For City Council Meeting [June 13, 2023]
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
APPROVAL: Arron Brown, Acting City Manager
FROM: Cynthia Alvarado, Director of Parks, Recreation & Community Services
Title
Request City Council to: (1) Adopt Resolution No. 8103 Amending the Capital Improvement Program to Appropriate $1,617,950 to the Birdsall Park Improvement Project, City Project No. 210304; (2) Approve a Funding Agreement with the County of San Bernardino related to the Birdsall Park Improvement Project; (3) Transfer $1,000,000 Initially Allocated for the Fitness Center Conversion to the Birdsall Park Improvement Project, and (4) Authorize the City Manager to Execute all Necessary Documents.
(ACTION)
Body
BACKGROUND
On March 11, 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) was signed into federal law. Included in this $1.9 trillion stimulus bill was the $350 billion Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund to assist state, local, and tribal governments with pandemic recovery efforts.
San Bernardino County will receive a total of $423.5 million from ARPA. On June 8, 2021 (amended on August 24, 2021), the County’s Board of Supervisors took its initial step toward investing the funds by passing the San Bernardino County Local Fiscal Recovery Fund Spending Plan. This plan allocated the County’s total $423.5 million in available funding through December 31, 2024, into three (3) distinct spending categories and numerous subcategories aligned with the overarching goal of rebuilding stronger communities in response to the pandemic.
The City submitted a proposal for the Birdsall Park Improvement Project (“Project”) in February of 2023 to San Bernardino County. The snack bar and restroom facility at Birdsall Park is in need of rehabilitation as the building experiences significant flooding and structural damage, which is a major safety concern for staff, park patrons, and volunteers operating the facility. The proposed project would demolish the current snack bar and restroom facility and replace it with a new prefabricated building. The Project was evaluated and deemed eligible for use of the County’s ARPA allocation, and the County has committed $1,617,950 in ARPA funds for this effort.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
San Bernardino County’s 5th district has awarded cities in its district ARPA funds for park improvement projects. The City of Rialto submitted a few proposals for review:
• Cactus Avenue Trail (submitted November 10, 2021)
o Funding was approved, however, the City identified alternative funding sources for the project.
• Rialto City Park Community Auditorium (submitted on June 13, 2022)
o Funding was not approved for the project.
At the February 28, 2023, City Council meeting, Council approved the submission of two project proposals for the County ARPA funding consideration, Birdsall Park and Rialto City Park. Both project proposals were for the demolition of the park facilities and replacing them with pre-fabricated facilities similar to what has been installed at Frisbie Park.
The City was notified by the County on April 14, 2023 that the County ARPA funding has been awarded to both projects. $1,250,000 was allocated for Birdsall Park and $810,000 for Rialto City Park.
At the May 9, 2023, Council meeting, Council authorized staff to meet with 5th District Supervisor Baca Jr. to request for the $810,000 allocated for Rialto City Park be reallocated to the Birdsall Park Improvement Project to assist with fully funding the project.
Staff met with Supervisor Baca Jr. on May 24, 2023. On May 25, 2023 staff was notified that Supervisor Baca Jr. would eliminate the funding allocated for Rialto Park and increase the funding for Birdsall Park Improvement Project from $1,250,000 to $1,617,950.
The City had allocated $1,399,174 through City Project # 210304 for site accessibility at Birdsall Park.
At the May 9, 2023, Council meeting, it was recommended by staff that Council consider reallocating the $1,000,000 that was allocated for the Fitness Center Conversion be moved over to the Birdsall Park Improvement Project so that the project can be fully funded and completed. Due to the significant increases in construction costs, $1,000,000 for the fitness center conversion no longer is sufficient funding to complete that project.
With the additional funding provided by the County and the reallocation of the Fitness Center Conversion funding, the proposed improvements at Birdsall Park will have sufficient funding to include building demolition, purchase and installation of the prefabricated building, and address ADA deficiencies.
Funding Sources for this project consist of the following:
• $1,399,174 City Project #210304
• $1,617,950 County ARPA Funding
• $1,000,000 Fitness Center Conversion allocation
TOTAL= $4,017,124
During the design phase, City Staff will have the ability to reduce the Project scope and value engineer components of the project as necessary to fall within the $4,017,124 projected to be allocated.
Should City Council approve the proposed Funding Agreement and reallocation of the funding designated for the Fitness Center Conversion staff will return to Council to seek approval for the award of a design contract.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The proposed action does not constitute a “project” as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Pursuant to Section 15378(b) of the State CEQA Guidelines, a project does not include organizational or administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment. Prior to commencing construction of the Project, appropriate environmental analysis pursuant to CEQA will be completed.
GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY
The City of Rialto General Plan establishes various guiding principles, goals, and objectives through which the City looks to improve the community and protect the quality of life for our residents. This action is consistent with Guiding Principle 3A in the General Plan:
Our City government will lead by example, and will operate in an open, transparent, and responsive manner that meets the needs of the citizens and is a good place to do business.
Approval of this action also complies with the following City of Rialto General Plan Goals and Policies:
Goal 3-11: Provide community facilities that adequately support established programs, can accommodate future needs, and are accessible to all members of the community.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney has reviewed and supports this staff report.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Operating Budget Impact
There is no impact to the operating budget.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact
The Agreement establishes funding transfers by the County of an amount not to exceed $1,617,950 to the City on a reimbursement basis for expenditures related to the Project.
Staff recommends adopting a Resolution to amend the City’s Community Services Grant Fund and to increase revenue in Account No. 248-400-7304-7560 and to appropriate expenditures in Account No. 248-500-7304-3001 in the amount of $1,617,950.
Licensing
A Business License application and payment of a Business License tax are not required for this action.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council:
• Adopt a Resolution amending the Community Services Grant Fund to appropriate $1,617,950 to the Birdsall Park Improvement Project, City Project No. 210304;
• Approve a Funding Agreement with the County of San Bernardino related to the Birdsall Park Improvement Project;.
• Transfer the $1,000,000 initially allocated for the Fitness Center Conversion to the Birdsall Park Improvement Project; and
• Authorize the City Manager to Execute all necessary Documents.