COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Environmental Services Agency

 

DATE:

October 20, 2004

BOARD MEETING DATE:

November 9, 2004

 

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Marcia Raines, Director, Environmental Services Agency

SUBJECT:

Approval of Resolutions Authorizing Application for Per Capita and Roberti-Z’berg-Harris Grants from Proposition 40

 

Recommendation

1.

Adopt two resolutions authorizing the filing for local assistance funds from the Per Capita Grant Program (Per Capita) and the Roberti-Z’berg-Harris (RZH) Urban Open Space and Recreation Program of the California Clean Water, Clean Air, Safe Neighborhood Parks and Coastal Protection Act of 2002 (Proposition 40).

   

2.

Appoint the Director of Environmental Services Agency as agent to conduct all negotiations, execute and submit all documents including, but not limited to applications, agreements, payment requests and other documents that may be necessary for the completion of Project(s).

   

Background

The Urban Open Space and Recreation Program of the California Clean Water, Clean Air, Safe Neighborhood Parks and Coastal Protection Act of 2002 was approved by the voters in March 2002. The Bond Act of 2002, commonly referred to as Proposition 40, is intended to revive stewardship of natural resources by investing in natural resources and providing clean water and air, safe neighborhood parks and coastal protection. The Per Capita and RZH Urban Open Space and Recreation Program are two of several funding mechanisms offered as part of the Bond Act of 2002. In accord with the program criteria generally described below, these funds may be used at the discretion of the County.

Per Capita Grant Program

The Per Capita Grant Program is intended to maintain a high quality of life for California's growing population by providing a continuing investment in parks and recreational facilities. Specifically it is for the acquisition and development of neighborhood, community, and regional parks and recreation lands and facilities in urban and rural areas.

The funds allocated may be used for:

    Acquisition

    Non-construction costs related to the project such as plans, specifications, appraisals and negotiations (cannot exceed 25% of total requested State Grant amount)

    Construction costs

    Equipment that is permanently fixed to the project facility such as play equipment, fixed benches and signs and interpretive aids.

Roberti-Z’berg-Harris (RZH) Urban Open Space and Recreation Program

The RZH Grant Program is intended to meet the urgent need for safe, open and accessible local park and recreational facilities for increased recreational opportunities that provide positive alternatives to social problems.

As a means of addressing these critical neighborhood park needs, RZH grants are to be expended on high priority projects that satisfy the most urgent park and recreation needs in the most heavily populated and most economically disadvantaged areas of the County. RZH grants are intended to supplement, not supplant, local expenditures for park and recreation facilities. Further, the Bond Act encourages collaboration (partnerships) on projects.

RZH funds can be applied to the following types of programs:

    Acquisition including open space areas, historic sites, structures and lands to be converted to recreational use

    Development or rehabilitation of historic sites or structures if they are in a park and recreation area; development of a park or recreational facility that meets an identifiable recreation need; rehabilitation of park, recreation or historical facilities that are no longer fully serviceable and that, when rehabilitated, provide expanded or additional recreation or historical opportunities

    Special major maintenance projects (other than routine maintenance activities) on lands that were acquired or developed with funds from the RZH program

    Innovative Recreation Programs designed to serve special populations, including transportation costs

Projects funded under the Special Major Maintenance Projects and Innovative Recreation Programs cannot exceed 30% combined of the value of the RZH funds appropriated to that particular agency. .

 
Discussion

The County’s allocation for Per Capita and RZH funds is determined on a per capita basis. Counties share their portion of the formula with any special districts in the jurisdiction, which for San Mateo County includes Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, Ladera Recreation District and North Highlands Recreation District. The amounts allocated to those special districts have already been deducted from the allocation for the County.

The County’s allocation for these funds include:

 

Per Capita

$ 1,367,000

RZH

784,060

Total

$ 2,151,060

   

Staff has developed a proposed list of projects to consider for funding from Proposition 40. For purposes of these resolutions, the State has requested that the resolutions not be tied to a specific list of projects or amounts in case these priorities change over the life of the allocation process. The projects on the attached list (Attachment A) were selected as they represent priorities identified in the capital projects plan.

In the past the RZH program has required a local match. That match has been eliminated as a requirement, but the grant guidelines still encourage partnerships and collaborations for projects funded with these monies. All of the attached potential projects identified for possible application under this funding program are based on partnerships.

It is possible that not all of the projects on the list will be completed with Proposition 40 funds as some costs may vary depending on fluctuations in the construction cost market over the life of the grant period. In addition, the grant criteria are under review by the State, and not all of the proposed projects may meet the final requirements. Based on staff’s current knowledge, the proposed projects are eligible, and were reviewed for addressing needs throughout the County, and were analyzed in conjunction with projects funded from other sources. Staff will also forward to you a memo regarding the status of Proposition 12 projects.

 

Vision Alignment

Adoption of these resolutions and grant application keeps the commitment of Preserve and provide people access to our natural environment and Goal 15: Residents have nearby access to green space, such as parks and recreational opportunities. The adoption of these resolutions and grant application contributes to this commitment and goal by improving amenities and features within the County Parks system.

Adoption of these resolutions and grant application also keeps the commitment of Leaders work together across boundaries to preserve and enhance our quality of life and Goal 24: Residents accept individual responsibility for contributing to the quality of life of the County as a whole. The adoption of these resolutions and grant application contribute to this commitment and goal as the various RZH projects provide for strong partnerships to improve park facilities and recreational activities for residents and visitors alike.

 
Fiscal Impact

Application for these funds will allow the Parks and Recreation Division to address $2.1 million in unmet capital project costs.

 

Attachments

List of Proposed Projects