HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 06262001 - C.126 Contra
Costa
TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ' County
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FROM: TRANSPORTATION, WATER & INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE
Supervisor Donna Gerber, Chair
Supervisor John Gioia, Member
DATE: June 19, 2001
SUBJECT: REPORT ON LETTER TO LOCAL LEGISLATORS REQUESTING NOMINATION OF THREE
PROJECTS FOR FUNDING UNDER THE PROPOSITION 13 URBAN CENTERS PROGRAM
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATION(S) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
RECOMMENDATIONS:
AUTHORIZE the Chair of the Board of Supervisors to sign letters to local members of the
California Legislature requesting their nomination of two County projects in the Rodeo and
Crockett areas and one project for the Carquinez Regional Environmental Education Center for
funding from a competitive grant program of the California Department of Parks and Recreation
dedicated. to Urban Centers and Wildlife Education Centers, as recommended by the
Transportation, Water and Infrastructure Committee.
FISCAL IMPACT
None.
BACKGROUND/REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS
On May 9, 2001, the Transportation, Water, and Infrastructure Committee ("TWI Committee")
received a report on park and water funding opportunities from Propositions 12 and 13 (2000)
with pending deadlines(see attachment). The Committee identified one program in particular,
the Urban Recreational and Cultural Centers, Museums and Facilities for Wildlife or
Environmental Education Grant Program ("Urban Centers Program") that presented an
immediate opportunity to apply for funding for the County or for organizations in the County.
This Proposition 12 funding program is administered by the California Department of Parks and
Recreation. The Urban Centers Program has a total of about $8 million statewide to grant to
eligible agencies and non-profit organizations. Only projects nominated by a member of the
CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: x YES SIGNATURE
RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD
COMMITTEE
APPROVE THER
SIGNATURE (S): Supervisor P6Jna Gerber Chair qSpteisor John Gioia
ACTION OF BOARD ON 0.& �c�7 APPROVED AS ttCOMMENDED X GTT+[ER
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE
UNANIMOUS (ABSENTAND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN
AYES: NOES: AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE
ABSENT: ABSTAIN: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE
SHOWN.
Contact: John Kopchik (925) 335-1227 ATTESTED---i ��
cc: Community Development Department (CDD) JOHN SWEETEN, CLERK OF
County Administrator THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Public Works Department, attn: Melissa Morton AN COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
BY DEPUTY
WAPersonal\John mainUibourbancenters.doc
Report On Letter To Local Legislators Regarding the Proposition 13 Urban Centers Program
June 19, 2001
Page 2 of 2
State Legislature will be invited to submit a funding application. Nominations from legislators
are due by July 1, 2001. The TWI Committee reviewed a list of projects that could be
candidates for such funding, including both County projects and the projects of non-profit
organizations in the County. Based on this review, the TWI Committee recommends that the
Board submit a letter to Senator Torlakson and Assemblyman Canciamilla requesting
nomination of the following three projects:
Lefty Gomez Recreation Building and Ballfield Complex, Rodeo: Named after
Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher,Vernon "Lefty"Gomez,the Lefty Gomez Recreation Building
and Ballfield Complex is designated as a "Point of Historical Interest" by the State of
California Historical Resources Commission. The Rodeo balifield complex is the actual
location where the famous New York Yankees pitcher of the 20's and 30's spent his youth
honing his pitching arm. This facility is in grave need of a new parking lot. The existing lot
has been repaired repeatedly, but has exceeded its lifespan. In addition, with rising costs
for electricity in the state of California, replacement of the windows with energy efficient,
safety glass is a necessity. Needed drainage improvements, and other improvements for
safety and accessibility at the site have been heretofore unaffordable for the community,
but represent potential liability exposures that could greatly affect the future of this historic
community center. It is important to note that this facility is not only the recreation hub for
this community, but the site also plays an important community role as the home of the
YMCA after school program. (Total cost: $700,000)
Crockett Facility: The Crockett Facility was constructed circa 1910. The large auditorium
has vaulted ceilings and a rustic stone fireplace. The facility has historical ties to the C&H
Facility and is the centerpiece of recreation and community services for Crockett. All of the
improvements the community would like to make would restore or maintain this beautiful
facility within the community. Improvements include replacing the windows in the ceiling of
the main hall with the original clerestory, opening windows the building originally had and
necessary improvements in lighting and fencing to better preserve and protect this
community icon. In addition, several areas of the center have suffered termite damage and
require restoration, including the bar area of the main hall. And finally, the facility needs a
new heating/air conditioning system as it has been deemed beyond repair.
