SR-300-002
CCS: ADMN: BH: BH: F:\SHARE\STAFFREP\MURRAYHAYDENURBANPARKACT
Council Meeting: December 9, 2003 Santa Monica, California
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: City Staff
SUBJECT: Resolutions Authorizing the Application for Grant Funds from the Murray-
Hayden Urban Parks and Youth Service Grant Program and the Urban
Park Act of 2001 Grant Program, established as part of the California
2002 Resources Bond Act (Proposition 40)
Introduction
This report recommends that the City Council adopt the attached resolutions authorizing
the City Manager to apply for State of California funds available in the Murray-Hayden
Urban Parks and Youth Service Grant Program and in the Urban Park Act of 2001
Grant Program. Both competitive programs were established as part of the California
2002 Resources Bond Act (Proposition 40).
Background
The Murray-Hayden Urban Parks and Youth Service Grant Program was established
under State Proposition 40 to provide grant funding for capital projects, including parks,
park facilities, and youth centers, that will employ neighborhood residents and at-risk
youth, and are within immediate proximity of a neighborhood that has been identified as
having a critical lack of parks and open space land and/or deteriorated park facilities, a
shortage of services for youth, significant property, and significant unemployment. A
total of $46,675,000 is available statewide and grant amounts range from $100,000 to
$2,500,000. No matching funds are required.
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The Urban Park Act of 2001 Grant Program was established to finance the acquisition
and development of parks, recreation areas, and facilities in neighborhoods least served
by park and recreation providers. A total of $130,690,000 is available and grant
amounts range from $100,000 to $3,000,000. Applicants that provide matching funds
are more competitive than those that do not under this program.
Discussion
The attached resolutions provide the local approvals necessary for the State to enter
into contracts with the City for the distribution of funds if the City is successful in
obtaining project funding. Two applications are being prepared. The Murray-Hayden
application, if approved, would fund interior improvements to the youth center planned
as part of the Virginia Avenue Park Expansion Project, currently under construction. The
Urban Parks application is for funds to install synthetic turf on the fields planned at
Airport Park.
Youth Center Application
The youth center planned as part of the Virginia Avenue Park Expansion Project was
the result of input from a group of Santa Monica youth, ages 14 to 21, led by Michael
Pinto of Glendale-based Osborn Architects, and presented to the Virginia Avenue Park
Advisory Board in February 2001. The youth envisioned a series of spaces in the
former Plastic Mart building, including a recreation room, study lounge, art activity
space, discussion group area, counseling and administrative offices, a small kitchen,
and disc jockey booth (including media, electronics, and sound-room equipment).
Some of these interior improvements were not included in the current Virginia Avenue
Park Expansion construction contract due to budget constraints. Murray-Hayden funds
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in the amount not to exceed $250,000 would make these fixed, permanent
improvements possible, and create a more vibrant, state-of-the art youth center.
Airport Park Synthetic Turf
When the Airport Park design plans were approved by the City Council on October 14,
2003, staff was asked to investigate the inclusion of synthetic turf for the large sports
play field. Synthetic turf would offer considerable benefits at Airport Park if grant funding
in an amount not to exceed $1,500,000 can be secured to cover the initial capital cost.
As requested by Council, Attachment III provides an analysis of the use of synthetic turf.
Council could alternatively direct staff to seek funding to install artificial turf at an
existing field site. Staff believes that an application for a new site would be more
competitive and installation of artificial turf at an existing site would necessarily disrupt
field use during installation.
Budget/Financial Impact
If the City is successful in its bid for funding, an appropriation in CIP accounts would be
requested upon notification of award. Funding for the proposed enhanced projects
would not result in increased need for operating funds and while not required, matching
funds are available from already appropriated monies in existing CIP accounts.
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the attached resolutions authorizing the
City Manager to apply for and execute all necessary documents relating to the Murray-
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Hayden Urban Parks and Youth Service and Urban Park Act of 2001 competitive grant
programs (Proposition 40).
Prepared By: Barbara Stinchfield, Director
Karen Ginsberg, Assistant Director
Brett Horner, Senior Analyst – Parks and Community Facility Planning
Department of Community and Cultural Services
Attachment I: Resolution for Murray-Hayden Urban Parks and Youth Service
SEE ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 9908 (CCS)
Program
SEE
Attachment II: Resolution for Urban Park Act of 2001 Program Park –
ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 9909 (CCS)
Attachment III: Analysis of the Use of Synthetic Turf at Airport
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