REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
December 17, 2015
FROM: MANUEL A. MOLLINEDO, Director
Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services Department
BY: IRMA YEPEZ-PEREZ, Grant Writer
KAREN NORRIS, Administrative Manager
Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services Department
SUBJECT
Title
Approve acceptance of donation of approximately 0.28 acre property by Mr. William Collins, for the future construction of a new trailhead at E. Tulare Avenue and N. Argyle Avenue (Council District 5)
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends that:
1. Council accept the donation of 0.28 acre of property to the City of Fresno Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services (PARCS) Department for the construction of a new trailhead.
2. Council adopt the environmental findings of a Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15316 of the CEQA Guidelines “Transfer of ownership of land in order to create parks”.
3. Authorize the PARCS Director, or his designee, to accept the Property Deed from Mr. Williams Collins and Linda M. trustees and to execute the agreement on behalf of the City and sign all documents to complete the transaction.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The .28 acre donated property at Tulare and Argyle Avenue will allow the City to develop a new trailhead in Southeast Fresno as part of the proposed Fancher Creek Parkway. The property is valued at $40,000 per the property appraisal completed on November 7, 2015. The donation is conditioned upon the City agreeing to naming the trailhead after Mr. Collins.
BACKGROUND
Mr. William Collins and Linda M. trustees of vacant residential property at the northwest corner of North Argyle Avenue and East Tulare Avenue would like to donate their property to the City of Fresno for the purpose of establishing a trailhead as part of the proposed Fancher Creek Parkway Project. An appraisal was completed on November 7, 2015 by the property owner, which determined that the property is valued at $40,000. Fancher Creek borders the western perimeter of the proposed William Collins Trailhead. PARCS has submitted a grant application to the State Department of Natural Resources to develop the Fancher Creek Parkway into a linear park trail. The proposal calls for restoring the native vegetation to enhance the natural riparian environment of Fancher Creek and creating a paved trail system for walking, jogging, and bicycling.
The new William Collins Trailhead, which borders the western perimeter of the proposed parkway, would become a key component to Fancher Creek Parkway. Improvements would include a drinking fountain, benches, landscaping, irrigation, as well as conservation and interpretive signage enhancements regarding the historical significance of Fancher Creek and the development of the irrigation system which propelled Fresno County into becoming one of the world’s premier agricultural productive areas.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
A Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15316 of the CEQA Guidelines was filed on November 23, 2015. This provision consists of the acquisition, sale or other transfer of land (donation) in order to establish a park where the land is in a natural condition and will be part of a comprehensive park plan update. Furthermore, a Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) of the proposed park property was completed on September 19, 2015 in conformance with the scope and limitations of ASTM Practice E-1527-13, and revealed no evidence of recognized environmental conditions historically recognized environmental conditions or records of environmental liens on the property.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not considered because this item does not include a bid or award of a construction or services contract.
FISCAL IMPACT
The donated property will benefit the construction of a new trailhead site. There is no impact to the General Fund to purchase the property. The State grant proposal to Department of Natural Resources would allow for site development costs. Future maintenance cost would be associated with the Fancher Creek Parkway and funded by a Community Facilities District.
Attachment:
Donation Letter