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01-17-2012 - Amendments to FY 2011/2012 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Action Plan• City of West Covina Memorandum AGENDA ITEM NO. IL` DATE: January 17, 2012 TO: Andrew G. Pasmant, City Manager and City Council FROM: Lyndel Morgan Community Services -Manager SUBJECT: AMENDMENTS TO THE FY 2011-2012 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) ACTION PLAN RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council approve the proposed amendments to the FY 2011-2012 CDBG Action Plan as detailed in this report and authorize appropriations necessary to implement the amendments. DISCUSSION: The City receives CDBG funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The overall objective of the federal program is to develop viable urban communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment, and expanding economic opportunities principally for low and moderate income persons. The City's FY 2011-2012 CDBG Action Plan — a required document which details how funds will be used to achieve community development goals — was approved by the City Council on May 3, 2011. However, according to HUD regulations, a plan can be amended at any time. At the City Council meeting on June 21, 2011, staff presented options for projects to be funded with unobligated CDBG funds. Staff identified available resources of $780,000, which included the balance of the City's unobligated line -of -credit with HUD and $150,000 from a project approved in 2008 to install an elevator in the Police Department. Staff is recommending canceling the elevator project and re -programming the $150,000. The City Council directed staff to conduct community meetings relative to park improvements at the two CDBG-eligible parks, Del Norte and Palmview Parks and to provide the City Council a summary of those community meetings. The City retained David Volz Design, Inc., to facilitate community meetings at Del Norte and Palmview Parks and prepare summary reports. The firm provided similar service for the development of other City projects such as: Aroma Parquette, Heritage Park Trails, and the expansion of Cortez Park. The community meetings were marketed through press releases, signage at the parks, the City website, and the City's Twitter account. Residents living within 1,000 feet of each park were notified directly by mail. The Del Norte Park meeting was held on August 10, 2011, and the Palmview Park meeting was held on August 17, 2011. Attachments#1 and #2 are tables, prepared by staff, to summarize the responses at park meetings included in reports prepared by the consultant. Improvements are listed in the respective tables in descending order based on the number of mentions at the meeting. The Community Input Summaries of the Del Norte and Palmview Park meetings prepared by the consultant are included as Attachments #3 and #4, respectively. Meeting discussions were not exclusive to strictly CDBG-eligible park improvements. As a result, the lists include some projects that are ineligible for CDBG funding (dog parks, shaded bleachers, etc.). The CDBG-eligibility of some desired improvements are dependent upon the end use. In the tables, these are denoted with a "W" in the CDBG columns of Attachments #1 and #2. In other cases, desired "improvements" such as "Keep open areas Andrew G. Pasmant, City Manager • and City Council Page 2 — January 17, 2012 open" require no- funding. In these instances, an "n/a" is noted in the CDBG column of the tables, accordingly. Based on the community input at the meetings, the limited resources, and ability to complete_ the proposed projects, staff recommends the following three amendments to the FY 2011-2012 Action Plan: (a) (b) (c) I (d) _ Description of Activity Funding Per Proposed Proposed P Proposed Amended Action Plan Amendment funding Change Funding 1. BP09304 - Police Department Elevator $ 150,000 Cancel Project $ (150,000) $ 2. PP10211 - Palmview Park Play Equipment ** 160,000 Modify Funding 400,000 560,000 3. Del Norte Park Splashpad - Add Project 380,000_ 380,000 "` Current balance of project is $83,970 The City's approved CDBG Citizen Participation Plan, sets criteria for Action Plan amendments. With respect to this report, the percentage changes in activity funding relative to proposed Amendments #1 and #2 trigger the required amendment process. The addition of a new project, such as proposed Amendment #3, is also a trigger. The process for such amendments requires a 30-day public comment period, a public hearing, and approval by the City Council. `This comment period began on December 16, 2011. Staff received one public comment, by phone, from a Del Norte Park meeting attendee who stated he preferred additional parking to a splashpad. ALTERNATIVES: 1. Approve the proposed amendments to the FY 2011-2012 CDBG Action Plan, as detailed in this report and authorize appropriations necessary to implement the amendment. 