SR 12-12-2017 8B
City Council Report
City Council Meeting: December 12, 2017
Agenda Item: 8.B
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To: Mayor and City Council
From: Karen Ginsberg, Director, Community & Cultural Services
Subject: Contract Award for the Parks & Recreation Master Plan Update and Status of
Potential Parks Funding Measure
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Award Request for Proposals (RFP) #130 to MIG Inc., a California based
company, for the development of Santa Monica's Parks & Recreation Master
Plan (PRMP) update;
2. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute an agreement with MIG Inc.
in an amount not to exceed $488,706, including 10% contingency over a two
year period; and
3. Review results from polling completed in August 2017 for a potential parks
funding measure, and provide direction to staff to focus on completing the PRMP
update and pause on the potential parks bond measure until the City is in a
better position to move forward.
Executive Summary
Santa Monica’s Parks & Recreation Master Plan (PRMP), adopted in 1997, was
intended to guide park improvements for 20 years (through 2017). In that time, the City
has added 23.5 acres of parkland and made numerous other improvements to the City’s
parks. The City is currently working on several projects and contemplating new projects
to add to or improve the City’s park inventory. To help guide the development,
prioritization and funding of these projects and potentially others, the PRMP requires an
update. Staff recommends awarding the PRMP update contract to MIG Inc. in the
amount of $488,706, including 10% contingency.
Projects in progress, including the expansion of Airport Park, and projects that will be
included in the updated master plan will likely require funding beyond what the City’s
General Fund could support, necessitating consideration of alternative funding sources
over time, such as a General Obligation (GO) bond. On April 25, 2017, Council directed
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staff to explore a potential local parks GO bond for the November 2018 ballot by
conducting polling of Santa Monica residents to gauge support.
Per Council’s direction, staff has worked to determine the viability of a GO bond with the
idea that the PRMP update process would also be underway within the FY 2017-18
timeframe to plan allocation of potential bond funds, should the measure be successful.
Polling was conducted in August 2017 and support for the bond by potential voters was
not overwhelmingly favorable. Approximately 51% of those polled before the property
tax amount was disclosed said they would definitely or probably support a parks bond
and, after the tax amount was disclosed, only 45% said they would definitely or probably
support it. A super-majority of 66.67% is needed for a GO bond measure to pass.
Polling showed residents generally enjoy the City’s parks, are satisfied with park
maintenance and operations, and are happy with their proximity to a park. Moreover,
residents value parks and would like additional open space but a sufficient number of
residents do not feel enough of an urgency to develop open space or renovate existing
parks to be willing to pay for the improvements.
Staff is concerned that timing for building support for a local bond measure could be
misaligned with the PRMP timeline, which was delayed several months due to staff
capacity issues. Staff is also concerned bond support would be affected by
apprehensions recently expressed by community members related to the increasing
impacts of homelessness in the City's existing public spaces, including parks.
Given timing and other challenges, staff recommends advancing the PRMP update and
pausing on the potential parks bond measure until the City is in a better position to
move forward. Without the potential bond measure moving forward at this time,
construction of the 12-acre expansion of Airport Park in the near term would not
proceed.
Background
In 1997, Council adopted the City’s first Parks and Recreation Master Plan (PRMP) and
a new Open Space Element of the General Plan (Attachments A and B). Since the
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PRMP was adopted in 1997, the City has accomplished many of the PRMP’s strategies
including expanding the community park system, reinvesting in and revitalizing existing
parks, improving and expanding sports and recreation facilities, and enlivening parks
with cultural facilities. Furthermore, other related master and specific plans have been
approved since adoption of the PRMP, such as the Land Use and Circulation Element
(LUCE), Downtown Community Plan, Urban Forest Master Plan, Bicycle Action Plan,
and Pedestrian Action Plan.
The PRMP intended to guide improvement of the City’s park facilities for 20 years
(through 2017) and a comprehensive process is needed to ensure the plan is updated
to align with the City’s dynamic urban landscape and evolving resident demographics.
