City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: July 29, 2025
Agenda Item: 4.H
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To: Mayor and City Council
From: Rick Valte, Public Works Director, Public Works, Architecture Services Subject: Adoption of a Resolution Authorizing the Application for Grant Funds from the State of California Department of Parks and Recreation Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant Funding
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of no possibility of significant effect pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3)(Common Sense Exemption) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines;
2. Adopt the attached resolution authorizing the application for grant funds in the amount of $6 million from the California Department of Parks and Recreation Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant Program for the Memorial Park Expansion Project for the Public Works Department; and
3. Authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents to apply for the grant, accept the grant, if awarded, and accept all grant renewals, if awarded.
Summary
Staff recommends that the City apply for $6 million in Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) funding to move forward with the Memorial Park Expansion Project Phase 1 which is estimated to cost $23.25 million. Expanding Memorial Park is a longstanding priority project for Santa Monica community members. Through multiple planning processes, staff has developed an actionable initial scope of work that would begin to address expressed community needs for this area. In 2016, Santa Monica voters approved the passage of a Santa Monica College (SMC) bond measure (Measure V), which provides $20 million of funds for the Memorial Park Expansion Project. In August 2023, the City and SMC entered into a Payment Agreement, under which SMC would contribute up to $2.75 million toward design and pre-construction 2 of 9
services. As a result, there remains approximately $17.25 million of Measure V funds for the Memorial Park Expansion Project. If the City is awarded the LWCF grant, it would begin negotiations with SMC on a fiscal and use agreement to access the remaining Measure V funds for the construction of Phase 1.
The LWCF is a federal funding source established to assist states in the planning, acquisition, and development of recreation lands. The California Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) administers LWCF funds at the state level. The LWCF program is a competitive grant open to state and local agencies throughout California. In 2022, the agency awarded $45 million to fund 16 projects out of a total of $116 million in applications. In early 2023, the DPR Office of Grants and Local Services (OGALS) announced $30 million in LWCF funding for California state and local agencies. Local agencies can request up to $6 million for development or acquisition of land that either creates or expands existing parks. The granting agency will announce initial awards around December 2025, with approximate project start dates from late 2025 to late 2026 following post-award federal requirements. The LWCF grant application requires an authorizing resolution from the local governing body.
Background
The City of Santa Monica parks system includes 32 parks encompassing more than 140 acres. Memorial Park was established in the 1950s and is geographically located in the center of the City. It is important to the overall park system, serving as the primary park for baseball and softball, offering a space for pickleball and tennis and being the home of the City’s only public gymnasium and skate park.
The Memorial Park Redevelopment and Expansion Project would combine the existing 10.3-acre Memorial Park with the former Fisher Lumber site – a City-owned,
2.9-acre property adjacent to the existing park – into a 13.2-acre newly renovated and expanded community park that meets the increasing demand for recreational activities. An extensive community outreach process guided the development of a 3 of 9
master plan layout and park program with an estimated cost of $100-$116 million, for the future renovation and expansion of Memorial Park that would include additional diamond sports fields and other highly desired community amenities.
In 2019, following master plan approval, staff coordinated with SMC and SMMUSD to develop Phase 1 of the project at an estimated cost of $30 million, with proposed funding of $20 million from SMC Measure V funds, and $5 million each from SMMUSD Measure SMS bonds and City of Santa Monica Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget funds, conditioned on programmed joint use of the completed facilities. The City moved forward with a design-build contract award in February 2020, but suspended the project later that year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Staff returned to City Council in fall 2022 for a study session to consider next steps for the Memorial Park Expansion Project. Staff presented a reduced scope of work for Phase 1 in consideration of limited funding and increased construction costs.
Of the previously identified $30 million, only the $20 million dedicated to park redevelopment from the SMC bond measure remained available. City Council directed staff to proceed with the proposed revised scope and to return with next steps, to reengage SMC and SMMUSD in negotiations for potential fiscal and use agreements, and to present a recommended alternative site for the temporary relocation of the Public Landscape Division’s operations yard.
In March 2023, City staff identified LWCF grant funding as a potential new resource to move the project forward. The 2023 grant application was unsuccessful, and staff is seeking authorization to re-apply for LWCF grant funding in August 2025.
In August 2024, City Council awarded a contract to SWA Group for the design of a potential Phase 0 for underground stormwater infrastructure and Phases 1 and 2 of the 4 of 9
Master Plan. Design kicked off in March 2025 and will be completed in Summer 2026, with construction anticipated to start in Fall 2026.
Discussion
The National Park Service apportions LWCF funds to states for the planning, acquisition, and development of recreation lands. The California Department of Parks and Recreation Office of Grants and Local Services (OGALS) administers California’s funding allocation and will evaluate proposed projects across seven areas: 1) Unmet need (identified through level of priority for the community and alignment with Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) goals); 2) Type of project (either new or existing park land acquisition or development); 3) New acreage placed under LWCF protection (project would add new land for recreational use); 4) Park deficient or economically disadvantaged area (identified by access to parks and availability of parkland for the impacted community); 5) Population served (identified as providing recreational opportunities for older adults, at-risk youth; and/ or persons with disabilities); 6) Public input (whether the proposed project reflects community input); and 7) Project readiness. Local agencies can request up to $6 million per project with a required 50% local match.
