Title
Staff Report for a Resolution Appropriating Grant Funds and Returning General Funds to Fund Balance for the Siempre Verde Park Reconstruction Project, Project No. 2015.0270
Staffreport
SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends that newly received grant funds should be appropriated for the Siempre Verde Park Rehabilitation Project, Project 2015.0270 and that a portion of the previously appropriated General Funds for the project should be returned to fund balance.
BACKGROUND
Construction at Siempre Verde Park is currently underway. A contract was awarded to Robert A. Bothman Construction on September 8, 2015 for construction of improvements per plans and specifications prepared by Harris Design. Said plans are generally in conformance with a park master plan prepared by the same firm in 2010. Bids for the project were favorable and all bid alternatives items are included in the construction contract.
The Siempre Verde Park Rehabilitation Project is presently funded by a 2014 grant from the State of California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) and allocations from the City’s General Fund and Park Development Fund. The City received a second grant from HCD (2015 HCD grant) in the amount of $381,200 for this project.
Analysis
The 2015 HCD grant is specifically designated for use at Siempre Verde Park. Appropriation of the recently received grant funds for this project will reduce the need for general funds by an equivalent amount.
Current Agency Policies
2015-17 City Council Goal: Maintain and enhance the City’s infrastructure.
Previous Actions
• On March 2, 2015, by Resolution No. 2015-058, the City Council allocated funding and approved a consulting services agreement with Harris Design for preparation of construction documents for the project.
• On July, 20, 2015, by Resolution No. 2015-136, the City Council approved a consulting services agreement with Harris Design for construction support services for the project.
• On September 8, 2015, by Resolution No. 2015-161, the City Council awarded a contract to Robert A. Bothman Construction for the project.
Committee Review and Actions
• The 60% plans were presented to the City Council Facilities & Transportation Committee on April 7, 2015.
• The 100% plans were presented to the Facilities & Transportation Committee on May 5, 2015.
Applicable General Plan Policies
Goal 21 - Rehabilitation of Existing Parks: Maintain and improve San Leandro’s existing parks and recreational facilities.
Permits and/or Variances Granted
A building permit was issued for demolition of the existing restroom structure.
A building permit will be obtained for construction of the new restroom.
Environmental Review
This project is categorically exempt from CEQA per Section 15268 of the CEQA guidelines. The Notice of Exemption was filed with the Alameda County Recorder on December 16, 2010, when the park master plan was prepared.
Summary of Public Outreach Efforts
A ten foot project sign describing the improvements and schedule was installed at the park and a notice regarding the project was posted on Nextdoor, a social network site that targets the neighborhood, one month before construction began. Immediately prior to construction, a ground breaking event was held at the park on October 26, 2015. This community outreach event was advertised in the local press, on the City’s website posted on Nextdoor and was well received by the public.
The project was presented at the town hall meeting for Council Districts 1, 2, and 5 held on May 11, 2015, and at a community meeting on July 9, 2015, which was hosted by the Recreation and Human Services Department.
Both of these events were posted on Nextdoor before they occurred.
The project is currently listed as an active construction project on the Engineering and Transportation Department webpage.
Fiscal Impacts
The total estimated project cost is $3,371,784 for design, construction, and inspection, including a contingency.
Budget Authority
Funding allocations for the Siempre Verde Park Rehabilitation Project are as follows:
1) $876,600.00 - Special Grants Fund, Siempre Verde Park Rehabilitation Project, Account No. 150-62-116, allocated in FY 2014-15
2) $1,538,000.00 - Park Development Fees, Siempre Verde Park Rehabilitation Project, Account No. 122-62-116, allocated in FY 2014-15
3) $1,145,594.00 - General Fund, Siempre Verde Park Rehabilitation Project, Account No. 210-62-116, allocated in FY 2014-15
$381,200 in 2015 HCD grant funds are available per the attached agreement and will be offset by returning $381,200 from expenditure account 210-62-116 to fund balance (general fund). The proposed action will not change the total appropriations for this project.
ATTACHMENT
• Agreement between HCD and City of San Leandro
PREPARED BY: Nick Thom, City Engineer, Engineering and Transportation Department