REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
SUBMITTED BY: Fred A. Wilson, City Manager
PREPARED BY: Chris Slama, Interim Director of Community Services
Subject:
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Amend the previously approved Park Playground and Equipment Replacement Priority List and appropriate funds from the Park Development Impact Fund for installation of new playground equipment at Tarbox Park in the amount of $91,000
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Statement of Issue:
There is a need to amend the previously approved Park Playground and Equipment Replacement Priority List and appropriate funds to install new playground equipment at Tarbox Park.
Financial Impact:
Funding for $91,000 to install playground equipment at Tarbox Park is available in the Park Development Impact Fund 228 fund balance. City Council authorization is requested to appropriate from available fund balance, since this project was not anticipated as part of the FY 2018/19 budget. Sufficient funds are available in the Fund 228 fund balance.
Recommended Action:
recommendation
A) Approve the amendment of the previously approved Park Playground and Equipment Replacement Priority List; and,
B) Authorize an appropriation increase of $91,000 into Park Development Impact account 22845001.82900 for the installation of new playground equipment at Tarbox Park.
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Alternative Action(s):
Do not approve the recommended action and direct staff accordingly.
Analysis:
Tarbox Park is a mini park in Huntington Harbour, located at 16601 Wellington Circle. Tarbox Park is very popular and highly attended in the harbor area, being the only park that is within the recommended 0.5-mile walking distance, per the Parks & Recreation Master Plan. There are no other parks within walking distance on Gilbert Island. Amenities also include a park bench and open grass area, making the park a favorite location for the surrounding community.
On November 29, 2018, the playground equipment at Tarbox Park was found to be damaged most likely due to a previous rainstorm. Following a joint inspection of the damage by staff of the Community Services and Public Works Departments, it was determined that the condition of the playground equipment was not salvageable and needed removal. Upon removal of the playground equipment, staff also become aware that the rubber surfacing had deteriorated in some locations, also requiring repair.
Since that time, staff has received feedback from several residents about the absence of playground equipment. Public Works was recently able to address some needed repairs to the rubber surfacing, but lacks funding to replace an entire play structure.
On November 19, 2018, City Council approved the Park Playground and Equipment Replacement Priority List, featuring 27 parks in need of equipment replacement. Tarbox Park was not included in that list, nor was there any language in the approved RCA regarding replacement of playground equipment due to unforeseen circumstances (Attachment 1). Therefore, staff is requesting that the list be amended to include Tarbox Park (Attachment 2, Item #3). Construction of the playground improvements at Oak View and Seabridge Parks (park priorities #1 and #2) are underway and will be completed within the next month.
The General Plan identifies mini parks, such as Tarbox Park, as a necessary element of the Environmental and Conservation Element of the General Plan and even identifies Tarbox Park as a representative facility. The playground equipment is consistent with the City’s General Plan, and if approved, will continue to meet the recreational requirements of additional residents and visitors resulting from new residential and commercial development.
At their February 13, 2019, meeting, the Community Services Commission approved the recommendation to amend the previously approved Park Playground and Equipment Replacement Priority List, to appropriate funding in the amount of $91,000 (including 10% contingency) from the Park Development Impact Fund, and to present the item to City Council for approval.
Environmental Status:
Not applicable.
Strategic Plan Goal:
Improve quality of life
Attachment(s):
1. November 19, 2018, Approved Park Playground and Equipment Replacement Priority List RCA and Attachments.
2. Amended Park Playground and Equipment Replacement Priority List.