Item No.
AGENDA REPORT
DATE: August 25, 2025
TO:
FROM: Fermin Preciado, Director of Development Services/City Engineer S'! Honorable Mayor and City Council
Todd Gutjahr, Public Works Analyst��---
SUBJECT: Land Water Conservation Fund Grant Application — Resolution No. 2025-50 RECOMMENDATION:
aasI
That the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2025-50 approving the application for the Land and Water Conservation Fund requesting grant funding for the 13th Street Sports Complex Project through the California Department of Parks and Recreation.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION:
On February 14, 1963, President Kennedy's Administration proposed legislation to establish a Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Grant Program to assist states in the planning, acquisition, and development of recreation lands. The bill was passed and signed into law on September 3, 1964.
The National Park Service (NPS) administers the LWCF Grant Program at the federal level. Funds allocated to the State of California are administered by the California Department of Parks and Recreation under the provisions of the California Outdoor Recreation Resources Plan Act of 1967.
Outer Continental Shelf mineral receipts, sales of federal surplus real property, federal recreational fees, and federal motorboat fuel taxes all serve as funding sources for the LWCF Grant Program.
When an LWCF Grant Program funded project is completed, the land within the approved project footprint is placed under federal protection to preserve the public's outdoor recreational use of the site in perpetuity for the benefit of future generations. Through this effort, thousands of acres of land throughout California will remain as recreational parks in perpetuity. The City has previously successfully acquired LWCF grant funds for the acquisition of the property for the proposed Dunlap Park, which will be located at the southwest corner of Oak Glen Road and Avenue E. The engineering and construction plans for the Dunlap Park Project have been completed and staff is actively pursuing other grant funding opportunities to construct the project.
On April 19, 2016, the City of Yucaipa held a grand opening and ribbon -cutting ceremony for the 13th Street Sports Complex Project (Sports Complex). As of now, several components of the Sports Complex are still incomplete, including the parking lot landscaping and the installation of ballfield lighting.
Upon reviewing the LWCF Grant Program guidelines for the 2025 grant cycle, staff identified that projects aimed at enhancing and expanding the usability of existing recreational facilities would be more competitive in seeking grant funds from the LWCG Grant Program.
Staff recommends that the City Council certify by resolution the approval of the application and the availability of eligible matching funds prior to submission of the application to the State; and certify that the City has reviewed, understands, and agrees to the General Provisions contained in the contract shown in the Grant Administration Guide in order to request funding for the installation of ballfield lighting at three ballfields in the Sports Complex, as well as for completing the installation of the landscaping and lighting in the parking lot.
The installation of lighting at the ballfields and the parking lot will improve the functionality and safety of the public sports facility by extending operating hours, improving safety, and helping to meet the goals of the LWCF Grant Program.
The estimated total cost to procure and install ballfield lights is approximately $740,000. Parking lot lighting is estimated at $60,000 and landscaping for the parking lot at $200,000. Altogether the total estimated cost to complete the work is approximately $1,000,000.
The LWCF Grant Program requires a local matching fund share of 50%, which translates to a $500,000 local match. The $500,000 local match must be funded by the City if the City's grant funding application is approved.
Prior to the City's incorporation, the Finkelstein family donated property to the County of San Bernardino, specifically the Yucaipa Valley Park and Recreation District. Portions of this property have been developed to include Crafton Hills College and the Sports Complex. The donation restricted the land to be used for educational, recreational, or charitable purposes only. The land was transferred to the City from the County of San Bernardino when it was incorporated in 1989. In July 2018, the Finkelstein heirs executed a termination of deed restriction. The termination of the deed restriction allowed portions of the unused property to be sold and/or developed, subject to the condition that the net proceeds of a sale of the land be used for recreational purposes on the remainder of the land donated by the Finkelstein family. The proposed improvements to the Sports Complex are consistent with the terms of the conditions and are aimed to improve and/or enhance the recreational elements of the existing facilities.
In September of 2021, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2021-58 declaring a portion of City owned real property located at 32660 Yucaipa Boulevard as surplus property and not necessary for public use pursuant to Government Code Section 54221. The property, approximately 1 acre in size, is currently zoned for General Commercial land uses and is located west of Fire Station No. 2 and south of the Sports Complex. This land is a part of the land originally donated by the Finkelstein family.
Following the adoption of Resolution No. 2021-58, the owner of the Tuscano's Pizza and Pasta restaurant, 4 Star Solar, Inc. provided the City with a letter of intent to purchase the surplus property to develop a restaurant business. If the surplus property is sold by the City, the proceeds of the sale will be available to cover the local match to enhance the recreational elements of the Sports Complex.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Staff recommends a budget increase of $1,000,000 for the 13th Street Sports Complex Project, which is funded through the Park Development Impact Fee fund. Additionally, there may be a $500,000 increase in revenue as a result of the surplus property sale mentioned above and transfers out of the Miscellaneous Special Revenue Fund, as well as a $500,000 increase in transfers out of the General Fund. This recommendation is contingent upon the successful award of the LWCF Grant Program application and the future sale of the surplus property.
Attachment:
1. Resolution No. 2025-50
Approved by: __\
ATTACHMENT 1
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-50
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF YUCAIPA,
CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE APPLICATION FOR THE LAND AND
WATER CONSERVATION FUND 13th STREET SPORTS COMPLEX
PROJECT
WHEREAS, the Congress under Public Law 88-578 has authorized the establishment of a federal Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant -In -Aid program, providing matching funds to the State of California and its political subdivisions for acquiring lands and developing Facilities for public outdoor recreation purposes; and
WHEREAS, the California Department of Parks and Recreation is responsible for administration of the program in the State, setting up necessary rules and procedures governing applications by local agencies under the program; and
WHEREAS, the City of Yucaipa certifies by resolution the approval of the application and the availability of eligible matching funds prior to submission of the application to the State.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF YUCAIPA HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1.
Certifies by resolution the approval of the application and the availability of eligible matching funds prior to submission of the application to the State; and Certifies that the applicant has reviewed, understands, and agrees to the General Provisions contained in the contract shown in the Grant Administration Guide.
Section 2. Agrees to abide by 54 U.S.C. §200305(f)(3) which requires, "No property acquired or developed with assistance under this section shall, without the approval of the Secretary, be converted to other than public outdoor recreation use. The Secretary shall approve a conversion only if the Secretary finds it to be in accordance with the then -existing comprehensive statewide outdoor recreation plan and only on such conditions as the Secretary considers necessary to ensure the substitution of other recreation properties of at least equal fair market value and of reasonably equivalent usefulness and location."
Section 3. Certifies that said agency has matching funds from eligible source(s) and can finance 100 percent of the project, which up to half may be reimbursed.
Section 4. Agrees to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws, ordinances, rules, regulations and guidelines.
Section 5.
Authorizes the Interim City Manager or her designee as agent of the applicant to conduct all negotiations and execute and submit all documents, including, but not limited to, applications, contracts, amendments, payment requests, and compliance with all applicable current state and federal laws which may be necessary for the completion of the aforementioned project.
PASSED, APPROVED, and ADOPTED this 28th day of August, 2025.
Jon Thorp, Mayor
ATTEST:
Ana V. Sauseda, MMC
Director of General Services/City Clerk