Preparation of an updated PRMP would assess current parks, recreation, and open
space needs and plan for future need. As discussed further below, a significant number
of projects in the 1997 PRMP have been accomplished but there are still initiatives left
to complete. These projects, in addition to the growing need and demand for open
space citywide, necessitate a broad analysis of park operational and usage models as
well as innovative funding strategies to support their implementation.
The City’s park inventory currently provides 1.5 acres of parkland per 1,000 residents,
well below the Los Angeles County average of 3.3 acres per 1,000 residents, as
determined by the Los Angeles County Comprehensive Parks Needs Assessment
completed in May 2016 (Attachment C). This metric does not include the 245 acres of
Santa Monica State Beach. Exploring funding strategies to support both the capital
investment in parks and recreation facilities as well as continue to meet operating needs
is becoming increasingly more challenging due to a growing number of high priority City
projects competing for limited funding in each Capital Improvement Program (CIP)
Biennial Budget. On April 25, 2017, in response to this budgetary pressure and a
demonstrated need for funding to support projects such as the expansion of Airport
Park, Council directed staff to explore a potential local GO bond measure that could be
considered for the November 2018 ballot (Attachment D).
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Discussion
PRMP Accomplishments
Since adoption of the PRMP in 1997, the City has added a total of 23.5 acres of
parkland through the development of Airport, Euclid, Tongva, and Ishihara Park, Ken
Genser Square, the expansion of Virginia Avenue Park, and the incorporation of the
Ocean Park Green Space into the park inventory. Dog parks were created at Pacific
Street, Joslyn, and Airport Park and community gardens were added on Main Street
and at Euclid and Park Drive Park. Additionally, park renovations, playground
enhancements, and building improvements were completed at Clover, Douglas, Marine,
Joslyn, Memorial, Ozone, Palisades, and Reed parks. The City and the Santa Monica-
Malibu Unified School District collaborated to create the Playground Partnership
program, which allows public use of elementary school playgrounds during non-school
hours, and developed the award-winning Santa Monica Swim Center on the Santa
Monica College (SMC) campus. There are also several park projects currently
underway including the Civic Center Sports Field (approximately 2 acres), the 12-acre
Airport Park Expansion, Clover Park restrooms replacement, and the Memorial Park
master plan and expansion to include the 2.9-acre former Fisher Lumber site.
The City has also accomplished notable projects at Santa Monica State Beach since the
1997 PRMP was adopted, including the development of accessible walkways to the
water, construction of a Universally Accessible Playground in South Beach,
development of the Beach Green, restroom building replacements, development of
Slackline Park, and completion of the Annenberg Community Beach House on the
former Marion Davies Estate. Numerous improvements also have been made to Beach
parking lots and signage improvements along the Beach Trail. Other projects in the
pipeline include the North Beach Playground, expected to open in 2018, and the North
Beach Trail Improvements project currently being designed.
PRMP Update RFP and Contract Award
The completion of the aforementioned projects marked significant progress towards
achieving the objectives set forth in the 1997 PRMP. Now it is time to plan for the next
20 years and beyond by building on the needs identified in the Los Angeles County
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Comprehensive Parks Needs Assessment, and aligning where appropriate with other
planning documents such as the LUCE, Downtown Community Plan, Urban Forest
Master Plan, Bicycle Action Plan, and Pedestrian Action Plan. To do so, RFP #130 was
issued on August 10, 2017 for a consultant team to lead the PRMP update including
designing and facilitating a robust community engagement process; interfacing with an
ad hoc committee of the Recreation and Parks Commission; determining possible ways
to approach planning for the future conversion of the Santa Monica Airport (SMO) to
open space; and assessing budgetary needs and strategies to identify a comprehensive
set of funding sources to support future parks and recreation development to meet the
needs of the community.
