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Agenda Item 6.

City Council Meeting

Meeting Date:	05/04/2021
FROM:	Bill Gallardo

Subject:

Arovista Park Modernization Project Update

RECOMMENDATION

1. Direct staff to utilize an on-call, as-needed landscape architecture firm, Land Concern, to develop conceptual plans for the Arovista Park Modernization project.
2. Authorize the transfer in the amount not to exceed $35,000 from the Park Development Fund (250) to the project budget.

BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION

The City of Brea has many parks that are enjoyed by our community and youth user groups. One location that the Parks, Recreation and Human Services Commission and City Council recognize as needing attention is Arovista Park. The east side of this site was last renovated in 1991 and the west side has not seen significant improvements since the park was constructed in 1987. Both areas have started to show wear and tear across many of their amenities. Based on the Facilities Condition Assessment conducted for all City park facilities, several of these amenities including the parking lots, restroom facilities, landscape, irrigation, certain ballfield and court amenities, playground equipment and the skatepark are all in need of replacement. Currently the design of the restroom on the west side of the park and the skatepark are funded in the CIP budget. The CIP also funded upgrades to the walkway lights in 2014.

Staff has also identified Arovista Park as a potential location for a state-of-the-art, all-accessible playground site. Brea's General Plan, as well as the Brea Envisions process both contain specific objectives to continue developing parks and facilities that remain accessible to all Breans. Development of an all-accessible playground facility is also a focus of the Parks, Recreation and Human Services Commission who included it as one of their main priorities in their recently adopted Goal Setting Exercise presented to City Council on December 1, 2020. Staff would intend to engage the community and local neighborhoods for their input on proposed improvements through the scope development and concept phase.

Depending on a finalized scope, staff is estimating this project would cost between $2-4 million. In an effort to manage this project efficiently, staff recommends utilizing an on-call, as-needed landscape architects to prepare an overall conceptual plan, inclusive of the many elements required to give Arovista Park a comprehensive modernization. A conceptual plan will also provide a more detailed cost estimate for the project and will allow City Council to make a final determination about project funding at a later date. For consideration, staff has identified the following potential funding sources for the overall project:

Grants
Proposition 68
Partnerships/Foundations
Park Development Fund (250)
Community Benefit & Economic Development (CBED) Fund (140)
Capital & Mitigation Improvement Fund (560)

Staff is recommending the on-call, as-needed landscape architect Land Concern for the development of conceptual plans as they were the architect behind the well-received Wildcatters Park. It is estimated conceptual plans will cost between $15,000 and $35,000, which the Parks, Recreation and Human Services Commission recommends to be funded by the Park Development Fund.

COMMISSION/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

At their April 28, 2021, meeting the Parks, Recreation and Human Services Commission reviewed the proposal for the project and recommended the item move on to City Council to review and approve the use of Park Development Fund (250) monies for the preparation of conceptual plans.

In order to expedite this discussion for tonight's agenda, it was not feasible for staff to include this item on the April 27, 2021, Finance Committee Agenda.

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:

William Gallardo, City Manager
Prepared by: Jenn Colacion, Management Analyst
Concurrence: Chris Emeterio, Assistant City Manager, Tony Olmos, Public Works Director, Sean L. Matlock, Deputy Director of Community Services, Bill Bowlus, Parks Superintendent