REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
October 12, 2017
FROM: KRISTINA CHAMBERLIN, Assistant Director
Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services Department
BY: IRMA YEPEZ-PEREZ, Senior Management Analyst
Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services Department
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to Outdoor Environmental Education Facilities Grant Funds
1. RESOLUTION - Approving the application for Outdoor Environmental Education Facilities Grant Funds
2. Acceptance of Outdoor Environmental Education Facilities Program funds in the amount of up to $500,000 from the State of California Department of Parks and Recreation for the Highway City Neighborhood Center (DISTRICT 2)
3. Designation and approval of the PARCS Assistant Director as signatory for execution of program participation documents
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Council:
1. Adopt the attached Resolution approving the submittal of an application for the State of California Department of Parks and Recreation Outdoor Environmental Education Facilities Grant Program for the Highway City Community Center.
2. Accept up to $500,000 in program grant fund award.
3. Authorize the PARCS Assistant Director or designee to sign all necessary documents to implement the grant, subject to prior approval as to form by the City Attorney’s Office.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services (PARCS) Department has prepared a grant application for the State of California Department of Parks and Recreation Outdoor Environmental Education Facilities Program for improvements to the Highway City Community Center that include a natural shade structure, outdoor seating area, nature play structure, and landscaping. The State requires adoption of the attached resolution for all applications.
BACKGROUND
The Outdoor Environmental Education Facilities Program is a competitive grant funded through the California Clean Water, Clean Air, Safe Neighborhood Parks, and Coastal Protection Act of 2002 (Proposition 40). Assistance is provided to local agencies and community-based organizations for the development of outdoor environmental education facilities. Adoption of the attached resolution is required for all application submittals and subsequent participation in the program.
The Highway City Neighborhood Center is located at 5140 N. State St., Fresno, CA 93722. The center is filled with specimens, skins, animal bones, and materials for hundreds of science hands-on learning activities. Additionally, PARCS works in partnership with the San Joaquin River Conservancy to take children to the San Joaquin River for hiking, canoeing, and exposure to the natural environment. Nationwide, an alarming number of young people are becoming disconnected from nature and the great outdoors. The increased use of technology, lack of green space, and the fear of crime are some of the culprits. PARCS desires to offer additional outdoor nature programming at the center and proposes to utilize the grant funds to construct a natural shade structure, outdoor seating area, a nature play structure, and low-water use irrigation and landscaping. The indoor exhibits, combined with the planned outdoor educational presentations, and excursions to the San Joaquin River will increase knowledge and understanding of our natural resources, and help residents become efficient stewards of the environment.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Staff has performed a preliminary environmental assessment (EA-17-019) for the proposed projects at Highway City Neighborhood Center and has determined it falls within Class 1, 4 and 32 Categorical Exemptions set forth in Sections 15301, 15304, and 15332 of the State CEQA Guidelines because the project will involve negligible expansion of an existing use, construction of a limited number of new, small facilities or structures, and construction, or placement of minor structures accessory to existing commercial, industrial, or institutional facilities. Furthermore, none of the exceptions to Categorical Exemptions set forth in the Section 15300.2 of the State CEQA Guidelines apply to this project.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not considered because this Resolution does not include a bid or award of a construction or service contract.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no impact to the City’s General Fund, and there is no match requirement. If awarded, the grant program will provide for the construction of the new improvements. The removal of turf and installation of new low-water use irrigation lines will provide minor utility savings.
Attachment: Outdoor Environmental Education Facilities Grant Resolution