DATE: February 1, 2022
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Steven E. White, Director
Department of Public Works and Planning
SUBJECT: Resolution to Approve filing of Grant Application with California Department of Parks and Recreation for Improvements to Laton-Kingston Park
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Retroactively approve and ratify the submission of a Per Capita Project Grant Program application to California Department of Parks and Recreation for improvements to the Laton-Kingston Park ($1,656,780); and
2. Authorize the Chairman to execute a Resolution approving the filing of said application and authorizing the Director of Public Works and Planning to administer the grant, sign and submit all documents, including, but not limited to, applications, agreements, amendments, and payment requests, which may be necessary for the completion of the Grant Scope.
3. Authorize the Director to execute Per Capita Grant Program Contract similar in form to the Sample Grant Contract attached hereto as Attachment B and subject to approval of county counsel as to legal form and of the auditor-controller/treasurer-tax collector as to accounting form.
REPORT
The California Department of Parks and Recreation requires those applying for Per Capita Project Grant Program to certify by resolution the approval of the application. Approval of the first recommended action will adopt said Resolution to apply for funding and to accept the terms and provisions of the contract, which will support improvements to the Laton-Kingston Park including additional recreational amenities and meeting Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements. The approval of the second recommended action will authorize the Director of Public Works and Planning to act on behalf of the County of Fresno as described in the Resolution. Upon issuance of the grant agreement from the State, the third recommended action will allow the Director of Public Works and Planning to execute the grant agreement that is similar in form to the sample agreement attached hetero as Attachment B. This item pertains to a location in District 4.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Your Board may choose not to approve the recommended actions, in which case an application would be withdrawn for the Per Capita Project Grant Program pertaining to the Laton-Kingston Improvements Project.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There will be a small increase, in future fiscal years, not to exceed $10,000 annually to Net County cost associated with the recommended actions. The cost to complete the improvements ($1,656,780) will be 100% funded through the Per Capita Program Grant Funds. However, this contract requires the grantee to ensure operation and maintenance of the project site. In future fiscal years, funds to maintain the installed improvements will need to be allocated within the Parks Org 7910 Budget. Upon issuance of the grant agreement from the State, the Department will return to your Board with a budget resolution to increase appropriations to fund the capital improvements as well as the anticipated inspection and maintenance costs.
DISCUSSION:
Areas of the Laton-Kingston park are antiquated and do not meet today’s standards, current ADA requirements, and lack recreational amenities. Despite the current conditions of the park, the Laton-Kingston Park is a popular location, particularly during the holiday weekends and summer months. Investing in the renovation of the park will make the location more desirable for citizens who regularly visit the park and attract new visitors. The improvements include the replacement of existing and installation of new picnic shelters, installation of new play structure equipment, and minor elements such as signage, lighting, tables, and barbeque pits. The improvements are long overdue and could otherwise not be completed through the Parks annual budget if not for additional grant funding.
The Department of Public Works and Planning submitted a Per Capita grant application (Attachment “A”) on December 29, 2021 to the California Department of Parks and Recreation Office of Grant and Local Services for $1,656,780 to provide improvements to Laton-Kingston Park. Grant submissions were due December 31, 2021, and this action is being brought at the earliest possible Board date following the grant’s due date. The Board’s approval of the resolution is required in order to receive funding. The resolution approves the filing of the application, certifies that the County has sufficient funds to build and maintain the project, that the improvements are consistent with the County’s general plan, that the funds won’t supplant or reduce local funds dedicated to parks as a result of this grant, that prevailing wage laws will be followed in construction contracts, that the terms of the sample agreement can be adhered to, and delegates authority to the Director of Public Works and Planning or designee to conduct any actions necessary to administer the grant. These actions include, but are not limited to, the signing of an agreement, a sample of which is included as Attachment “B”, and any amendments, documents, or payment requests.
In addition, the through the approval of the Resolution, the Board agrees to consider various actions to encourage diversity and outreach to disadvantaged communities and youth through outreach, mentoring, partnerships, use of culturally appropriate and multi-lingual materials, and workforce development.
Costs for staff time to design and bid the project, as well as to manage the grant, are included in the project budget and eligible for reimbursement. The application has been approved by the State pending your Board’s approval of the resolution. The location was selected because as a severely disadvantaged community, no local match funds were required. As improvements outside the scope of this application are needed at this park, grants to fund additional work are being pursued at this time. The Department will return to your Board to request approval of any additional grant applications/agreements.
The Per Capita program was allocated under Proposition 68, the California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection, and Outdoor Access For All Act of 2018. Eligible projects include only capital projects, and do not include maintenance or repair projects. As an urbanized County with a population over 500,000, providing recreation services to jurisdictions of 200,000 or less, the County’s allocation is $1,656,780. Eligible projects Grant applications were due December 31, 2021, contracts must be signed by June 1, 2022, and all projects must be completed by December 31, 2023.
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
Attachment A - Grant Application
Attachment B - Sample Agreement
On file with Clerk - Resolution
CAO ANALYST:
Ron Alexander