Title
Chief Administrative Office, Parks Division, recommending the Board adopt and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 084-2021 to complete the Parks and Water Bond Act of 2018 (Prop 68) Grant Program (Round Four) submission for the sports complex project to the State of California, Department of Parks and Recreation.
FUNDING: California Department of Parks and Recreation.
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
California Department of Parks and Recreation Office of Grants and Local Services (OGALS) administers the Statewide Park Program (SPP), which has made funding available in recent years to fund the creation of new parks and new recreation opportunities in critically undeserved communities in California. Projects must create a new park, expand an existing park, or renovate an existing park. Additionally, all projects must create or renovate at least one recreational feature, such as athletic fields or courts, track or trail, picnic areas, playgrounds, non-motorized bike track, skate park, etc. To be eligible for Round 4, the project site must have either a ratio of less than 3 acres of parkland per 1,000 residents or a Median Household Income below $56,982. The Sports Complex meets the requirements for the SPP. On June 25, 2019, the Board approved and signed resolution 097-2019 authorizing the Parks Division to apply for the State Parks Program (Prop 68) grant funding for acquisition and construction of a sports complex. An application was submitted but the project was not awarded funding.
Round four of this funding in the amount of $395.3 million is available statewide.
On September 1, 2020, (Legistar item #20-1141) the Board gave direction to the Parks Manager on park priorities and funding. Since there was limited time to complete the applications by the due date, the Board gave direction to apply for funding for improvements at Forebay Park. At that time it was anticipated that the Sports Complex would qualify for other state grant opportunities. These included the State Parks Rural Recreation and Tourism program, which makes $23,125,000 in funding available for projects that will create new recreation opportunities in support of economic and health-related goals in rural communities, with grant awards of no more than $3,000,000. An additional $23,120,000 is available through the Regional Park Program for projects that create, expand, or improve regional parks and regional park facilities. Eligible projects include trails, regional sports complexes, visitor and interpretive facilities. This opportunity also awards grants of no more than $3,000,000.
The Parks Manager completed the application for Forebay Park, noting that the funding amounts for Round 4 were much higher than those available for the other types of grant funding originally anticipated to fit the Sports Complex project. Individual grant awards have a maximum of $8,500,000. Additionally, there was enough time to also submit for the Sports Complex for this round of funding utilizing the application that was submitted in 2019. County Parks submitted a grant application for the Sports Complex in the amount of $8,250,000.
On June 14, 2021, Parks received a letter from State Parks requesting additional items to complete the grant application, including an updated Resolution. The resolution declares that the applicant is authorized to apply for grant funds and authorizes the Parks Manager to execute all grant documents, including but not limited to applications, agreements, amendments and requests for payment, necessary to secure grant funds and implement the approved grant project. Approval of this resolution would allow Parks to fully complete the application for funding in the amount of $8,250,000.
ALTERNATIVES
Should the Board not approve this item, the Parks Division will withdraw the application for Prop 68 Round 4 funding for the Sports Complex.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended
PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
Legistar Item 19-0687
Legistar Item 20-1141
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no financial impact associated with this agenda item, however, approval could result in the award of state grant funding in the amount of $8,250,000. The resolution certifies that if the project is awarded and accepted by the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors, the Applicant has or will have sufficient funds to operate and maintain the project. Although the options for and feasibility of operation and maintenance of a Sports Complex is currently under review for all fiscal considerations by staff at this time, if the grant is awarded, staff will return to the Board for final acceptance of the funding and to receive direction on development, operation, and maintenance of the park moving forward. No matching contributions are required for the Prop 68 Round 4 Grant Program.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) Clerk of the Board will obtain the Chair's signature on two (2) original Resolutions.
2) Clerk of the Board will forward one (1) original Resolution to Chief Administrative Office, Parks Division, attention Vickie Sanders.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Infrastructure
CONTACT
Vickie Sanders, Parks Manager