REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Consider Modifying the Scope of Work for Study Issue ESD 24-01: Evaluate the Use of Artificial Turf Versus Living Groundcovers and Approve Budget Modification No. 6 in the Amount of $50,000
Report
BACKGROUND
As part of the annual FY 2024-25 budget, the City Council approved Study Issue ESD 24-01 - Evaluate the Use of Artificial Turf versus Living Groundcovers (Study Issue ESD 24-01). The study will analyze the benefits and challenges regarding the installation and use of artificial turf on private and public properties. The Study Issue will also provide recommendations for the City to develop a policy regarding the use of artificial turf. The anticipated completion of Study Issue ESD 24-01 is June 2026.
At the August 27, 2024, City Council meeting on Agenda Item 24-0824, Consider a New Council Policy to Ban the Use of Artificial Turf at City Facilities and Open Space, the City Council voted to approve Alternative 2 - Do not approve the proposed policy and defer the decision pending the completion of Study Issue ESD 24-01. The City Council also directed staff to propose an amendment to ESD Study Issue 24-01 to evaluate and analyze options for improved maintenance practices that would maximize the quality and use of the City’s current natural grass athletic fields and options for future construction of natural grass athletic fields.
EXISTING POLICY
N/A
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” with the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15061(b)(3) because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that studying the benefits and challenges of artificial turf will have a significant effect on the environment within the meaning of CEQA.
DISCUSSION
Currently, the City has artificial turf at Fair Oaks Park; the playgrounds located at the Magical Bridge All-inclusive Playground and Muwekma Park; a small patch at Orchard Gardens Park; and the cricket pitch at Ortega Park. The City started using synthetic turf to replace natural ground covering to reduce field maintenance costs, increase water conservation by reducing consumption, save on water costs, increase available field usage time, and eliminate the use of chemicals like pesticide, fertilizers, and weed killers.
The 20-year financial plan includes artificial turf for the upcoming park renovations at Ortega Park and for the lawn bowling green at Murphy Park (both planned to begin design in FY 2032/33). The City also has a Capital Improvement Project (832710 - Synthetic Turf Sports Field) that was established to convert existing sports field to synthetic/artificial turf and allows for the replacement costs for existing fields, with the first replacement coming starting in FY 2029/30. The project currently has forecasted funds through FY 2040/41. Artificial turf has been removed from all near-term projects including the Lakewood Park Renovation and the Community Center Grounds rehabilitation. No artificial turf will be installed on any City projects pending the outcome of this study.
The City has three athletic fields with natural grass: Lakewood Park, Washington Park and Ortega Park. The Lakewood Park fields are scheduled to be replaced with natural grass fields as part of the Lakewood Park renovation project. These fields are can only be used from March to October each year. Natural grass fields wear faster, need time to recover after repeated use, and are often closed during inclement weather. The utilization rate for synthetic fields is about three times the rate for natural grass fields. Natural grass fields require more maintenance and upkeep than synthetic fields. However, there are significant environmental concerns with synthetic fields, as well as issues with field temperatures during hot weather events.
On August 27, 2024, the City Council deliberated on Agenda Item 24-0824 - Consider a New Council Policy to Ban the Use of Artificial Turf at City Facilities. The City Council approved Alternative 2 - Do not approve the proposed policy and defer the decision pending the completion of Study Issue ESD 24-01 and also directed staff to propose an amendment to Study Issue ESD 24-01. The proposed amendment would include an evaluation of how to manage grass fields in public parks to achieve the highest level of quality and provide for potential year-round field use time for recreational and youth sports. This amendment would include an analysis of soil composition, irrigation techniques, feeding, operational approaches and practices, operation and capital needs, and grass varieties to determine the optimal conditions for maintaining a high-quality playing surface using natural turf. Some preliminary information will be provided to Council later this year when staff returns to Council with options for natural grass fields as part of the Lakewood renovation project.
