City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council discuss the authorization and funding of the
Culver City Park Enhancement Program (PEP).
BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION:
At the November 27, 2006 City Council meeting, there was a consensus of Council
to agendize the discussion of the creation of a small grant program for the
enhancement of neighborhood parks within Culver City. The program, if authorized,
would award between five (5) to ten (10) $500 grants for neighborhood park
improvement projects such as painting, maintenance, repair and minor landscaping
projects, etc. The goal of the grant program is to assist neighborhood and civic
groups including Homeowner’s Associations, Scout Troops and other community
volunteers in carrying out their vision for the beautification of parks and open space
within Culver City. Grant projects will be developed in collaboration with, and
approved by, the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department.
The Park Enhancement Program (PEP) was designed to meet the unique needs of
Culver City (Attachment 1). Since the main focus of the program is to engender
community participation in park beautification and enhancement, the application has
been designed to be brief and straightforward (Attachment 2). A list of potential
projects has been developed to stimulate ideas and to encourage collaboration with
the Parks Division of the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department
(Attachment 3). This list, along with the PEP information and application can be
Meeting Date: 01/08/07 Item Number: A-1
AGENDA ITEM: Discussion of Authorization and Funding of the Culver City Park
Enhancement Program (PEP).
Contact Person/Dept.: William La Pointe Phone Number: (310) 253-6655
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [X] No []
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: [X]
Public Notification: Master Notification List (01/03/07); Parks and Recreation
Commission (01/03/07); Parks and Service Foundation and Culver City Neighborhood
Associations (postcard mailing on 12/21/06).
Department Approval:
William La Pointe (12/18/06)
City Manager Approval:
Jerry B. Fulwood (01/03/07)
City Controller Approval:
Marlee Chang (01/02/07)
City Attorney Approval
Heather Iker (01/03/07)City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
posted on the City’s website for easy public access and to inform the public about
the new program.
FISCAL ANALYSIS:
Park Enhancement Program grants are proposed to be awarded in the amount of up
to $500 per project. These funds could also be used as leverage for other potential
non-city funding sources in order to increase the size or magnitude of the community
project. If between five (5) and ten (10) grant projects are funded each fiscal year,
the cost to the City will be $2,500 to $5,000 annually. As mentioned at the City
Council meeting of November 27, 2006, one potential source of funding for the PEP
is the City Council’s Discretionary Fund. The City Council’s Discretionary Fund was
allocated from the General Fund Appropriated Reserve (Account #
10116100.910200: Non-Departmental – Appropriated Reserve in General Fund).
The Council’s Discretionary Fund for Fiscal Year 2006-2007 was $20,000. The
future funding for this program should be reviewed and approved during the budget
adoption.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Park Enhancement Program Information and Criteria Sheet
2. Park Enhancement Program Grant Application
3. Sample Park Projects Suitable for PEP Grants
MOTION:
That the City Council:
1. Authorize and fund the Culver City Park Enhancement Program (PEP)
or
2. Discuss the issue and provide further direction to staff.
MEETING DATE: January 8, 2007
AGENDA ITEM: Discussion of Authorization and Funding of the Culver City Park
Enhancement Program (PEP).
ATTACHMENTS
Page
1. Park Enhancement Program Information and Criteria
Sheet
1
2. Park Enhancement Program Grant Application
2-3
3. Sample Park Projects Suitable for PEP Grants
4
City of Culver City
Park Enhancement Program (PEP)
Parks Recreation and Community Services Department
|1010|
GRANT CRITERIA AND INSTRUCTIONS
Culver City’s Park Enhancement Program provides grants for park beautification and/or
maintenance projects as a way for neighborhood groups, Scout Troops, community volunteers
and civic organizations to put a little extra PEP in Culver City parks. The Park grants are
allocated up to $500 per park, up to a total of $5000 annually, on a first-come, first-served
basis. These funds are for eligible collaborative projects that enhance our City’s park and
recreational resources and encourage public stewardship of our community parks and green
space.
WHO CAN APPLY FOR A GRANT?
PEP is an ideal way for neighborhood associations, school groups, Scout Troops, service
organizations, and individuals to apply for funding assistance for a project they find interesting
and rewarding. Projects must be approved by the Parks, Recreation and Community Services
Department (PRCS). Applicant groups must be comprised of three or more people, and
proposed projects will be done in collaboration with the PRCS Department. Although there is no
matching requirement, PEP applicants may consider amplifying the value of the grant and their
contribution by supplying matching funds for their projects.
WHAT CAN BE FUNDED?
Funding will support physical improvements, planting/landscaping, painting and/or repairing
facilities, removing trash, weeding, mulching or other landscape maintenance projects as well as
the development of projects requiring more specific skills. These projects must be designed in
conjunction with the PRCS Department. Visit our website at www.culvercity.org for a list of
suggested park enhancements (listed by park). Contact your Culver City Parks Division at 310-
253-6470 and we will assist you in creating a successful grant application.