The proposed $6 million grant would contribute to the Memorial Park Redevelopment and Expansion Project reduced Phase 1, which would convert an additional two acres of the northern parcel (formerly the Fisher Lumber site) into public park land.
Phase 0 (at a cost of approximately $25 million) is not included as part of this grant funding request. Phase 0 includes a 3.0 million gallon tank within the Phase 1 site area and will divert urban runoff/stormwater from existing storm drain lines along Santa Monica Blvd. and Broadway. Harvested stormwater in the Memorial Park tank would then be released back into the storm drain system during dry weather for collection and treatment downstream at the Sustainable Water Infrastructure Project (SWIP) Advanced Water Treatment Facility.
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Reduced Phase 1 as presented to City Council in September 2022 includes:
Sports Fields
A combination field would create adaptable play space for baseball and softball groups of all ages. It is designed for flexibility. The combination field could accommodate a single regulation high school baseball game, adult softball game, or collegiate softball game. Additionally, the field could be divided with temporary fencing to accommodate two youth baseball or two youth fast pitch softball games played simultaneously. The field would feature covered dugouts, shaded spectator seating, and LED sports lighting. A batting cage for shared use sits adjacent to the combo field. Amenities such as pitchers’ bullpens and additional batting cages would be considered in the design phase and in coordination with the fiscal and use agreements with SMC and SMMUSD.
Pickleball/Tennis Courts
Sixteen pickleball courts with overlapping striping for four tennis courts would be elevated over the new on-site surface parking lot and would include stairs and an elevator. The courts would feature LED sports lighting, wide perimeter clearance spaces, and dedicated equipment storage immediately adjacent to the play area.
Parking
The covered parking lot would increase parking inventory to be used exclusively by park patrons and would include a safe and convenient passenger loading zone and turnaround area. The parking lot’s central location would make it easily accessible from all areas of the park.
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Mobility and Streetscape Improvements
Mobility and streetscape improvements on 14th Street and Colorado Avenue would be included to the extent the budget allows. The proposed master plan includes 4’- wide planted areas that would provide a buffer between generous 8’-wide perimeter sidewalks and field activity within the park. Street trees and parkway planters would create a sense of comfort for pedestrians walking along the street and a shared use bike path completely separated from the street along the Colorado Avenue frontage (Class I bike path) would allow for future connection to the Exposition Corridor Bike Path.
Staff believes that the proposed Memorial Park Expansion Project Phase 1 closely aligns with grant criteria and would be a competitive project for funding. Staff intends to propose the SMC bond Measure V funds as a grant match, so that receiving the grant would not require committing any additional City resources.
Environmental Review
Application for the LWCF grant is exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) in that application of the grant would have no possibility of significant effects. If awarded the grant, necessary environmental review for the Memorial Park Redevelopment and Expansion Project reduced Phase 1 would be completed in compliance with CEQA prior to the award of final design and construction contract. Furthermore, as specified in the grant application, the applying agency must complete an environmental review either at the time of application (August 5, 2025 for this grant application); within 60 days of the application deadline; or provide the granting agency with the status of environmental review and the applying agency’s plan to complete this process. The grant requires the following documentation:
• A Notice of Exemption End filed with, and stamped by, the county clerk, OR 7 of 9
• An Initial Study with a Negative Declaration and a copy of the Notice of Determination filed with, and stamped by, the county clerk, OR • An Initial Study and an Environmental Impact Report and a copy of the Notice of Determination filed with, and stamped by, the county clerk.
AND:
• The CEQA Compliance Certification Form
• A State Clearinghouse Filing Receipt
Environmental review for the stormwater management facilities (i.e., Memorial Park Tank) was previously completed as part of the Sustainable Water Infrastructure Project Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (SWIP IS/MND), that was adopted by the Council on September 27, 2016 (State Clearinghouse No. 2016071056). Environmental review for the remaining components of Memorial Park Phase 1 (sports fields, pickleball/tennis courts, parking and mobility/streetscape improvements) is currently underway and anticipated to be completed and presented for Council approval in late Fall 2025.
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Staff will complete all environmental review in compliance with CEQA and prior to receipt of grant funding.
Past City Council Actions
Meeting Date Description
01/23/18 (Attachment A) Award of Design Agreement for the Memorial Park Feasibility Study and Master Plan
10/15/19 (Attachment B) Memorial Park Redevelopment and Expansion Master Plan Review
02/11/20 (Attachment C) Design-Build Contract for Memorial Park Expansion 09/27/22 (Attachment D) Memorial Plan Expansion Study Session 05/23/23 (Attachment E) Authorization Resolution 11528
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
There is no immediate financial impact or budget action necessary as a result of recommended action. The grant requires a 50% project match which will come from Santa Monica College funding set aside for Memorial Park expansion. The grant is reimbursement-based. Staff would return to City Council with budget changes if the grant is awarded.
Prepared By: Tony Lopez, Senior Park Planner
Approved Forwarded to Council
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Attachments:
A. January 23, 2018 Staff Report
B. October 15, 2019 Staff Report
C. February 11, 2020 Staff Report
D. September 27, 2022 Staff Report
E. May 23, 2023 Staff Report
F. Authorization Resolution 11528
G. 02-Authorizing_Resolution_CoSM