2. Provide alternate direction. FISCAL IMPACT: This report has no impact to the General Fund. Sufficient CDBG Funds are available to cover the cost of the proposed amendments. Z47/,/Z//K �,. Prepared W Kelly McDonald Managerrient Analyst II Finance Re 'ewe Approved 1 : Lyndel Morgan Community Servic anager Public W rks Attachments: 1. .Del Norte Park Community Meeting —Summary of Responses 2. Palmview Park Community Meeting — Summary of Responses 3. Del Norte Park — Community Input Summary 4. Palmview Park — Community Input Summary • Del Norte Park Community Meeting - Summary of Responses Attachment 1 yvyyw rropert `. : hurehase WCUSDpro erfy D* 5 x` x x. .' .., X ., x .. 2 Parkm9 ; ;Parkin`g ok = ` .3 . x x ; x . 3 Play Equipment Play:equipmerit ok 3 x x x 4 Play'Equipment =,Replace play surface; w, rubber/wood, chips .,,, ok 3_.• "=: x x x - 5" Walkway. Expand,wal,kways• ok 3 x. x x 6: ` Water Feature Wate"r,features 1- ool/ and/fountain :2&„4 s lash ad ( p p p: ) ok 3 x SplasFipad Splas►�pad == 7.: WCUSD Property. ;; 8 WC.USD Propert "•. Basketball coiart;(school) ok , "- 3 x x ..; x 9 WGUS,D Fr"operty Soccer-Fields.(school) , „D* 3. x, x x 10 Amenities Restroom near ball field ok 2 x x 11 Amenities Benches in shaded area ok 2 x x 12 Amenities BBQs at shelters ok 2 x x 13 Crosswalk Crosswalk ok 2 x x 14 Tennis Refurbish tennis courts D* 2 x x 15 Amenities Drinking fountains ok 1 x 16 Amenities Larger trash bin storage ok 1 x 17 Amenities More trash receptacles D* 1 x 18 Amenities Graffiti resistance bathroom ok 1 x 19 Amenities General upgrades to park D* 1 x 20 Basketball Court Basketball court (near tennis) ok 1 x 21 Building Renovate baseball building near Nora no 1 x 22 Fitness Equipment Outdoor fitness equipment ok 1 x 23 Frisbee golf Frisbee golf D* 1 x 24 Horseshoe Pits Horse shoe pits D* 1 x 25 Landscaping Landscaping ok 1 x 26 Lighting More park lighting ok 1 x 27 Lighting Upgrade existing park lighting ok 1 x 28 Lighting Field lighting for all sports fields no 1 x 29 Tennis Do not expand or add tennis courts n/a 1 x 30 Trees Protect existing trees n/a 1 x 31 Trees More trees ok 1 x 32 Volleyball Vollyball court (near tennis) ok 1 x 33 Walkway Upgrade existing walkways ok 1 x 34 WCUSD Property Gophers no 1 x *D- Depends on WCUSD negotiations; or the project usage for CDBG funding 9 • Palmview Park Community Meeting - Summary of Responses #4 TImpro�ement r4 N cDBGI,, Dble1 .i Table 2 Table 3 Mail In. 1 Parkin ok` 3 x x x Shaded fjleachers_for ball;field' 3 3 Keep open areas open n/a 3 x x n x Outdoor fitness e , uipment ok.:. 6 (rnprove gark,lghtin ., ok., ? e;quiprnent ( ro' osed ila ou`t)` ok.... 2 X _ X , 8 Keep neighborhood park" feel; n%a 9 More signage for park rules ok 1 x 10 New restrooms ok 1 x 11 Pedestrian crosswalk ok 1 x 12 Better access between park and school site ok 1 x 13 Accessible path from parking ok 1 x 14 Remove drinking fountain in open area ok 1 x 15 More trash receptacles + secure bin enclosure ok 1 x 16 Benches in park ok 1 x 17 Amphitheater ok 1 x 18 Community garden ok 1 x 19 Renovate open turf area ok 1 x 20 Shade for play area ok 1 x 21 Replace.playground sand with rubber ok 1 x 22 Dog waste stations and etiquette rules ok 1 x 23 Splash pad - water play feature ok 1 x 24 More shade trees ok 1 x 25 Trees to line outfield of ball field ok 1 x 26 More trees on perimeter ok 1 x 27 Volleyball court (concerte) ok 1 x 28 Perimeter walkways ok 1 x 29 Walking jogging paths ok 1 x 30 Improve ball field no 1 x 31 Increase ball field distance no 1 x 32 Utilize adjacent school parking lot n/a 1 x 33 Maintain/protect existing trees n/a 1 x Attachment 2 . I • ' Attachment 3 DEL NORTE PARK CITY OF WEST COVINA Community Outreach Community Input Summary August 10, 2011 COMMUNITY OUTREACH Wednesday, August 10, 2.011, members of the West Covina Community were invited to participate in a community outreach event held at Del Norte Park. The purpose of the outreach was to solicit.public input regarding future park improvements specifically for Del Norte Park and through this process identify and establish some level of importance for future park improvements. The community outreach was well attended, drawing approximately 55 people. City staff, with the assistance of David Volz Design, encouraged participants to think about new park improvements as well as existing concerns or shortcomings of the existing park facilities. The David Volz Design team had participants separate,into five groups, with.an aerial map of the park site and color markers in hand, . urged each group to draw and/or write down their ideas. Each group was given about 20 to 30 minutes to complete