The study retains its current scope to also look at the use of artificial turf on private property throughout the City. This includes private landscapes, as well as the public property located between sidewalks and streets (commonly called parking strips). Lastly, some concerns have also been raised regarding the environmental impacts of rubberized resilient playground surfaces. The market does not currently have a viable alternative to these surfaces that meets safety and accessibility needs at playgrounds, however staff will continue to monitor the market for more environmentally compliant surfaces and incorporate them into playground design when available.
FISCAL IMPACT
The FY 2024/25 Adopted Budget includes $100,000 for implementation of the original Study Issue ESD 24-01 under Project 836910 - Evaluate the Use of Artificial Turf Versus Living Groundcover. The amended scope as proposed will require an additional cost in the amount of $50,000.
Budget modification No. 6 has been prepared to appropriate $50,000 from the Budget Stabilization Fund for the cost of the amended study issue.
Budget Modification No. 6
FY 2024/25
|
General Fund |
Current |
Increase/Decrease |
Revised |
|
Funding Source |
|
|
|
|
Budget Stabilization Fund |
$89,238,373 |
($50,000) |
$89,188,373 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Funding Use |
|
|
|
|
Project 836910 - Evaluate the Use of Artificial Turf Versus Living Groundcover |
$100,000 |
$50,000 |
$150,000 |
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council meeting agenda on the City's official-notice bulletin board at City Hall, at the Sunnyvale Public Library and in the Department of Public Safety Lobby. In addition, the agenda and this report are available at the NOVA Workforce Services reception desk located on the first floor of City Hall at 456 W. Olive Avenue (during normal business hours), and on the City's website.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve the proposed amendment to modify the Scope of Work for Study Issue ESD 24-01 to include an evaluation of how to manage grass fields in public parks and conduct an analysis of maintaining high-quality playing surfaces using natural turf and approve Budget Modification No. 6 in the amount of $50,000.
2. Do not approve the proposed amendment to modify the Scope of Work for Study Issue ESD 24-01 to include an evaluation of how to manage grass fields in public parks and conduct an analysis of maintaining high-quality playing surfaces using natural turf.
3. Provide other direction to staff.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Alternative 1: Approve the proposed amendment to modify the Scope of Work for Study Issue ESD 24-01 to include an evaluation of how to manage grass fields in public parks and conduct an analysis of maintaining high-quality playing surfaces using natural turf and approve Budget Modification No. 6 in the amount of $50,000.
Justification
This topic is relevant since the City has several fields that are natural grass and studying ways to improve their performance will potentially improve availability and utilization. The topic becomes more especially relevant if the City Council considers banning the use of artificial turf on City playing fields. Therefore, the proposed amendment is worth studying as part of this study issue.
Levine Act
LEVINE ACT
The Levine Act (Gov. Code Section 84308) prohibits city officials from participating in certain decisions regarding licenses, permits, and other entitlements for use if the official has received a campaign contribution of more than $250 from a party, participant, or agent of a party or participant in the previous 12 months. The Levine Act is intended to prevent financial influence on decisions that affect specific, identifiable persons or participants. For more information see the Fair Political Practices Commission website: www.fppc.ca.gov/learn/pay-to-play-limits-and-prohibitions.html
A check or “Y” in the checklist below indicates that the action being considered falls under a Levine Act category or exemption:
SUBJECT TO THE LEVINE ACT
___ Land development entitlements
___ Other permit, license, or entitlement for use
___ Contract or franchise
EXEMPT FROM THE LEVINE ACT
___ Competitively bid contract
___ Labor or personal employment contract
_X_ General policy and legislative actions
Staff
Prepared by: Christina Raby, Interim Environmental Programs Manager
Reviewed by: Ramana Chinnakotla, Director, Department of Environmental Services
Reviewed by: Chip Taylor, Director, Department of Public Works
Reviewed by: Dennis Jaw, Interim Director of Finance
Reviewed by: Rebecca Moon, City Attorney
Reviewed by: Connie Verceles, Deputy City Manager
Approved by: Tim Kirby, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. ESD 24-01 - Evaluate the Use of Artificial Turf versus Living Groundcovers
2. ESD 24-01 - Proposed Amendment