COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

DEPARTMENT OF PARKS

DATE:

October 7, 2008

BOARD MEETING DATE:

October 21, 2008

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

David G. Holland, Director, Department of Parks

SUBJECT:

Actions to Convey the El Granada Quarry Park Property, Terminate the Lease with Midcoast Parklands, and Terminate the Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement for the Acquisition, Development and Operation of a Park on the El Granada Quarry Park Property

RECOMMENDATION:

1.

Adopt a resolution authorizing the acceptance of the conveyance of the El Granada Quarry Park Property from the Joint Powers Agency for the Acquisition, Development and Operation of the El Granada Quarry Park and authorizing and directing the County Manager to take such actions as are necessary to terminate the Lease with Midcoast Parklands.

2.

Adopt a resolution authorizing the County Manager to give written notice terminating the Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement for the Acquisition, Development and Operation of a Park on Property Commonly Known as the El Granada Quarry Park Property.

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitment: Preserve and provide people access to our natural environment.

Goal(s): Residents have nearby access to green space, such as parks and recreational opportunities.

BACKGROUND:

In October 1993, the County purchased the El Granada Quarry Park property from Mr. Keet Nerhan for $215,000. The purchase agreement contemplated that the property would then be transferred to another entity (either governmental or non-profit) for the purpose of improving the property for use as a community park. The Board subsequently entered into a Joint Exercise of Powers Authority with the Cabrillo Unified School District for the specific purpose of forming an entity to take title to the property, in fulfillment of the terms of the purchase agreement.

Interested and committed residents of the Coastside unincorporated communities formed Midcoast Parklands (MPL), a non-profit agency, for the purpose of making improvements to, and operating, the El Granada Quarry Park. The JPA entered into a lease agreement with MPL on August 17, 1999 for operation and maintenance of the park, and which included deferment of lease payments in order to help MPL establish itself and develop an income stream.

MPL has made numerous improvements and contributed many hours of labor over the past decade toward creating a local neighborhood park. Due to the expense of maintaining the park, and the limited funding available to MPL, MPL has now determined that the Lease should be terminated, and has requested the County to do so, including sustaining the traditional uses of the park. MPL will continue to serve as Friends of Quarry Park providing community outreach and minimal park maintenance.

DISCUSSION:

The proposed actions constitute two of the necessary steps to convey the property and terminate the Lease, which would result in the return of the responsibility for operating the El Granada Quarry Park to the County. The steps involve (1) acceptance of the conveyance of the El Granada Quarry Park property from the JPA to the County and authorizing and directing the County Manager to take such actions as are necessary to terminate the lease with MPL; and (2) authorizing the County Manager to give written notice terminating the JPA for the Acquisition, Development, and Operation of a Park on Property Commonly Known as the El Granada Quarry Park Property, which will terminate the JPA effective on October 17, 2009.

FISCAL IMPACT:

Although San Mateo County Parks Department is not currently funded for providing recreation services at Quarry Park, the Department has been supplementing maintenance costs since 2005 at approximately $25, 000 annually. County Parks estimates the annual management costs to increase to $40,000 per year. The County Parks will absorb the increased cost through a realignment of our coastside resources and the use of Midcoast Parklands as a “Friends” organization to support the park with volunteers and contributions. There will be no increase in the Net County Cost associated with managing Quarry Park.