REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
August 27, 2020
FROM: SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director
Public Works Department
THROUGH: WILLIAM C. HERR, Assistant Director
Public Works Department, Facilities and Construction Management Divisions
BY: DEBBIE BERNARD, Project Manager
Public Works Department
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to the Installation of a Tot Lot at Tollhouse Park (District 4)
1. Adopt finding of a Categorical Exemption pursuant to Sections 15303/Class 3, 15304/Class 4 and 15332/Class 32 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines
2. ***RESOLUTION - Approving the reallocation of $647,800 within the PARCS Department to address funding for Tollhouse Park and JSK Park (Subject to Mayor’s veto) (Requires 5 affirmative votes)
3. Approve a Playspace Partner Agreement with KaBOOM!, Inc. for the Tollhouse Park Tot Lot Installation in the amount of $113,500
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends that City Council:
1. Adopt finding of a Categorical Exemption pursuant to Sections 15303/Class 3, 15304/Class 4 and 15332/Class 32 of the CEQA Guidelines for construction of new, small facilities
2. Approve the reallocation of $647,800 within the PARCS Department to address funding for Tollhouse Park and JSK Park
3. Approve a Playspace Partner Agreement with KaBOOM!, Inc. in the amount of $113,500 for the Tollhouse Park Tot Lot Installation and allow the Public Works Director or designee to sign on behalf of the City of Fresno
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
KaBOOM!, Inc is a national non-profit dedicated to ensuring that all children, particularly the 16 million American children living in poverty, get the balance of active play they need to become healthy and successful adults. The City of Fresno PARCS Department (Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Service) has been awarded a community led play space project with KaBOOM!, Inc. The City will work in conjunction with KaBOOM!, community volunteers and organizations to design and build a play space in the Tollhouse Park location.
BACKGROUND
Tollhouse is located in District 4 at Tollhouse and Ashlan Avenues. It is greenspace within a tightly knit community of families. The installation of a Tot Lot with the specific equipment selected by KaBOOM!, Inc. provides multi-age use serving more children in the neighborhood. The project is consistent with the priority with improving existing park sites as well as one of the District’s top priority parks for improvements.
KaBOOM!, Inc. is a non-profit organization that provides professionally installed play elements throughout the country while utilizing local volunteer labor forces. The City of Fresno PARCS Department has received this opportunity to team up with the KaBOOM!, Inc. non-profit to design and install a kid friendly play space.
In addition to the action approved today, the complete Tollhouse project will include not only a tot lot but also a shade structure, drinking fountain, and concrete work and an ADA pathway for a total cost of $377,800 that will come from the PARCS Citywide Facilities Fees. The $200,000 from General Fund originally slated for the Tollhouse project is being reallocated to the Jaswant Singh Khaira (JSK) Park for a total JSK project cost of $270,000, bringing the total reallocation of appropriations to $647,800.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Staff has determined that a Categorical Exemption is appropriate, based on Section 15303/Class 3 of the CEQA Guidelines, which exempts construction of limited numbers of new, small facilities or structures; Section 15304/Class 4 which exempts minor public or private alterations in the condition of land, water, and/or vegetation which do not involve removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees and Section 15332/Class 32 which exempts the project from CEQA requirements when the project is characterized as in-fill development meeting several conditions such as being consistent with the Fresno General Plan; the project is within the city limits; the site has no value as habitat for endangered, rare or threatened species; the project will not result in any significant effects relating to traffic, noise, air quality, or water quality and the site can be served by all required utilities and public services. Furthermore, staff has determined that none of the exceptions to the Categorical Exemptions set forth in the CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2 will apply to this project. Staff recommends Council, based upon its own independent judgement, adopt finding of a Categorical Exemption per staff determination, pursuant to Sections 15303/Class 3, 15304/Class 4 and 15332/Class 32 of the CEQA Guidelines for the Tollhouse Park Tot Lot Installation.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not implemented due to the funding source.
FISCAL IMPACT
This project will be fully funded with UGM PARCS Citywide Facilities Fees through a reallocation of existing appropriations, therefore no net fiscal impact to the General Fund.
Attachments:
KABOOM! Agreement
Resolution No. 2020 - 159
Tollhouse Park CEQA Exemption