To: Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): County Administrator
Staff Name and Phone Number: Jennifer Solito 707-565-2241
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): District 4
Title:
Title
Community Infrastructure Grant for the Mark West Area Community Park
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
A) Approve $412,500 award to the Mark West Area Community Fund to provide funds from District 4 Community Infrastructure Funds towards the acquisition, pre-development, and development costs in connection with the Mark West Area Community Park.
B) 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.”
C) Delegate authority to the County Administrator, or designee, to execute grant agreement, in a form approved by County Counsel and which do not increase the amount awarded under the grant agreement.
(Fourth District)
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Executive Summary:
District Specific Community Infrastructure Funds were established during FY 2022/23 and 2023/24 budget hearings to address the infrastructure needs within each districts’ community area.
Supervisor Gore is proposing to use a portion of these funds for a grant to the Mark West Area Community Fund (a 501(c)3) towards efforts related to the Mark West Area Community Park, including acquisition, pre-development work, and development costs.
Discussion:
The Mark West Area Community Fund (MWACF), on behalf of Mark West residents, is in the process of acquiring and developing a one-acre parcel located at 4614 Old Redwood Highway into a neighborhood park. The proposed park is near Mark West Springs Road, as well as to two or the three Mark West School District elementary schools. The park and public gathering space has been a long-standing priority and aspiration of the local community, especially after the area was devastated by the Tubbs Fire in October 2017. The one-acre property was the site of a preschool prior to the fire.
The MWACF, in partnership with Sonoma Land Trust, is currently under contract to purchase the parcel for $1,800,000. A portion of this proposed grant ($237,500) would be utilized for the acquisition. Escrow is anticipated to close on January 31, 2024. The MWACF is funding the remainder of the property purchase through a combination of grant funding and community fundraising.
Other major contributors to the park, include:
• Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District: $1,169,500
• Saba Foundation: $290,885
• Mark West Area Municipal Advisory Council (MAC): $250,000
• Contributions from individual Mark West residents: $32,000
• Sutter Health: $20,000
• California American (Cal Am) Water: $10,500
• Jackson Family Wines: $10,000
• Mark West Area Chamber of Commerce: $5,000 (plus an additional $5,000 pledged for early 2024)
The $412,500 county Community Infrastructure requested will be used toward expenses as follows:
|
$237,500 |
Acquisition (approximately 13% of total) |
|
$15,000 |
Site due diligence, including phase 1 environmental assessments, soil testing, zoning analyses, and land use feasibility studies to inform site acquisition and design. |
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$10,000 |
Conceptual design by Community Soil, including high-level site plans, programming models, visual renderings, and architectural concepts to illustrate the community’s vision based on the phased, participatory process. |
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$50,000 |
Initial planning costs, including technical assistance and resources for space programming, sustainable development practices, infrastructure requirements, phasing, and operational models to translate the vision into a feasible development plan. |
|
$100,000 |
Initial develop costs, including but limited to fencing, hardscapes, paths, plants, picnic tables, ADA requirements, etc. |
Funds will be dispersed pursuant to enclosed grant agreement upon Board approval and satisfaction of contingencies for the purchase of the property by the MWACF. Funds dispersal will require submission of documentation related to the use of funds to the County Administrator’s Office for the total amount of the grant.
The grant is authorized by Government Code Section 26227 as a financial contribution toward the acquisition or improvement of real property by another public agency for programs designed to meet the social needs, including health and welfare, of the population of the County.
Strategic Plan:
N/A
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
The District Specific Community Infrastructure Funds were established during the FY 2022/23 and 2023/24 budget hearings.
Fiscal Summary
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Expenditures |
FY23-24 Adopted |
FY24-25 Projected |
FY25-26 Projected |
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Budgeted Expenses |
$412,500 |
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Additional Appropriation Requested |
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Total Expenditures |
$412,500 |
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Funding Sources |
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General Fund/WA GF |
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State/Federal |
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Fees/Other |
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Use of Fund Balance |
$412,500 |
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General Fund Contingencies |
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Total Sources |
$412,500 |
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Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
District-Specific Community Infrastructure Funds are included in the FY 23-24 budget. The Supervisorial District 4 Community Infrastructure balance is $4.8 million and is available to fund this recommended grant.
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Staffing Impacts: |
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Position Title (Payroll Classification) |
Monthly Salary Range (A-I Step) |
Additions (Number) |
Deletions (Number) |
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Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
N/A
Attachments:
Grant Fund Agreement
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
N/A