HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 03122013 - C.84RECOMMENDATION(S):
AUTHORIZE the Auditor-Controller to transfer $225,000 from Park Dedication Fund account 8136 421336502 to
the Contra Costa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District (District) to finance the purchase of property
located at 323 Brookside Drive in North Richmond by the County for use as an urban farm.
FISCAL IMPACT:
No General Funds are involved. Park Dedication funds that have accumulated in the North Richmond census tract
will be used by the County to purchase the property from the Contra Costa County Flood Control and Water
Conservation District.
BACKGROUND:
For several months, District I staff has been working with Urban Tilth, (a local 501c(3) nonprofit with a record of
successfully implementing urban agricultural programs in the Richmond area), to develop a vacant 3- acre parcel
located at 323 Brookside Drive in North Richmond into a thriving outdoor community hub providing education,
training, employment, recreation, healthy locally-produced food and daily hands-on experience with the outdoors.
This proposed "urban
APPROVE OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
Action of Board On: 03/12/2013 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER
Clerks Notes:
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
AYE:John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Candace Andersen, District II Supervisor
Mary N. Piepho, District III Supervisor
Karen Mitchoff, District IV Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor
Contact: Bob Calkins, (925) 674-7877 cc:
Mitch Avalon, David Kramer
I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the
minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: March 12, 2013
David Twa, County Administrator and Clerk of the Board of Supervisors
By: June McHuen, Deputy
cc:
C.84
To:Board of Supervisors
From:Catherine Kutsuris, Conservation & Development
Date:March 12, 2013
Contra
Costa
County
Subject:Allocation of Park Dedication Funds to Purchase Property in North Richmond for Park Purposes and an Urban
Agriculture Project
BACKGROUND: (CONT'D)
agriculture" project will feature "You Pick It" learning gardens, an outdoor community kitchen, an earthwork
amphitheater, outdoor garden and creek classrooms, a petting zoo, and a working urban farm providing fresh
fruits and vegetables through a youth-run program for local residents. At this community park and learning
center, residents will discover the power of the natural world by working, learning, playing, and cultivating an
open multi-functional site where they can learn to grow food while nurturing sustainable habitat and ecosystems.
The parcel was part of a larger property purchased by the District's San Pablo Creek flood protection project in the
1980's. The 3-acre remainder parcel is surplus property and no longer needed for flood protection purposes. The
parcel was held as collateral to pay off the original project funding shortfall. Selling the property meets that
obligation as outlined in a Board Order dated March 23, 1999.
On February 5, 2013, the Board of Supervisors (Board) approved the conveyance of the above property from the
District to the County (see Attachment A). The District has deemed the subject property as surplus This proposed
action formally allocates a portion of the Park Dedication funds that have accumulated in the North Richmond
census tract to help the County finalize the purchase of the property from the District. An internal appraisal has
confirmed the fair market value of the property to be $225,000.
Currently, Department of Conservation and Development staff is preparing an amendment to the P-1 zoning
district in North Richmond to allow the proposed urban agriculture use as described above. This amendment is
scheduled to be considered by the Board in Summer 2013.
It is the policy of the County to utilize park dedication funds to meet local park needs. This action is consistent
with that policy. If approved, the balance in the North Richmond park dedication account will be approximately
$600,000.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
Without the purchase of the property, the County would not be able to proceed with the proposed project to
develop the site as an Urban Farm and would not be able to compensate the District for the transfer of this
property to the County.
CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:
The proposed urban agriculture project will support the following community outcomes established in the
Children's Report Card: 1) Children and Youth Healthy and Preparing for Productive Adulthood; 2) Families that
are Safe, Stable and Nurturing; and 3) Communities that are Safe and Provide a High Quality of Life for Children
and Families.
ATTACHMENTS
Conveyance of Property Board Order