Rancho Palos Verdes City Council
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NOVEMBER 3, 2004 GRANT APPLICATION FOR TWO GIRLS’ SOFTBALL FIELDS AT UPPER HESSE PARK NOVEMBER 3, 2004 GRANT APPLICATION FOR TWO GIRLS’ SOFTBALL FIELDS AT UPPER HESSE PARK

TO: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL

FROM: ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER

DATE: NOVEMBER 3, 2004

SUBJECT: GRANT APPLICATION FOR TWO GIRLS’ SOFTBALL FIELDS AT UPPER HESSE PARK

RECOMMENDATION

Adopt Resolution No. 2004- ; Approving the application for funds from the California State Urban Parks and Healthy Communities Grant Program administered by the California Department of Parks and Recreation for the development of two girls’ softball fields at Upper Hesse Park.

BACKGROUND

On January 20, 2004, City Council directed staff to study the feasibility of constructing girls’ softball fields at various locations within the City to accommodate the growing needs of the Palos Verdes Peninsula Girls’ Softball League. On May 4, 2004, the results of the study were presented to the City Council. Subsequently, the City Council conducted site visits to the five identified properties on June 5, 2004. On June 29, 2004, City Council directed staff to prepare preliminary construction plans for providing two girls’ softball fields at Upper Hesse Park and Ryan Park.

Staff has identified a potential funding source for the proposed development of softball fields. The State Urban Parks and Healthy Communities Program grant is available for the acquisition and/or development of properties for active recreational purposes for youth. The deadline for submitting the grant application is November 5, 2004.

DISCUSSION

On September 7, 2004, the City Council appropriated funds for the City’s engineering consultants to prepare the preliminary construction drawings for the two parks sites. Although this work is currently in progress, it will not be completed prior to the grant deadline. In order not to miss a potential grant funding opportunity, staff is using Upper Hesse Park as the project site for this grant application. Staff selected Upper Hesse Park for several reasons:

  • The grant application is required to be site specific.
  • This site requires the least amount of grading and site modification.
  • Additional off-street parking is not required at this time.
  • The proposed design will still allow for joint use of an overlying soccer field.

While this grant application is geared toward softball development at Upper Hesse Park, it does not limit the City’s options with regards to developing either or both sites that the City is currently studying. If successful, the grant could be amended in the future, if the City Council so desires.

Because the City is still studying both sites, staff does not recommend that this grant application be identified as a joint project between the City and the Palos Verdes Peninsula Girls’ Softball League. If that were the case, the grant application requires the submittal of a contract or memorandum of understanding with the League. Because the preliminary construction plans have not yet been completed, staff felt that this type of formal agreement between the two parties would be premature. Regardless of this situation, staff has been working with representatives of the League on the grant application. Staff is soliciting letters of support for the City’s grant application from the Palos Verdes Peninsula Girls’ Softball League, the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District, the Peninsula Youth Sports Council, Los Angeles County Supervisor Knabe, Senator Karnette, and Congressman Rohrabacher. The Planning Department is also in the process of completing an Initial Study for Upper Hesse Park to determine the appropriate level of environmental review for the project, a copy of which will be attached to the grant application.

Using the preliminary cost estimates prepared by the City’s engineering consultant as part of the May 2004 feasibility study, staff has determined that the cost to develop two girls’ softball fields at Upper Hesse Park (without any new off-street parking) would be $383,881. Since state grant funds cannot be used to pay for more than 75% of the total project costs, staff is recommending that the City seek a grant amount in the amount of $287,911 for the project. The grant regulations require a minimum match of one third ($95,970) of the total grant amount. Staff recommends that the City match at least 25 percent of the total project cost in order to be competitive to receive grant funds.

CONCLUSION

The City Council has recently expressed strong support for providing new girls’ softball fields in Rancho Palos Verdes. There is an opportunity to apply for state grant funds to develop two regulation size girls’ softball fields at Upper Hesse Park. Staff is seeking Council authorization to file a grant application in the amount of $287,911, with a proposed City match of $95,970.

FISCAL IMPACT

If awarded, the grant would provide a substantial portion of the funds necessary to develop softball fields at Upper Hesse Park. Direct costs to the City would include the remaining costs for field development not funded by the grant. The grant requires a one third match of the total awarded grant amount. If the City were awarded the maximum amount of $287,911, the City would be required to provide a minimum of $95,970 in matching funds. The source of funds would be the City’s General fund and any contributions that can be obtained from the Palos Verdes Peninsula Girls’ Softball League.

Respectfully submitted:

Carolynn Petru

Assistant City Manager

Reviewed,

Les Evans

City Manager

Attachment:

Resolution No. 2004- ;

RESOLUTION NO. 2004-

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES APPROVING THE APPLICATION FOR GRANT FUNDS FOR THE STATE URBAN PARKS AND HEALTHY COMMUNITIES PROGRAM UNDER THE CALIFORNIA CLEAN WATER, CLEAN AIR, SAFE NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS, AND COASTAL PROTECTION ACT OF 2002 FOR GIRLS’ SOFTBALL FIELDS AT UPPER HESSE PARK.

WHEREAS, the people of the State of California have enacted the CALifornia Clean Water, Clean Air, Safe Neighborhood Parks, and Coastal Protection Act of 2002, which provides funds to the State of California for grants to eligible Applicants; and

WHEREAS, the California Department of Parks and Recreation has been delegated the responsibility for the administration of the State Urban Parks and Healthy Communities Program and the grant Project shown above within the State, setting up necessary procedures, and

WHEREAS, said procedures established by the California Department of Parks and Recreation require the Applicant’s Governing Body to certify by resolution the approval of the Application before submission of said Application to the State, and

WHEREAS, the Applicant will enter into a Contract with the State of California for the Project;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES HEREBY:

1. Approves the filing of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes for local assistance funds from the State Urban Parks and Healthy Communities Program under the California Clean Water, Clean Air, Safe Neighborhood Parks and Coastal Protection Act of 2002; and

  1. Certifies that the City of Rancho Palos Verdes has or will have sufficient funds to operate and maintain the Project; and
  2. Certifies the City of Rancho Palos Verdes has reviewed, understands, and agrees to the General Provisions contained in the Contract shown in the Procedural Guide; and
  3. Certifies that the City of Rancho Palos Verdes has or will have available, prior to commencement of any work on the Project, the required Match;
  4. Certifies that the Project conforms to the recreation element of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes’ General Plan; and
  5. Appoints the City Manager as agent to conduct all negotiations, execute and submit all documents including, but not limited to, Applications, agreements, payment requests and so on, which may be necessary for the completion of the Project.

PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED this 3rd day of November, 2004.

___________________

Mayor

Attest:

___________

City Clerk

State of California )

County of Los Angeles ) ss

City of Rancho Palos Verdes )

I, Jo Purcell, City Clerk of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, hereby certify that the above Resolution No. 2004- ; was duly and regularly passed and adopted by the said City Council at a regular meeting thereof held on November 3, 2004.

_________________________

City Clerk