Title
Transportation Department recommending the Board adopt a Resolution authorizing the Director of Transportation to apply for California Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program grant funds for the Walker Ball Fields at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds. (Est. Time: 30 Min.)
FUNDING: California Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program grant funds.
Resolution 029-2010
Body
Fiscal Impact/Change to Net County Cost:
There is no fiscal impact or change to Net County Cost associated with this item. There is a potential future impact to the General Fund due to operational expense of this facility, however, use fees would partially offset these costs.
The Transportation Department is also in the process of developing a Countywide Parks and Trails Master Plan. This Plan will come before the Board late in 2010 and will contain sections on operation and maintenance costs and funding. Recommendations will be provided for adoption by the Board for developing funding streams to address the County's needs in Parks and Recreation.
Background:
The California State Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) administers the Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program which provides grants for between $100,000 and $5 million. The grants are for the creation of new parks, expansion of existing parks and creation of new recreation opportunities. While there is no match requirement, the applicant must certify that there are sufficient funds to operate and maintain the project.
The Department of Transportation (Department) intends to submit two (2) grant applications for this program; the Walker Ball Fields at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds and the El Dorado County Historical Railroad Park. These projects were chosen due to the eligibility requirements of this particular grant program. These projects are the most competitive as they provide recreational opportunities in the "critically underserved communities" of Placerville and El Dorado based upon the ratio of existing park land to residents and the median household income within the immediate vicinity of these projects.
Reason for Recommendation:
The County must apply to the DPR for Statewide Park grants with qualifying projects by March 1, 2010. One of the requirements of the grant application is the inclusion of an authorizing resolution to apply for the grant funding. The resolution must be project specific, therefore, Resolution No. 273-2008, approved by the Board of Supervisors on October 7, 2008, authorizing the Director of Transportation to submit and execute grant applications will not satisfy this requirement.
The proposed Parks & Trails Capital Improvement Program (CIP) includes a Project # 97010 to refurbish the Walker Ball Fields at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds. Accumulative Capital Outlay (ACO) funds and Robert Z'Berg Harris grant funds are allocated for this project. The Department is requesting authorization for the DOT Director to apply for grant funding to enhance and expand this project. A successful grant application would allow for paving of the pit parking area utilized for the racetrack and ball fields and installation of lighting on the ballfields and parking area. These additional improvements would help address water quality and erosion issues at the Fairgrounds and expand the use of the ballfields beyond the daylight hours. Lighting in the parking areas would also provide greater security and safety for members of the public utilizing the fields and attending other events at the Fairgrounds. The additional grant funds will also provide for further improvements to the playing fields to better serve the users and residents of the County.
Project Scope: In addition to the improvements to the softball fields already envisioned to be completed with the RZH Grant funds, the Department proposes to re-construct and configure the Historic Dub Walker/ American Legion Ball Field to provide not only an American Legion regulation baseball field but a new recreational league regulation soccer field with an adjacent asphalt-paved parking lot.
The proposed new ball field will be constructed in phases. The scope of this grant will include the planning, design, and construction of the following Recreation Features:
· Ball Field facility - Historic Dub Walker/ American Legion Ball Field will be an approximately 2.5 acre American Legion regulation baseball field that is configured so that a 54,000 square foot soccer field can be laid out in the outfield area of the ball field. The facility will include ADA compliant spectator seating, concession /score keeper/ announcer building, ADA compliant restrooms, dugouts, field lighting for after dusk events and irrigation system. The project also contemplates providing field lighting for the smaller fields that are to be renovated with the RZH grant.
The scope of this grant will also include the planning, design, and construction of the following Major Support Amenities:
· Parking lot and internal roadways - Approximately 135,000 square-feet of asphalt-paved areas will be constructed that will provide access roadways on the Fairgrounds around the Race Track and approximately 100 spaces for vehicles that use the ball field and the events that occur at the Fairgrounds. Ten of the parking spaces will be ADA spaces. Lighting in the parking area and on the access roadways will also be installed with the current generation of high efficiency LED lights. The parking lot and access roadways will be a joint-use with the adjacent Fairground facilities.
The Engineer's Estimate for the proposed grant is $1,737,000. This includes construction as well as planning and design costs.
Department staff is currently researching and reviewing the Agreements between the County and the Fair Association relative to the use of the Walker Fields. In addition, potential alternatives for improvements on the fairgrounds to address County and Association concerns are being determined. Use of undeveloped land, paving parking areas to eliminate stormwater concerns, better use of recreational faciliies, etc. are being considered to address the highest and best standards for the benefit of the County. These factors are being considered in the grant application and will be vetted through the County and Fair Association.
Action to be taken following Board approval:
1) The Board Clerk will have the Chair sign two (2) copies of the Resolution and will forward one signed original to the Department of Transportation to include with the grant application.
Contact:
James W. Ware, P.E.
Director of Transportation
Concurrences: County Counsel