The RFP closed on September 14, 2017 and six proposals were received, ranging in
cost from $149,999 to $691,700. Staff from the Community and Cultural Services,
Public Works, and Planning and Community Development departments evaluated the
proposals and shortlisted and interviewed three consultant teams. Staff selected MIG
Inc. as the best qualified firm based on team composition; relevant experience with
similar projects, including municipal park master plans for Palo Alto, Irvine, Pittsburgh,
and San Jose; knowledge of and familiarity with the Santa Monica community gained
from leading the Land Use Circulation Element (LUCE) update and the Santa Monica
Pier Community Visioning process; and total proposal cost. Staff recommends awarding
the PRMP update contract to MIG in the amount of $488,706 including 10%
contingency. MIG expects the PRMP update process will take approximately 18 months
from project kickoff in January 2018 to plan adoption in June 2019.
Funding Considerations
One of the most significant objectives of the PRMP update is to inform budget planning
and forecast future financial needs. An increasing number of high priority, citywide
projects compete for a limited amount of funding in each CIP Biennial Budget cycle and,
while parks and open space development and improvement historically has been
generously supported by the General Fund, there are unfunded park projects in the
pipeline. The most immediate need is funding for construction of the Airport Park
Expansion project. On March 24, 2015, Council directed staff to develop 12 acres of
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non-aviation land adjacent to the existing Airport Park, with a focus on sports fields, and
to do so as quickly as possible. On January 26, 2016 following an RFP process, Council
authorized entering into a contract with Rios Clementi Hale Studios for the design of the
Airport Park Expansion project (Attachment E). The current estimated cost to construct
this project is approximately $30 million, including forecasted cost escalation,
construction management, direct owner costs, and 10% contingency. A funding source
would need to be identified before a Request for Bids (RFB) for a contractor could be
issued.
It is important to note that since Council’s directive to move forward with the Airport Park
Expansion project, the City entered into a Consent Decree with the federal government
that allows the City to close SMO in 2028, paving the way for the airport to be converted
to a great park. (Measure LC approved by voters in November 2014 limits the
development of SMO land to parks, public open spaces, and public recreational
facilities, as well as the maintenance and replacement of existing cultural, arts, and
education uses. Development of SMO land for other uses is not permitted until voters
have approved limits on the uses and development that may occur on the land.) Council
also approved and allocated funding for design and construction of a new multipurpose
sports field at the Civic Center (Attachment F). This project is currently in design
development and is expected to be completed by March 2021.
Another important and long-awaited park project in the pipeline is the expansion of
Memorial Park. The City acquired the 2.9-acre Fisher Lumber site in 2004 for the
purpose of expanding Memorial Park. Funding in the amount of $1.35 million was
appropriated in the FY 2016-18 CIP Biennial Budget for the development of the
Memorial Park Master Plan, with an additional $300,000 planned in FY 2018-19. Staff is
currently reviewing and evaluating proposals received from consultants to lead the
master planning process. Development of the master plan will determine the overall
placement and configuration of park uses and amenities on the expanded site as well
as phasing and overall budget estimates. Complete design of each phase would follow
based upon funding availability. In November 2016, Santa Monica voters approved
SMC’s Measure V bond, which will provide up to $20 million for Memorial Park
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improvements. While the $20 million in Measure V funding is significant, it is anticipated
that additional funding will be needed over time to support a full upgrade and expansion
of Memorial Park.
Potential Local Parks Funding Measure
In response to budget constraints and the unfunded park projects detailed above, on
April 25, 2017, Council directed staff to explore a potential local parks GO bond for the
November 2018 ballot. Pursuant to this direction, in June 2017, staff worked with
Goodwin Simon Strategic Research and TBWB Strategies, the City’s bond outreach
strategist, to conduct focus groups comprised of Santa Monica residents with
demographics (age, political party, homeowner/renter status) representative of the
City’s voting population. The focus groups informed development of potential bond
messaging as well as polling questions that were later tested with residents through
telephone polling conducted in August 2017.
