CITY OF SIGNAL HILL
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Community Services Department
1800 E. Hill Street
562-989-7330
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CITY COUNCIL
Mayor Keir Jones
Vice Mayor Tina L. Hansen
Councilmember Robert D. Copeland
Councilmember Edward H.J. Wilson
Councilmember Lori Y. Woods
PARKS & RECREATION
COMMISSION
Tim Anhorn Nancy Lauer
Pam Dutch-Hughes Terry Rogers
Caroline Kiss-Lee
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City Hall
2175 Cherry Avenue
Signal Hill, CA 90755
562-989-7300
CITY ADMINISTRATION
Hannah Shin-Heydorn, City Manager
Scott Charney, Deputy City Manager
Aly Mancini, Director of Community Services
Alison Dobay, Community Services Manager
Charles Hughes, Librarian
Gelli Nocon, Library Assistant
Brittany Batiste, Recreation Coordinator
Azuree Struiksma, Recreation Coordinator
Martha Baez, Recreation Specialist
Melissa Montiel, Adminstrative Assistant
BACKGROUND
The City of Signal Hill prides itself on being a city of great transformation from its early days as a sleepy oil town dotted with oil wells, to a vibrant community of diversity within its residency, business community, and parks and recreation services. While surrounded on all sides by the swarming metropolitan city of Long Beach, Signal Hill has worked hard to maintain its small-town feel and independence. It also strives to maintain its reputation of sound fiscal management and reliable and quality services to those who live, work and play here.
The General Plan
The City last adopted a comprehensive General Plan in 1986, and has subsequently made a variety of updates to the plan over time. The adoption of a General Plan is required by California State Law.
A well-written plan is used as a guide in making important land use decisions. The General Plan is a blueprint for future development and focuses on big-picture and long-term goals. The General Plan includes six elements: Housing, Land Use, Circulation, Environmental Resources, Noise, and Safety.
In 1989, the City adopted a Parks and Recreation Master Plan that was to guide the growth of parks and recreation services and facilities for the next 20 years. The Parks and Recreation Master Plan is currently an appendix to the Environmental Resources Element.
Land Use Element and Parks and Recreation Master Plan Update In 2015, the City's strategic plan identified the goal of adopting an updated Land Use Element including a new Parks and Recreation Master Plan. In 2017, the City began the process of drafting a new Parks and Recreation Master Plan. Over the course of a few years, consultants collected data, engaged with the community and pored over historical companion planning documents to create the 2021 Parks and Recreation Master Plan. The PRMP included four goals and multiple objectives within each of the four goals to guide the Community Services Department for the next 10 -15 years. However, many of the goals and objectives identified are broad in scope and leave room for further clarification. The Prioritization and Implementation Plan, or Pl P, seeks to prioritize and provide details to establish a clear roadmap for the future. The PRM P and Pl P will be adopted by the City Council as part of a future General Plan Amendment.
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10 1. Signal Hill Park
2175 Cherry Avenue
2. Discovery Well Park
2200 Temple Avenue
3. Reservoir Park
3315 Gundry Avenue
4. Calbrisas Park
2451 California Avenue
5. Hilltop Park
2351 Dawson Avenue
6. Signal Hill Dog Park
3100 California Avenue
7. Sunset View Park
2300 Skyline Drive
8. Panorama Promenade
2398 Dawson Avenue
9. Raymond Arbor Park
1881 Raymond Avenue
10. Hillbrook Park
1865 Temple Avenue
11. Heritage Point Park
Cherry Ave/Burnett St
*under construction
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WHAT IS THE PRIORITIZATION AND
IMPLEMENTATION PLAN (PIP)?
The Prioritization and Implementation Plan (Pl P) is a companion document to the 2021 Parks and Recreation Master Plan. The PIP provides a more detailed roadmap to meet the objectives identified in the 2021 Parks and Recreation Master Plan. The PIP provides an estimate of resources that will be required to complete each project.
