Agenda Item Wording:
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Grant submittal authorization - Council authorization to submit a grant proposal for the Prop. 4 Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program through the State of California to design and build park improvements in a portion of the master planned Eastside Regional Park and Ground Water Recharge Project. Approval of Resolution 2026-75 required.
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Agenda Date: 10/19/2026
Prepared by:
Bret Adams, Project Manager II, 713-4507; Bret.Adams@visalia.gov <mailto:Bret.Adams@visalia.gov> Rebecca Keenan, Senior Civil Engineer, 713-4541; Rebecca.Keenan@visalia.gov <mailto:Rebecca.Keenan@visalia.gov> Christopher Crawford, City Engineer, 713-4331; Chris.Crawford@visalia.gov <mailto:Chris.Crawford@visalia.gov> Jason Huckleberry, Eng & Bldg. Director, 713-4495; Jason.Huckleberry@visalia.gov <mailto:Jason.Huckleberry@visalia.gov> Jason Glick, Parks & Recreation Director, 713-4042; Jason.Glick@visalia.gov <mailto:Jason.Glick@visalia.gov>
Department Recommendation: City staff recommends that the City Council approve Resolution 2026-xx and authorize the City Manager to sign and submit a grant proposal for the SPP Grant Program through the State of California to design and build park improvements at the master planned East Side Regional Park and Ground Water Recharge Project (ESRP & GWRP).
Summary:
On August 28th 2026, California State Parks released the guide and application for Round 5 of the SPP grant program, making $188,500,000 available for new park projects in underserved communities in California. Staff propose to submit an application for park improvements at the ESRP & GWRP, which is located in a regionally underserved area, and has been master planned to address environmental concerns such as drought through ground water recharge.
City staff, including members from Recreation, Parks, and Engineering as well as city partner Urban Tree Foundation reviewed the grant criteria and generated a proposed grant scope of work to be installed at the master planned Eastside Regional Park and Ground Water Recharge Project which will fit the requirements of this grant. The proposed scope tentatively includes installation of a new parking lot, access road, lighting, landscaping, irrigation, a children’s play area, picnic shelters, exercise equipment, benches, two pedestrian bridges, as well as trail extensions to connect the existing trails surrounding the separate ground water recharge basins. If awarded the listed amenities will be the first park specific elements at the site.
Based on the general criteria, staff requests Council authorization to submit an application for the park improvements in a portion of the master planned Eastside Regional Park and Groundwater Recharge Project.
Background Discussion:
California voters passed the Safe Drinking Water, Wildlife Prevention, Drought Preparedness and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024 (Proposition 4) on November 5th, 2024. Proposition 4 authorized $10 billion in general obligation bonds for safe drinking water, wildfire prevention, drought preparedness and climate resilience projects. This resulted in $188,500,000 of Round 5 funding through the SPP for creation of new parks and new recreation opportunities in critically underserved communities throughout California.
On November 20, 2023, City Council voted to certify the Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) prepared for the East Side Regional Park Project and related Resolution No. 2023-54. The document codified the master planned groundwater recharge and regional park project. The overall master planned project consists of approximately 286 acres, including 40 acres of planned street & infrastructure improvements; seven groundwater recharge basins, referred to as Basins A through G (of which Basin G & D have been recently constructed); and approximately 139 acres of active recreational park space. Some of the parks major programmed uses included in the adopted master plan include adult softball and youth baseball fields, soccer courts, tennis courts, pickleball courts, 3-acre dog park, event and open space turf areas, parking areas, an amphitheater, and a community center building.
However, it should be noted that the City Council adopted the existing ESRP masterplan concept B1 at the August 17, 2015 meeting. Therefore, in order ensure that the park represents current community interests, staff plan to conduct additional outreach to revisit certain park design elements and/or programming. Any future proposed changes to the park design elements will be presented to the Council at that time for adoption of an addendum to the environmental document and masterplan concept B1.
At this time, staff proposes to improve the two existing basins (G & D), the upcoming basin F, and adjacent areas with this grant opportunity. The proposed scope of work will expand the existing open space areas around the basins by interconnecting the trails and will accommodate more residents to the site by providing additional parking, amenities, and play opportunities.
This is a competitive grant funded with CA Prop 4 Climate Bond funds, and as such there are more points awarded for including community-based planning with residents (public outreach); employment or volunteer opportunities (we will be teaming with the Urban Tree Foundation and Community Services and Employment Training (CSET)); and environmental design. Since the project will be anchored by the existing groundwater recharge basins, it addresses flooding, extreme heat, and drought. The site is also located within a disadvantaged area and meets the grant’s income criteria.
This grant has a minimum award of $200,000, a maximum award of $8,500,000 and does not require matching funds. Up to 25% of the grant may be used for pre-construction costs such as grant/project administration, plans, specifications, engineering, permits, and environmental services, and up to 100% of the grant may be used for construction costs. Staff intends to apply for the full $8.5 million to fund the design and construction phases and will distribute the amount requested to fit within the indicated percentages for pre-construction and construction costs.
This grant requires that a deed restriction be recorded on the title to the property. The deed restriction will restrict the title to the property, requiring that the property be operated and maintained for purposes consistent with the grant; for the duration of the contract performance period, identified as a 30-year period in the grant guidelines. The deed restriction also prohibits the property from being categorized for mitigation purposes, such as being considered open space mitigation to offset development at another location and forbids the land from being used as security on any debt for the performance period. The City has received funding from this grant source before, for the inclusive park project, and that project is also subject to the 30-year deed restriction.
As previously stated in this report, this project includes a partnership with the Urban Tree Foundation (UTF) for landscaping design and project/construction management services, as well as labor and installation of landscaping to be performed by Sequoia Community Corps (SCC) under Community Services and Employment Training (CSET) whose mission is to provide job training for Tulare County youth in a variety of professions. Working with these entities provides additional scoring benefits for the grant application and UTF and SCC have partnered successfully with the City before.
Grant applications are due by December 17, 2026. Proposals will be reviewed and the successful grant awards will be announced in the summer of 2027. The project completion date is December 2030.
Fiscal Impact: The SPP grant program does not require matching funds. If awarded, this grant would provide additional funds for the project identified. Staff will work to prepare a package that includes a project that will fit within the $8,500,000 available. In the future event of a budget shortfall staff will work to reduce the project scope or return to council to request appropriation of additional funds.
Prior Council Action:
November 20, 2023 - Public hearing and certification of Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) prepared for the East Side Regional Park (Resolution No. 2023-54).
August 17, 2015 - City Council voted to select Masterplan Concept B1 as the preferred plan for the East Side Regional Park and Groundwater Recharge Project.
Alternatives: Do not apply for the Prop 4 grant
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
I move to adopt Resolution 2026-75 authorizing the City Manager to sign and submit a grant proposal for the SPP Grant Program through the State of California to design and build park amenities at the master planned East Side Regional Park and Ground Water Recharge Project.
Environmental Assessment Status: NA
CEQA Review: This project is included in the adopted Final Environmental Impact Report prepared for the East Side Regional Park (Resolution No. 2023-54)
Deadline for Action: 10/19/2026
Attachments:
1. Resolution 2026-75
2. Notice of Funding Press Release
3. Site Vicinity Map
Strategic Goal: Indicates which City Strategic Goal(s) this item supports. Check all that apply.
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