To: Board of Supervisors
From: John Kopchik, Director, Conservation and Development
Report Title: Memorandum of Understanding with John Swett Unified School District for Expanded Playground at Lefty Gomez Park.
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Conservation and Development Director, or designee, to execute a memorandum of understanding with John Swett Unified School District to contribute $252,000 of County Park Impact and Park Dedication fee funds for expanded playground improvements at Lefty Gomez Park for the period April 14, 2026 through December 31, 2026. (100% Park Fees)
2. RESCIND Board action on December 16, 2026 authorizing Conservation and Development Director, or designee, to execute a memorandum of understanding with John Swett Unified School District to contribute $90,000 of County Park Impact fee funds for expanded playground and fencing improvements at Lefty Gomez Park for the period of December 16, 2025 through December 31, 2026.
3. DETERMINE that the Project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under CEQA Guidelines section 15302.
4. DIRECT the Department of Conservation and Development to file a CEQA Notice of Exemption with the County Clerk.
FISCAL IMPACT:
100% Park Dedication and Park Impact Fees
BACKGROUND:
This Board authorization rescinds and replaces the Board Authorization on December 16th, 2025. The project has been updated to provide for increased ADA accessibility, including additional accessible playground elements and new pour in place surfacing instead of wood fiber.
Project Description
The park fees are being requested to help fund expanding playground structures and components to increase ADA accessibility and replace surfacing for ADA accessibility material at Lefty Gomez Park in the unincorporated community of Rodeo. The tasks associated with the improvements include:
• Remove and dispose of existing playground components and surface material
• Purchase and install new playground structure, swing bay with traditional bucket swings and ADA accessible swing, and an inclusive whirl
• Upgrade playground safety surface to a pour in place material for ADA accessibility.
The total project will cost an estimated $252,000.
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.
Park Dedication Fees are assessed on projects requiring approval of a subdivision or development plan and can be used to develop new or rehabilitate existing parks or recreational facilities.
Park Impact Fees are assessed on residential development and can be used to fund the expansion or acquisition of new facilities, infrastructure, and equipment. Park Impact Fees must be spent on parks identified in the Park Capital Improvement Plan.
Both funds must be spent on facilities that serve the residents where the fee originates. Funds from these fees are deposited into accounts associated with the community where the residential development occurs to ensure the funds are directed to park and recreational facilities which serve the residents affected by the development.
The following table outlines the Rodeo park fund accounts, the amounts associated with the Lefty Gomez playground project, and the remaining funds in the accounts.
|
Rodeo Accounts |
Amount Available |
Amount for Lefty Gomez Playground Project |
Remaining Funds |
|
PD1000038 (Park Dedication - Rodeo) |
$144,963.21 |
$116,451.37 |
$28,511.84 |
|
PI1000038 (Park Impact - Rodeo) |
$135,548.63 |
$135,548.63 |
No funds remaining |
|
Total Funds |
$280,511.84 |
$252,000 |
$28,511.84 |
Use of the park fees identified are reasonably related to proposed improvements at Lefty Gomez and are consistent with government code section 66001(a)(3)-(4), because the proposed park improvements will serve the Rodeo community, the community from which the proposed expenditures were collected.
Applicable General Plan Goal and Policies
The overarching goal for parks in the Public Facilities and Services Element of the County’s General Plan is to create and maintain an easily accessible, integrated system of high-quality parks and trails to meet the needs of all residents (Goal PFS-8).
The Lefty Gomez Park ADA Play Structure project helps to implement this goal through the following General Plan policies:
• Support development of a variety of local amenities that meet a diverse range of recreational needs, such as ballfields, all-abilities playgrounds, tot lots, spraygrounds, adult fitness courses, gymnasiums, swimming pools, sport courts, passive parks, pocket parks, urban gardens, and trails. (PFS-P8.1)
• Expand access to diverse, high-quality parks, green spaces, recreational facilities, trails, and natural environments for residents of Impacted Communities, including by facilitating multiple transportation modes. Partner with other agencies and non-governmental organizations to obtain funding, and design and maintain these facilities to offer a safe and comfortable environment for users of all ages and abilities. (PFS-P8.3)
• Prioritize and promote recreational activity programs and opportunities in Impacted Communities. (PFS-P8.4)
• Support expanded access to recreation opportunities by working with other agencies to co-locate parks and trails with public facilities, such as schools and utility easements, prioritizing Impacted Communities. (PFS-P8.6)
Parks Capital Improvement Plan Consistency
Lefty Gomez Park is identified in the County’s Parks Capital Improvement Plan as a park supporting the Rodeo community.
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
Staff recommends the Board of Supervisors find that the project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Categorial Exemption pursuant to Article 19, Section 15302 of the CEQA guidelines. Section 15302 covers the replacement or reconstruction of structure while maintaining the same use. The project includes new play structure improvements and playground surfacing to replace existing play structures and playground surfacing.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
If the funds are not authorized, it is likely the School District will not be able to complete the project.