REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Adopt Resolution Authorizing Application for Housing-Related Parks Program Grant from the State of California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD)
Report
BACKGROUND
California's Housing-Related Parks (HRP) Program, funded by the Proposition 1C bond measure passed by voters in 2006, was designed to reward cities and counties that permit a significant number of affordable housing units and adopt State-certified housing elements in a timely manner. The HRP Program provides grants to these jurisdictions for park-related capital improvement projects. Last year, the City was awarded an HRP grant of $973,525 for various capital improvements to Fair Oaks Park.
The grant guidelines require a Council resolution authorizing the application for this grant. The resolution in Attachment 1 follows the required template provided by HCD.
EXISTING POLICY
Policy 7.1.5 Donations, Contributions and Sponsorships:
Allow the solicitation of donations, contributions and sponsorships, as well as the submittal of applications for grant monies, to support City programs, events and services.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
If the HRP grant is awarded to the City, DPW will complete the required CEQA review of the capital project to be funded by the grant when the project is designed or permitted by the City. Typically park improvements of this type qualify for a CEQA exemption for minor improvements and/or renovations of existing public facilities.
DISCUSSION
On December 10, 2014, HCD issued a Notice of Funding Availability for the HRP Program, which provides grants to local governments as an incentive for developing housing units affordable to lower-income households within their jurisdictions. HRP grants may be used for the creating, developing, or rehabilitating park and recreation facilities, such as sport fields, informal play areas, play structures, community gardens, and park landscaping. Applications for this grant are due by February 5, 2015.
Staff estimates that the City could qualify for a grant of approximately $984,200 or more in the current funding round, based on several housing projects with affordable units that were permitted or completed in calendar year 2014. Grant amounts are calculated based on a fixed grant amount for each unit affordable to lower-income households that was issued a building permit or occupancy certificate during the designated year. In addition, bonus funds may be awarded for other application attributes, such as infill location of the housing units, consistency of the City's general plan with regional "blueprint" plans such as Plan Bay Area, and location of the proposed park project in a lower-income and/or park-deficient neighborhood.
For the current grant application, staff has identified a capital project at Fair Oaks Park, consisting of renovations to the existing 2,600 square foot multipurpose meeting room, including new interior finishes, some roofing repairs, and other ancillary work. In addition, installation of new energy efficient lighting fixtures around the perimeter of existing skatepark for evening usage. Full renovations of Fair Oaks Park was scheduled for design in FY 15/16 and construction in FY 16/17 and 17/18.
Council is not required to approve a specific park project at this time, but at least one eligible capital project must be identified in the grant application. The capital project can be changed after the award is made, as long as the replacement project qualifies for the same grant amount, or else the amount could be reduced. Staff selected the project at Fair Oaks Park due to its location, which qualifies for several types of bonus awards.
FISCAL IMPACT
Applying for this grant will not impact the City's General Fund. No matching funds are required. If an HRP grant is awarded through this funding round, staff will follow standard procedures to appropriate the grant funds to the selected capital project in the next available Recommended Projects Budget and/or seek any additional Council approvals of the project that may be needed at that time.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City's official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall, at the Sunnyvale Senior Center, Community Center and Department of Public Safety; and by making the agenda and report available at the Sunnyvale Public Library, the Office of the City Clerk and on the City's website.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Adopt the resolution authorizing application for housing-related parks program grant.
Staff
Prepared by: Ernie Defrenchi, Affordable Housing Manager
Reviewed by: Suzanne Ise', Housing Officer
Reviewed by: Hanson Hom, Director, Community Development
Reviewed by: Manuel Pineda, Director, Public Works
Reviewed by: Robert A. Walker, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Deanna J. Santana, City Manager
ATTACHMENT
1. Resolution Authorizing Application for Housing-Related Parks Program Grant