HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-03-31 - AGENDA REPORTS - PR&CS MP (2)CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of City Cou cil
FROM: George A. Caravalho, City Manager
DATE: March 31, 1993
SUBJECT: Parks, Recreation and Community Sery es Master Plan
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As you recall, at its study session of January 27, 1993, the City Council reviewed and endorsed staff's
recommendations relative to the expenditure of discretionary funding resulting from the recent passage of
Proposition A, the Los Angeles County Sate Parks Bond Act. Among the many priority projects specifically
discussed at that meeting (refer to EXHIBIT B of Attachment 1) was the creation of a Parks Master Plan.
Staff has since broadened the conceptual scope of the proposed Master Plan to include not only park
acquisition and development issues, but also to explore and establish a long-range plan to address and
guide the leisure and social service needs of the community.
As is routinely done with projects of such magnitude and potential impact, the master planning process will
be the result of extensive community participation. Attachments 2 and 3 of this report outline the process
and elements of consideration that staff feels are critical to the successful development and implementation
of the master plan.
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The initial budget for the master plan has been estimated at $50,000, and will be totally funded via
Proposition A. Consequently there will be no negative impacts on either the City's General Fund or the
delivery of parks, recreation and community services as a result of the development of the master plan.
It is also anticipated that the hiring of an outside consultant will be necessary to complete this document,
and every effort will be made to solicit proposals from qualified local park planning firms. It is interesting
to note that a team of staff members from various City departments may also be interested in submitting
a proposal for this project.
As the method and date of disbursement of Proposition A funds have yet to be determined, the City Council
may wish to authorize an expenditure of $50,000 from the General Fund as a short-term loan until such
time that Proposition A funds are forthcoming. It is anticipated that the City will not expend any funds
relative to this effort prior to August, 1993, according to the outline on Attachment 2.
SUMMARY
Pending input from the City Council, staff is prepared to immediately initiate the preliminary steps necessary
in the master planning process
Agenda Ii�ern:_�:aL
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council review and provide direction concerning the process and elements
of consideration for inclusion in a Parks, Recreation and Community Services Master Plan.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1 Memo to Mayor & City Council Dated 1/27/93 - Proposition A Funding Impacts
Attachment 2 Master Plan - Elements and Process
Attachment 3 Major Elements of Consideration
GAC/REP:mat
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ATTACHMENT 1
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
I N T E R O F F I C E M E M O R A N D U M
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of City Council
FROM: Rick Putnam, Director, Parks, Recreation, and Community
Services
DATE: January 27, 1993
SUBJECT: Proposition A Funding Impacts
BACKGROUND
In November 1992, the voters by a 64 percent margin approved Proposition A,
the Safe Neighborhood Parks Act. On December 22, 1992, the County Board of
Supervisors authorized various County departments to initiate activities to
administer the Regional Park and Open Space District created by passage of the
Act. Funding for the projects listed within Proposition A is to be made
available by the creation of the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open
Space District, to which assessments shall be levied on essentially a
per -parcel basis. The County Assessor is currently updating the property data
base so that all eligible parcels are assessed in accordance with the Act. It
is estimated that 135,000 parcels need to be updated, and that this process
may take several months to complete.
The funding impacts of Proposition A on the City of Santa Clarita may come in
several different forms. These would include, but are not limited to:
• Per capita entitlements for discretionary funding of projects;
• Grant entitlements for pre -approved specific projects;
• Competitive grants in a variety of areas;
• Cooperative applications for competitive monies between the City and
nonprofit agencies or other public agencies;
• The City actively establishing cooperative relationships with other
agencies who may benefit from our assistance in fund disbursement.
Exhibit A, attached, illustrates the relationship of these various types of
funding opportunities associated with Proposition A.
PER CAPITA ENTITLEMENTS
The City of Santa Clarita will receive monies totaling slightly over
$1.19 million as its portion of the entitlement monies of Proposition A.
These monies can be used for any applicable purposes, as stated within the
42 ap
Proposition A Funding Impacts
Page 2
intent and scope of Proposition A. Please refer to the attached
Exhibit B, which lists those projects already identified as high
priorities within either the Capital Improvement Program, the Five -Year
Capital Improvement Program, the City Council, the Parks and Recreation
Commission, or staff. Although Proposition A will clearly have a
significant beneficial impact on the community, the City will still have a
major funding shortfall in providing projects for the park and recreation
needs of the community.
GRANT ENTITLEMENTS
The City of Santa Clarita applied for and was approved to receive
$2.48 million for the acquisition and development of the Santa Clara River
Park. Additionally, although the City is not specifically named,
Proposition A approved $2.5 million for the acquisition of open space
lands in the canyons in the Santa Clarita Valley. We feel the City has an
excellent opportunity to establish a significant amount of control over
how these monies are eventually expended. These funds must be expended
only on those projects as specifically listed within the Proposition A
approval of activities.
