Agenda Item #12.6
For Council Meeting of June 7, 2022
CITY OF SANTA ROSA
CITY COUNCIL
TO: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: TERRI BLADOW RESEARCH AND PROGRAM COORDINATOR
TRANSPORTATION & PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
JEN SANTOS, DEPUTY DIRECTOR - PARKS
TRANSPORTATION & PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: AUTHORIZING SUBMITTAL OF A GRANT APPLICATION FOR IMPROVEMENTS AT KAWANA SPRINGS COMMUNITY PARK AGENDA ACTION: RESOLUTION
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended by the Transportation and Public Works Department that the Council, by resolution: 1) authorize the submittal of an application to the State of California Department of Parks and Recreation Office of Grants and Local Services Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant Program, for the improvement of Kawana Springs Community Park for $2,909,112 in grant funds, which is 50% of the total project cost of $5,818,224, the remainder of which will be matched by the City; 2) authorize the Assistant City Manager to accept the grant and execute a Grant Contract and any amendments thereto, a Deed Restriction, and all other documents necessary for the completion of the project, subject to approval as to from by the City Attorney; and 3) authorize the Chief Financial Officer to increase appropriations by the amount of the grant award.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The approved resolution will authorize the Transportation and Public Works Department to apply to the State of California Department of Parks and Recreation Office of Grants and Local Services Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant Program and execute required documents to provide funding for installation of new park amenities approved in the 2019 master plan for Kawana Springs Community Park. Amenities in the grant proposal included: paved trails, parking, picnic areas, shade pavilions, children’s play areas for ages 2-5 and 5-12, restroom building, bocce courts, dog park, bicycle pump track, half basketball court, table tennis, fitness stations, volleyball, multi-use turf area, and earthen multi-use trail sections.
BACKGROUND
On February 14, 1963, President Kennedy’s Administration proposed legislation to establish a "Land and Water Conservation Fund" (LWCF) to assist States in planning, acquisition, and development of recreation lands. With bipartisan support, President Johnson signed it into law on September 3, 1964, as Public Law 88- 578, 16 U.S.C.460l-4.
The National Park Service (NPS) administers the LWCF program at the federal level. Funds allocated to California are administered by the State Department of Parks and Recreation under the provisions of the California Outdoor Recreation Resources Plan Act of 1967, (Public Resources Code §5099 et seq.) and continues to serve as a state funding opportunity. Outer Continental Shelf mineral receipts, sales of federal surplus real property, federal recreation fees, and federal motorboat fuel taxes all serve as funding sources for the LWCF.
Kawana Springs Community Park is designated in the 2035 General Plan as a community park and the 2008 Recreation and Parks Business and Strategic Action Plan. Kawana Springs Community Park is comprised of multiple parcels totaling nearly 20 acres and located in the southeast quadrant of the city of Santa Rosa and bisected by Kawana Springs Creek which at its western edge becomes Colgan Creek. The Park site is adjacent to the Sonoma County Taylor Mountain Park and otherwise surrounded by residential subdivision areas, Sonoma Academy and rural residential.
The Park was dedicated to the city in phases between 2006 and 2008 from Kawana Springs #3, #5, and #6 subdivision developments. Five wetland mitigation areas were also dedicated to the city from the Kawana Springs subdivision project and are located along Kawana Springs Road within the park. Additionally, the city Water Department operates a water well and pump station located within the park along Kawana Springs Road, near the cross street of Taylor Mountain Road.
On November 12, 2019, Council approved both the Master Plan and the Mitigated Negative Declaration in compliance with California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
The grant application includes all amenities shown the master plan with the exception of the pathway to the north of the creek, the pedestrian bridge, and the community garden which is planned for construction in Spring of 2023 in advance of the park project, utilizing previously allocated Park Development Impact Fees.
Galvin Community Park and Howarth Community Park are also community parks located within the southeast quadrant. However, in the local area not including Bennett Valley, Kawana Springs Park is the only community park planned between Highways 101 and 12. Therefore, since the first housing units were built between 2006 and 2008, this park continues to be a priority for the community and will provide residents with a variety of active and passive recreational opportunities.
ANALYSIS
The LWCF requires Council to authorize, by resolution, the application for grant funds and appoint an agent to conduct all negotiations and execute all documents necessary to complete the project. The City of Santa Rosa meets the minimum eligibility requirements to apply for the improvement project under the LWCF for Kawana Springs Community Park.
The project site, Kawana Springs Community Park, was reviewed for competitiveness and the ability to complete the project within the required timeline for project completion prior to June 30, 2026. The grant program is highly competitive, and all eligible applications are evaluated using the following criteria: proximity to existing parks, demographics, community challenges and project benefits, community involvement, availability, organizational capacity, and water conservation measures.
Emphasis is placed on community partnership with local organizations, including health organizations, and youth participation and education. The city will maintain its working partnerships with many local organizations in the area as we engage with the community for the details of the project.
Successful LWCF applicants will enter into a Standard Grant Contract for distribution of funds with the State. Upon execution of a Standard Contract, program grant funds must be spent fully no later than June 30, 2026, after the date of award which is anticipated to be in late summer 2022.
FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of this action does not have a fiscal impact on the General Fund. Funding for future improvements will be derived from park development impact fees collected in Zone 4 (Southeast Quadrant). Estimated total project cost including design and construction is $5,818,224; final award amount is determined by LWCF. The LWCF has a required match of a maximum of 50 percent of the award or $2,909,112 which is available from the Southeast Community Park project JL Key 09608. Approval of this resolution authorizes the Chief Financial Officer to appropriate any awarded grant funds to the Southeast Community Park JL Key 09608.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
In accordance with CEQA, the project has received State and City Council approval of the environmental Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) in 2019 for future construction of the park amenities. No additional or substantial changes are planned beyond what has already been approved in the MND for construction of the park amenities in accordance with (CEQA). Therefore, no additional environmental review is necessary.
BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Not applicable.
NOTIFICATION
Not applicable.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1 - 2019 Kawana Springs Community Park Master Plan Resolution
Exhibit A - Grant Contract
Exhibit B – Deed Restrictions
CONTACT
Terri Bladow, [email protected], (707) 543-3741
AUTHORIZING SUBMITTAL OF A GRANT APPLICATION FOR IMPROVEMENTS AT KAWANA SPRINGS COMMUNITY PARK PAGE 2 OF 4