As with all planning documents, the PIP is a working document that may shift over time due to a number of reasons. Significant, unpredicted changes in demographics, availability of resources and other infrastructure priorities are examples of changes that could alter the PIP moving forward.
PIP GOALS
One: Planning, Policy and Programs
This component will guide the process of evolving the Community Services Department with regards to planning efforts, the development and refining of Department policies and added programs and services.
Two: Capital Improvement Projects
This component prioritizes several Capital Improvement Projects that have been identified as significant by the community within the recent and historical planning documents.
PARKS, TRAILS, AND FACILITIES
The City of Signal Hill's parks and recreation system consists of 10 parks, 5.73 miles of trails, a new public library, and community and youth centers. The Community Services Department is responsible for the provision of parks and recreation services, activities and programs, and community-wide special events aimed at enhancing the quality of life for all residents.
ParkType
Mini/Pocket
Linear
Neighborhood
Community
Specialized
Park
Approximate Size Typical Amenities
1 acre or less
Varies
5-10 Acres
10 + Acres
Varies
Grass areas, small seating areas, small
play equipment, likely no restrooms
Provide community access to increased
health and fitness activities in the
increasingly urbanized region.
Multiple seating areas, large grass
areas/open space, sports fields/courts,
large play equipment. Often adjacent to
community-serving buildings.
Multiple seating areas, large grass
areas/open space, rentable facilities,
sports fields/courts, aquatics complexes,
play equipment. Often adjacent to
community-serving buildings.
A recreation facility devoted to a very
specific activity or use, such as a dog park,
golf course, or skate park.
Signal Hill Park - 2175 Cherry Avenue
Type: Community Park
Neighborhood: Civic Center
Size: 10.07 Acres
Amenities: Two full-sized basketball courts, softball field (non-regulation), playground, 4 barbecue picnic areas, picnic tables, benches, drinking fountains, restrooms, walking paths, outdoor amphitheater, community garden, and community center.
Reservoir Park-3315 Gundry Avenue
Type: Neighborhood Park
Neighborhood: North End
Size: 3.73 Acrescres
Amenities: Playground, open turf, picnic shelter, picnic tables, benches, exercise stations, and restrooms.
Discovery Well Park-2200 Temple Avenue
Type: Neighborhood Park
Neighborhood: Hilltop
Size: 4.9 Acres
Amenities: Community building with a rent-able
meeting room, small outdoor amphitheater,
half-court basketball, two barbecue picnic shelter areas, picnic tables, benches, large concrete plaza area, four-square court, open turf area, playground, restrooms, and access to trails.
Hillbrook Park-1865 Temple Avenue
Type: Mini/Pocket Park
Neighborhood: Southeast
Size: 0.54 Acres
Amenities: Playground, barbecue picnic shelter, simulated creek, footbridge across dry creek bed, and picnic tables.
Hilltop Park - 2351 Dawson Avenue
Type: Neighborhood Park
Neighborhood: Hilltop
Size: 3.2 Acres
Amenities: Two barbecue picnic shelters, picnic tables, restrooms, access to trail system, 360° view, plaza with art installation, engraved bricks, and bench seating.
PARK AND FACILITY INVENTORY
Panorama Promenade
Type: Linear/Trail Park
Neighborhood: Hilltop
Size: 0.22 Acres
Amenities: Asphalt/walking paths, exercise stations, viewpoints with interpretive signage, benches, and connection to two parks:
Hilltop Park and Discovery Well Park.
Raymond Arbor Park -1881 Raymond Avenue
Type: Mini/Pocket Park
Neighborhood: Southeast
Size: 0.33 Acres
Amenities: Playground, picnic tables, central water fountain, arbor over pathway, and bench seating.
Sunset View Park-2300 Skyline Drive
Type: Mini/Pocket Park
Neighborhood: Hilltop
Size: 0.47 Acres
Amenities: Benches, native plants, 180° view, walking path, and art installation.
Calbrisas Park- 2451 California Avenue
Type: Mini/Pocket Park
Neighborhood: Westeast
Size: 0.5 Acres
Amenities: Picnic tables with barbecue grills, half- court basketball, playground, open turf, and benches.