The telephone polling results were not overwhelmingly favorable for the bond. Polling
showed that residents generally enjoy the City’s parks, are satisfied with park
maintenance and operations, and are happy with their proximity to a park. It also
concluded that Santa Monicans highly value their outdoor lifestyle in the City, whether it
is being active in a park or at the beach, strolling through their neighborhood, or riding a
bike from one corner of the City to another. Residents value the City’s parks but do not
feel a sufficient urgency to develop additional open space or renovate existing parks to
be willing to pay for the improvements.
Specifically, a potential bond measure for either $100 or $200 million was favored by
approximately 61% of those polled (including those leaning yes) with results becoming
less favorable with the same respondents at 54% after the estimated property tax
impact was disclosed (see Table 1 below). These low favorability ratings do not
preclude the measure from moving forward but indicate significant challenges to
fostering sufficient community support to ensure a successful outcome if a local
measure were to be placed on the ballot in November 2018.
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Before Tax
Amount Disclosed
After Tax
Amount Disclosed
YES 61% 55%
Definitely Yes 31% 27%
Probably Yes 19% 18%
Lean Yes 11% 10%
NO 25% 35%
Lean No 4% 7%
Probably No 8% 9%
Definitely No 13% 19%
Don't Know 14% 10%
Table 1: Goodwin Simon Strategic Research Telephone Polling Results (August 2017)
Challenges with Timing of the Potential Bond Measure
In addition to unfavorable polling results, staff is concerned the timing for informing and
educating the public on a local bond measure could be misaligned with the PRMP
timeline, as well as the very real concerns being expressed by community members
related to the increasing impacts of homelessness in the City's existing public spaces.
Staff initially anticipated that the majority of the process leading to a PRMP update
would be completed by June 2018 when Council would need to decide whether to place
a local bond measure on the ballot. Due to staff capacity limitations and competing
priorities, the PRMP process was delayed and the first public draft of the plan is now
expected to be completed in March 2019.
The PRMP update would map a path for project prioritization and inform new strategies
for open space use, operations, and funding. For example, the plan could recommend
public/private partnerships in addition to or instead of a GO bond measure. Because of
this, moving forward with a bond measure on the November 2018 ballot in advance of
the adoption of the PRMP update does not seem prudent.
In addition to timing and PRMP alignment hurdles, the current community climate could
prove to be a challenging environment within which to foster financial support for open
space. Telephone polling results showed approximately 16% of respondents indicated
homelessness is the first thing that comes to mind when they think of Santa Monica’s
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parks. This could cause residents to be apprehensive about supporting a parks funding
measure in 2018. The City is investing in new strategies for proactive engagement in
public spaces as a component of the City’s response to the homelessness crisis, yet
homelessness is a regional issue and the regional service system has not scaled in step
with the rapid growth in the population. It will take time, locally and regionally, to develop
a service and housing system that can meet today’s needs. In the meantime, homeless
people will continue to congregate in public spaces, which may continue to fuel a
negative perception of the City’s parks.
Furthermore, while bond polling did not evaluate resident support for specific sites or
projects, the bond measure would come prior to decisions regarding the use of City–
owned land at 4th/5th Streets and Arizona Avenue, which will still be in the environmental
review process with multiple alternatives under study, including using the site solely as
park space. (The project’s draft Environmental Impact Report is anticipated to be
released in June 2018 for public review.) Some residents have expressed a sentiment
about the project site that favors including a significant amount of open space, may
want it included in the bond, and refuse to support it otherwise. Ideally, decisions about
the site would be made in advance of the bond moving forward to minimize discord
about what bond funds should support.
Lastly, it could be favorable to add the bond measure to the March 2020 ballot instead
of the November 2018 ballot, as voter turnout for the March 2020 presidential primaries
is anticipated to be significant.
Commission Action
Presentations of the poll results were provided to the Recreation and Parks Commission
on September 18, 2017 and to the Field Sports Advisory Committee on November 8,
2017. On November 16, 2017, the Recreation and Parks Commission had a second
discussion regarding the poll results and bond measure timing. The Commission
adopted a motion in a 4-1 vote to recommend that Council direct staff to pause on the
potential park bond measure for November 2018 and focus on completing the update to
the PRMP, with consideration of a potential bond measure in 2020 (Attachment G).