COMPETITIVE GRANTS
Within Proposition A, staff has identified some $25 million of competitive
grants to which the City may submit viable applications. Clearly, no
guarantees exist that the City of Santa Clarita would receive any of these
competitive grant monies. However, the track record of the Parks and
Recreation Department over the past year is very encouraging. It should
be noted here that the sheer number of grant proposals necessary for
Proposition A will have a significant impact on staff's time to continue
the grant writing process in other areas. Additional personnel support in
the grant writing section of the Parks and Recreation Department may be
critical to the overall continued success in that area.
COOPERATIVE AGENCY AGREEMENTS
The City of Santa Clarita, as a leader in environmental issues in the
Santa Clarita Valley, has established some mutually beneficial
relationships with other agencies (i.e., Santa Monica Mountains
Conservancy) who are subject to funding from Proposition A. It may be
beneficial, however, for the City to enhance these relationships in the
future by way of Memorandums of Understanding or Joint Power Agreements as
may be appropriate. Although the City has no direct claim to any of the
funds in this category, our technical assistance and expertise in their
disbursement may be extremely valuable to these other agencies. These
would include, but are not limited to:
•
$3 million for the acquisition of land and development of facilities
for at -risk youth and gang prevention in conjunction with
community-based nonprofit organizations;
4-3
Proposition A Funding Impacts
Page 3
• $10 million in competitive grants to nonprofit organizations;
• $4 million for the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy in the
acquisition and development of the Santa Clarita Woodlands;
• $25 million of additional approved funding going to agencies outside
the City of Santa Clarita, but which may have a direct impact on the
quality of life within the City.
In conclusion, it should be noted that two of the City of Santa Clarita's most
significant projects will unfortunately not be adequately funded for
completion. These include: (1) the Santa Clara River Trail and the
associated wetland and riparian open space; and (2) the Saugus Rehab open
space.
The Santa Clara River Trail will still be approximately $2 million short of
funding, and the Saugus Rehab site for the lower mesa (Phase One) will be
$10.4 million short. Additionally, Proposition A funds are not specifically
addressing the East Newhall recreation facility; however, opportunities
through cooperative agency efforts and competitive grants may exist. (Please
see Attachment C.) Alternate funding sources will necessarily need to be
pursued for these three projects. These may include local bond initiatives,
continued grant applications, and State Park and Recreation bonds.
A complete review of all funding and project opportunities for the Santa
Clarita Valley is listed in Attachment D.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that (1) the City Council receive and comment on the
information presented; and (2) the City Council direct this information to the
Parks and Recreation Commission and other appropriate bodies for discussion
and establishment of a project priority list.
ATTACHMENTS
A: Funding Source Comparisons
B: Discretionary Funding Project List
C: Underfunded Projects
D: Proposition A Review
RP/JHD:dis
PRCOUNC.196
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55
50
45
40
35
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MILLIONS 25
OF
DOLLARS 20
15
10
5
4
3
2
1
PROPOSITION A
!T\T TITTITITIII ATITIATITTT1TrT TT\!'V\
PER CAPITA GRANT COMPETITIVE COOPERATIVE
ENTITLEMENTS ENTITLEMENTS GRANTS AGENCY
AGREEMENT
OPPORTUNITIES
EXHIBIT
..2
K:.: . 1= int•
North Oaks Park Play Area Rehab S 200,000
Tennis Court Lighting $ 160,000
Parks Master Plan $ 50,000
ADA Retrofit $ 50,000
Capital Equipment $ 100,000
Sport Field Lighting $ 200,000
Matching Funds for Grants $ 100,000
Shade and Picnic Structures $ 75,000
Sport Court Rehabilitation $ 80,000
Playground Equipment Upgrades $ 175,000
TOTAL: $1,190,000
EXHIBIT B
PARKS AND RECREATION
PRIORITY PROJECTS
SAUGUS REHAB SITE
PHASE I
12 MILLION
00,000
EAST NEVVHALL
PARKS AND RECREATION
FACILITY
3 MILLION
UNFUNDED
2,000,000
PFA
2,000,000
116
Ev 8DQ00
coral
500,00
SANTA CLARA RIVER
TRAIL
5.3 MILLION
EXHIBIT C
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SECTION 8(b), 1: DISCRETIONARY FUNDING.
1 $1,192,000 Entitlement on per -parcel basis.
SECTION 8(b), 2: DIRECT GRANTS.
2 -LL $2,480,000 Acquisition and development of the Santa Clara River Park.
SECTION 8(a), 3: COMPETITIVE GRANTS.
3-A $5,000,000 Acquisition and development of land and rights-of-way for
walking, hiking, horse, bicycle, and handicapped access
trails.
3-B $5,000,000 Development and improvement of senior centers and
recreation facilities.
3-C $5,000,000 Planting of trees in urban areas.
3-D $5,000,000 Restoration, rehabilitation, or acquisition of natural
lands and development of recreational resources along the
Santa Clara, San Gabriel, and Los Angeles Rivers and their
tributaries.
