REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: AARON A. AGUIRRE, Director Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services Department BY: SHELBY MACNAB, Assistant Director Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services Department JENNIFER SOLIZ, Division Manager Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services Department SUBJECT ..Title Actions pertaining to the Parks Master Plan technical amendment and related environmental finding: 1. Adopt Environmental Assessment No. P24-03198, an addendum to the Mitigated Negative Declaration for environmental assessment No. A-17-06, prepared in accordance with Section 15164 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines. 2. RESOLUTION - Adopting the Parks Master Plan technical amendment to incorporate Measure P and reflect updated census data, and park and facility inventory. ..Body RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the Council adopt an addendum to the Mitigated Negative Declaration for Environmental Assessment No. A-17-06, prepared in accordance with Section 15164 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, and approve a resolution to adopt the Parks Master Plan technical amendment. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Parks Master Plan was adopted by Council on January 25, 2018 and serves as a guiding document for the development, maintenance, and improvements of parks and recreational facilities throughout the city. Effective February 18, 2021, the Fresno Clean and Safe Neighborhood Parks Tax Ordinance (Measure P) provides a local funding source for parks through a 3/8-cent dedicated sales tax in the City of Fresno. The adoption of Measure P necessitates a technical amendment to the Parks Master Plan to incorporate Measure P and reflect updates to census data and park and facility inventory. BACKGROUND On January 25, 2018, the City Council adopted the Parks Master Plan and Environmental Assessment No. A-17-016 a Mitigated Negative Declaration dated November 14, 2017. This adoption required amendments to the text of section 5.1 of Chapter 5 of the General Plan, the Parks, Open Space and Schools Element, and POSS-1-a, Parkland Standard. The General Plan amendment was also approved by the City Council on January 25, 2018. The Parks Master Plan assessed the city-wide parks and open space system and provides strategies and recommendations to fund, maintain, improve, expand, secure, connect, partner, advocate and celebrate Fresno's parks. The Parks Master Plan is the guiding document for the development, maintenance, and improvements of parks and recreational facilities throughout the city. The development of the 2018 Parks Master Plan included a robust outreach process to collect public input and included a 21-day comment period. Measure P became effective on February 18, 2021. The adoption of Measure P necessitates a technical amendment to the Parks Master Plan to incorporate Measure P and reflect updates to census data and park and facility inventory. A technical amendment is used when there are changes in law and/or outdated information that require an update. This technical amendment does not change the goals and recommendations defined in the 2018 plan. To prepare a technical amendment to the Parks Master Plan, the City entered into a consultant agreement with Wallace, Roberts, and Todd, LLC (WRT), on August 19, 2021, and subsequently amended the agreement on September 8, 2022. The purpose of the technical amendment was to incorporate Measure P ordinance requirements and funding categories into the Parks Master Plan. Additionally, the technical amendment provides updated park asset information and updated demographic and recreational trend information, reflecting the most recent census data available. The proposed amendment includes the following updates: * Census Data: Updated population growth and park acreage needs figures to reflect more current estimates. * Measure P: Incorporated references to Measure P and how it impacts park funding, maintenance, and improvements. * Maintenance and Funding: Updated figures to reflect costs. * Strategic Enhancements: Updated the list of parks targeted for strategic enhancements and redevelopment, reflecting current priorities. * Equity and Access: Continued focus on addressing park deserts and improving access in high-need areas, incorporating Measure P Highest Need Neighborhoods to enhance underserved neighborhoods. * Community Partnerships: Expanded strategies for partnering with local agencies, school districts, and community organizations to maximize recreational opportunities and support park development The City Attorney has reviewed this item as to form. ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS An environmental assessment initial study and mitigated negative declaration (MND) (A-17-06) was prepared for the 2018 Parks Master Plan in accordance with the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and was adopted by the Council on January 25, 2018. The proposed amendment will not result in a change of the goals and recommendations defined in the Parks Master Plan and is functionally a minor technical change, within the meaning of CEQA Guidelines Section 15164. The proposed amendment to the Parks Master Plan still provides consistency with the goals and recommendations from the original plan, which its environmental impacts were analyzed under the MND. The proposed amendment to the Parks Master Plan consists of a minor technical change such that an addendum to the mitigated negative declaration (MND) for environmental assessment number A-17-06 is appropriate pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15164 and Public Resources Code Section 21166. The City of Fresno has determined that an Environmental Assessment No. P24-03198, an addendum to the MND for Environmental Assessment No. A-17-016, is appropriate given that none of the findings described in Section 15162 of the CEQA Guidelines calling for preparation of a subsequent Environmental Impact Report or negative declaration have occurred; and, new information added is only for the purposes of providing minor changes or additions, in accordance with Section 15164 of the CEQA Guidelines. LOCAL PREFERENCE Local preference does not apply as this item does not include a bid or award. FISCAL IMPACT Adoption of the PMP technical amendment would have no direct fiscal impact on the City's General Fund. Attachments: Final Draft PMP Technical Amendment Draft Technical Amendment - highlighted with proposed changes Environmental Assessment Addendum Public Comment Matrix Resolution - Adopting the Parks Master Plan Technical Amendment