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Staff Recommendation
Given timing and other challenges, staff recommends awarding the PRMP update
contract to MIG Inc. at a cost of $488,706 (including 10% contingency), focus on
completing it, and pausing on the potential parks bond measure until the City is in a
better position to move forward.
Alternatives
As an alternative, Council could direct staff to move forward with the PRMP update as
well as the bond-related educational outreach. TBWB has recommended that
consideration be given to capitalizing on the support of Santa Monica’s outdoor lifestyle
by developing an educational message to educate the community on the investments
the City has made to support and protect Santa Monica’s outdoor lifestyle, including
parks but extending to include the urban forest and the bike and pedestrian networks.
The outreach would also include information about current open space needs identified
through the Los Angeles County Comprehensive Parks Needs Assessment and
expressed by residents in other forums, and the funding required to meet those needs.
The outreach, which is currently unfunded, would be followed by additional telephone
polling in late Spring 2018 that would indicate whether public support for the potential
measure has increased. Staff would return to Council in June 2018 for a decision
whether to move forward with adding a GO bond measure to the November 2018 ballot
and for what amount.
In addition to these communications and outreach strategies, TBWB recommended
consideration of a smaller bond if it is determined a larger bond would likely not be
approved by voters. A bond in the range of $40 – 50 million might fund the 12-acre
Airport Park Expansion project and support modest maintenance, repairs, and
improvements across other City parks.
Another alternative is to put forth a GO bond measure in the range of $20 million, an
amount which debt service would be similar to that of the current GO bond for library
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improvements that will be paid off in 2022, in effect maintaining the current tax rate. If
approved by voters in November 2018 or in 2020, these funds could be accessed upon
approval of the bond while the debt service on the bond, and therefore the tax override,
would begin in 2022.
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
The contract to be awarded to MIG Inc. is for an amount not to exceed $488,706. Funds
are available in the Community and Cultural Services department’s FY 2017-18 budget.
The contract will be charged to accounts S010400.589000 and 01501.555060.
Prepared By: Melissa Spagnuolo, Principal Administrative Analyst
Approved
Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. Santa Monica's 1997 Parks & Recreation Master Plan (Web Link)
B. Santa Monica's 1997 Open Space Element (Web Link)
C. L.A. County Comprehensive Parks Needs Assessment Final Report (Web Link)
D. April 25, 2017 City Council Staff Report (Web Link)
E. January 26, 2016 City Council Staff Report (Web Link)
F. June 27, 2017 City Council Staff Report (Web Link)
G. November 16, 2017 Recreation & Parks Commission Meeting Minutes (DRAFT)
H. MIG Inc. Oaks Initiative Disclosure
I. Written Comment
J. Powerpoint
City of Santa Monica November 16, 2017 Recreation & Parks Commission Meeting Minutes Page 1
DRAFT MINUTES
RECREATION & PARKS COMMISSION
SPECIAL MEETING
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2017
SANTA MONICA INSTITUTE
7:30PM
Call to Order
Chair John Smith called the meeting to order at 7:30pm.
Roll Call - The following persons were recorded in attendance by the Recording
Secretary:
Present: Chair John Smith, Commissioner Deborah Cohen, Commissioner
Albin Gielicz (arrived 7:35pm), Commissioner Maryanne
LaGuardia, Commissioner Alan Toy
Absent: Vice Chair Lori Brown, Commissioner Kurt Schwengel
Also present: Karen Ginsberg, Director, Community & Cultural Services (CCS)
Danielle Noble, Assistant Director, CCS
Anne Deasey, Executive Administrative Assistant, CCS
1. Special Agenda Items – None.
2. Reports of Staff/Members -
A. Director’s Report: Ms. Ginsberg reviewed items of interest on the Council agenda
and provided a projected timeline for the Memorial Park Master Plan, starting
with the contract award in January 2018, and Council adoption of the final plan in
October 2018.
