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HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 10576 City of Palo Alto (ID # 10576) City Council Staff Report Meeting Date: 1/13/2020 Report Type: Consent Calendar City of Palo Alto Page 1 Title: Adoption of a Park Improvement Ordinance for Renovations and new Amenities at Rinconada Park as Recommended by the Parks and Recreation Commission From: City Manager Lead Department: Public Works Recommendation Staff recommends that Council adopt a Park Improvement Ordinance (Attachment A) for the Rinconada Park Improvements project, Capital Improvement Program (CIP) project PE-08001. Background Council approved $1.7 million in funding for fiscal year 2020 to address improvement needs at Rinconada Park. The improvements include infrastructure, accessibility, and maintenance needs of the park. The proposed improvements were identified and supported by the community as part of the Rinconada Park Long Range Plan, which was adopted by Council in summer 2017. The major improvement items being addressed by the project scope include replacement of two existing playgrounds and replacement of the existing asphalt walkways. While the addition of a new restroom facility is not included in the approved CIP scope, it is part of the Rinconada Long Range Plan and was included in the Park Improvement Ordinance so that it may be built in the future. Park improvements are anticipated to begin in spring 2020 in coordination with the construction of the new Junior Museum and Zoo. A Park Improvement Ordinance is required when new facilities or changes of use are proposed in park projects. In the case of Rinconada Park, the addition of a new picnic area, restroom, and fire pit along with the removal of the tot lot playground and the expansion of the main playground prompted the need for the ordinance. For more information regarding the current Rinconada Park Improvements project: https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/gov/depts/pwd/projects/rinconadaproject.asp For more information regarding the Rinconada Park Long Range Plan: https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/gov/depts/pwd/rinconadaplan.asp Renovation Items Proposed for Rinconada Park • Playground & Tot Lot Renovation City of Palo Alto Page 2 • Relocate Tot Lot Closer to Main Playground • All New Playground Equipment, Fencing, Rubber surfacing • New Pathways • 12’ wide main pathway • 8’ wide connection pathways • Site Furnishing Replacement • Picnic Tables, Benches, Water Fountain, BBQs, Trash/Recycle Receptacles • Picnic Areas • Renovate existing group picnic area • Create new picnic area at rear of JMZ at Playground • Expansion of main turf area • New irrigation • Install drainage • Renovate planting areas • Reduce small turf areas • Native/Habitat Planting • Pollinator Garden • Restroom • Girl Scout fire pit area Discussion Two community meetings were held to review the proposed park improvements. The first community meeting, held on February 21, 2019, discussed the overview of the Rinconada Long Range Plan (adopted in 2017) from which the proposed park improvements were derived. The proposed improvements are included in the scope of work in this phase of the project. Input from the community included suggestions on playground equipment, request for additional picnic areas, and review of the restroom location. The second community meeting, held on April 4, 2019, reviewed comments from the prior meeting and how they were addressed in the plan, including an expanded picnic area next to the playground and a variety of play equipment that the community selected. Most of the community members in attendance supported the proposed improvements. A Parks and Recreation Commission (PRC) meeting was held on February 26, 2019 to discuss the proposed park improvements and to provide an update on the community meeting process. The PRC was supportive of the plan but wanted more youth input and review. The proposed park improvements were presented to the Youth Activity Board on March 6, 2019 and to the Youth Council on March 20, 2019. Each group provided feedback on youth activities, including providing shaded seating areas and places for groups to gather along with providing a better connection to the rear of Walter Hays Elementary School. On May 28, 2019, the proposed park improvement plan was reviewed by the PRC, leading to the unanimous vote to recommend that Council adopt the Park Improvement Ordinance (staff report). The project returned to the PRC on September 24, 2019 to request an amendment to City of Palo Alto Page 3 the Park Improvement Ordinance to add a fire pit to the project scope, which was supported with a unanimous vote (staff report). A fire pit and restroom were adopted park elements in the Rinconada Long Range Plan but were not included in the scope of the current project due to budget constraints. The Girl Scouts have committed to