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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - June 21, 2017 I-01CITY OF LODI COUNCIL COMMUNICATION TM AGENDA ITEM AGENDA TITLE: Approve Parks and Recreation Commission Recommendations to Reduce Maintenance at Borchardt and Century Parks, and Abandon Blakely Park Small Pool MEETING DATE: SUBMITTED BY: June 21, 2017 Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Director RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve Parks and Recreation Commission recommendations to reduce maintenance at Borchardt and Century parks, and abandon Blakely Park small pool. BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Higher employment costs and reduced funding are having a negative impact on the Parks Division's ability to maintain the 334 acres of developed parkland in Fiscal Year 2017/18 to the same degree it has been maintained in the past. The Division has roughly half the number of full-time employees as it did a decade ago, and recent State -mandated increases in part-time wages and benefits have resulted in a 25 -percent reduction in part-time hours budgeted since FY 2014/15, the functional equivalent of four full-time employees. The trend in reduced funding and expanded acreage in the past decade has stretched the Parks Division to the point where difficult decisions are needed. In Fiscal Year 2007/08, the maintenance function of the Parks Division had a budget of $2,001,205, compared to $1,774,130 in the upcoming fiscal year. Factoring inflation, the result is a 29 -percent decrease in the maintenance budget in 10 years while turf areas under the Parks Division's purview have increased by 14 -percent, not including Rose Gate Park, which will become the Division's responsibility to mow beginning in the first half of 2018. The combination of higher expenses and reduced funding with more area to maintain cannot be sustained without eliminating some services or repairs. Parks staff plans to reduce ball field maintenance in FY 2017/18, but additional steps are needed so that revenue -generating and high -use facilities are prioritized. The Parks and Recreation Commission voted unanimously on June 6 to recommend that all maintenance, except for weed abatement, be ended at Borchardt and Century parks, the least -developed in the parks system. Annual savings are estimated at $30,000 by reducing maintenance at these parks. The Commission also voted unanimously on March 7 to recommend the unused small pool at Blakely Park be abandoned due to lack of use and the cost of repairs needed to make it functional. Borchardt Park This one -acre park was constructed in 2000 and is adjacent to the Borchardt Elementary School site, at the corner of Culbertson and Voyager Ways. Other than irrigation, it has no other improvements and consists of a flat, turfed area that has no programmed uses. There are no plans for capital improvements. The Parks and Recreation Commission recommends ending irrigation and regular maintenance of mowing, edging and blowing, and mowing only for weed control as needed. The property would be unfenced until funds become available for maintenance, or designated for disposal. APPROVED: /_ . n SchlW uer, City Manager Approve Parks and Recreation Commission Recommendations to Reduce Maintenance at Borchardt and Century Parks, and Abandon Blakely Park Small Pool June 21, 2017 Page 2 Century Park Century Park was constructed as a temporary park on a 2.5 -acre site that was anticipated to be the future extension of Century Boulevard across the Union Pacific Railroad tracks, similar to the undeveloped Century Boulevard extension on the east side of the tracks, north of Salas Park. San Joaquin County's parcel map still refers to the site as Century Boulevard. With construction of the Harney Lane overpass, that extension will not be needed in the future. This park has minimal improvements for its size, consisting of a playground and asphalt basketball court that is in poor condition. The vast majority of the park is a turfed area that is irrigated, mowed and edged, with little use, making it a maintenance obligation with little community benefit. PRCS' Strategic Plan shows the service area of Century Park — considered a "neighborhood park" — overlapped by Salas Park (a "community park"), which has a larger playground and a restroom. There are no plans for capital improvements at Century Park. The Parks