B. Chair Report: Chair Smith reported on his attendance at the recent National
Recreation & Park Conference, highlighting informative seminars he attended on
topics such as pocket parks, achieving a successful park bond, trends in park
design, innovative activation of parks, phasing development to maximize costs,
and the economic and social benefits of parks.
3. Consent Calendar -
The Consent Calendar consisted of the following items:
A. Approval of Minutes of October 19, 2017 meeting
Recommended Action – review and approve the October 19, 2017 meeting
minutes
City of Santa Monica November 16, 2017 Recreation & Parks Commission Meeting Minutes Page 2
Motion by Commissioner Toy, seconded by Commissioner LaGuardia, to
approve the October 19, 2017 meeting minutes. The motion was approved by
the following voice vote:
AYES: Commissioner Cohen, Commissioner Gielicz, Commissioner LaGuardia,
Chair Smith, Commissioner Alan Toy
NOES: None
ABSENT: Vice Chair Brown, Commissioner Schwengel
ABSTAIN: None
4. New Business
A. ACTION ITEMS:
a. Staff presentation, Commission discussion and possible formulation
of recommendation for Council consideration regarding expediting the Civic Field
project – was presented by Director Ginsberg, who provided the current projected
timeline and budget framework, and introduced Susan Cline, Director of Public Works
and David Martin, Director of Planning and Community Development. Ms. Cline
outlined the significant milestones for the project, including a parking study and
regulatory reviews, and emphasized that they are executing steps concurrently and
working closely with the Coastal Commission staff to expedite the project as much as
possible. Mr. Martin explained the parameters of the parking study, which will
incorporate private resources as well as City parking lots.
Public Comment: Ann Hoover and Ann Thanawalla spoke on the item.
Discussion focused on possible ways to expedite the project further, including
shortening the length of time for the parking study, the regulatory reviews and internal
permit process, and offering incentives to speed up the construction timeline. Staff is
working on community outreach to keep the public informed on progress.
Motion by Chair Smith, seconded by Commissioner Cohen, to transmit a letter from the
Commission to the Council recommending that the Council direct staff to expedite the
project schedule timeline for the development of the Civic Field wherever possible in
order to expedite delivery of the field to the community. Amendment by Commissioner
LaGuardia to set a specific time limit on some aspects of the timeline. The amendment
was not accepted. The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Commissioner Cohen, Commissioner Gielicz, Commissioner LaGuardia,
Commissioner Alan Toy, Chair Smith
NOES: None
ABSENT: Vice Chair Brown, Commissioner Schwengel
ABSTAIN: None
b. Staff presentation on the next steps related to a potential Parks Bond
measure for discussion and possible formulation of recommendation for Council
consideration – was presented by Director Ginsberg. Ms. Ginsberg reviewed the
polling results, which revealed that while Santa Monica parks and its outdoor lifestyle
City of Santa Monica November 16, 2017 Recreation & Parks Commission Meeting Minutes Page 3
receive favorable reviews, support for passing a bond measure to fund new park space
was lower than the required 2/3 vote for passage.
Discussion focused on: using the community engagement process for the update of the
Parks & Recreation Master Plan to generate support for a bond measure; the merits of
the 2018 vs. 2020 election cycles; the possible impact of a state bond at the same time;
future park projects that will require funding; and alternative funding sources for capital
projects such as the 12 acres of new park space at the Airport.
Council will consider this issue on December 12.
Motion by Commissioner Toy, seconded by Commissioner Cohen, to recommend that
Council direct staff to pause on the potential park bond measure for November 2018,
and focus on completing the update to the Recreation & Parks Master Plan with
consideration of a potential bond measure in 2020. The motion was approved by the
following vote:
AYES: Commissioner Cohen, Commissioner Gielicz, Commissioner LaGuardia,
Commissioner Alan Toy
NOES: Chair Smith
ABSENT: Vice Chair Brown, Commissioner Schwengel
ABSTAIN: None
c. Discussion and possible action regarding cancellation of the December
21 meeting
Motion by Commissioner Toy, seconded by Commissioner LaGuardia, to cancel the
December 21, 2017 meeting. The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Commissioner Cohen, Commissioner Gielicz, Commissioner LaGuardia,
Commissioner Alan Toy
NOES: Chair Smith
ABSENT: Vice Chair Brown, Commissioner Schwengel
ABSTAIN: None
B. DISCUSSION ITEMS:
b. Staff presentation on the block party permitting process – was
continued until the January meeting due to staff availability.