this exercise.. A representative, from each group was asked to present their plan to the rest of the group. On the following pages is a list of comments generated by each table and their plans they drew and wrote upon. TABLE 1 NEW PARK FEATURES AND UPGRADES. - Expand walkways • Upgrade play equipment (2-5 year olds) • Utilize and/or purchase West Covina School District property (R.O.P. site)'to expand park • Dog Park (R.O.P. site) • Basketball Court (R.O.P. site) • New water features (pool/pond/fountain) New restroom near baseball field • More bench seating (in shaded areas ) • More park lighting to supplement existing lighting system • New outdoor fitness equipment • Upgrade Park lighting (poles and fixtures) • Refurbish tennis courts • Increase on -site parking opportunities • Fix or provide new drinking fountains Make trash bin storage area larger • Provide more litter receptacles • Upgrade landscape • Renovate the baseball building "the shack" near Nora.Avenue. ISSUES AND CONCERNS: • Inadequate parking • Inadequate park surveillance /security • Graffiti — graffiti-proof'bathroom • Address the gopher problem (P;O.R site) . . , ,� : t h� 6fi�.. .v,.e� bi.-.a.h"w.,. ,�. .v��. •�.35...:k�,.�4,a, �e.�.,.. 4. • ,.. ve�, _ ,..:.�al!�. _ serv�'�,.r i�...�. - � . TABLE 2 NEW PARK FEATURES AND UPGRADES: • Upgrade play equipment • New swings (2-5 year olds) • Replace sand play surface with rubber and/or walk-on wood chips • Utilize and/or purchase West Covina School District property (R.O.P. site) to expand park • Dog Park • Renovate and make accessible Basketball Courts ( R.O.P. site) • Water features (Splash pad) • New restroom.near baseball field • More bench seating near playgrounds • ..Field lighting for all sport fields • General all-around upgrades to park ISSUES AND CONCERNS: • Inadequate parking (weekends are the problem) • Do not expand or add tennis courts • Protect existing trees 0 ' . • TABLE 3 NEW PARK FEATURES AND UPGRADES: Expand walkway system (possibly a designated walking.& jogging trail) • Soccer field (s) • Upgrade play equipment • Utilize and/or purchase West Covina School District property (R.O.P. site) to expand park • Dog Park • No sand in playground • New Basketball Court (next to tennis court) • Water features (Splash pad) • Field lighting for all sports fields • Provide park security lighting • Refurbish tennis courts • Provide more trees • Upgrade perimeter walkways ISSUES AND CONCERNS: • rEvaluate existing parking and make necessary parking improvements TABLE 4 NEW PARK FEATURES AND UPGRADES: • Replace sand at playground • Utilize and/or purchase West Covina School District property (R.O.P. site) to expand park • Soccer field (s) • New "Basketball Court "lighted" (north of tennis courts). • New Volleyball Court (north of tennis courts) • New restroom (north of tennis court) • New water features (Splash pad) • Horse shoe pits •. Provide more trees (R.O.P. site) • Provide BBQ units at covered picnic shelters ISSUES AND CONCERNS: • Pedestrian crosswalk mitigation along Sunset Ave. • Inadequate parking C'„pM�MUNITY WORKSHOP c�e TABLE 5 NEW PARK FEATURES AND UPGRADES: . • Utilize and/or purchase West Covina School District property (R.O.P..site) to expand park • Expand walkway system Provide permanent outfield fencing for baseball fields (R.O.P. site) • Soccer fields • Restore basketball Court (R.O.P. site) • Utilize parking (R.O.P. site) • Remove parking on southeast corner of R.O.P. site • New restroom (north of tennis court) • New restroom (R.O.P. site), • Provide left hand turn pockets on north. bond Sunset Ave to access parking lots. • Provide new picnic shelters (R.O.P. site) • Provide BBQ units at covered picnic shelters • Frisbee golf ISSUES AND CONCERNS: • Pedestrian crossing along Sunset Ave. access Del Norte Park • Make R.O.P. site parking accessible during the weekends., SUMMARY The community expressed an interest in a wide variety of park improvements for Del 1. Norte Park and beyond. They voiced a strong interest, for the City, to explore possibilities of using the West Covina School District's grass fields (R.O.P. site) for park activities. Their level of interest in the school property would not include the use of any buildings. The use of the school district's fields would approximately double the amount of usable parklands (the actual acreage in question would need to be verified). Many improvements suggested can be incorporated in the Del Norte Park boundary; other improvements, such as additional baseball and soccer fields, and use of paved surfaces for basketball and additional parking, could only be realized if the adjoining school'district's property is utilized. The community expressed a strong interest to expand walking/jogging paths throughout the park, ideally extending these pathways into the adjoining