(Total cost:. $245,000)
Carquinez Regional Environmental Education Center ("CREEC"): CREEC is a non-
profit organization that performs environmental education and ecosystem restoration
programs in West Contra Costa County. They operate a plant nursery and a butterfly
vivarium from a small facility on East Bay Regional Park District property in the Crockett
area. Their programs are an important part of the science curriculum at local schools.
CREEC seeks additional funding to purchase a new greenhouse and vivarium to augment
the somewhat dilapidated facilities used currently. They wish to include a teaching
classroom area in the new greenhouse and to install solar power so that classes may be
conducted on-site. (Total cost: $25,000)
The Committee felt these three projects presented the best match with requirements of the
Urban Centers Program. Unincorporated Contra Costa County has three existing recreation
centers, including the facilities described above in Crockett and Rodeo. Plus a third facility in
MonTaraBay. The Crockett and Rodeo Facilities have the greatest chance of receiving funds
due to their historical ties within the communities they serve. Of the potential non-profit projects
considered, the CREEC project seemed to have the greatest need.
Attachments:
• Draft letter to Senator Torlakson and Assemblyman Canciamilla
• May 9, 2001 staff report to the TWI Committee
WAPersonal\John mainitwibourbancenters.doc
John Sweeten
The Board of Supervisors Contra Clerk ofthe Boad
and
County Administration Building Costa County Administrator
s
651 Pine Street, Room 106 s (925)335-1900
Martinez, California 94553-1293 County, �
John Gioia, 1st District JV
Gayle B.Uilkema,2nd District
Donna Gerber,3rd District
Mark DeSaulnier,4th District
Federal D.Glover,5th District o! L.
O•, 'G
Tr'� COUN'�'t
June 26, 2001
Senator Tom Torlakson Assemblyman Joe Canciamilla
State Capitol, Room 2068 State Capitol, Room 6011
Sacramento, CA 95814 Sacramento, CA 94249-0001
Re: Request for nomination of projects to the California Department of Parks and Recreation
competitive grant program for"Urban Centers"
Dear Senator Torlakson and Assemblyman Canciamilla:
The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors has authorized this letter to request your
nomination of three projects for a competitive grant program of the California Department
of Parks and Recreation, the Urban Recreational and Cultural Centers, Museums and
Facilities for Wildlife or Environmental Education Grant Program ("Urban Centers
Program"). Only projects nominated by a member of the California Legislature will be
invited to submit a grant application for the Urban Centers Program. Nominations from
Legislators are due by July 1, 2001.
The Board of Supervisors' Transportation, Water, and Infrastructure Committee reviewed a
list of projects that could be candidates for such funding, including both County projects
and the projects of non-profit organizations in the County. Based on this review, the Board
recommends the following three projects for your consideration:
Lefty Gomez Recreation Building and Ballfield Complex, Rodeo: Named after
Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher, Vernon "Lefty" Gomez, the Lefty Gomez Recreation
Building and Ballfield Complex is designated as a "Point of Historical Interest" by the
State of California Historical Resources Commission. The Rodeo ballfield complex is
the actual location where the famous New York Yankees pitcher of the 20's and 30's
spent his youth honing his pitching arm. This facility is in grave need of a new parking
lot. The existing lot has been repaired repeatedly, but has exceeded its lifespan. In
addition, with rising costs for electricity in the state of California, replacement of the
windows with energy efficient, safe glass is a necessity. Needed drainage
Senator Torlakson and Assemblyman Canciamilla
June 26, 2001
Page 2 of 2
improvements, and other modifications for safety and accessibility at the site have been
heretofore unaffordable for the community, but represent potential liability exposures
that could greatly affect the future of this historic community center. It is important to
note that this facility is not only the recreation hub for this community, but the site also
plays an important community role as the home of the YMCA after school program.
