CC 2014-07-08_08.l. Heritage Square Park Restroom ProjectMEMORANDUM
TO: CITY COUNCIL
FROM: GEOFF ENGLISH, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
SUBJECT: HERITAGE SQUARE PARK RESTROOM PROJECT FUNDING
APPROPRIATION
DATE: JULY 8, 2014
RECOMMENDATION:
Appropriate $200,000 from the Park Development Fund for the design, purchase and
installation of a pre-fabricated restroom for Heritage Square Park.
IMPACT ON FINANCIAL AND PERSONNEL RESOURCES:
The Park Development Fund balance at the endLof Fiscal Year 2014/15 is projected to
be approximately $633,000. Project expenses, including design, purchase and
installation, will be approximately $200,000, leaving an ending fund balance of
approximately $433,000.
Ongoing maintenance costs, if opened on weekends only, are anticipated to be
approximately $1,750 per-year to cover the cost of additional part-time Public Works
Maintenance Worker hours.
BACKGROUND:
A Master Plan for the Heritage Square Park was approved in 2005 in order to
coordinate immediate and future improvements to the facility. It was decided at that
time to maximize the open space area and not add any additional structures.
More recently, City staff was contacted by the coordinator of the Village Summer
Concert Series to discuss the need for a new public restroom at Heritage Square Park.
A new restroom facility would serve both the public utilizing the park, as well as those
individuals at the nearby museum and historical library. City staff agreed that a public
restroom facility was needed in Heritage Square Park, which set in motion a process to
determine potential locations for this facility when funding becomes available.
City staff initiated efforts to identify and secure consensus on the most suitable location
in Heritage Square Park for the proposed restroom facility. Potential sites were
identified in meetings with representatives of the Village Improvement Association and
South County Historical Society and then reviewed by the Architectural Review
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CITY COUNCIL
HERITAGE SQUARE PARK RESTROOM PROJECT FUDING APPROPRIATION
JULY 8, 2014
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Committee (ARC), the Historic Resources Committee (HRC), and the Parks and
Recreation Commission in June of 2012. Staff updated the Parks and Recreation
Commission on the progress of the Heritage Square Park Restroom project on February
13, 2013.
On March 12, 2013, the City Council approved the preferred location for the Heritage
Square Park Restroom so community fundraising efforts could proceed. (Attachment A)
Since the approval of the location of the proposed restroom, community fundraising
efforts have not materialized. During discussion of use of Park Development Fund
revenues at the June 10, 2014 meeting, City Council members expressed the desire of
placing a high priority on the Heritage Square Park Restroom project.
ANALYSIS OF ISSUES:
In absence of an organized community fund-raising efforts, staff is recommending the
use of Park Development funds to design and construct the project. Expansion of
services at Heritage Square Park by installing a restroom facility is an appropriate use
of these restricted funds. Appropriation of the requested funds will allow for City staff to
initiate the project with an anticipated completion schedule by summer of 2015.
When funding has been secured, and prior to the completion of design, City staff will
bring a Plot Plan and potential architectural style design options to the ARC, HRC and
Parks and Recreation Commission for review and recommendations to the City Council.
Given the location of Heritage Square Park in the D-2.4 Historic Character Overlay
District, architectural design of the restroom will be an important part of the project and
will involve additional public review opportunities. Pre-fabricated restrooms are
available in a wide variety of architectural styles and can be customized if necessary.
The services of Architect Mark Vasquez are being secured to assist with the
coordination of the design and approval process.
Based on input from the City Council when the location was approved, the proposed
facility has been positioned as far northwest in the park as possible, while still allowing
access to delivery vehicles from the approach on Short Street and without impacting the
existing walkway. In addition, the smallest available size restroom has been proposed.
As a result, the objective has been to prevent any negative impact on ongoing activities
that occur in that area of the park. A picture showing the precise proposed site of the
structure is attached, which demonstrates that the majority of the area can still be
maintained for other activities. Representatives of the South County Historical Society
have reviewed, and concur with, the recommendations. Photographs of the approved
location are attached. (Attachment B)
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CITY COUNCIL
HERITAGE SQUARE PARK RESTROOM PROJECT FUDING APPROPRIATION
JULY 8, 2014
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ADVANTAGES:
The following advantages have been identified for the project:
•
•
The project will provide a much needed restroom facility for the public utilizing
Heritage Square Park and surrounding areas; and
The project will provide restroom facilities for events held at nearby South County
Historical Society facilities.
DISADVANTAGES:
The following disadvantages have been identified for the project:
•
•
•
The project will reduce open space in the park, which is inconsistent with the
Master Plan developed for the park; and
Expending Park Development funds for the Heritage Square Park Restroom
project has not been considered a priority in relation to other potential park
development projects, including but not limited to; a Village area playground, trail
expansion projects and potential new park locations. Staff's original proposal
was to establish a priority list during the update of the City's Recreation Element
process. Therefore, the current recommendation would circumvent that process .
Increased costs associated with maintaining an additional public restroom will be
incurred by the City. The lack of additional funding for maintenance of this
proposed facility will result in a minor service level reduction of maintenance to
other City facilities.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
In compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the project has
been determined to be Categorically Exempt pursuant to Section 15303 -New
Construction or Conversion of Small Structures -and Section 15332 -In-Fill
Development Projects -of the CEQA Guidelines.
ALTERNATIVES:
The following alternatives are provided for the Council's consideration:
1. Approve the staff recommendation;
2. Approve the staff recommendation and appropriate funds from a different
account;
3. Do not approve the staff recommendation and encourage community groups to
initiate fund raising efforts;
4. Direct staff to modify the restroom location;
5. Delay appropriation of funds for this project to a future date to prioritize other
projects; or
6. Provide direction to staff.
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CITY COUNCIL
HERITAGE SQUARE PARK RESTROOM PROJECT FUDING APPROPRIATION
JULY 8, 2014
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PUBLIC NOTIFICATION AND COMMENTS:
The Agenda was posted in front of City Hall on Thursday, July 3, 2014. The Agenda
and staff report were posted on the City's website on Thursday, July 3, 2014. No public
comments were received.
Attachments:
1. Map of Heritage Square Park restroom location
2. Pictures of the proposed Heritage Square Park Restroom site
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Council Approved
Restroom location
Heritage Square Park Restroom
Approved location
ATTACHMENT 1
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Heritage Square Park Restroom
Site Photographs
ATTACHMENT 2
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