and Recreation Commission recommends ending irrigation and regular mowing, edging and blowing, mowing only for weed control. The playground equipment can be removed and potentially used at English Oaks Common Park (0.5 miles west). English Oaks Adventists Church began a fund drive in January to replace the English Oaks Common Park playground equipment, but financial support to date is approximately $3,600. These funds could be used to offset the cost of new footings and supports for the relocated Century Park equipment at this neighborhood park, whose service area slightly overlaps that of Century Park. If that is not feasible, portions of the apparatus could be used to replace missing or deteriorating pieces at several other playgrounds. Century Park has fences on all four sides and would be closed to the public until funding improves, a new use for the property can be found, or it is designated for disposal. The nearest playgrounds for residents served by this park include English Oaks, Salas and Blakely parks. Blakely Park Small Pool Blakely Park has two swimming pools near its southwest corner. The smaller of the two was constructed in 1957. The one directly to the north, Enze Pool, was built in 1987 and is where PRCS conducts swim lessons, summer swim league and recreational swimming. PRCS recently invested $13,000 in new pumps and filters for the Enze pool, which is also proposed to receive $150,000 in renovations from FY 2017/18 Community Development Block Grant funds. The Enze pool can accommodate all our program needs, as our participation levels do not warrant two pools at this site. The smaller, older pool has not been used since 2015 due to a deteriorating plaster surface that has sharp edges and has the potential to cut the feet of users. Before then, it was used mostly for swimming lessons as it is the shallower of the two pools. In addition to new plaster, the pool will also need new filters, heater and chlorination system (the pools operate on different water -conditioning systems), and a new concrete deck to put it back into operation. Staff estimates the cost of replacing the plaster, deck and water systems at more than $175,000. Demolition costs are unknown, but would be well in excess of $100,000. The pool is currently fenced, so no additional steps are anticipated at this time, other than draining, vector control and occasional debris removal. Approve Parks and Recreation Commission Recommendations to Reduce Maintenance at Borchardt and Century Parks, and Abandon Blakely Park Small Pool June 21, 2017 Page 3 FISCAL IMPACT Annual savings of approximately $30,000 by eliminating regular maintenance at Borchardt and Century parks, and approximately $5,000 by draining the small pool at Blakely Park. FUNDING AVAILABLE: Not applicable. JH:tI cc: City Attorney Jeff Hood ! Parks, l3ecreation and Cultural Services Director BORCHARDT/ CENTURY PARK/BLAKELY SMALL POOL CITY COUNCIL JUNE 21, 2017 BORCHARDT/ CENTURY PARKS What's behind the proposal? PRCS capital budget $0 in FY 2017/18 $11,720 operating deficit projected in FY 2017/18 Measure R failure Other departments forced into similar actions Fire: Brown -out of Engine 1 Police: Suspended Traffic Unit, limited bicycle patrol PRCS uses operational savings for capital projects $75,000 to small capital projects on Dec. 21, 2016 $50,000 for HSS roof repairs on Feb. 21 Two least -developed parks and significant turf PARK OPERATIONS BUDGET $2,050,000 $2,000,000 $1,950,000 $1,900,000 $1,850,000 $1,800,000 $1,750,000 $1,700,000 $1,650,000 $1,600,000 Park Maintenance spending 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17 2017/18 PARK MAINTENANCE 2007/08 vs. 2017/18 Budget decrease of 11 percent, 29 percent after inflation Full-time staffing reduced nearly in half Annual minimum wage increases 45 more park acres (289 to 334) 23.4 more acres of mowing (144.1 to 167.5) PARKS STAFFING Parks Division full-time staffing Parks Maint. Worker I/II Parks Maint. Worker III Park Supervisor Mechanic/welder Sr. Facilities Maint. Worker Park Superintendent TOTAL FY 2007/08 11 5 2 1 1 1 21 Note: Parks Division full-time staffing was 22 in 1992/93 FY 2017/18 5 4 1 1 1 '/2 12.5 OTHER BENCHMARKS Lodi spends nearly 30 percent less on parks & recreation than national average Average agency our size has five-year capital budget of $5.1 M PRCS capital spending last five years: $1 .2M Includes $710,000 boat ramp grant BORCHARDT PARK Borchardt Park "Developed" in 2000 1 acre of maintained turf No trees No scheduled activities, no improvements Irrigation provided through school's system BORCHARDT PARK BORCHARDT PARK swain Dr. Gntu�yr Pa 1--hihrphichek Dr pR Dr. � iiilll I is l`_7 vineyard Or 1,111}arq CI" JYJI hFI f k: it Sal asPyk Fr N. O aunsmuir Dr. a Haftlor: f)r_ 4 G idl owl! d D r.I I11 'n � r— ? Hummingbird Dr a i, vArgos wylidir x L. c. t_ is E. 