Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: 4/5ths
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Nicholas J. Calderon, Parks Director
Subject: Acceptance of donations from the San Mateo County Parks Foundation, John and Gwen Smart Foundation, Peninsula Open Space Trust, and James C. Brice Living Trust; amendment to Resolution No. 075636 to update project funding allocations; and related Appropriation Transfer Request
RECOMMENDATION:
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Recommendation to:
A) Adopt a resolution authorizing:
1. The acceptance of cash donations in the amount of $87,700 from the San Mateo County Parks Foundation; $310,000 from the John and Gwen Smart Foundation; $123,266 from the Peninsula Open Space Trust; and $31,283 from the James C. Brice Living Trust for Fiscal Year 2019-20; and
2. The acceptance of in-kind donations in the amount of $70,100 from the San Mateo County Parks Foundation for Fiscal Year 2019-20; and
3. An amendment to Resolution No. 075636 to update the project funding allocations for use of a cash donation made by the John and Gwen Smart Foundation in Fiscal Year 2017-18; and
B) Approve an Appropriation Transfer Request (ATR) in the amount of $162,249 from unanticipated revenue to corresponding appropriations in fixed assets.
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BACKGROUND:
San Mateo County Parks Foundation: The San Mateo County Parks Foundation (“Parks Foundation”) raises funds and provides in-kind services to support Parks Department (“Department”) projects and programs. As in Fiscal Year 2018-19, the Department proposes to bring donations from the Parks Foundation to the Board of Supervisors (“Board”) for acceptance as the donations are received.
John and Gwen Smart Foundation: The John and Gwen Smart Foundation (“Smart Foundation”) makes an annual donation to the Department for the exclusive benefit of the Coyote Point Recreation Area (“Coyote Point”). While the Smart Foundation focuses on arts, education, medicine, and environmental issues, the philanthropic organization has funded many improvements throughout Coyote Point, including new picnic tables, park-wide paving, and the renovation of the Beach Group Picnic Area.
On December 12, 2017, the Board, through Resolution No. 075636, accepted a $350,000 donation from the Smart Foundation to fund projects in Coyote Point. The allocation of these funds as presented to the Board, however, erroneously differed from the project allocation specified by the donor, and therefore an amendment to the resolution is required.
Peninsula Open Space Trust: The Peninsula Open Space Trust (“POST”) protects open space in San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz counties for preservation purposes. The County has partnered with POST on the purchase of the Tunitas Creek Beach property, and its conversion to a County park. Through Resolution No. 077270, the property was transferred from POST to the County in March 2020.
James C. Brice Living Trust: Mr. James C. Brice named the Department as a beneficiary of his estate. Mr. Brice passed away on December 26, 2017, leaving to the Department an unrestricted cash donation of $31,283.
DISCUSSION:
Parks Foundation
In Fiscal Year 2019-20, the Parks Foundation provided the Department with cash donations totaling $87,700 for various projects, programs, and events. The table below reflects cost estimates for each project, program, and event. Actual funding allocations may vary upon completion of the project, program, or event.
|
Parks Foundation - Cash Donations for FY 2019-20 |
|
Bilingual interpretive park intern |
$30,000 |
|
Volunteer Program |
$10,000 |
|
Sponsorship for Take A Hike |
$ 1,200 |
|
Sanchez Adobe (funding for landscaping) |
$40,000 |
|
Lawler Ranch Road equestrian bridge replacement |
$2,500 |
|
Coyote Point Park picnic area railroad ties replacement |
$2,500 |
|
Sam McDonald Park and Memorial Park native plants |
$1,500 |
|
Total |
$87,700 |
The Parks Foundation also made the following in-kind donations to the Department:
|
Parks Foundation - In-Kind Donations for FY 2019-20 |
|
Redwood lumber for picnic tables and BBQ grills at Memorial Park |
$47,000 |
|
OpenRoad Sponsorship (on Crystal Springs Trail) |
$5,000 |
|
Wildfire-fuel reduction tools |
$5,000 |
|
Field trips for low-income youth |
$9,500 |
|
Support for Coyote Nights |
$1,100 |
|
Art supplies for the interpretive program and a visit from a master falconer to entertain visitors |
$2,500 |
|
Total |
$70,100 |
Smart Foundation
Similarly, in Fiscal Year 2019-20, the Smart Foundation provided the Department with a $310,000 cash donation to be used for various projects at Coyote Point. The table below reflects cost estimates for each project.
