Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Nicholas J. Calderon, Parks Director
Subject: Application seeking $2,000,000 in California Department of Parks and Recreation grant funds for the Pescadero Community Plaza Project
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing:
A) The Parks Director, or the Parks Director’s Designee, to submit an application to the California Department of Parks and Recreation seeking $2,000,000 in specified grant funds for the Pescadero Community Plaza Project; and
B) The Parks Director, or the Parks Director’s Designee, to take any and all actions necessary to implement the intent of this Resolution, including by executing any and all documents, as reviewed and approved by counsel, that are necessary to implement and/or effectuate the grant.
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BACKGROUND:
The residents of Pescadero have long sought a public, outdoor community gathering space. On November 1, 2022, the County purchased an undeveloped 0.67-acre parcel (APN 086-031-140) in unincorporated Pescadero, located at the southwest corner of Pescadero Creek Road and Stage Road, for a community benefit project. While this property was purchased for the betterment of the community of Pescadero, its future use will be determined through an inclusive public process that is led by local residents.
To assist in this effort, Assemblymember Mark Berman secured $2,000,000 that was included in the California Budget Act of 2022. As discussed below, to access these grant funds, the San Mateo County Parks Department (“Department”) must submit an application to the California Department of Parks and Recreation, which has designated this project the Pescadero Community Plaza Project (the “Project”).
DISCUSSION:
The California Legislature has delegated responsibility for administering the Project grant, including setting up the necessary procedures that govern the application process, to the California Department of Parks and Recreation. Said procedures require that the Board of Supervisors adopt a resolution that provides authority to proceed with submittal of the application and receipt of grant funds pursuant to the applicable policies and procedures for local assistance specified grants. The adopted resolution must be in the form provided by the California Department of Parks and Recreation, which is attached hereto.
Upon Board approval, the Department will negotiate and enter into a formal agreement with the State of California for the Project to be completed. The state’s grant program operates pursuant to a reimbursement model, under which the County will seek reimbursement for incurred expenses. Depending on the future use of the parcel and how the Project is implemented, the Department may present future items to the Board for consideration, including concept plans and engineered plans and specifications.
County Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved the resolution to form, and will review and approve the grant agreement prior to execution by the Parks Director, or the Parks Director’s Designee.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The California Department of Parks and Recreation grant is $2,000,000. Given that there is not a matching requirement, there is no impact to the General Fund as a result of applying for the grant. There would be no impact to the Department’s operating budget beyond administrative costs to apply for the grant.