AGENDA ITEM
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR
AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: CARLO TOMAINO
CITY MANAGER
BY: THOMAS BEKELE
PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR/CITY ENGINEER
SUBJECT:
title
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING STAFF TO FILE APPLICATIONS FOR GRANT FUNDS FROM THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY REGIONAL PARK AND OPEN SPACE DISTRICT FOR MEASURE A PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS
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Summary:
The Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District (RPOSD) is responsible for implementing and administering the Los Angeles County Safe, Clean Neighborhood Parks, and Beaches Measure 2016 (Measure A). Measure A was developed to meet current and future park needs throughout Los Angeles County and reflects the findings of the Countywide Parks and Recreation Needs Assessment completed in 2016. Voters approved Measure A in 2016, which includes both formula-based allocations to agencies throughout the study area as well as competitive grants open to public agencies, non-profit organizations, and schools.
The City is eligible to apply for Measure A grant funds. RPOSD requires the City to authorize staff to execute a Master Agreement to streamline the project fund application and approval process. Staff recommends the City Council adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager, or designee, to execute the Master Agreement and continue to apply for the Measure A Grant Annual Allocation Program for projects and programs.
Strategic Plan Goal(s):
Goal No. 4 Infrastructure: Maintain and improve the City’s public infrastructure, water system, and recreational spaces.
Goal No. 5 High Functioning Government: Strengthen internal communication, recruitment, retention, systems, and processes to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of City services.
recommendation
Recommendation:
Adopt a Resolution, entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SIGNAL HILL, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE BLANKET AUTHORITY TO FILE APPLICATIONS FOR GRANT FUNDS FROM THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY REGIONAL PARK AND OPEN SPACE DISTRICT FOR MEASURE A FUNDING FOR PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS
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Fiscal Impact:
The City of Signal Hill receives an annual allocation based on a formula, which amounts to approximately $50,000 to $60,000 per fiscal year. Currently, there is an accrued available balance of $193,230.47 held by RPOSD. Adopting this Resolution will not have a direct fiscal impact, as Measure A is not included as a funding source in the current Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget. By approving the Resolution, staff will be authorized to apply for funding to offset expenditures related to future park improvement projects, using the funds RPOSD allocates to the City annually through Measure A.
Background:
In 1992 and 1996, Los Angeles County voters approved two local park funding measures, otherwise known as Proposition A. The 1992 iteration of Proposition A created the RPOSD and generated annual revenue of $52 million until its expiration in 2015. The 1996 iteration of Proposition A generated $28 million annually and expired in 2019. Since 1992, RPOSD has awarded grant funds for more than 1,500 projects for parks, beaches, open spaces, and recreational, cultural, and community facilities throughout the County.
As Proposition A ended, Los Angeles County launched a Countywide Parks and Recreation Needs Assessment (PNA) to determine park needs countywide. The PNA included a countywide inventory of parks, analysis of park needs, and community engagement. Measure A, also known as the Safe, Clean Neighborhood Parks, Open Space Beaches, Rivers Protection, and Water Conservation Measure, was developed to meet current and future park needs as identified in the PNA. Measure A is funded through an annual parcel tax of approximately 1.9 cents per square foot of improved property. Voters approved Measure A in 2016, which generates more than $90 million per year. Unlike Proposition A, Measure A does not have an expiration date.
Analysis:
The RPOSD is responsible for implementing and administering Measure A. Measure A makes funding available to cities through a formula-based annual allocation for capital improvement projects that repair and upgrade parks and recreational facilities, create new parks, preserve and protect open spaces and beaches, and support recreational programming. Additional annual allocations are available under the Maintenance and Servicing Program to offset Proposition A and Measure A-funded capital projects.
Measure A annual allocation funds can be used for planning, design, and construction of various parks, open space, and recreational use projects subject to approval by RPOSD. Most recently, the City utilized these funds to complete renovation of Hillbrook Park, a key project on the City’s CIP. The City is currently allocated an annual, formula-based allocation of approximately $50,000 to $60,000 per fiscal year and has an accrued available balance of $193,230.47 held by RPOSD.
The RPOSD also offers a variety of other competitive grant programs that the City may be eligible for in the future. Under the terms of the RPOSD, applicants must submit an adopted resolution demonstrating that its governing body has authorized the filing of the application. Approval of the proposed Resolution would allow staff to seek reimbursement from the annual allocation to supplement funding for projects programmed in the CIP. Staff would also continue to explore other grant opportunities as these become available from RPOSD. Approval of the resolution is required before the City Manager, or his designee, can sign and submit the Measure A Annual Allocation Grant Agreement (Attachment B).
Following the execution of the agreement, staff can identify and pursue appropriate capital projects that could be partially or completely funded with RPOSD grant funds. Staff would bring these proposed projects back for City Council’s consideration at a future City Council meeting. The submission of the master agreement does not commit the City to a particular project, however, future projects developed and approved using Measure A funds must be maintained and operated in perpetuity and must comply with applicable provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
Staff recommends the City Council adopt a Resolution authorizing staff to continue to apply for the Measure A Grant Annual Allocation Program via the RPOSD master agreement on an on-going basis and receive funds to support local park projects and programs.
Reviewed for Fiscal Impact:
_________________________
Siamlu Cox
Attachment:
A. Resolution
B. Measure A Annual Allocation Grant Agreement