|
Smart Foundation - Cash Donations for FY 2019-20 |
|
Additional fitness zone |
$60,000 |
|
Miscellaneous equipment upgrades |
$10,000 |
|
Captain’s House audio/visual (AV) upgrades |
$20,000 |
|
Hazard tree assessment/abatement |
$90,000 |
|
Automated entrance gates |
$30,000 |
|
Coyote Point Recreation Area Eastern Promenade Project |
$100,000 |
|
Total |
$310,000 |
In Fiscal Year 2017-18, the Smart Foundation provided the Department with a $350,000 cash donation to be used for various projects at Coyote Point. These funds were allocated as agreed upon between the donor and the Department. However, on December 12, 2017, the donation was presented to your Board for acceptance with the following project funding allocation, which misrepresented how funds were agreed to be allocated:
|
Smart Foundation - Cash Donations for FY 2017-2018 |
|
Public viewing scopes of San Francisco Bay skyline on Western Promenade |
$10,000 |
|
Picnic tables in Harbor View drop-in area |
$35,000 |
|
Tree work across Coyote Point Park as needed |
$60,000 |
|
ADA compliant fitness equipment along the Bay Trail |
$55,000 |
|
New electric gate for park entrance and security |
$8,000 |
|
New entrance sign |
$2,000 |
|
Roadway and ADA ramp improvements |
$70,000 |
|
New card reader for entrance gate |
$10,000 |
|
Coyote Point Recreation Area Eastern Promenade Project |
$100,000 |
|
Total |
$350,000 |
To accurately align the allocation of funds as originally agreed upon with the Smart Foundation, the Department requests that your Board amend Resolution No. 075636 to update the project allocation to the following:
|
Smart Foundation - Cash Donations for FY 2017-2018 |
|
Public viewing scopes of San Francisco Bay skyline on Western Promenade |
$10,000 |
|
Picnic tables in Harbor View drop-in area |
$35,000 |
|
Tree work across Coyote Point Park as needed |
$60,000 |
|
Outdoor fitness equipment |
$55,000 |
|
Roadway/pathway improvements |
$20,000 |
|
Miscellaneous facility improvements |
$20,000 |
|
Park entrance security/improvements |
$90,000 |
|
Community garden |
$40,000 |
|
Playground maintenance/improvements |
$20,000 |
|
Total |
$350,000 |
POST
The County has partnered with POST on the purchase of the Tunitas Creek Beach property, and its conversion to a County park. Through Resolution No. 077270, the property was transferred from POST to the County in March 2020. POST has assigned $123,266 in grant funding to be used towards the Tunitas Creek Beach Improvement Project for planning, permitting, and design services. Funds shall be remitted to the Department on a reimbursement basis.
James C. Brice Living Trust
The James C. Brice Living Trust (“Trust”) is providing a $31,283 unrestricted cash donation to the Department. The Department proposes to use these funds to help complete capital projects within the County’s park system.
County Counsel has reviewed and approved the resolutions as to form.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Of the total cash donations for FY 2019-20, $310,000 from the Smart Foundation and $80,000 from the Parks Foundation were already included in the Department’s FY 2019-20 Adopted Budget as they were known in advance of preparing the budget. The remaining cash donations, consisting of $7,700 from the Parks Foundation, $31,283 from the Trust, and $123,266 from POST were not included in the Department’s FY 2019-20 Adopted Budget. Thus, an Appropriation Transfer Request (“ATR”) is being requested to recognize the unanticipated revenue in the amount of $162,249.