November 11, 2003
SUBJECT: Approval of Resolution Required to Submit Applications for Funding Under the California Clean Water, Clean Air, Safe Neighborhood Parks and Coastal Protection Act 2002 (Proposition 40) (03-375)
REPORT IN BRIEF
The Sunnyvale Department of Parks and Recreation is planning to submit project applications to the State Department of Parks and Recreation for local assistance funds from the California Clean Water, Clean Air, Safe Neighborhood Parks and Coastal Protection Act of 2002 (Proposition 40). As a first step, the State of California requires the City to submit a Council-approved resolution authorizing staff to apply for the grant funds on behalf of the City.
This report recommends Council approval of the attached resolutions authorizing the Department of Parks and Recreation to apply for these funds.
BACKGROUND
The California Clean Water, Clean Air, Safe Neighborhood Parks, and Coastal Protection Act of 2002 was approved by California voters in March 2002 in response to the recreational and open-space needs of a growing population and expanding urban communities. Funded in the State’s budget in July 2003, it is intended to revive state stewardship of natural resources by investing in neighborhood and state parks, clean water protection, coastal beaches and scenic areas. As a means of addressing critical neighborhood park needs, the Bond Act is separated into two grant programs based on the population of local jurisdictions. These are the Per Capita Grant Program and the Roberti-Z’berg-Harris (RZH) Block Grant Program. The Per Capita Grant program is intended to maintain a high quality of life for California's growing population by providing a continuing investment in parks and recreational facilities. It is specifically for the acquisition and development of neighborhood, community, and regional parks and recreation lands and facilities. The RZH Block Grant Program is intended to fund high priority projects that satisfy the most urgent park and recreation needs in the local community.
EXISTING POLICY
Open Space Sub-Element Policy B.4: Identify revenue sources and increase revenues, where possible which can be allocated to parks and open space operating budgets and capital improvements. Action Statement B.4.d: continue to monitor all governmental agencies for potential open space grants and prepare applications as appropriate.
DISCUSSION
The City of Sunnyvale qualifies for these funds provided it has a fully executed agreement with the State by June 30, 2006. The approval of the attached resolutions is required by the State as a first step in the process. Once the resolutions are passed by City Council, staff will have the authority to apply for these funds and enter into such an agreement with the State. As a component of the City’s 2003-2004 budget, staff proposed that $500,000 of Proposition 40 monies be used as the City’s contribution toward the creation of an historical museum to be constructed at Orchard Heritage Park in partnership with the Sunnyvale Historical Society and Museum Association. Staff also anticipated that the remainder of the Proposition 40 monies would be used to supplement funding for the Downtown Plaza Park. Once an agreement is approved by the State, staff will submit applications for these specific projects and, if approved, the City has until June 30, 2011 to document expenditures for reimbursement.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Per Capita Grant Program under the California Clean Water, Clean Air, Safe Neighborhood Parks and Coastal Protection Act of 2002 provides additional funds in the amount of $584,000 to the City of Sunnyvale. The FY 2003-2004 Resource Allocation Plan identified $500,000 of Proposition 40 funds for the Sunnyvale Historical Museum (Project #824140). The remaining $84,000 will represent unanticipated revenue for the Downtown Plaza Park Project. This proposed resolution is simply the first step required by the State in order to receive the funding. The next step will be to submit specific project applications for the State’s approval for the Sunnyvale Historical Museum and the Downtown Plaza Park.
The Roberti-Z’berg-Harris Block Grant Program under the same Bond Act, provides additional unanticipated revenue in the amount of $359,604 to the City for important park and open space projects. The proposed resolution is also the first step required by the State to receive these funds. Staff will then submit project applications to the State, specifically requesting these funds for the Downtown Plaza Park Project.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made through posting of the Council agenda on the City’s official notice bulletin board, posting of the agenda and report on the City’s web page, and the availability of the report in the City Clerk’s office, Library, Parks and Recreation Administration, Community Center, and Senior Center.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Council approves the attached resolutions authorizing staff to apply for Per Capita and for Roberti-Z’berg-Harris Block Grant Funds under the Bond Act of 2002.
2. Council not approve the attached resolutions authorizing staff to apply for Per Capita and for Roberti-Z’berg-Harris Block Grant Funds under the Bond Act of 2002.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends Alternative No. 1.
Prepared by:
Cathy E. Merrill
Assistant to the Director
Reviewed by:
Robert A. Walker
Director, Department of Parks and Recreation
Reviewed by:
Mary J. Bradley
Director, Department of Finance
Approved by:
Robert S. LaSala
City Manager
Attachments
A. Resolution to apply for Per Capita Grant Program Funds
B. Resolution to apply for Roberti-Z’berg-Harris Block Grant Funds