Tools and excess supplies purchased with grant monies will become the property of the City of
Culver City upon completion of the project. Grant funds may not be used for project
administration, refreshments and/or ceremonial expenses.
REQUIREMENTS:
? The project must be done in collaboration with, and with the approval of, the Culver City
Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department.
? The project must be on park land or open space owned by the City of Culver City and
maintained by the PRCS Department.
? An accurate estimate of costs for materials must be included in the application packet (see
PEP application for detailed instructions).
? The project must be completed within six months after the approval of the grant.
HOW TO APPLY:
Submit a completed (typed or neatly handwritten) application to PEP, Culver City Parks
Division, P.O. Box 507, Culver City, CA 90232. Please allow up to two months for the review City of Culver City
Park Enhancement Program (PEP)
Parks Recreation and Community Services Department
|1010|and evaluation of your application. Contact the Parks Division at 310-253-6470 for more
information. Park Enhancement Program
? Grant Application ?
PEP GRANT APPLICATION |1010|Please type or print neatly. You may attach additional sheets if you need more space. For an
electronic copy of this application, go to www.culvercity.com. Submit a copy of the completed
application to PEP, Culver City Parks Division, P.O. Box 507, Culver City, CA 90232. Please allow
up to two months for the review and evaluation of your application. It is our intention that the review time
will take less time than that. Contact the Parks Division at 310-253-6470 for more information or to
discuss your project idea.
Directions: Briefly answer the questions below. Use an additional sheet, if necessary.
Project Location or
Park Name
Your Group Name
Primary Contact
Name
Address
Phone
Email
Secondary Contact
Name
Address
Phone
Email
Briefly describe the project and its primary goals.
List the steps involved in completing the project and provide a timeline.
How will the project benefit the park and the surrounding community?
How many volunteers are expected to participate in the project?
Is there anything else we should know about the project?
I certify, to the best of my knowledge, the above information is true and correct.
___________________________________________________________________________________
Signature of Primary Contact Date
Park Enhancement Program
? Grant Application ?
PEP GRANT APPLICATION |1010|Please attach the following to your application:
Budget, using format provided below.
Letter of support for the project from the neighborhood association.
Project Costs
(Items/Services you plan to purchase)
Item Expected Cost
Total Project Cost $
For Application Review use only:
Total Project Value Grant Request Grant Awarded
Comments
City of Culver City
Park Enhancement Program (PEP)
Parks Recreation and Community Services Department
|1010|
SAMPLE PARK PROJECTS SUITABLE FOR PEP GRANTS
Culver City’s Park Enhancement Program provides grants for park beautification and/or
maintenance projects as a way for neighborhood groups, Scout Troops, community volunteers
and civic organizations to put a little extra PEP in Culver City parks. Contact your Culver City
Parks Division at 310-253-6470 and we will assist you in creating a successful grant application.
WHAT TYPES OF PARK PROJECTS ARE SUITABLE FOR PEP GRANTS?
Funding will support physical improvements, planting/landscaping, painting and/or repairing
facilities, removing trash, weeding, mulching or other landscape maintenance projects as well as
the development of projects requiring more specific skills. These projects must be designed in
conjunction with the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department (PRCS). Here is
just a small sampling of the park enhancements that are suitable for PEP grant projects:
Blair Hills Park
~ Paint picnic pavilion
~ Paint craft table inside picnic pavilion
~ Paint interior of restrooms
Blanco Park
~ Paint picnic pavilion
~ Sand and paint drinking fountain (West
side)
~ Paint interior and/or exterior of the
Recreation Hut
Carlson Park
~ Paint concrete tables in picnic pavilion
~ Add flowers in planter east of restrooms
Culver City Park
~ Paint playground equipment
~ Paint restroom interior (Lower Park)
~ Prune roses at Rose Garden (01/07)
El Marino Park
~ Spread mulch at east end of park
~ Clean interior of ceramic hut
~ Replace door to the Day Care Center (on
the north side of the recreation facility)
Lindberg Park
~ Paint and/or repair play equipment
~ Add flowers in planters at children’s play
area
Fox Hills Park
~ Plant shrubs in areas (walk paths) along
Buckingham Drive
~ Add decomposed granite (DG) at picnic
tables
~ Stabilize the west slope
~ Plant shrubs in areas on the slope along
Green Valley to eliminate cut-through
paths
~ Paint wood gazebo
~ Repair and paint various fitness trail
apparatus
Syd Kronenthal Park
~ Paint restrooms
~ Paint fitness cluster equipment
Tellefson Park
~ Add mulch to north side of park
Veterans Memorial Park
~ Paint wood exercise stations
~ Repaint wood backstop kickboards at
both softball fields
~ Remove weeds in planter areas in front
of Vet’s Auditorium