REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
February 25, 2016
FROM: BRUCE RUDD, City Manager
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to Almy and Roy Park and 41 and North Corridor Coalition
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption under CEQA Guidelines section 15301/Class 1
2. Approve Agreement for Transfer of Real Property from Habitat For Humanity Fresno, Inc.
3. Approve an Adopt-A-Park Agreement with Cargill Fresno
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends Council accept the Almy and Roy Park, valued in excess of $500,000 from Habitat for Humanity Fresno, Inc., and to approve an Adopt-a-Park Agreement with Cargill Fresno to provide maintenance for the park over the next three years.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Over the last four years a small group of various community stakeholders have worked tirelessly in developing a new park located at Almy and Roy Avenues. This group, known as the 41 and North Corridor Coalition funded the design, engineering and construction of a new .3 acre park based on an understanding that once the park was built that it would eventually be transferred to the City. The Coalition was also required to identify the resources needed to maintain the park for a minimum of three years once the park was constructed.
BACKGROUND
The catalyst for what was to become the Almy Street Playground, which is located at Almy and Roy Avenues, started in the Fall of 2011 after an annual community assessment identified a need for more green space and play areas for the families living in the neighborhoods located within the State Route 41 and North Corridor.
As a result of this effort, various community members consisting of parents, children, business owners, and faith based leaders came together to start the planning process and a series of playground design workshops with the residents of the area. The group, which is referred to as the 41 and North Corridor Neighborhood Coalition, helped to lead a grassroots effort to design and fund the construction of a new park, with the majority of the design process being spearheaded by neighborhood youth.
Habitat for Humanity Neighborhood Revitalization staff then took the initial rendering to a local architect and landscape design company to formalize the drawings produced by the neighborhood’s youth, which resulted in the first draft of the Almy Street Park. In 2012, Coalition requested the City to provide additional technical assistance in refining the plans as well as support for the project. As a result of these discussions, the City agreed to support the project provided that the Coalition would take responsibility for acquiring private sector funding for the construction of the park as well as commit to funding the cost of maintaining the park for three years. The City would then accept the gifting of the park and assume the cost of maintenance after the initial three years.
In early 2014, Habitat for Humanity purchased a vacant lot located at 225 W. Almy Street and began site preparation and its fundraising efforts. By August of 2015, the Coalition, with the support of Habitat for Humanity, had successfully raised the $500,000 needed to complete the construction of the Almy Street Park. During this time the Coalition also secured an agreement with Cargill Fresno to fund the maintenance of the park over the next three years. The new park was officially dedicated on August 11, 2015.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Staff has performed a preliminary environmental assessment of this project and has determined that it falls within the Categorical Exemption set forth in CEQA Guidelines Section 15301/Class 1 which exempts projects where there is no change in existing use because the property is already a park, and will continue to be used as a park following the transfer of the property to the City. Furthermore, Staff has determined that none of the exceptions to Categorical Exemptions set forth in the CEQA Guidelines, section 15300.2 apply to this project.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
This project is not subject to local preference.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no immediate impact to the General Funds as Cargill Fresno has agreed to provide funding needed to support the cost of maintenance over the next three years. Given the size of the park (approximately .3 acre) the annual cost of maintenance would be less than $10,000 per year in the event that Cargill Fresno does not renew the park adoption.
Attachment:
Agreement for Transfer of Real Property
Adopt-A-Park Agreement