Signal Hill Dog Park- 2351 Dawson Avenue
Type: Specialized
Neighborhood: Atlantic/Spring
Size: 0.46 Acres
Amenities: Separate areas for small and large dogs, dog water fountains, waste bags, and benches.
Funding
To understand how project ideas evolve into actual constructed parks and facilities, it is important to understand both the planning process and the City's budgeting process. The City must make tough decisions about competing priorities when allocating funding. There are a multitude of day-to-day services, such as police and public safety, that must be funded first. Then, there are always a variety of wish list items that Council must prioritize such as new infrastructure or additional programs and services. Longer-term capital improvement projects such as construction of new parks and facilities are often funded through a combination of City general fund monies and either City issued bonds, state or federal grants, and/or special taxes approved by the residents.
Biennial City Budget
The City of Signal Hill develops a biennial budget that allocates resources for all day-to-day City services, such as policing, public works and community services. The budget is structurally balanced, meaning revenues and expenses match in the projected budget. The City plans carefully for every dollar in and dollar out. The City's "income" comes from a variety of taxes and fees. Examples of taxes are property tax and sales tax.
Revenue From Taxes
Most Cities rely heavily on property taxes to fund City services. Property tax is a tax paid by a homeowner to the City annually based on the current market value of the owned property. For many Cities, this equates to a significant revenue stream. In Signal Hill, however, property tax only accounts for 8% of the City's budget. As such, the City must rely heavily on collecting sales tax. This means that when the economy is strong, the City accumulates strong tax revenues. When the economy is struggling, the City is impacted by weaker revenues. Some of the City's larger sales tax producers are the Auto Mall and the big box stores such as Costco and Home Depot.
Revenue From Fees
The City of Signal Hill also generates revenue from the collections of fees. Fees include building permit fees, rental fees and fines among others. The City is restricted from charging fees that are higher than the actual cost to provide the service. As such, fees are established to cover costs and not to build savings.
Reserve Funds
During the years when the City's end of year budget balance is higher than was anticipated, the City Council will allocate extra funds into reserve funds. Reserve funds are akin to "savings accounts". Some reserve funds are utilized when the economy is downturning and the City needs funds to maintain critical services. Others reserve funds are designed to collect money over time to be used for capital projects or special activities. The Community Services Department has one reserve fund available for capital projects called the Park Reserve Fund.
Impact Fees
In addition to the General Fund, the City has established via municipal code Chapter 21.40, a Park Impact Fee which collects funds for the acquisition, improvement, and expansion of park and recreation facilities.
The Park Impact Fee is intended to mitigate impacts of development on local parks and recreation facilities. Impact fees are charged to developers and collected based on the formula below:
Example:
21.40.020: Fee for Chargeable Space
Commercial/Industrial: $0.69 per square foot
21.40.030: Fee for Residential Units
Single-Family Dwelling Unit: $21,715 / unit
Multi-Family Dwelling Unit: $14,977 / unit
Mr. John Developer builds a 12-unit condominium complex on Skyline Drive. Mr.
Developer would be required to pay the City $179,724. The City would use these funds to acquire, build or improve parks to mitigate the impact ofthe new residents who will occupy the new condominiums.
Goals and Objectives
The PIP includes a variety of goals and objectives based on an analysis of several previous planning documents including the 2021 Parks and Recreation Master Plan, the 2017 Needs Assessment Update, the City's 2015 Strategic Plan and others. The goals and objectives are sorted into two categories of: Planning, Policies & Programming and Capital Improvements. The goals and objectives are designed to be accomplished within a 10 -15 year timeframe based on funding and resources available. This list is not intended to be all-inclusive and may be amended by the City Council at any time.
Planning, Policy and Programming
PLANNING
1A Conduct an analysis of Park Impact Fees to determine if adjustments are needed and to clarify use of funds.
