with all -abilities equipment,
and adult sized soccer field, basketball
court, small stage/amphitheater,
seniorrated exercise stations, a fitness
trail around the perimeter, and a picnic
table area. Additiona lly, the expansion
will include basic amenities that the park
currently lacks, including four (4)
genderneutral bathrooms, 80 parking
stalls, and water fountains. All these
amenities will serve families, youth, and seniors residing in this community and provide much needed park space for childhood play and active living for all ages. This park would help the City to address the current lack of park facilities and other community challenges, such as high childhood obesity.
This park expansion is critical for the over 8,000 residents who live in the densely populated half-mile radius surrounding the expansion property, who currently have access to fewer than two (2) acres of park space per 1,000 residents. Much of the community within this half -mile radius consists of dense multi-unit buildings with a high proportion of youth (23%) and seniors (9%). In addition, less than half-mile from the park is the Hatlen Center for the Blind, three (3) schools, the San Pablo Community Center and two (2) day-care centers. The park in its current size and state is insufficient for the quantity and type of community members that live and work in the immediate vicinity.
The first phase of this project would entail demolishing the abandoned school buildings, conducting the environmental assessments required, completing the preliminary designs, and securing the required permitting to better prepare for full design and construction.
Project #2: Expansion of Municipal Public Fiber/Wireless Network (Phase II) Total State Funding Request: $3 million
The City recently completed Phase I of expanding municipal fiber to City facilities. Phase II would connect the City’s Maintenance Corporation Yard to the other facilities, and could place traffic signal interconnect in existing conduit along Rumrill Boul evard, add to the City’s fiber backbone along Rumrill, San Pablo Avenue and Broadway, and connect with Contra Costa College. The City has earmarked a total of $1.25M in ARPA funds allocated to leverage other sources of external funding (TBD) to expand wire less and internet connectivity to disadvantaged community to close the digital divide for local businesses, youth and families who need enhanced internet and wireless connectivity.
Project #3: Development of Community-wide EV Charging Station for All EV Vehicles/ Total State Funding Request: $3 million
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City pursuing external EV grants for disadvantaged communities for conducting a feasibility and cost analysis and ultimately developing new, publicly-accessible EV Charging Stations on two (2) City -owned properties for personal and commercial EV vehicles t o meet growing consumer demand and State-wide Zero-Emissions Goals by 2035. (See project site locations below).
Chesley Avenue @ Rumrill Avenue Old PD HQ Building (San Pablo Avenue)
Project #4: Old FS#70 Corporation Yard Annex: Site Development with EV Sustainability / Total State Funding Request: $2.5M
The City proposes to re -purpose the old Fire Station #70 property and buildings, located at 13928 San Pablo Avenue, to become an extension of the City’s Corporation Yard. This offsite Annex would include site improvements and installation of EV sustainability infrastructure for the electrification of the City’s to meet State-wide Zero-Emissions Goals by 2035.
The City’s current Corporation Yard is grossly undersized, and housing the new EV equipment will overtax the limited power system on-site. The new Annex project site will be better suited for these electric vehicles, and a portion of the City’s maintenance equipment and crews. But, will need some substantial power upgrades to accommodate this new use.
Project #5: Replacement of old San Pablo Archway
Total State Funding Request: $2M
The City has proposed to demolish and replace the old and outdated San Pablo Archway with a new structurally-sound archway to enhance community outreach, promotion and civic pride.
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