Agenda Item No. 11
CITY OF YUCAIPA
AGENDA REPORT
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Megan Wolfe, Director of Community Services WN
Fermin Preciado, Director of Public Works V?'
FOR: City Council Meeting of February 14, 2022
SUBJECT: 2021 Make a Difference Day Wrap-up
RECOMMENDATION:
That City Council receive and file the wrap-up report for the 2021 Make a Difference Day Event.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION:
On October 27, 2007, the City of Yucaipa participated in a nationwide event known as Make a Difference Day (MADD). Volunteers throughout the community came together to give a helping hand in their community. Since 2007, the City of Yucaipa has made MADD an annual event, sponsored numerous projects, and partnered with other agencies and community groups to co- sponsor additional projects.
Over the years, City sponsored MADD projects have included planting trees at many public parks/facilities, weed/litter removal, replanting of flowers/shrubs, wildflower seed broadcasting, painting of fencing/walls at various City facilities, mulch spreading and the construction of gazebos and dog park amenities/structures.
Several volunteer projects and the 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 MADD City sponsored projects included the planting of over 550 trees at Five Winds/El Dorado Ranch Park (Five Winds Ranch).
Over 1000 volunteers attended those events and positive feedback was received from the community and the residents/property owners adjacent to Five Winds Ranch.
The September 2020 El Dorado Fire burned approximately 300 acres at Five Winds Ranch. This facility has been closed to the public since the fire. Staff and community volunteers have been cleaning/repairing damage to the trails and open space areas, in addition to the City's post -fire flood and debris mitigation work in several areas to mitigate potential flooding and debris flows within and downstream of the burn scar areas. In an effort to continue the restoration of Five Winds Ranch and to be able to open the facility to the public in the near future, the City focused its efforts for the 2021 MADD, on one Planting and Restoration Project (Project) at Five Winds Ranch.
The 2021 MADD event was a two day event and took place on subsequent Saturdays, October 23 and 30, 2021. The Make A Difference Day Planning Committee was successful in finding over 300 volunteers which included Cal Fire, Rotary Club of Yucaipa, Church of Latter Day Saints, Yucaipa Calimesa School District, Youth Advisory Committee, Trails and Open Space Committee and more.
In addition, Inland Empire Resource Conservation District provided volunteers and valuable resources for the event.
The Project included the planting of approximately 300 trees and 100 shrubs (evergreen and deciduous) throughout the east side of the park near Oak Glen Road. The Project also included the broadcasting of native wildflower and plant seed mix in designated areas to help restore the burn areas and promote the reestablishment of the native habitat, including the establishment of butterfly gardens.
Volunteers were provided a BBQ lunch as a thank you for their time and efforts. The lunch was funded by previous Tip A Hero events put on by the Yucaipa Police Department and the Yucaipa Fire Department.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total approved budget and actual costs of the Project are included in the table below:
Funding Source
Approved
Budget
Actual
Cost
Parks Capital Replacement Fund
$25,900
$25,900
El Dorado Ranch/Five Winds Park Project Budget
79,100
79,100
General Fund Unassigned Fund Balance
39,000
37,940
Total
$144,000
$142,940
The FY2021 /2022 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) includes funding in the amount of $1,43 8,000 for the Five Winds Ranch Project. The amount of $79,100 in funding from the El Dorado/Five Winds Park Project Budget was authorized by Council to be used for the Project. In addition, funding in the amount of $25,900 from the Parks Capital Replacement Fund and $39,000 from the General Fund Unassigned Fund Balance was also approved by Council for a total budget in the amount of $144,000 for the MADD Project. As shown on the table above, the total actual cost of the Project is in the amount of $142,940 and is within the budget approved by City Council.
Approved by:
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