DATE: December 13, 2016
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Steven E. White, Director
Department of Public Works and Planning
SUBJECT: Ernest Lawrence Estate Funding Recommendations
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Approve Ernest Lawrence subcommittee’s recommendation to fund $140,000 for the purchase and installation of playground structures at Lost Lake Park and Skaggs Bridge Park from Ernest Lawrence Estate.
2. Adopt Budget Resolution increasing FY 2016-17 appropriations in Public Works and Planning Org 1191, County Park Donations in the amount of $140,000. (4/5 vote)
3. Adopt Budget Resolution increasing FY 2016-17 appropriations and estimated revenues for Org 7910, Parks and Grounds in the amount of $140,000 for the purchase and installation of playground structures at Lost Lake Park and Skaggs Bridge Park. (4/5 vote)
REPORT
Approval of the recommended actions will appropriate the bulk of the remaining unspent and uncommitted fund balance in the Ernest Lawrence Estate Fund. Ernest Lawrence willed his estate to the County of Fresno to be used by its Parks and Recreation Division with funding distributed to the County on March 7, 2012. The Ernest Lawrence subcommittee (Subcommittee) has recommended approval of the projects referenced in the recommended actions.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
The Board may reject one or all of the recommended actions. The Board may also direct staff to consider alternative projects for funding.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase to Net County Cost. The funds for the proposed projects will be drawn from the Ernest Lawrence Estate Fund in the Public Works and Planning Special Revenue Fund 0085, Subclass 17411, County Parks Donations Org 1191. Currently the unallocated portion of the Ernest Lawrence Estate, including interest, is approximately $151,000. Approval of recommended action No. 2 will increase FY 2016-17 appropriations as an Operating Transfer Out in the Public Works and Planning County Park Donations Org 1191 in the amount of $140,000 using available fund balance. Approval of recommended action No. 3 will increase FY 2016-17 appropriations and estimated revenues, as an Operating Transfer In from the County Parks Donations Org 1191, in the Parks and Grounds Org 7910 in the amount of $140,000 to purchase and install the playground structures at Lost Lake Park and Skaggs Bridge Park.
DISCUSSION:
Ernest Lawrence of Fresno, California willed his estate to the County of Fresno to be used by its Parks and Recreation Division. Section 3 of Ernest Lawrence’s will states “It is my wish and desire that the property distributed to the said COUNTY OF FRESNO be used by its Parks and Recreation Division.” The estate was settled in probate and the funds in the amount of $754,284.53 were distributed to the County on March 7, 2012. Since April 2012, several projects have been funded and completed.
On May 10, 2016, the Board considered a proposal from Fresno County Disc Golf (FCDG) on the request to construct a 36 hole disc golf course at Kearney Park utilizing funds from Ernest Lawrence Fund. The Board directed staff to work with FCDG and submit the proposal to the Ernest Lawrence Subcommittee for consideration. In early October, 2016, FCDG contacted staff with an 18 hole disc golf proposal at Kearney Park. The total cost for the course was estimated at $51,580 and FCDG requested $25,795 in funding from the Ernest Lawrence Estate. In addition, FCDG requested that $26,000 in Ernest Lawrence Estate funds be earmarked for a second (future) 18 hole course at Kearney Park. The Subcommittee discussed the updated FCDG proposal on October 20, 2016 and did not recommend the proposal for funding. FCDG has been advised of the funding recommendation.
The Subcommittee also discussed staff’s proposal to add play structures at Lost Lake Park and Skaggs Bridge Park so families with young children visiting the parks have a recreational alternative other than swimming. The cost for purchase and installation of play structures is estimated at $140,000. The Subcommittee agreed with staff’s proposal and recommended funding for the play structures.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #17, May 10, 2016
BAI #33, February 9, 2016
BAI #44, February 10, 2015
BAI #26, October 22, 2013
BAI #7, June 18, 2013
BAI #31, July 10, 2012
BAI #16, April 24, 2012
BAI #7, September 27, 2011
BAI #8, September 27, 2011
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Budget Resolution Org 1191
On file with Clerk - Budget Resolution Org 7910
CAO ANALYST:
John Hays