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AGENDA BILL Agenda Item No. 5(G) Date: November 18, 2014 To: El Cerrito City Council From: Garth Schultz, Operations + Environmental Services Division Manager Yvetteh Ortiz, Public Works Director/City Engineer Subject: Authorize the Appropriation of $12,000 from the Park In-Lieu Fund for Park and Athletic Field Improvements in Fiscal Year 2014-15 ACTION REQUESTED Adopt a resolution authorizing the appropriation of $12,000 in the Park In-Lieu Fund for park and athletic field improvements as an amendment to the FY 2014-15 Budget. BACKGROUND During the year-end review of the City of El Cerrito’s funds, the City Finance Department identified $12,000 in unspent and uncommitted funds in the Park In-Lieu Fund, which accounts for monies received through negotiations with developers to be used for park improvements. The Public Works Department has identified park and athletic field improvement projects that require attention in order to improve safety and quality of play in El Cerrito parks. Although the value of all potential projects far exceeds $12,000, top priority projects identified by the Department, based on concerns expressed by community members, sports leagues, and the members of the Parks and Recreation Commission, include renovation of the baseball infield at Tassajara Park, and improvements to other playfield surfaces throughout the City. The infield at Tassajara Park, in particular, has been identified as a safety concern, and will require improvement prior to the 2015 youth baseball season in order to remain playable. Depending on the scope of the improvement project at Tassajara Park, additional projects that could be considered include an infield renovation at Central Park, and irrigation improvements at other parks. The City is actively seeking the financial support and partnership of the El Cerrito sports leagues, and other community organizations in order to maximize the scope of improvements to El Cerrito parks that can be accomplished during the upcoming winter off-season. STRATEGIC PLAN CONSIDERATIONS Authorizing the proposed appropriation is consistent with El Cerrito Strategic Plan Goal D – Develop and rehabilitate public facilities as community focal points. Specifically, ---PAGE BREAK--- Agenda Item No. 5(G) appropriating funds to renovate play field surfaces fulfills a portion of the "Develop a plan to address ongoing and deferred maintenance of facilities and infrastructure." ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS The park and athletic field improvements are categorically exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) because the project is a repair to an existing facility involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond that presently existing. More specifically, restoration or rehabilitation of deteriorated or damaged facilities to meet current standards of public health and safety, unless it is determined that the damage was substantial and resulted from an environmental hazard such as earthquake, landslide, or flood, is exempt from CEQA. In addition, from the standpoint of environmental considerations, any irrigation improvements performed will include installation of water conserving irrigation controllers, which should reduce water use in El Cerrito parks. FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS Funding was not appropriated in the adopted FY 2014-15 Budget to make the improvements discussed in this staff report. If approved by Council, funding of $12,000 from the Park In-Lieu Fund will be appropriated in an amendment to the FY 2014-15 Budget. LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS The City Attorney has reviewed the proposed action and found that legal considerations have been addressed. Scott Hanin, City Manager Attachment: 1. Resolution Page 2 ---PAGE BREAK--- Agenda Item No. 5(G) Attachment 1 RESOLUTION 2014–XX RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL CERRITO AUTHORIZING THE APPROPRIATION OF TWELVE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($12,000) FROM THE PARK IN-LIEU FUND FOR PARK AND ATHLETIC FIELD IMPROVEMENTS IN FISCAL YEAR 2014-15 WHEREAS, during year-end review of the City’s funds, the El Cerrito Finance Department identified $12,000 in unspent and uncommitted funds in the Park In-Lieu Fund; and WHEREAS, Park In-Lieu Fund monies are eligible for park improvements; and WHEREAS, the Public Works Department has identified eligible park and athletic field improvement projects, including renovation of the baseball infields at Tassajara Park and other playfield surface improvements, that will improve safety and quality of play in El Cerrito parks; and WHEREAS, the park and athletic field improvements are categorically exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) because the project is a repair to an existing facility involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond that presently existing and more specifically, restoration or rehabilitation of deteriorated or damaged facilities to meet current standards of public health and safety, unless it is determined that the damage was substantial and resulted from an environmental hazard such as earthquake, landslide, or flood, is exempt from CEQA; and WHEREAS, funding is not currently available in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2014-15 Budget to make these improvements. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of El Cerrito, that it hereby authorizes appropriation of $12,000 in the Park In-Lieu Fund for park and athletic field improvements as an amendment to the FY 2014-15 Budget. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Resolution shall become effective immediately upon passage and adoption. I CERTIFY that at a regular meeting on November 18, 2014 the City Council of the City of El Cerrito passed this Resolution by the following vote: AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS: ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 2 IN WITNESS of this action, I sign this document and affix the corporate seal of the City of El Cerrito on November X, 2014. Cheryl Morse, City Clerk APPROVED: Janet Abelson, Mayor