(Total cost: $700,000)
Crockett Facility: The Crockett Facility was constructed circa 1910. The large
auditorium has vaulted ceilings and a rustic stone fireplace. The facility has historical
ties to the C&H Facility and is the centerpiece of recreation and community services for
Crockett. All of the improvements the community would like to make would restore or
maintain this beautiful facility within the community. Improvements include replacing
the windows in the ceiling of the main hall with the original clerestory, opening
windows the building originally had and necessary improvements in lighting and
fencing to better preserve and protect this community icon. In addition, several areas of
the center have suffered termite damage and require restoration, including the bararea
of the main hall. And finally, the facility needs a new heating/air conditioning system
as it has been deemed beyond repair. (Total cost: $245,000)
Carquinez Regional Environmental Education Center ("CREEC"): CREEC is a
non-profit organization that performs environmental education and ecosystem
restoration programs in West Contra Costa County. They operate a plant nursery and a
butterfly vivarium from a small facility on East Bay Regional Park District property in
the Crockett area. Their programs are an important part of the science curriculum at
local schools. CREEC seeks additional funding to purchase a new greenhouse and
vivarium to augment the somewhat dilapidated facilities used currently. They wish to
include a teaching classroom area in the new greenhouse and to install solar power so
that classes may be conducted on-site. (Total cost: $25,000)
Thank you for considering these projects for nomination to the Urban Centers Program of the
California Department of Parks and Recreation. Attached please find a description of the Urban
Centers Program and the nomination process. Should you have questions on this request, or
desire more detailed information on the three projects we recommend, please contact John
Kopchik of the Community Development Department at (925)335-1227 or Melissa Morton of
the Public Works Department at (925)313-2252.
Sincerely,
1 '
Gayle B. Uilkema, Chair
Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors
Attachment.
GBU/jk
WAPersonal\John main\propl2urbancentersnominationrequestletter.doc
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
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: = COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
7,T1 Cbll�r CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
TO: Board of Supervisors Transportation, Water, and Infrastructure Committee
Supervisor Donna Gerber, Chair
Supervisor John Gioia
FROM: Melissa Morton, Public Works Department (l�
John Kopchik, Community Development Departinent__�
DATE: May 9, 2001
SUBJECT: Pursuing Park and Water Funding Opportunities from Propositions 12& 13
and Other Relevant Funding Sources
On April 9,2001,the Transportation,Water,and Infrastructure Committee requested a follow-up
report on opportunities for pursuing specific park and water funding opportunities from
Propositions 12 and 13. In earlier reports to the Committee, staff had presented overview
material surrunarizing all of the Proposition 12 and 13 funding programs and the amount of
funding for each, including information on the portions of these funds which were committed,
included in the 2000-2001 budget,and/or not yet budgeted. The requested focus for this report
to the May Committee meeting was on key programs with pending deadlines. In particular,the
Conunittee requested information on the"Urban Centers"program,on Murrav-Hayden,and on
the Roberti, Z'berg,Harris Program. T]-ie Committee also requested information on allocations
of Proposition 12 Per Capita funds to cities in the County.
Urban Recreational and Cultural Centers, Museums and Facilities for Wildlife or
Environmental Education Grant Program ("Urban Centers"): This Proposition 12 funding
program has a total of about $8 million statewide to grant to eligible agencies and non-profit
organizations. The details of this program are summarized in item(d)of the attached document
dated April 22,2001 which staff prepared for the El Sobrante Joint Planning Committee("Grant
Programs that Could Assist Implementation of the El Sobrante Valley Park Study
Recommendations"—this document contains selective excerpts from appropriate web-pages and
provides more detailed information on key funding programs from Propositions 12 and 13 and
elsewhere).