5. Continued Items –
A. Committee & Liaison Reports:
a. Community Gardens Advisory Committee: Commissioner Toy reported that a
sub-committee has been formed which is considering creative ideas to
increase garden space. He also reported that the Gardens Advisory
Committee opposes the institution of term limits, and that he is reviewing the
State Urban Agriculture Incentive Zone program with a view to developing
more gardens.
b. Planning Commission: No report
City of Santa Monica November 16, 2017 Recreation & Parks Commission Meeting Minutes Page 4
c. FSAC: Commissioner LaGuardia reported that there is concern regarding the
County Courthouse impacting progress of the Civic field due to parking
issues.
d. Virginia Avenue Park Advisory Board (VAPAB): Commissioner Gielicz
reported they received a presentation from the Broad Stage regarding the
Family Circle program, and noted that the parent leadership groups are very
active.
e. Urban Forest Task Force: No report
f. Park Creation Committee: No report
g. Park Master Plan Committee: No report
h. Homelessness Steering Committee: Assistant Director Noble reported on the
sub committees being formed. Commissioner Toy reported he attended a
recent community discussion on homelessness which was very informative.
6. Written Communication – There were no written communications.
7. Future Agenda Items – Items identified for future agendas include updates on
Memorial Park, and the parklet pilot program when it is complete, and discussion on
the State’s Urban Agriculture Incentive Zone program for development of new
community gardens for development of a possible recommendation for Council.
Adjournment – Motion by Chair Smith, seconded Commissioner Gielicz, to adjourn the
meeting. Chair Smith adjourned the meeting at 9:40pm.
APPROVED: ATTEST:
__________________________ _______________________
Chair Commission Secretary
C.11\ =I
I Ji:. i. !1f�,- ·1f!.fl CITY OF SANTA MONICA
OAKS INITIATIVE DISCLOSURE FORM
In order to facilitate compliance with the requirements of the Oaks Initiative, the City
compiles and maintains certain information. That information includes the name of any person or persons who is seeking a "public benefit." If the "public benefit" is sought by an entity, rather than an individual person, the information includes the name of every
person who is: (a) trustee, (b) director, (c) partner, (d) officer, or has (e) more than a ten
percent interest in the entity.
Public benefits include:
1.Personal services contracts in excess of $25,000 over any 12-month period;2.Sale of material, equipment or supplies to the City in excess of $25,000 over a 12-
month period;
3.Purchase, sale or lease of real property to or from the City in excess of $25,000
over a 12-month period;
4.Non-competitive franchise awards with gross revenue of $50,000 or more in any12-month period;5.Land use variance, special use permit, or other exception to an established land
use plan, where the decision has a value in excess of $25,000;
6.Tax "abatement, exception, or benefit" of a value in excess of $5,000 in any 12-
month period; or7.Payment of "cash or specie" of a net value to the recipient of $10,000 in any 12-
month period.
Name(s) of persons or entities receiving public benefit:
MIG, Inc.
