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HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 311-06City of Palo Alto City Manager’s Report TO:HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL FROM:CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: COMMUNITY SERVICES DATE: SUBJECT: AUGUST 7, 2006 CMR: 311:06 UPDATE ON FINANCE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION REGARDING IMPROVEMENTS TO THE UNDEVELOPED GREER PARK SITE This report is informational; no Council action is requested at this time. BACKGROUND In 2005, Council directed the Park and Recreation Commission (PARC) to provide a recommendation regarding the best use for the undeveloped 1.5 acre site at Greer Park. The PARC convened a subcommittee to investigate all possible options for the site. Upon completion of the subcommittee’s work, the PARC unanimously approved the following recommendation to Council: The PARC recognizes the groundswell of community support for the completion of Greer Park. The PARC believes that the completion of Greer Park should be the City’s next most important recreation priority. The PARC recommends that the City Council accept this report, and recommends two options for consideration by the Council: 1) development 0fthe parcel into a passive park and 2) development of the parcel into additional tennis courts. At its March 23, 2006 meeting, the Finance Committee considered the PARC recommendation and unanimously approved a motion "to proceed with completion of Greer Park and use the area for a developed passive park and make it compatible with the addition of future tennis courts." DISCUSSION Existing staff worldoad necessitates that this project be scheduled for design late in the 07/08 budget year with construction beginning in the 08/09 budget year. Consequently, and to conform with "just-in-time capital improvement project budgeting", staff will prepare a CIP to develop the site into a passive park and seek Council approval in the 07/09 budget process. RESOURCE IMPACT Total cost of the project is estimated to be $400,000. Funding for this project can be provided through park development impact fees which has an existing balance of approximately $940,000 of which $200,000 is pledged to the Palo Alto/Stanford Field project, $75,000 to the proposed Heritage Park playground construction, and $150,000 to construct park restrooms. The sum of CMR:311:06 Page 1 of 2 these pre-designated costs is $425,000, leaving a balance of $515,000 for the Greer project. It is anticipated that proposed future developments will undoubtedly provide the additional $25,000 by fiscal year 08/09 to complete the funding requirement for the Greer project. POLICY IMPLICATIONS A Park Improvement Ordinance will be required for park development. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW Envirolmaental review will ~,~formed at the time the project is presented to Council. -- ~Director of Community Services CITY MANAGER APPROVAL: HARRISON Assistant City Manager Cc: PARC CMR:311:06 Page 2 of 2