donating $15,000 towards the installation of the fire pit in this current phase of Rinconada improvements. Staff is currently working with the Girl Scouts to secure the funds and to determine the details of the fire pit, which will be similar to the Boy Scout fire ring. Funding for the restroom will be considered during the development of the proposed FY 2021 budget. Next Steps • Bid Document Preparation & Project Bidding: early 2020 • Council Approval of Construction Contract: Spring 2020 • Construction Begins: Spring 2020 Resource Impact There are no financial impacts associated with the adoption of this ordinance. Any additional funding that may be necessary for the Rinconada Park Improvements project (PE-08001) will be subject to review and approval by Council. Policy Implications This project is consistent with the City’s Comprehensive Plan: POLICY L-7: Evaluate changes in land use in the context of regional needs, overall City welfare and objectives, as well as the desires of surrounding neighborhoods. POLICY L-61: Promote the use of community and cultural centers, libraries, local schools, parks, and other community facilities as gathering places. Ensure that they are inviting and safe places that can deliver a variety of community services during both daytime and evening hours. PROGRAM L-70: Study the potential for landscaping or park furniture that would promote neighborhood parks as outdoor gathering places and centers of neighborhood activity. Stakeholder Engagement Two community meetings, one PRC meeting, and presentations to the Youth Activity Board and Youth Council were completed in Spring 2019, prior to the PRC’s recommendation of Council approval of the Park Improvement Ordinance. Environmental Review The adoption of the ordinance is not a project and is not subject to environmental review under provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). City of Palo Alto Page 4 Attachments: • Park Improvement Ordinance - Rinconada Park NOT YET ADOPTED 1 ORDINANCE NO. ____ Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Approving and Adopting a Plan for the Renovation Project at Rinconada Park The Council of the City of Palo Alto does ORDAIN as follows: SECTION 1. Findings. The City Council finds and declares that: (a) Article VIII of the Charter of the City of Palo Alto and Section 22.08.005 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code require that, before any substantial building, construction, reconstruction or development is commenced or approved, upon or with respect to any land held by the City for park purposes, the Council shall first cause to be prepared and by ordinance approve and adopt a plan therefor. (b) Rinconada Park (the “Park”) is dedicated to park purposes. (See Palo Alto Municipal Code sections 22.08.210-212.) (c) The City intends to authorize the construction of pathways, picnic area, playground, restroom, site furnishing, planting, signage, and irrigation; as well as renovation of the existing picnic area. (d)The plan of renovations (the “Project”) shall generally be comprised, as follows: (1) The removal and replacement of the children’s playground and “tot lot” playground; (2) The renovation of the existing group picnic area including new paving and site furnishing; (3) The replacement of existing asphalt pathways with concrete pathways in the west portion of the park; (4)The addition of a new group picnic area at the rear of the new zoo; (5)The installation of a new restroom building along Hopkins Avenue; (6)The installation of new way finding signage; (7)The installation of native and habitat gardens; (8)The installation of a fire pit; and (9)The installation of new site furnishings, including picnic tables, recycling/composting receptacles, benches, bike racks and drinking fountains. (di)The Project described above and as otherwise depicted in the attached exhibit, is consistent with park, playground, recreation, and conservation purposes. (f) The Council desires to approve the plan for the Project described above. SECTION 2. The Council hereby approves the plan for the construction of improvements in the Park described in this Ordinance. NOT YET ADOPTED 2 SECTION 3. The City Council finds that this ordinance falls under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) exemptions found in Title 14 California Code of Regulations Section: 15301 (Existing Facilities), and 15304 (Minor Alterations of Land). SECTION 4. This ordinance shall be effective on the thirty-first day after the date of its adoption. INTRODUCED: PASSED: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTENTIONS: ATTEST: ____________________________ ____________________________ City Clerk Mayor APPROVED AS TO FORM: APPROVED: ____________________________ ____________________________ Assistant City Attorney City Manager ____________________________ Director of Community Services ____________________________ Director of Administrative Services