To: Board of Supervisors
From: John Kopchik, Director, Conservation and Development
Report Title: Park Dedication Fee Fund Authorization for Fox Creek Park
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
AUTHORIZE the Auditor-Controller to release $405,000 from certain Park Dedication/Park Impact Fund Accounts to the Contra Costa County Public Works Department to help fund improvements at Fox Creek Park, located at 118 Anthony Way, in the unincorporated Walnut Creek area.
FISCAL IMPACT:
No Impact to the General Fund. 100% Park Dedication Fees deposited in the Contra Costa Centre area park accounts will be used to finance the improvements.
BACKGROUND:
Proposed Improvements
The Fox Creek Park project will enhance the park by replacing some of the landscaping with more sustainable landscaping and increasing American with Disability Act (ADA) accessibility. The project consists of removing non-native vegetation and installing more sustainable landscape that will require less maintenance and water, including upgrades to the irrigation system. New furnishings, custom metal signs with park name, picnic benches/tables, and trash/recycling receptacles, will be installed along with the refurbishment of the existing seat wall. The existing pedestrian bridge will be updated to ensure ADA accessibility.
In May of 2020, the Board of Supervisors authorized $1,200,000 in Park Dedication and Park Impact funds for improvements at both the Walden Green and Fox Creek Park in Contra Costa Centre. The initial estimates for the improvements were lower than the construction bid and as a result, most of the funds were spent on the Walden Green improvements. There is an estimated $25,000 remaining from the previous allocation that will be spent on Fox Creek Park.
Park Fund Background
The County imposes fees on residential development to fund park and recreational facilities under both the County's Park Dedication Ordinance and the County's Park Impact Fee Ordinance. Funds from these fees are deposited into accounts associated with the census tract where the residential development occurs to ensure the funds are directed to park and recreational facilities which serve the residents of the development. The following table outlines the Contra Costa Centre Park Dedication and Park Impact fee accounts that will be used for the project. Use of the park fees identified are reasonably related to proposed improvements at Fox Creek Park and are consistent with government code section 66001(a)(3)-(4), because the proposed park improvements will serve the Contra Costa Centre Community, including the areas from which the proposed expenditures were collected.
|
Park Account Number |
Amount |
|
8136 PD1000016 |
$ 405,000 |
|
Total |
$ 405,000 |
Applicable General Plan Goals and Policies
The proposed project implements the following General Plan Park and Recreation Facilities Goals:
• To develop a sufficient amount of conveniently located, properly designed park and recreational facilities to serve the needs of all residents (9-H)
• To promote active and passive recreational enjoyment of the County's physical amenities for the continued health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the County (9-J)
The proposed project implements the following General Plan Park and Recreation Facilities Policies:
• A well-balanced distribution of local parks, based on character and density present and planned residential development and future recreational needs, shall be preserved. (9-33)
• Park design shall be appropriate to the recreational needs and access capabilities of all residents in each locality. (9-34)
• Public trail facilities shall be integrated into the design of flood control facilities and other public works whenever possible (9-38)
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
The Board of Supervisors determined both projects are California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Class 1(h) and 4(b) Categorical Exemptions pursuant to Article 19, Section 15301 and 15304 of the CEQA guidelines on January 21, 2020.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
If the funds are not authorized, there will not be sufficient funding to complete the project.