SUBJECT
Title
ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO APPLY FOR AND ACCEPT GRANT FUNDS FROM THE CALIFORNIA NATURAL RESOURCES AGENCY URBAN GREENING PROGRAM (DISTRICTS: 1)
Body
OVERVIEW
On September 14, 2016, Senate Bill 859 created the California Natural Resources Agency’s (CNRA) Urban Greening Program to support the development of green infrastructure projects. In 2021, Senate Bill (SB) 170 allocated $50,000,000 from the State General Fund to the CNRA Agency for its Urban Greening Program for projects that reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and provide multiple benefits such as reducing energy demand and promoting resource efficiencies. The competitive CNRA Urban Greening Program has made $47,500,000 available for projects, across the state, that acquire, create, or expand community parks and green spaces, and/or use natural systems to provide environmental and social benefits in the State’s disadvantaged or low-income communities. Last year, the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) was awarded $1,000,000 from the CNRA for the construction of Village View local park located in the community of Fallbrook.
DPR analyzed 89 park projects using the Capital Investment Model and California Communities Environmental Health Screening Tool (CalEnviroScreen 4.0) to determine the eligibility of funding based on the grant requirements. Out of the projects analyzed, DPR determined that the Tijuana River Valley Regional Park (TRVRP) Active Recreation and Community Park is the most competitive project for the CNRA Urban Greening Program grant within our portfolio. The TRVRP Active Recreation and Community Park is located in the northeast section of the 1,800-acre regional park, immediately adjacent to the Nestor community in the City of San Diego. The project meets the requirements of the grant by creating a new 64-acre community park and green space adjacent to a disadvantaged community, as defined in CalEnviroScreen 4.0. The park project is in the initial phases of design and the amenities will be determined throughout the public outreach and design process. DPR envisions that the park project will bring local and community active recreation amenities to the established regional park.
This request is to adopt a resolution authorizing DPR to apply for and accept up to $11,630,300 from the Urban Greening Program administered by the California Natural Resources Agency for the Tijuana River Valley Regional Park Active Recreation and Community Park. The total estimated cost of the project is $37,764,603 and it is currently scheduled in CINA 2023-24 for design and CINA 2025-26 for construction. Additionally, this request will authorize the Director, DPR, or designee, to conduct all negotiations and to execute and submit all documents that may be necessary to apply for and accept the grant funds.
RECOMMENDATION(S)
CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
1. Find that the proposed project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines
2. Adopt a resolution entitled: RESOLUTION OF THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO BOARD OF SUPERVISORS APPROVING THE APPLICATION FOR GRANT FUNDS FOR URBAN GREENING PROGRAM.
3. Authorize the Director, Department of Parks and Recreation, or designee, as agent of the County, to conduct all negotiations and submit all documents including, but not limited to, applications, contracts, payment requests and to execute the grant agreements, including any extensions or amendments thereof that do not materially impact or alter the grant program or funding levels.
EQUITY IMPACT STATEMENT
The park project will serve the community of Nestor in the incorporated area of the City of San Diego. The new community park will be in the Tijuana River Valley and will provide new opportunities to engage in recreation activities that promote healthy, active living and reduce the risk of chronic disease and stress. The proposed project will expand active recreation opportunities in an area that does not currently have sufficient access to such programming. The project meets the grant requirements by creating a new 64-acre community park and green space adjacent to a disadvantaged community, as defined in the CalEnviroScreen 4.0.
At present, 40% of residents in this region are more than a 10-minute walk, 20-minute bike ride, or 30-minute transit trip to a park per the City of San Diego’s 2021 Parks Master Plan. While the park is operated by the County of San Diego, it is located within the City of San Diego. The park project will serve all residents of the region, and the local park amenities will be designed to serve the immediately surrounding neighborhood of Tijuana River Valley and Nestor, both of which are part of the City of San Diego. The addition of active recreation programming will increase access to recreation for residents of the Tijuana River Valley and will expand opportunities to recreate and experience nature closer to home, work, or school. It will also create an intergenerational hub and shared gathering space for friends, families, and neighbors to come and build a community.
FISCAL IMPACT
If approved, today’s actions would authorize the submittal of one application for grant funds up to $11,630,300 for the Urban Greening Program. There are no matching funds required for this grant.
The Board approved a waiver of Board Policy B-29 for LUEG grants on June 24, 2020 (12), therefore a waiver is not requested as part of this action. The Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) will return to the Board of Supervisors to establish the necessary appropriations for construction not covered by grant funds in FY 2025-26. The amount needed for construction is currently estimated at $37,764,603. The park is projected to open in FY 2026-27. DPR will return to the Board during the advertise and award phase to request any additions to operations and maintenance costs that are determined to be necessary during the design phase of the project. If a grant is awarded, any unrecovered cost per Board Policy B-29 would be funded by available prior year General Fund fund balance.
BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT
N/A
Details
ADVISORY BOARD STATEMENT
There has been no Advisory Board or Community Planning Group (CPG) approval for this project because the location of the proposed project is within the Tijuana River Valley Community Plan Area in the City of San Diego. The Tijuana River Valley Community Plan Area does not have an active CPG at this time.
BACKGROUND
On September 14, 2016, Senate Bill 859 created the California Natural Resources Agency’s (CNRA) Urban Greening Program to support the development of green infrastructure projects that reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and provide multiple benefits including: carbon sequestration, decreased energy use, reduced vehicle miles traveled, environmental services (e.g. stormwater infiltration, reduced urban heat island effects), and expanded access to community parks and green spaces in disadvantaged and low-income communities. The Urban Greening Program is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide initiative that invests billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars in projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, strengthen the economy, and improve public health and the environment. In 2021, SB 170 allocated $50 million from the General Fund to the Agency for its Urban Greening Program for projects that reduce GHG emissions and provide multiple benefits.
