HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 310-06City of Palo Alto
City Manager’s Report
TO:HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
FROM:CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: COMMUNITY SERVICES
DATE:
SUBJECT:
AUGUST 7, 2006 CMR: 310:06
UPDATE ON PROGRESS TO FORM A PUBLIC-PRIVATE
PARTNERSHIP TO CONSTRUCT A PLAYGROUND AT HERITAGE
PARK
This report is informational; no Council action is requested at this time.
BACKGROUND
At its June 12, 2006 meeting, Council approved a Colleagues Memo by Vice Mayor Kishimoto
and Council Member Mossar directing staff to work with the Friends of Palo Alto Parks
(Friends) and a local resident team to develop a public/private partnership that would complete a
playground project in Heritage Park. Staff was instructed to return to Council before the August
break for final approval of a partnership.
DISCUSSION
As discussions began between the Friends and the local neighborhood group, it was determined
that the Friends were not in a position to take on.the responsibility for a project of this type.
Instead., the Friends wished to act as the fundraising arm for the project, but not as the project
manager, or taking on the liability associated with the construction of the playground. In order to
move forward, the local neighborhood group is forming a Limited Liability Company (LLC).
Once this business entity is in place, a letter of intent or other binding agreement will be
negotiated delineating the understanding between the City and the LLC. The letter of intent will
include specifics of the financial partnership, exact location of the site, details of a short term
lease, and other pertinent information.
To date, staff has worked with the neighborhood team to locate a site for the playground and
identify possible playground vendors and architects. The neighborhood team has held a public
meeting to communicate its intentions and to receive feedback from the park’s neighbors. Staff
has also worked with the City Attorney’s office to deve!op a draft letter of intent that will-be ....
negotiated with the LLC, once formed.
RESOURCE IMPACT
City funding for this project will be requested from Park Development Impact fees. All
indications are that the total cost of the project should not exceed $150,000, making the City’s
responsible for approximately $75,000 of funding.
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POLICY IMPLICATIONS
A Park Improvement Ordinance will be required for park development.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Environmental review will be performed at the time the project is presented to Council.
PREPARED BY:
RICHARD JAMES ,/
Director of Community Services
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
tlARRISON
Assistant City Manager
PARC
Friends of the Palo Alto Parks
Kristine Erving
Tig Tarlton
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