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CC - Item 1A - Park Design for Proposition 68 Competitive GrantTO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL THE HONORABLE PARKS CHAIR AND COMMISSIONERS FROM: GLORIA MOLLEDA, CITY MANAGER ,J. +,,/, DATE: JULY 23, 2019 SUBJECT: PARK DESIGN FOR PROPOSITION 68 COMPETITIVE GRANT SUMMARY The City of Rosemead has the opportunity to apply for grant funds through Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program, funded through Proposition 68. This program will award over $650 million in multiple rounds of funding. Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis for creation of new parks and new recreation opportunities in proximity to the most critically underserved communities across California. There is approximately $254 million in available funding for this round. DISCUSSION The Statewide Park Program is intended to provide funding for the creation of new parks and new recreation opportunities to the most critically underserved communities throughout California. All projects must create or renovate at least one recreation feature. Eligible projects must meet at least one of the following two conditions: (1) Critical Lack of Park Space - the community within proximity of the project site has a ratio of less than 3 acres of usable park space per 1,000 residents; (2) Significant Poverty- the median household income of census tracts in proximity to the project is lower than $51,026 based on the "California State Parks Community Fact Finder" report. The minimum grant request for the Prop 68 grant application is $200,000 and the maximum grant application is $8.5 million. There is no match requirement for the grant. Grant applications for are due August 5, 2019. Additional key criteria of the grant program include: 0 Type of Project - points awarded for the type of park project submitted; City Council and Parks Commission Special Meeting July 23, 2019 Page 2 of 4 • Community Based Planning - applicants must show that community meetings were held with the residents to gain input on the selection/design of the recreation features to be included in the park and that the meetings were conveniently located within the critically underserved community; • Employment or Volunteer Opportunities - points are awarded for projects that include employment or volunteer opportunities for residents and/or Corps members; • Partnerships or Committed Funding - points are given for the number of community partners included in the project; • Environmental Design - the project must provide efficient use of water and other natural resources; • Public Use Fees and Hours of Operation - project must provide for daily access by youth, seniors and families; and • Community Challenges, Project Benefits and Readiness - points are awarded based on the project's need and benefits. Staff has identified a project that will best qualify for this grant opportunity. The potential project is a portion of the Southern California Edison (SCE) Corridor located between Mission Drive and Wells Street just west of Walnut Grove. As part of the application process for the Proposition 68 grant application, the City is required to demonstrate long-term use of potential park land if the City is not the owner of the property. Southern California Edison has submitted written support for our Proposition 68 application and explains that they issue license agreements in 5 -year increments, and that it is standard practice to entertain extensions of these license agreements. Staff will also include in the application a narrative of the City's partnership with SCE on other similar right-of-way park projects within the City to indicate a history of long-term use of these rights -of -ways for open park space. Community Outreach The Proposition 68 grant requires broad community outreach. Not only is this outreach a vital part of the grant, it also provides a great opportunity to communicate with our residents and stakeholders about the grant and gather their input for the proposed park project. Staff has been working with a consultant to facilitate the community outreach portion, develop the project scope, and complete the grant application. NLM Consulting Services is providing the community outreach and data collection services, Wynndi Dahlin is serving as the grant writer and David Volz Design is serving as the landscape architect and park planner. All three consultants have been successful with grants and projects similar in nature. Four community outreach meetings were held at various locations roughly 1/2 mile from the proposed park location. Outreach meetings included a presentation from staff, which provided information about the grant opportunity, a discussion of desired amenities and concerns regarding possible project. Over 60 surveys were received providing feedback as to what our residents and possible park users would like to see at the park. The information gathered will be used to determine the proposed concept plan for the park. City Council and Parks Commission Special Meeting July 23, 2019 Page 3 of 4 Date Location Total Attendance CommunitySurveys Collected June 20 Rosemead Community Recreation Center 17 6 6 June 24 Farmers Market 65 63 40 June 27 Shuey Elementary School 27 21 19 June 29 Guess Park 5 3 2 TOTALS 114 93 67 Community Input The community survey was administered and collected at four community meetings. The survey was available in English, Chinese, Spanish, and Vietnamese. A total of 67 responses provided feedback as to what residents and possible park users would like at the proposed park. The information gathered was used to determine the conceptual plan for the park. "Park" Name The grant application requires the potential park space be named. Staff is requesting that the City Council discuss and approve a "Name" for the potential park space. Staff recommends that the City Council and the Parks Commission: 1. Provide feedback and approve the conceptual park design; 2. Discuss and approve a "name" for the potential park. There is no match requirement for the grant. This potential project has impact to the Strategic Plan, Strategy 4: Parks and Recreation. This strategy outlines the need to make improvements to existing parks and explore the acquisition or use of additional properties for prospective new park facilities. This potential project would increase park space and develop new recreational opportunities for residents and park visitors. City Council and Parks Commission Special Meeting July 23, 2019 Page 4 of 4 PUBLIC NOTICE PROCESS This item has been noticed through the regular agenda notification. Submitted by: Tom Boecking Director of Parks & Recreation