Report Prepared by: Christopher Jensen, Director, Parks & Community Services
Title
SUBJECT: Approval to Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Submit a Grant Application on Behalf of the Department of Parks and Community Services to the California State Department of Parks and Recreation Outdoor Equity Grants Program for $600,000 to Fund Outdoor Programs Designed to Take Place in the Community and at Natural Area Destinations Including Local, Regional, State and National Parks
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers approving to adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to submit a grant application to the California State Department of Parks and Recreation for the Outdoor Equity Grant. Grant funds will be used to fund outdoor focused recreational programs offered through Parks & Community Services. Program activities will include park based outdoor recreation & education as well as natural area trips to state, regional and national parks, forests, and beaches. If awarded, the home base for programming will be Stephen Leonard Youth Center. No matching funds are required. The grant application is due December 14th, awards will be announced Summer 2024, and programming will start as early as Fall 2024. The Department is requesting the amount of $600,000 for the program period of 2024- 2027.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion:
A. Adopting Resolution 2023-79, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Merced, California, Approving the Application to the State Department of Parks and Recreation for Outdoor Equity Grants Program Grant Funds; and,
B. Authorizing the City Manager or the Deputy City Manager to execute the necessary documents; and,
C. Authorizing the Finance Officer to make the necessary budget adjustments.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve as recommended by staff; or,
2. Deny.
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Section 200
Charter of the City of Merced, Article IV, Section 405
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
Provide Youth Development Programs and Services that Promote Youth Involvement as identified in the FY 23/24 adopted City Council Goals & Priorities.
DISCUSSION
Parks and Community Services currently provides outdoor recreational opportunities for disadvantaged youth in Merced. These opportunities include trips to local parks, creeks, and wilderness areas and additional trips to regional spaces such as the Merced & San Luis National Wildlife Refuge(s), State Parks, and Yosemite National Park. The Outdoor Equity Grants Program (OEP) supports the Health of Californians through the
creation of OUTDOOR PROGRAMS by funding program operation and transportation costs in underserved communities. OEP will not fund CAPITAL PROJECTS. The Parks & Community Services Department seeks to support its outdoor programming for underserved members of the community through this grant application.
The OEP Grant requires each applicant to identify a Community Home Base that is recognized as a disadvantaged or severely disadvantaged area by the Outdoor Equity Program Community FactFinder, 2023 Edition. The Parks & Community Services Department has proposed Stephen Leonard Youth Center as the Community Home Base for the program. This is where program participants from the neighborhood will primarily gain access to activities. The Program will offer two types of services; Neighborhood Specific Activities that will take place at Stephen Leonard Park and Natural Area Trips which include trips to regional, state, or national parks, beaches, forests, or deserts.
The grant application is due December 14th, awards will be announced Summer 2024, and programming will start as early as Fall 2024. The Department is requesting the amount of $600,000 for the program period of 2024- 2027. There are no matching funds required.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
No appropriation of funds is required at this time. Should the grant be awarded, the award notice will be presented to the City Council for future action. There is no required local match for this grant program.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution 2023-79
2. OEP_ Community Home Base Report
3. OEP_ Round 2 Timeline