school property, increasing the number of benches, refurbishing the tennis.court surface and upgrading park lighting, including field and security. The community favored a new water play feature, such as a fountain or splash pad and requests that a new restroom be located near the tennis courts. The community favored the idea of incorporating individual outdoor fitness stations and general upgrades to the park's landscape and restroom. The community strongly urged the City to replace the playground sand with rubberized playground surface. Even though, upgrades to the existing,play equipment were not outwardly expressed, the community was not opposed to new play equipment, including swings for 2 to 5 year olds; to replace the older "out -dated" play equipment. A number of plans noted that a dog park is desirable. Many people voiced their concerns about insufficient parking, both on and off site, therefore, additional parking is strongly recommended. Suggested, locations to expand parking include, west of the current on -site parking lot and various locations on the school district property. Pedestrian crossings along Sunset Avenue should be considered to safely access the park from the east. The community expressed appreciation for the parks. mature trees, for the shade they provide, and consider the trees to be an asset and should be protected as park improvements are realized. Attachment 4 PALM VIEW PARK CITY OF WEST COVINA Community Outreach Community Input Summary August 17, 2011 COMMUNITY OUTREACH Wednesday, August 17, 2011, members of the West Covina Community were invited to participate in a community outreach event held at Palm View Park. The purpose of the outreach was to solicit public input regarding future park improvements specifically for Palm View Park and through this process identify and establish some level of importance for future park improvements. The community outreach meeting attracted about 20 participants. City staff, with the assistance of David Volz Design, encouraged participants to think about new park improvements as well as existing concerns or shortcomings of the existing park facilities. The David Volz Design team had participants separate into three groups, with an aerial map of the park site and color markers in hand, and urged each group to draw and/or write down their ideas. Each group was given about 20 to 30 minutes to complete this exercise. A representative from each group was asked to present their plan to the rest of the group. The following pages gives a list of comments generated by each table and their plans they drew and wrote upon. r TABLE 1 - NEW PARK FEATURES AND UPGRADES: • Provide perimeter walkways ( hard and soft pathways) • New play equipment and layout was viewed favorably • Provide shaded play opportunities within the playground • Maintain "Neighborhood Park" feel and appearance • Outdoor fitness equipment • Renovate open turf area (make greener) • Remove drinking fountain in the open grass area • Keep open areas "Open" • Provide more litter receptacles plus a lockable trash bin enclosure • Provide more shade trees • "KEEP THE PLANE" ....it is a park icon! • Improve baseball field • Provide shaded bleachers • Improve park lighting • Provide new restrooms J • Increase the distance of the "homerun" outfield fencing from 200 feet to 225 feet • Line the outfield fencing with trees ISSUES AND CONCERNS: • Lack of adequate parking • "Park by Permit" only signs in residential areas • Consider a "Pedestrian Crossing" and/ or "Park Zone" caution signs along Puente Avenue, near the northwest corner of the park. ' • Lack of general park lighting including afterhours park security lighting. Areas that lacked adequate lighting included the baseball plaza area along the first base fencing & adjacent school property fencing. • Trees along the southeast corner of park need to be either trimmed and/or removed. These trees prevent cast too much shade on the nearby resident and increase the pest problem. TABLE 2 NEW PARK FEATURES AND UPGRADES: • Improve park lighting • Replace playground sand with rubber • "KEEP THE PLANE" • Provide outdoor fitness equipment • Maintain "Neighborhood Park "feel and appearance • Provide dog waste stations and etiquette rules • Keep open areas "Open" • Post more "Park Rules" signs • Incorporate more trees around the perimeter • Provide more beach seating • Provide shaded bleacher seating at baseball field • Provide a community garden • Provide an amphitheater ISSUES AND CONCERNS: • Parking issues need to be addressed prior to any park upgrades that might attract more users (ie. Baseball and picnic facilities) • Consider more parking lighting for safety reasons ew �PUENTE#AVENEIE �-akk� 5) `{ Yk Y 3 i , POO cnrtv M e �2 a,„¢ �s•b fa, S �il 'yl y�+* �Nt COMMUNITY WOAKat,aOF PALM