To: Sonoma County Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Regional Parks
Staff Name and Phone Number: Bert Whittaker, 707-565-3064
Vote Requirement: 4/5th
Supervisorial District(s): Fourth
Title:
Title
Maddux Ranch Regional Park Improvements and Program Support
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
A) Authorize the Director of Regional Parks to utilize $500,000 of District 4 Community Infrastructure Funds for the design and implementation of park improvements and program support with the Community Soil Foundation at Maddux Ranch Regional Park.
B) Authorize the Director of Regional Parks, in consultation with County Counsel, to enter into a funding agreement in the amount of $175,000 with the Community Soil Foundation, through their 501(c)3 fiscal sponsor, Extended Child Care, to support education programs at Maddux Ranch Regional Park and to take all necessary action to implement the agreement, including executing minor amendments, and authorize expenditures as needed to support program objectives.
C) Make a finding that the expenditures proposed in this Board item are in compliance with Government Code Section 26227, and that these expenditures are “necessary to meet the social needs of the population of the County.
D) Adopt a budget Resolution authorizing budgetary adjustments to the Fiscal Year 2024/25 adopted budget to increase revenue and expenditure appropriations to transfer $500,000 from the Community Infrastructure Fund to Regional Parks in support of the proposed park improvements and program support. (Fourth District) (4/5 Vote Required)
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Executive Summary:
This item seeks authorization to utilize $500,000 of District 4 Community Infrastructure Funds for park improvements and educational program support at Maddux Ranch Regional Park. At the direction of District 4, the Director of Regional Parks is requesting authorization to enter into a funding agreement for $175,000 with Community Soil Foundation, through its fiscal sponsor, Extended Child Care, for outreach and educational program support at Maddux Ranch Regional Park.
Discussion:
Maddux Ranch Regional Park is in the unincorporated area of Larkfield in northern Sonoma County. Maddux Ranch Regional Park includes playing fields, tennis courts, a children’s playground, local community garden and Oak Woodland restoration area. Since 2015, Sonoma County Regional Parks department has partnered with the Community Soil Foundation to develop and operate the Larkfield Community Garden and Learning Center (Community Garden). Maddux Ranch was the first County-owned property included in the ‘Sonoma County lands for food production initiative launched and 2012 to support the viability of local sustainable agriculture and increase access to local food. The Community Garden connects students and families to healthy organic produce and provides ecology and sustainable agriculture education to children and youth. The Community Garden programs raise awareness and builds literacy about regenerative farming and gardening, including the benefits to individuals, community health, and ecology. Additionally, over 3,000 pounds of organic produce from the garden are donated to local food banks and families in need each year.
The Community Garden education programs are also a partnership with the Mark West Union School District. The youth education program is a partnership between Community Soil Foundation and its 501(c)3 fiscal sponsor, Extended Child Care (ECC) (Tax ID: 94-2526630) that allows for local schools, and public agencies such as Sonoma County Regional Parks, to provide over 400 students from K-8 classrooms with outdoor education about sustainable cultivation, Climate, food and water resiliency, and local ecology each year. Community Soil Foundation continues to fight food inequities in Sonoma County and is supported in partnership with ECC.
This board item authorizes the Director of Regional Parks to enter into a funding agreement for $175,000 with the Community Soil Foundation through ECC and authorizes expenditures needed to support the program objectives which include $130,000 for Community Soil Foundation staffing, $10,000 to be used for a new storage shed, $10,000 for various tools and materials and $25,000 for Education and Outreach. The term of the agreement will end on December 31, 2025.
The grant is authorized by Government Code Section 26227 as a financial contribution toward the improvement of real property for programs designed to serve public purposes, benefit the community and economy, and meet the social needs, including health and welfare, of the population of the County.
At the direction of District 4, Regional Parks will utilize $500,000 in community infrastructure funds to support outreach and on-site education programs through a funding agreement with ECC and Community Soils Foundation, with the remaining $325,000 to be used by Regional Parks to execute design and site improvements to Maddux Ranch Regional Park, including but not limited to an all-weather group picnic and education area with a covered structure, design of permanent restroom, vegetation management, signage, trail improvements, and teaching areas. Regional Parks staff will complete much of this work in-house but would return at a future date with competitive bid results for any work exceeding bid limits.
Strategic Plan:
NA
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
None
Fiscal Summary
|
Expenditures |
FY23-24 Adopted |
FY24-25 Projected |
FY25-26 Projected |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
|
|
|
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
|
500,000 |
|
|
Total Expenditures |
|
500,000 |
|
|
Funding Sources |
|
|
|
|
General Fund/WA GF |
|
|
|
|
State/Federal |
|
|
|
|
Fees/Other |
|
|
|
|
Use of Fund Balance |
|
500,000 |
|
|
General Fund Contingencies |
|
|
|
|
Total Sources |
|
500,000 |
|
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
District Specific Community Infrastructure Funds were established during FY 2022/23, 2023/24 and 2024/25 budget hearings to address the infrastructure needs within each districts’ community area. Use of $500,000 in District 4 Infrastructure Funds is requested with this Board Item. This item includes a budget resolution authorizing budgetary adjustments to the Fiscal Year 2024/25 adopted budget to increase revenue and expenditure appropriations in the amount of $500,000 in support of the proposed park improvements and program support.
Staffing Impacts:
None
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
None
Attachments:
Budget Resolution
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None