Title
Adopt a Resolution to Accept Grant Terms from the State of California; Appropriate $232,958 in State Grant Funds and $58,239 in Matching Funds for Thrasher Skate Park Improvements; and Adopt an Additional Resolution to Transfer Those Funds from Thrasher Skate Park to the Memorial Park Improvement Project and Authorize an Appropriation of $58,468 from the CIP Fund Balance Along with a Re-allocation of $1,900,335 in Other Existing Appropriations to Fully Fund Memorial Park Improvement Project 2020.3040
Staffreport
COUNCIL PRIORITY
• Infrastructure
SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends the Council adopt two resolutions that would authorize the following actions:
• A) Accept state grant funds and appropriate matching funds for Thrasher Skate Park Improvements
• B) Authorize the transfer of the above funds from the Thrasher Skate Park project to the Memorial Park Improvement project and authorize a re-allocation of existing funds to bridge a funding shortfall so that the Memorial Park project can be fully funded
BACKGROUND
Thrasher Skate Park is approximately 5,000 square feet located at the intersection of Davis Street and Orchard Avenue. The skate park was built around 1997 and needs repair or replacement. In 2021 the City applied for grant funds to repave the skate park and in 2022 a grant was awarded in the amount of $232,958. The City must accept the grant funds and appropriate matching funds of $58,239 before the money may be used. Furthermore, the grant program includes strict requirements that constrain the time period during which the funds must be expended.
Memorial Park is a 2-acre park located at the intersection of Callan Avenue and Bancroft Avenue. Originally built in 1938, the park was expanded in 1975 to include a parking lot, play equipment, and a restroom, all of which are nearing the end of useful life. The restroom, irrigation, and other utilities need replacement to ensure continued suitability for use by the public. In 2019 the City developed a concept plan for renovation of the park including improvements to make the park and play area accessible for residents of all abilities. There are no other all-ability play areas in San Leandro, and a limited number of such facilities in the broader East Bay region. Full renovation of the park as currently designed is estimated to cost $5,000,000. The City is also fortunate to have received a $2,750,000 State earmark grant for the project thanks to the support of State Senator Nancy Skinner. Nevertheless, in order to fully fund the project as currently envisioned and designed would require an additional approximately $2,250,000 in funding.
Analysis
Thrasher Skate Park has outdated features and is much steeper and smaller than contemporary skate parks and based on community feedback from local skatepark users, it has become apparent that a full redesign of the entire skate park area is necessary. A further analysis of the project has also confirmed that any such complete redesign of the project, which would also necessitate additional community engagement, could not be completed within the timeframe or level of funding that is available from the existing State grant. Concurrent with this analysis, staff is actively working with the Skatepark Project (formerly the Tony Hawk Foundation) on a partnership that will upgrade and enhance the current skatepark. It is further envisioned that this partnership will result in an entirely new skate park with a larger footprint that meets the needs of contemporary skatepark users. As noted above, this larger project cannot be delivered within the timeframe required by the current grant.
Based on the above issues, staff discussed other uses for the current grant funding with the State Department of Parks and Recreation and understands that after the current grant is accepted for the Thrasher Skate Park, and matching grant funds are allocated, the City may request, and the State will approve, using such funds for another qualifying project. The Memorial Park improvements represents such a qualifying project. As a result, staff recommends the City Council accept the $232,958 grant and appropriate $58,239 in matching funds from the CIP fund balance, and then authorize the transfer of these funds so that they may be used for the Memorial Park Improvement project instead.
As noted in the Background section of this staff report, above, the Memorial Park project presently faces a significant funding shortfall. To develop a viable path forward, at the May 4, 2022 City Council Facilities & Transportation Committee meeting, staff presented for the Committee’s consideration two possible options to improve Memorial Park: A) a scaled down project that could be delivered with the $2,750,000 grant, and B) a complete renovation of Memorial Park for a total cost of $5,000,000. Following Committee member deliberations and the receipt of public feedback, the Committee expressed a desire to proceed forward with the latter option for the full renovation of Memorial Park and directed staff to develop plans for the $5,000,000 project. The Committee further directed staff to identify funding options for City Council’s future consideration that would enable full execution of the complete project.
Based on this direction from the Committee, City staff analyzed the citywide budget and identified $1,900,335 in existing unspent excess funds derived from salary savings that are available to be reallocated towards the Memorial Park Improvement project. The City also has funds in CIP fund balance that can be used for CIP project shortfalls; staff recommends appropriating an additional $58,468 from CIP fund balance to bridge the remaining funding gap. Coupled together, all of these moneys would enable the full $5,000,000 project to be fully funded and executed. Staff therefore recommends that the City Council adopt the attached resolutions that would effectuate the necessary funding re-allocations and transfers.
Current Agency Policies
§ Maintain and enhance the City’s infrastructure
Financial Impacts
The recommended Council action will not impact fund balance because sufficient funding is available in the FY 2022-2023 adopted budget. Appropriation-related actions requested by the attached resolutions include the following:
• Appropriation of $232,958 of State grant funding to Account 150-62-143
• Appropriation of $58,239 from the CIP Fund Balance to Account 210-62-142 as a match for the State grant
• Transfer of $232,958 in above-referenced state grant funds to Account 210-62-142
• Re-allocation of $1,900,335 from Account 010-14-015-4102 to Account 210-62-142
• Appropriation of $58,468 from the CIP Fund Balance to Account 210-62-142
Total new appropriation for Memorial Park Improvements: $2,250,000
ATTACHMENTS
Att A: Resolution to Accept Thrasher Grant and Allocate Related Matching Funds
Att B: Resolution to Fund Memorial Park
PREPARED BY: Eric Engelbart, Deputy City Manager & Nick Thom, City Engineer