Continue to connect neighborhoods, parks and other amenities in Signal Hill via walking trails, 18 beautified pedestrian connections, linear parks and other paths of pedestrian travel. *Reference: Environmental Resources Unit Policy 1.2
*Reference: PRMP 1989 Recommendation #2
*Reference: Needs Assessment 2008
Consider developing a beautified pedestrian or linear park connection on 27th Street from IC Orange Avenue to Cherry Avenue.
*Reference: Environmental Resources Unit Policy 1.2
*Reference: Land Use Element Policy 1.12
Continue acquiring properties on 21st Street as they become available for future expansion of ID Signal Hill Park.
*Reference: Land Use Element Policy 1.12
*Reference: PRMP 1989 Recommendation #4
Continue efforts to rezone areas nearby future residential development for parks and open IE space and/or trails.
*Reference: Land Use Element Policy 1.12
*Reference: Environmental Resources Unit Policy 1.2
IF Update Parks and Recreation Master Plan between 2031- 2036 Develop a replacement schedule for playground equipment, sports courts surfacing IG and amenities, exercise equipment, other park amenities. *Reference: Land Use Element Policy 3.11
POLICY
:ZA Update Community Services Department Indoor and Outdoor Rental Policies regularly. :ZB Develop a documented policy or process for responding to community requests for new amenities/changes to current parks and recreation facilities.
Develop a policy for commercial/organization use of parks and fields for:
- Private instruction
:zc - Filming and Photography
- Special Events (Non-City)
*Reference: Needs Assessment Update 2017
:ZD Develop a "Smoke Free Parks" policy that prohibits smoking in all City parks. :ZE Develop a policy for the naming of future parks and facilities.
PROGRAMMING
3A Conduct assessment of community needs and priorities for programs and services every 5 -7 years as part of the bi-annual budget process.
38 Develop or partner with other agencies to bring performing and visual arts opportunities to the community. *Reference: PRMP 2021
Develop transit loop throughout the community that links residents to Civic Center, parks, 3C trails, and the Hilltop area.
*Reference: Needs Assessment Update 2017
3D Work with the Signal Hill Community Foundation to create support sub-committees for Arts, History and Library services.
Capital Improvement Priorities
1A: Renovate/Redesign Signal Hill Park Community Center Demolish and rebuild the Community Center to include
areas for youth after-school day camps, preschool/toddler programming, rentals and events or classes, and a
designated area for seniors. Maintain catering kitchen.
Estimated cost: $15 - $25 million
18: Fencing Around Reservoir Park Tot Lot
Surround tot lot and seating areas with decorative fencing to improve safety for children playing on the tot lot.
Estimated cost: $75,000
1C: Renovate/Redesign Amphitheater in Signal Hill Park
Renovate amphitheater to expand stage size, acoustics,
lighting. Consider enhancements that would allow
additional use such as dance, theatre productions.
Estimated cost: $3 - $5 million
10: Renovate/Redesign Spud Field
Redesign and repurpose Spud Field to enhance usage
"- capabilities. Engage community on specific desires for space to potentially include walking tracks, additional exercise equipment, ball courts, picnic areas.
Estimated cost: $10 - $15 million
Capital Improvement Priorities
1E: Renovate/Redesign Signal Hill Park Tot Lot to Flagship Park Redesign and repurpose Signal Hill Park Tot Lot to
increase accessibility and add bold play features such as tall climbing towers, rope or plank walking bridges, slides and a signature piece possibly related to the oil history of Signal Hill.
Estimated cost: $1 million
1F: Renovate/Redesign Hillbrook Park
Repurpose entire lot to include removal of dry creek bed, expansion of playground to include new, natural play equipment and a swing bay, add shelter covering to current cement picnic tables. Add elements to encourage interaction with nature, such as water, sand, mud. Estimated cost: $1.5 - $3 million
1G: Renovate Picnic Shelters Throughout City
Replace or renovate all picnic shelters throughout City.
Estimated cost: $1 million
1H: Construct Another Larger Dog Park
Construct a larger dog park south of Willow Street to include agility equipment, seating, and possible dog wash.
Estimated cost: $1- $2 million