REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL November 19, 2015 FROM: MANUEL A. MOLLINEDO, Director Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services Department BY: IRMA YEPEZ-PEREZ, Grant Write Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services Department SUBJECT ..Title ***RESOLUTION - Authorizing City's Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services (PARCS) Department to enter into an agreement with the California Department of Housing and Community Development to receive a Housing-Related Parks Program (Proposition 1C) Grant (DISTRICTS 3,4,and 5) ..Body RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that Council adopt the attached Resolution authorizing PARCS to enter into an agreement with California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) for Housing-Related Parks Program (Proposition 1C) grant funds for rehabilitation and recreation improvements at the City's Vinland, Mosqueda, and Frank H. Ball Parks, and the California & Elm Gym. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The PARCS Department submitted a Housing-Related Parks Program grant application in response to the December 10, 2014, Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) provided for by the passage of Proposition 1C (Housing and Emergency Shelter Trust Fund Act of 2006). The State of California Department of Housing and Community Development has awarded $1,311,400 in Housing-Related Parks Program funds to the City of Fresno. HCD requires the City pass a Resolution authorizing PARCS to enter into the state's standard agreement on the City's behalf. BACKGROUND The State's Housing-Related Parks Program is designed to encourage cities and counties to develop new low-income housing by rewarding those jurisdictions that create affordable housing with program funds. The Housing-Related Parks Program is a non-competitive no-match grant with funds available based on building permits for residential units, and substantial rehabilitation of affordable housing completed from January 1, 2010, through June 30, 2014. In December 2014, the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) issued a NOFA for the 2014 funding round. On January 29, 2015, Council approved a resolution authorizing PARCS to submit the application and participate in the Program by completing the following park improvements: * Vinland Park (4611 N. Woodrow) - Splash Park equipment, court resurfacing, new roof, and park furnishing. * Mosqueda Park (4676 Butler Avenue) - Renovations to auditorium, restrooms, landscaping, and new walking path. * Frank H. Ball Park (760 Mayor Street) - Aquatics improvements including restrooms, pool, pump & filters, drains, interior lighting upgrades, and new gym bleachers. * California & Elm Gym (1802 E. California) - New playground equipment, irrigation, landscaping, park furnishings and gym improvements including a score board. These parks are located in "Park Deficient Communities," which have less than three acres of usable parkland per 1,000 residents. Mosqueda Park, Frank H. Ball Park, and the California & Elm Gym are located in disadvantaged areas where at least 51 percent of residents are of low or moderate-income levels. The targeted park sites allowed the City of Fresno to obtain the maximum amount of funds available under the grant application, including bonus points increasing the grant from $1,305,825 to $1,311,400. The attached Resolution includes the revised grant amount. ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS Authorizing PARCS to accept the funding is not a "project" as defined by California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines � 15378. Staff will return to Council with the CEQA determination for the park projects before contracts are awarded. LOCAL PREFERENCE Local preference was not considered because this Resolution does not include a bid or award of a construction or service contract. FISCAL IMPACT There is no impact to the City's General Fund. The funds have been included in the 2015/2016 budget and the State will reimburse the City for expenditures upon submittal of the attached resolution. Attachment: Resolution