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(1) Review of the Parks, Recreation and Community Services (PRCS) Department Capital Improvement Projects Managed by the Parks Division; (2) Review of the Parks Division’s Proposed Fiscal Year 2016/2017 Staffing Recommendations; and, (3) Consideration of Providing Comments to the City Council Regarding the Information Contained Herein, as Part of the Fiscal Year 2016/2017 Budget Process.
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Contact Person/Dept: Dan Hernandez, PRCS Director
Phone Number: 310-253-6655
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No []
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: [X]
Public Notification: (Email) Meetings and Agendas - Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission (02/11/16); (Email) Parks, Recreation & Community Service Department Updates (02/11/16).
Department Approval: Dan Hernandez, PRCS Director (02/09/16).
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Parks, Recreation and Community Services (PRCS) Commission (1) review the Parks, Recreation and Community Services (PRCS) Department capital improvement projects managed by the Parks Division; (2) review the Parks Division’s proposed Fiscal Year 2016/2017 staffing recommendations; and, (3) consider providing comments to the City Council regarding the information contained herein, as part of the Fiscal Year 2016/2017 budget process.
BACKGROUND
Beginning in Fiscal Year 2014/2015, the City Council instituted an enhanced budget process. This process provides additional opportunities for the public to provide input into the budget document. Further, the City Council now specifically invites members of the City’s Commissions, Committees, and Boards to provide comments during the City’s budget process.
Last year, in response to the City Council’s invitation, the Commission heard public comment on the PRCS Department Budget and Work Plans at their March 3, 2015, Regular Meeting, and, at a Special Meeting of the PRCS Commission held on March 18, 2015. As a result of this public comment period, and the Commission’s discussion of various budget-related issues, the PRCS Commission sent a letter to the City Council that presented recommendations regarding the PRCS Department Fiscal Year 2015/2016 Budget.
At the December 1, 2015, PRCS Commission meeting, a consensus was reached that the Commission would like to begin the budget process early this year. Subsequently, at the January 5, 2016, the Commission reviewed the PRCS Department Fiscal Year 2015/2016 Adopted Budget and Work Plans, and invited public comment on the topic. At that meeting, no members of the public submitted comments on the Budget and Work Plans.
DISCUSSION
Capital Improvement Projects Managed by the Park Division
The list of capital improvement projects (CIP’s) managed by the Parks Division is provided as an Attachment. Please note that this is the first draft of the list, since it is still very early in the Budget Process. CIP’s are listed in the City of Culver City Budget Book by project number. A specific project may have more than one funding source. The capital improvement project funding sources typically available to the PRCS Department are 419 Funds (Park Facilities Improvement or Quimby Funds), 420 Funds (Capital Improvement and Acquisition Funds; these are allocated from the General Fund), and 423 Funds (Grant Funds).
For the Commission’s information, the projects have been categorized as “Current,” “Ongoing,” “Pending,” and, “Postponed.” These terms are further defined on the Attachment. The only projects listed requiring requests for new funding in Fiscal Year 2016/2017 are the Skateboard Park Hut-Restroom (PZ830) and the irrigation audits that are necessary in order to Upgrade Irrigation Systems (PZ612).
Parks Division Fiscal Year 2016/2017 Draft CIP Priority List
The first draft of the Parks Division’s Fiscal Year 2016/2017 CIP priority list is as follows:
1. Syd Kronenthal Park Playground for Children Ages 2 - 5 (PZ831). The project is fully funded by Proposition A Cities Excess Funds (423 Funds) and 420 Funds. It is anticipated that the project will be completed by December 31, 2016.
2. Senior Center Courtyard Renovation (PF007). The project is fully funded by the Mrs. Gladys L. Paetzold Bequest and 419 Funds. It is anticipated that the project will be completed during Fiscal Year 2016/2017.
3. Studio Estates Landscaping. The project is fully funded by Landscape Maintenance District Number 1. It is anticipated that the project will be completed, and the plants will be in the plant warranty period by the end of Fiscal Year 2016/2017.
4. Irrigation Audits for the Upgrade of Irrigation Systems (PZ612). There is a proposed request for $50,000 in 420 funds to hire a consultant to do the necessary irrigation audits, so that the City-wide upgrade of irrigation systems can be completed. Areas to be included in the irrigation audits are medians, parks and City facilities, as funding allows. This project is necessary for the City to become compliant with AB 1881, the Water Model Ordinance.
5. Upgrade of Irrigation Systems (PZ612). Carryover 419 and 420 Funds will be used to begin the upgrade of irrigations systems once the irrigation audits have been done. This project is necessary for the City to become compliant with AB 1881, the Water Model Ordinance.
6. Culver City / Park to Playa - Ballona Creek Connection Project (Park to Playa Trail Segment 7; PZ551 - Interpretive Nature Trail). This project is fully funded by Baldwin Hills Conservancy Proposition 84 Funds (423 Funds) and 420 Funds. It is anticipated that the project will be completed by March 31, 2017.
7. New Par Equipment - Various Parks (PZ899 - Park Facilities Improvements, and, PZ958 - Fox Hills Park Playground Rehabilitation). This an ongoing project that will be funded by carryover 419 and 420 Funds in Fiscal Year 2016-2017.
8. City Hall Landscaping. This is a project that is co-managed with Public Works / Engineering. The funding for the project is budgeted in account(s) overseen by Public Works, not in PRCS Department accounts.
Parks Division Unfunded CIP’s
Funding sources have not been identified for the following projects, which are also considered as priorities by the Parks Manager:
1. Blair Hills Park Playground Rehabilitation. This playground was ranked as the one with the highest need for updated equipment in the Playground Safety Audit.
2. Lindberg Park Playground Rehabilitation. This a heavily used playground area that is also in urgent need of updated equipment.
Parks Division’s Proposed Staffing Recommendations
The Parks Manager’s proposed requests for additional funding to meet staffing needs are as follows:
1. Associate Landscape Architect / Project Manager. The proposed request is for $30,000 of dedicated funding in the Other Contractual Services line item in the Parks Division Operating Budget. This position plays an essential role in assisting with the design, administration and completion of Parks Division projects.
2. Reclassification of Current Part-Time Student Worker to Regular Part-Time Maintenance Worker 1. This proposed request will require additional funding in the Part-Time Salaries and Benefits line items of the Parks Division Operating Budget. The cost of the reclassification is not available at this time. The total expense will be affected by several factors, such as potential salary savings in Fiscal Year 2015/2016, the disparity in salary expense between the current and proposed position, and benefit calculations to be provided by the Finance Department. The member of the Parks Crew that is being recommended for reclassification has proven to be a versatile, highly-capable, responsible and reliable employee over the past two and one-half years.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
There is no fiscal impact associated with the discussion of this Agenda Item.
ATTACHMENT
List of PRCS Department Capital Improvement Projects Managed by the Parks Division
RECOMMENDED MOTIONS
That the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission:
1. Review the Parks, Recreation and Community Services (PRCS) Department capital improvement projects managed by the Parks Division; and,
2. Review the Parks Division’s proposed Fiscal Year 2016/2017 staffing recommendations; and,
3. Consider providing comments to the City Council regarding the information contained herein, as part of the Fiscal Year 2016/2017 budget process.