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Harney tri.D. 9 C 5 m el r 14 1 BORCHARDT PARK CENTURY PARK Century Park 2.5 acres, constructed in mid-1970s Temporary park on future Century Blvd extension Assessor's parcel map still refers to site as Century Blvd No trees planted Playground, asphalt (temporary) basketball court No scheduled activities Playground equipment can be reused at other parks CENTURY PARK 38°0677.42" N .1:L°16"30.61" CENTURY PARK 0. a- -- —rnRlry Blvd.�y Ab1, ---a C ctniuiy u. _Li.,,,,, S[Iraol E • 'I -1 focA ar. tamberl CI. 4111 C�7 G 2 win *dobe Cf Swain Dr. II"Ti .LaraGm a IIS k—~— _ inn 1111 U RItlge Dr. 4 -� Its -. 1 E • a Almond Dr. a EE riron GL— U F meadowlark wy 5 alas Pa—lc snt ry4 Blvd. DunsmuLr ar. ' L Har11 riDr. I II wild Dr. Arcadia Pr. 111.1 Borah 4,104 m• I CENTURY PARK POR. OF THE V/NEVARD UN/T NO. MIR IPJAP FOR ASSESSMENT USE OM BOULEVARD 43 a, a • 50 g 7 4 45 46 (g) 47 49 i'/EIVLOCA. ° 40 't 3 DRIVE 46,0 '15 3s dr, c 28 23 29 32 33 6 e DRIVE 59 52 53 54 RAILROAD SOUTHERN 062 -22 CENTURY PARK CENTURY PARK CENTURY PARK CENTURY PARK CENTURY PARK BORCHARDT/ CENTURY PARKS Cost to maintain 125 hours FT x $40/hour = $5,000 125 hours PT x $12/hour = $1,500 Fuel/oil, depreciation, equipment maintenance, vehicle/trailer =another $7,000 to $10,000 per year Fibar replenishment, labor = $1,250 Water = $6,000-$10,000 (est.) Irrigation repairs, maint. = $2,000 (est.) Total =Approximately $30,000/year BLAKELY PARK SMALL POOL Parks & Recreation Commission recommends abandonment Built in 1957 Replastered in 2005 Surface, deck, tiles in need of repair Water systems in need of repair Not needed with Enze, Hutchins Street Square pools Last used in 2015 for swim lessons (now in Enze, HSS) Enze Pool renovations part of proposed CDBG BLAKELY PARK SMALL POOL BLAKELY PARK SMALL POOL BLAKELY PARK SMALL POOL Description of work Estimated cost Remove decking Modify fencing for work Remove existing plaster Install new pool deck Install new plaster finish Install new main drain covers Install new deck tile markers Replace filter, heater and chlorinator Subtotal 10% contingency Total estimate $25,032.50 $4,750 $8,700 $50,065 $24,360 $4,500 $5,000 $45,000 $167,407.50 $16,740.75 $184,148.25 PROPOSED ACTION Consider approving reduced maintenance and abandonment of Blakely Park small pool Borchardt Cease irrigation Mow for fire prevention Century Cease irrigation Mow for fire prevention Reuse playground equipment Fence front section Blakely Park small pool Drain, keep clear of debris, standing water ALTERNATIVES? Reject or modify recommendation Designate other park or areas? All other parks have trees, various improvements Consider other service reductions? Less frequent mowing at these and other parks? Would still need to maintain irrigation systems Continue maintaining small pool until funding materializes? PARKS CAPITAL PROJECTS May 2: Commission expressed support for using available Parks Capital funds throughout system Approximately $685,000 in undesignated funds available July 1 From original $1.2 million sale of park property to water utility No record that funds are restricted to Lodi Lake Park Recommendation: Keep $200,000 in reserves Remaining amount: $485,000 Recommendation: Appropriate $485,000 for project list selected June 6 RECOMMENDED PROJECTS Potential project 1 Legion Park playground repairs Lodi Lake Park pothole repairs Playground poured -in-place repairs Picnic shelter rehabilitation, various Replace Henry Glaves playground Drinking fountain repair, Kofu and Emerson New picnic tables, various parks Aquatics play features Tennis court resurfacing Replace basketball standards/backboards, Legion Park Replace softball field scoreboards $5,000 $50,000 $75,000 $35,000 $1 15,000 $10,000 $35,000 $25,000 $50,000 $25,000 $60,000 PARKS CAPITAL PROJECTS Other items? Request from National Guard to install sports court covering on Armory floor Recommend City Council appropriate funds for parks capital projects as discussed