3-E $5,000,000 Graffiti prevention and restoration of exterior and
interior facades at park, recreation, and public facilities.
SECTION 8(a), 1-2: COOPERATIVE FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES IN THE SANTA CLARITA
VALLEY AND ADJOINING AREAS.
1 $5,000,000 Acquisition, development, improvement, restoration, or
rehabilitation of park property owned or operated by the
County in accordance with the Conservation and Open Space
Element of the County General Plan.
2-D $1,500,000 General rehabilitation of Castaic Park.
2-0 $1,460,000 Improvements to County parks to meet ADA requirements.
2-P $ 500,000 Rehabilitation of park facilities at Hart Park.
2-W $4,603,000 Acquire and develop the North County Athletic Complex in
the Castaic area.
EXHIBIT D
0 9
Exhibit D - Page 2
2-K $2,426,000 Improvements to North County Parks: Del Valle, Hanley
Canyon, Haskell, Loma Alta, North River, Province,
Stevenson Ranch, Two Strike Park, and/or Westridge.
2-Y $ 750,000 Acquisition of North County Significant Ecological Areas.
2-Z $ 300,000 Acquisition and development of North County trails from
Santa Clarita to Palmdale/Lancaster area.
2 -BB $1,000,000 Expansion of Placerita Canyon Park.
2 -CC $ 400,000 Improvements to facilities at Plum Canyon.
2 -GG $2,500,000 Acquisition of open space land in canyons in the Santa
Clarita Valley.
2 -JJ $3,400,000 Improvements to County senior citizen recreation facilities
in the following parks: Hart, Basset, Arcadia, Obregon,
Salazar, and/or Sorensen.
2 -KK $1,000,000 Expansion of Townley Canyon Park.
2 -MM $ 750,000 Rehabilitation of park facilities at Val Verde Park.
SECTION 8(a), 4: AT -RISK YOUTH.
4 $12,000,000 Construction and development of at -risk youth recreation
and service facilities.
SECTION 8(c), 2: SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS CONSERVANCY GRANTS.
2 $4,000,000 Acquisition and development in the Santa Clarita Woodlands.
(minimum)
SECTION 8(c), 3: COMPETITIVE GRANTS TO NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS.
3 $10,000,000
SECTION 8(c). 4: AT -RISK YOUTH.
4 $3,000,000 Acquisition of land and development of facilities for
at -risk youth and gang prevention in conjunction with
community-based nonprofit organizations.
SECTION 8(c). 5: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS APPROVAL.
NOTE: No monies from Proposition A can be used to acquire potential landfill
sites.
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
PARKS, RECREATION AND COMMUNITY SERVICES
MASTER PLAN
ELEMENTS AND PROCESS
PURPOSE STATEMENT
ATTACHMENT 2
To effectively evaluate, forecast and plan for changes in supply and demand of Parks, Recreation
and Community Services in both the immediate and long range future. The community, City
Council, City Commissions and staff will define the specific goal and desired results of the Master
Plan.
SUGGESTED MASTER PLANNING PROCESS TARGET DATE
I. CITY COUNCIL REVIEWS MASTER PLANNING PROCESS AND 3/31/93
KEY ELEMENTS OF CONSIDERATION
II. THE PLANNING TEAM 6/1/93
A. Assemble a multi -disciplinary planning team
B. Establish a budget and timeline for project
C. Prepare and Disseminate Consultant RFP
III. SELECT CONSULTANT 8/1/93
IV. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Ongoing
A. Focus Group Workshops
B. General interest Group Workshops
C. Key Informant Interviews
D. Random Survey
V. PRODUCE DRAFT PLAN FOR PUBLIC REVIEW TBD
VI. FINAL PLAN REVIEWED BY COMMISSIONS AND CITY COUNCIL TBD
VII. IMPLEMENTATION OF MASTER PLAN TBD
VIII. PERIODIC REVIEW TBD
TBD = To Be Determined
II
ATTACHMENT 3
MAJOR ELEMENTS OF CONSIDERATION
The Master Planning process will include, but not be limited to the following major areas of
consideration:
■ DEFINE GEOGRAPHIC BOUNDARIES
■ NEIGHBORHOOD, COMMUNITY AND REGIONAL IDENTITIES
■ EVALUATE CURRENT FACILITIES AND PROGRAMS (e.g. passive and active
space, trails, river corridor, leisure/cultural activities, social services, etc.).
■ HISTORICAL HERITAGE
■ DEMOGRAPHIC FORECASTING
■ ACTIVE VS. PASSIVE NEEDS
■ SERVICE/FACILITY COMPATIBILITIES
■ OPERATING AND MAINTENANCE COST CONSIDERATIONS
■ SHORT AND LONG TERM FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES AND ALTERNATIVES
■ CONFORMANCE TO LAND USE, OPEN SPACE AND PARKS AND RECREATION
ELEMENT OF THE GENERAL PLAN
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