Page 1 of 3
Noteworthy on this program,only projects nominated by a member of the State Legislature will
be invited to submit an application for this competitive grant program. Nominations from
legislators are due by July 1, 2001. The TWI Conunittee may wish to consider recommending
that the Board request one or more local legislators to nominate potential.County projects or
potential projects of non-profit organizations in the County. Summarized below are some
County and non-profit projects that could be candidates for for this funding program. This list
was developed from existing staff knowledge and may not be complete. City facilities are not
included.
Potential County Projects:
Unincorporated Contra Costa County has three existing recreation centers in Crockett,Rodeo
and MonTaraBay. The Crockett and Rodeo Facilities have the greatest chance of receiving
funds due to their historical ties within the communities they serve. The Crockett Facility
was constructed in the 1930's. The large auditorium has vaulted ceilings and a rustic stone
fireplace. The facility has historical ties to the C&H Facility and is the centerpiece of
recreation and community services for Crockett.
Named after Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher, Vernon "Lefty" Gomez, the Lefty Gomez
Recreation Building and Ballfield Complex is designated as a"Point of Historical Interest"by
the State of California Historical Resources Comnussion. The Rodeo ballfield complex is the
actual location where the famous New York Yankees pitcher of the 20's and 30's spent his
youth honing his pitching arm.
Working with these two communities to define facility needs and priorities, we should be
able to snake recommendations to legislators by the July 1, 2001 deadline.
Potential Non-Profit Projects in the County:
a) The Lindsay Wildlife Museum: The Museum seeks an off-site facility to care for larger
injured wildlife spoecies and prepare them for re-introduction to the wild. Museum staff
have been asked to submit a more detailed description of this proposal directly to the
Committee.
b) The Carquinez Regional Environmental Education Center: This organization would seem
a candidate for this funding program. Staff is contacting them to solicit their comments and
suggestions.
c) The Delta Science Center at Bi Break:reak: This project appears a good match for the funding
program, but since the Delta Science Center was earmarked as a direct recipient of
Proposition 12& 13 funds,competitive funds may be difficult to obtain. We have contacted
Science Center staff for continent and suggestions.
d) The Aquatic outreach Institute: This organization might be an appropriate candidate for
Page 2 of 3
1
this funding program, depending on whether they have any proposed education facility
projects that would be consistent with the requirements of the program. We have contacted
AOI staff for comment and suggestions.
Murray-Hayden Urban Youth Services Grant Program: Approximately$47 million of this$100
million program remains unspent and could be allocated in 2001-2002 State Budget. Staff at the
California Department of Parks and Recreation have told County staff that they expect all of the
remaining money to be dedicated to the competitive grant program. They do not believe funds
will be directly earmarked by the Legislature as occurred previously. We should attempt to keep
track of this issue in any event.
The details of the Murray-Hayden program are summarized in item(c)of the attached April 22
report to the El Sobrante Joint Planning Committee. Draft procedural guidelines for this
prograin have not yet been released but are expected in September of 2001. Grant applications
may be due as early as the fall of 2001. In the meantime,staff will begin to evaluate the potential
for County applications.
Roberti, Tberg, Harris Program: On April 23, 2001, the California Department of Parks and
Recreation released their calculated allocations for the Block Grant portion of the Roberti,Z'berg,
Harris Program of Proposition 12. Attached please find a press release and allocation surrunary
prepared by the California Department of Parks and Recreation.
Attachments:
• April 22,2001 which staff prepared for the El Sobrante Joint Planning Committee
("Grant Programs that Could Assist Implementation of the El Sobrante Valley
Park Study Recommendations") (40r 1-111'Ji ;,.t CS�>rA_rj 6 ems)
• California Department of Parks and Recreation April 23,2001 Press Release and
Funding Allocations for the Roberti, Z'berg, Harris Program
)
NVAPersonaklohn main\ciaptwireportmay0l.doe
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