Report Prepared by: Christopher Jensen, Director, Parks & Community Services
Title
SUBJECT: Approval to Accept and Appropriate Grant Funds from First 5 Merced County for the Safe Play Initiative in the Amount of $700,000 for the Development of Playgrounds at Community Park 42 (Project CP220061) and General Vang Pao Park (Project CP240049)
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers approving to accept and appropriate grant funds from First 5 Merced County for their Safe Play Initiative in the amount of $700,000 for the development of inclusive playgrounds at Community Park 42 (project CP220061) and General Vang Pao Park (project CP240049) and approving the use of Park Reserve funding in the amount of $805,000 for the additional costs related to General Vang Pao Park.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion:
A. Accepting the Safe Play Initiative contract in the amount of $700,000 in grant funds; and,
B. Authorizing the Finance Officer to make the necessary budget adjustments; and,
C. Authorizing the use of pooled cash to cover the expenditures until grant funds are reimbursed; and,
D. Authorizing the City Manager or Deputy City Manager to execute all documents, including any amendments.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommended by staff;
2. Approve, subject to other than recommended by staff, identify specific findings;
3. Refer to staff for reconsideration of specific items as requested by Council; or,
4. Continue to a future City Council meeting; or,
5. Deny request, which would result in the City of Merced being unable to use the AFG funds.
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Section 200 - Powers
Charter of the City of Merced, Section 405 - Powers Vested in the City Council
Charter of the City of Merced, Section 1105 - Budget Appropriations
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
Park & Recreation, as provided for the in 2023-24 Budget.
DISCUSSION
Parks & Community Services has been awarded $700,000 from the First 5 of Merced County Safe Play Initiative to develop two new playgrounds in the City of Merced. The playgrounds proposed were Athena June playground at General Vang Pao Park and the playground at Community Park 42 (CP-42). To meet the intent of the Safe Play Initiative, funds will be used to design parks with features that maximize access by all users, specifically those that may face barriers to traditional play areas.
General Vang Pao Park and Community Park 42 are located in two of the most recent areas of residential development in Merced. The addition of playgrounds in these areas will expand the access to safe places to play across the City. Both playgrounds will offer features specific to children between the ages 0-5, 5-12, and their caregivers. Priorities of playground features include solid surfacing, sound experimentation, variated textures,
changing elevations and caregiver to child interaction.
Each site will be funded with $350,000 of the First 5 Merced County Safe Play Initiative Grant, a total of $700,000. The development of Community Park 42 will ensure $350,000 will adequately cover the cost of the playground being built. General Vang Pao Park does not have a site plan and will require extensive community involvement in the park and playground design. This site will require funding to develop the infrastructure required to support the playground. As part of the Safe Play Initiative grant application, City Council authorized the allocation of $805,000 from CP240013- Projects to be Determined in Fund 5001-Park Reserve Fund to provide the support the required design of General Vang Pao Park and the design and build of Athena June Playground. In contrast to General Vang Pao Park, Community Park 42 is fully designed and First 5 Safe Play Initiative grant funding will be used for the design and construction of the playground alone.
The grant period begins July 1, 2023 and ends June 30th, 2025. Community Park 42 has broken ground and will commence development over the next several weeks with a planned completion by the deadline for the Safe Play Initiative. General Vang Pao Park will require community input on the overall park design, playground features and amenities. The process of developing a site plan will commence once the contract has been finalized.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
Funding of $805,000 is available in Fund 5001-Park Reserve, project CP240013-Project to be Determined to support the development of General Vang Pao Park and the Athena June Playground as indicated in the Safe Play Initiative grant application.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Merced County Contract NO. 22-505