REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
June 15, 2017
FROM: KRISTINA CHAMBERLIN, Assistant Director
Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services Department
BY: SHAUN SCHAEFER, Recreation Manager
Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services Department
SUBJECT
Title
RESOLUTION - Authorizing the City Manager or designee to pursue a KaBOOM! Grant to build a play structure at Granny’s Park and execute the enabling documents necessary to accept the grant (Council District 7)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the resolution and authorize the City Manager or designee to pursue a KaBOOM! Grant to build a play structure at Granny’s Park and execute the enabling documents necessary to accept the grant.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
KaBOOM! is a national non-profit dedicating 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. KaBOOM! is responsible for guiding applications through a selection process and ultimately preparing organizations for a community led play space project. The City is currently in the screening process for a potential play space at Granny’s Park, if awarded the project, the City will work in conjunction with KaBOOM!, community volunteers and organizations and City staff to design and build a play space. Staff recommends that the Council approve the resolution authorizing the City Manager or designee to pursue the KaBOOM! project and execute the enabling documents.
BACKGROUND
Granny’s Park is located in the northeast quadrant of Blackstone and Dakota and serves a population of more than 1,800 children within a half mile area. The City’s General Plan calls for a minimum of three acres per 1,000 residents yet this area is only served by 0.24 acres. In order to maximize the current green space, the City engaged with KaBOOM! on a potential play space in Fresno. KaBOOM! is a national non-profit dedicating 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 and therefore Granny’s Park was identified as an ideal candidate for this cooperative project. In order to receive a project award, an applicant must show that the play space will serve children from a low-income population, have a demonstrated need for a play space, have a space that does not currently have a playground on site, and implement a community build model to engage the larger community in all aspects of project planning and playground build execution. The City has been working with Fresno Metro Ministries (FMM) through the Better Blackstone Association, as well as Pastor Tom Sims with 4141 Ministries to continue to grow and mobilize the community support around the park to contribute to this rewarding project. These organizations help build capacity and promote resident ownership via community programs and involvement. Pastor Sims adopted Granny’s Park during the Great Recession and his group is responsible for the upkeep of the park as well as running educational programs for the children in the neighborhood. The strong connection he has with the neighborhood brought forth momentum to begin a Boys and Girls Scout Troop at Granny’s Park. Pastor Sims also has previous experience building with KaBOOM! as he was instrumental in the playground that was built at the Fresno Interdenominational Refugee Ministry site.
The City is currently in the screening process of the application in which KaBOOM! has requested that the City provide materials including a signed letter of intent, proof of ownership and affirmation that the City is ready to sign an agreement within three days of award notification. Staff recommends that the City Council approve the resolution authorizing the City Manager or designee to continue to pursue the grant and execute the enabling documents in order to meet the expedited timeline and make for a stronger, more competitive application. If awarded, KaBOOM! will engage a funding partner that will provide an estimated $85,000 play space value to the City, the City will provide matching funds in the amount of $8,500 through a combination of District 7 allocations and donor funds. If selected, planning for the project will begin immediately, which entails mobilizing staff, volunteers, community organizations, and resources to build a one of a kind play space at Granny’s Park.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
This item is not a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not implemented because this item does not include an award of a construction or services agreement.
FISCAL IMPACT
Matching funds in the amount of $8,500 will be provided through a combination of District 7 allocations and donor funds.
Attachment:
Resolution
Letter of Intent
Community Partner Agreement