Name(s) of trustees, directors, partners, and officers:
Daniel Iacofano, President; Carolyn Verheyen, Secretary; Christopher Beynon, Treasurer
Name(s) of persons with more than a 10% equity, participation, or revenue interest:
Daniel Iacofano, President (97% ownership)
Prepared by: _:L_a�ur_e_n_S_ch_m_it_t ________ Title: Principal
Signature: L jcl-.1/-
Email: laurens@migcom.com
FOR CITY USE ONLY:
Bid/PO/Contract# _________ _
Date: 12/4/17
Phone: 503-297-1005
Permit# ________ _
From:Estefania Zavala
To:Councilmember Kevin McKeown; Ted Winterer; Tony Vazquez; Terry O’Day; Pam OConnor; Gleam Davis
Cc:councilmtgitems; Karen Ginsberg; Katie E. Lichtig; Rick Cole
Subject:FW: Item 8b Contract for a Parks Master Plan and Parks Bond
Date:Tuesday, December 12, 2017 4:31:28 PM
Council –
Please see the email below regarding the Park Bond.
Best,
Estefania
From: Carrey, Neil [mailto:ncarrey@bakerlaw.com]
Sent: Tuesday, December 12, 2017 3:34 PM
To: Council Mailbox <Council.Mailbox@SMGOV.NET>
Subject: Item 8b Contract for a Parks Master Plan and Parks Bond
Having chaired 3 bond issues for the school district, based on the polling numbers for a City
Park Bond and my experience, I agree that having a Park Bond in 2018, is probably not a good
idea. What makes it even more questionable, is the proposed federal tax legislation. In all
likelihood there will be a $10,000 cap on property tax deductions and a $24,000 standard
deduction, with no deduction for state income taxes, the cost of a Park Bond for many people
would not be deductible, which would make it even more difficult to pass the Bond. On the
other hand, the new tax law may be the impetus for our State legislature to lower the
threshold for City bonds to 55% like it is for schools. If this happens a 2020 Bond may be very
doable. I also agree that it is very important to update the Parks & Recreation Master Plan
which includes the Great Park on airport land.
Neil Carrey
Of Counsel
11601 Wilshire Boulevard | Suite 1400
Los Angeles, CA 90025-0509
T +1.310.442.8835
ncarrey@bakerlaw.com
bakerlaw.com
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Item 8B 12/12/2017
Item 8B 12/12/2017
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Item 8B 12/12/2017
Item 8B 12/12/2017
Parks & Recreation Master PlanParks Bond Measure Update
CITY COUNCIL| DECEMBER 12, 2017
PRMP Background
•Parks & Recreation Master Plan adopted in 1997
•Intended to guide park improvements for 20 years.
•City has added 23.5 acres of parkland since PRMP adoption.
•Update needed to analyze open space needs, usage models, and innovative funding strategies.
PRMP Update
•Recommend awarding PRMP update contract to MIG Inc.
o Lead robust community engagement process
o Determine best way to approach planning for the future conversion of SMO to open space
o Interface with Recreation & Parks Commission ad hoc committee
o Identify strategies and funding sources to support future parks and recreation development
Potential Parks Bond
•Unfunded projects in the pipeline and limited General Fund CIP budget to support them.
o Airport Park Expansion construction ($30 million)
o Memorial Park Master Plan and Expansion ($20 million funded by SMC Measure V)
•Council direction to explore a potential local parks GO bond
Parks Bond Polling Results
•Facilitated focus groups and conducted telephone polling of Santa Monica residents
Before Tax
Impact Disclosed
After Tax
Impact Disclosed
YES 61%55%
Definitely Yes 31%27%
Probably Yes 19%18%
Lean Yes 11%10%
NO 25%35%
Lean No 4%7%
Probably No 8%9%
Definitely No 13%19%
Don't Know 14%10%
Goodwin Simon Strategic Research Telephone Polling Results (August 2017)
Challenges
•Timing of PRMP update
•Homelessness in public spaces
•4th and 5th St./Arizona Ave. project
•Voter turnout
Staff Recommendation
•Focus on completion of PRMP and award contract to MIG Inc.
•Pause on the potential parks bond
Alternatives
•Proceed concurrently with PRMP update and bond-related
educational outreach; followed by telephone polling.
•Consider a smaller bond measure
Staff Recommendation
•Focus on completion of PRMP and award contract to MIG Inc.
•Pause on the potential parks bond
REFERENCE –
AGREMENT NO. 10604
(CCS)