The competitive Urban Greening Program has made $47,500,000 available for projects that at a minimum, acquire, create, or expand community parks and green spaces, and/or use natural systems to provide environmental and social benefits in the State’s disadvantaged or low-income communities. To qualify to receive an Urban Greening grant contract, the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) must submit a resolution approved by the Board of Supervisors approving application(s) for the grant program and certifying that DPR will have sufficient funds to operate and maintain the project. The resolution also ensures that the applicant will comply with prevailing wage requirements in the California Labor Code and adhere to any applicable laws and regulations. The applicant is also required to work toward the Governor’s State Planning Priorities to promote equity, strengthen the economy, protect the environment, and promote public health. Last year, the Department of Parks and Recreation was awarded $1,000,000 from the CNRA for the Village View local park located in the community of Fallbrook.
DPR uses the Capital Prioritization Model, which assesses community needs based on the benchmarks of recreation amenities, capital investment, park acres and access, and sustainability/community enhancement. This model assesses park infrastructure and compares it to national and local standards to determine how the community’s amenities relate to those standards. DPR reviewed 89 park projects and compared the projects to the grant criteria. Some of the other parks and projects reviewed include Heritage Park, Stelzer Visitor Center and Ranger Station, Waterfront Park, Ildica County Park, Bonsall Community Park, Alpine Park, Mira Mesa Epicentre, and the Mount Woodson Parking Lot among others. Out of these, the most competitive project that met the eligibility requirements was the Tijuana River Valley Regional Park (TRVRP) Active Recreation and Community Park. This project meets the requirements of the grant by creating a new community park and green space adjacent to a disadvantaged community as per the CalEnviroScreen 4.0 tool.
The Tijuana River Valley Regional Park, where the Active Recreation and Community Park will be located, offers more than 1,800 acres of diverse habitats to enhance visitors’ experiences, as well as 22.5 miles of multi-use trails, a bird and butterfly garden, and a campground among other amenities. Regional Parks are designed to serve all San Diego county residents, as well as visitors, by providing access to natural San Diego habitats and excellent recreational opportunities.
Within the Tijuana River Valley Regional Park, the Active Recreation and Community Park will transform 64 acres of fallow farmland into a community asset that possibly includes a sports complex and local park to serve the nearby disadvantaged community as well as the surrounding neighborhoods. The proposed project site is 0.25 miles away from the closest bus stops, serving routes 933 and 934. These bus routes create connectivity from the Imperial Beach pier to Otay Mesa West in a region where 40% of residents are more than a 10-minute walk, 20-minute bike ride, or 30-minute transit trip to a nearby park per the City of San Diego’s 2021 Parks Master Plan.
In 2010, DPR completed the TRVRP Opportunities and Constraints Report which included public outreach and surveys. The report proposed an initial feasibility study and concept plan that establishes a community park and regional park amenities within the 64-acre project site. The proposed park includes soccer and baseball/softball fields, multi-use fields, sports courts, a children’s play area, a concession building, restrooms, and parking. Since it has been over a decade since this initial community outreach effort, the proposed scope of work includes a new and extensive community outreach effort to determine whether the community is still interested in the previously proposed park amenities.
This request is to adopt a resolution authorizing DPR to apply for and accept up to $11,630,300 from the Urban Greening Program administered by the California Natural Resources Agency for the Tijuana River Valley Regional Park (TRVRP) Active Recreation and Community Park. The total estimated cost of the project is $37,764,603. If grant funds are awarded, DPR will return to the Board of Supervisors to establish the necessary appropriations for design and environmental review, currently estimated at $2,000,000, in Fiscal Year (FY) 2022-23, and construction, the remainder of the $37,764,603 not covered by grant funds, in FY 2025-26 if the design and environmental review are approved. Additionally, this request will authorize the Director, DPR, or designee, to conduct all negotiations and to execute and submit all documents that may be necessary to apply for and accept the grant funds. Funds that are secreted through a successful CNRA Urban Greening grant will offset construction costs for the project and help the County expand access to high-quality park experiences for low-income residents in the community.
ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT
The request for approval to apply for and accept grant funding is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines. Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines provides that a project is exempt from CEQA review where “it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment.” Today’s action seeks to authorize the Department of Parks and Recreation to apply for and accept CNRA Urban Greening grant funds to offset costs to develop a potential project. The environmental review will be conducted prior to approval of the project. If the Board does not choose to proceed with the project, the grant funds will be returned. Therefore, acceptance of the grant funds does not cause an environmental impact. The action is exempt from CEQA review because it can be seen with certainty that the activity will not have a significant effect on the environment.
LINKAGE TO THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO STRATEGIC PLAN
The proposed actions to adopt resolutions to apply for and accept grant funds, if awarded, support the Sustainability Initiative in the County of San Diego’s 2022-2027 Strategic Plan by promoting an environment where residents can enjoy parks, open spaces, and outdoor experiences.
Respectfully submitted,
SARAH E. AGHASSI
Deputy Chief Administrative Officer
ATTACHMENT(S)
Attachment A: Vicinity Map
Attachment B: RESOLUTION OF THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO BOARD OF SUPERVISORS APPROVING THE APPLICATION FOR GRANT FUNDS FOR URBAN GREENING PROGRAM