VIEW PARK m. cse� N 0:_F ev e 5 1 C 0 v I ry a SUMMARY The community commented on many park improvements. Many expressed concerns that future park improvements be done in a manner to enhance and not takeaway from the "neighborhood park" feeling and character. They felt strongly about keeping the airplane play piece and explained that the plane is a visual icon and is a special park feature. However, they were not opposed to upgrading the remaining play components and expanding the playground. There -was a strong interest to replace' playground sand with a rubber type play surface. There was moderate' interest in a water play feature, such as a splash pad; however, they would favor the playground. upgrades if having to choose between the two items and money were an issue. Other favorable improvements includes more bench seating, more litter receptacles and a perimeter walking/ jogging path around the park's perimeter. New outdoor fitness equipment placed along the perimeter walkway would be a welcomed amenity. The community favors.shaded seating areas and specifically identified two areas, park, near the playground and bleacher, at the baseball field. There was a strong emphasis that parking be addressed prior to making park improvements that might attract even greater numbers of park users. Residents often have trouble finding parking spaces on their streets during park events and baseball games. The community felt strongly that upgrades to the existing parking lights are necessary to provide adequate lighting for general park uses and to improve security. ADDITIONAL PUBLIC COMMENTS �itaM:VIEvJ `lbin,G�(p�}w �1zT' �n,vEl�-�,o►� t srr-t.���Nt,-. l ffL-19E 5u�r-K,-0-4--U;PV{ ((--A,cReTE)- 54rj�1 itMn, Uu a ( Asj, / po NOT ShMO c-av n47> 1' uo T VSA P t,G 61( W fteL-cii Ad? ucezz, i� Fivivoe BG4a.1.5CAYt01r —1st06uME Fw PEERS pttwl►�= Aue�s�rsc- PaZFtei' '7'u�C-t, Frwti. ppruy.rrt�, Tot�TS� �av�r1 rsS 1^'./I �f2UVl1�G Q .IN�p IVYtP�?/tti. ?2ooF Cl.f PobsfB � N1E7 CPLPti(EJ�S til f "t1J gl� ry y- DNt I� O V`/ . 81141:) 1 1 i:.5! I'm...--- !4'��f1iN1' At�Ai�[�TtttYCLEN. NY�W Vi>=iNGt�FS . e G / pAV-` 6 LOT 0 4 C-Arll �tSY��F�_ (�EStaeew�C� 411 CITY OF WEST COVINA NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Concerning proposed amendments to the City of West Covina's FY 2011-2012 Action Plan for the City's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. YOU ARE INVITED - All interested citizens are invited to attend a public hearing on Tuesday, January 17, 2012, in the City Council Chambers at 1444 West Garvey Avenue South in West Covina at 7:OOpm to comment on proposed amendments to the Action Plan. This public hearing is scheduled pursuant to the City's adopted Citizen Participation Plan, a requirement of U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which requires a public hearing for any 'substantial' amendments to the Action Plan, in this case, carrying out an activity which has not been previously described in the Action Plan. ACTION PLAN SUMMARY - The Action Plan is a comprehensive one-year strategy that addresses the use of Community Development Block Grant funds for the purposes of meeting the goals of providing decent housing, a suitable living environment, and expanded economic opportunities, principally for low and moderate income persons. ACTION PLAN AMENDMENTS — Three (3) amendments are proposed to the FY 2011-2012 Action Plan. The first is to cancel an approved project for an elevator in the police department. The second is to increase funding by $400,000 for the next phase of an approved project to install play equipment at Palmview Park. The third is to add a new project and funding of $380,000 to install a splashpad in Del Norte Park. Description of Activity 1. BP09304 — Police Department — Elevator 2. PP10211 — Palmview Park Play Equipment 3. Del Norte Park Splashpad Current Budget Proposed Budget $ 150,000 $ 0 83,970 483,970 0 380,000 The proposed Action Plan amendments also require the review and approval of HUD. AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW - The 30-day public review period ends on January 16, 2012 at 6:00 p.m. During this 30- day public review period, the project listing will be available for review at the following locations: City of West Covina Community Services Department, 1444 West Garvey Avenue, Room 316 City of West Covina City Clerk's Office, 1444 West Garvey Avenue, Room 317 West Covina Library,1601 West Covina Parkway The City Council public hearing to consider approval of the proposed amendments is scheduled for Tuesday, January 17, 2012 in the City Council Chambers at 1444 West Garvey Avenue South in West Covina at 7:OOpm. Written comments may be addressed to Kelly McDonald, Management Analyst,ll, City of West Covina, 1444 West Garvey Avenue, West Covina, CA 91790.