Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 19 - Resolution Accepting Grant Funding from the California State Coastal Conservancy for Santiago Park Trail and Habitat Improvements Project (Project No. 24-6601) Public Works Agency www.santa-ana.org/pw Item # 19 City of Santa Ana 20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701 Staff Report May 19, 2026 TOPIC: Resolution Accepting Grant Funding from the California State Coastal Conservancy for the Santiago Park Trail and Habitat Improvements Project AGENDA TITLE Resolution Accepting Grant Funding from the California State Coastal Conservancy for Santiago Park Trail and Habitat Improvements Project (Project No. 24-6601) (Non- General Fund) RECOMMENDED ACTION Adopt a resolution accepting grant funds from the State Coastal Conservancy for the Santiago Park Trail and Habitat Improvements Project in the amount of$2,925,000. RESOLUTION NO. 2026-XXX entitled A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA APPROVING THE GRANT OF FUNDS FROM THE STATE COASTAL CONSERVANCY FOR THE SANTIAGO PARK TRAIL AND HABITAT IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLIES: No DISCUSSION Santiago Park is a 35-acre linear park located along Santiago Creek on the northern edge of the City of Santa Ana. As the City's only wilderness park, it plays a vital role within the park system, given Santa Ana's urban setting and population density. In recent years, the City has completed two major improvement projects at the central and western ends of the park, including picnic and playground areas, lighting, landscaping, irrigation, renovation of the Santiago Gas House, and a new pedestrian and bike path that connects to the Santiago Creek Bike Trial to Main Street. The Santiago Park Trail and Habitat Improvements project (Project No. 24-6601) focuses on improvements to the eastern portion of the park. Within the project area, the heavily used pedestrian trail and the surrounding native landscape are deteriorating due to an inadequate irrigation system. The area also lacks key amenities, including drinking fountains and benches. Additionally, the pedestrian trail requires improved security Resolution Accepting Grant Funding from the California State Coastal Conservancy for the Santiago Park Trail and Habitat Improvements Project May 19, 2026 Page 2 lighting to enhance safety for park users. Access and internal connectivity are limited, with the southeastern portion of the park presenting a key opportunity to strengthen connections from surrounding neighborhoods and the park's trail system. In June 2023, the City secured $400,000 in grant funding from the California State Coastal Conservancy (Coastal Conservancy) to support the design of the Santiago Park Trail and Habitat Improvements project (Project No. 24-6601). The project encompasses improvements within approximately five acres at the eastern end of Santiago Park, including an accessible pedestrian walkway, native landscaping, lighting upgrades, and a pedestrian bridge across Santiago Creek. The design was completed in December 2025. In January 2026, the Public Works Agency submitted a grant application to the Coastal Conservancy to secure construction funding for the project. In March 2026, the City received notification of the successful grant application, and in April 2026, the Coastal Conservancy Board of Directors unanimously approved grant funding for the project totaling $2,925,000, with no local match requirement. As a condition of the grant, the City is required to adopt a resolution formally accepting the Coastal Conservancy grant award. Staff recommends adoption of the resolution to accept the grant award totaling $2,925,000 for the Santiago Park Trail and Habitat Improvements project. Plans for the project are complete and Public Works staff is ready to advance the project to bid phase pending acceptance of the grant funds. The total project delivery cost estimate is $3,125,000. Once project bids are received and total project costs are determined, staff will present a construction contract award for City Council consideration and approval of an appropriation adjustment recognizing Park Development and Acquisition funds (development impact fees) to fund the balance of the project costs. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT There is no environmental impact associated with this action. FISCAL IMPACT There is no fiscal impact associated with this action. A staff report will be presented to the City Council at a later date to recognize and appropriate grant funds. EXHIBIT(S) 1. Resolution: Santiago Park Trail and Habitat Improvements Project Submitted By: Rodolfo Rosas, P. E., Acting Executive Director of Public Works Approved By: Alvaro Nunez, City Manager RESOLUTION NO. 2026-XX RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA APPROVING THE GRANT OF FUNDS FROM THE STATE COASTAL CONSERVANCY FOR THE SANTIAGO PARK TRAIL AND HABITAT IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT WHEREAS, the Legislature of the State of California has established the State Coastal Conservancy ("Conservancy") under Division 21 of the California Public Resources Code, and has authorized the Conservancy to award grants to public agencies and nonprofit organizations to implement the provisions of Division 21; and WHEREAS, the Conservancy awards grants for projects that it determines are consistent with Division 21 of the Public Resources Code and with the Conservancy's Strategic Plan and that best achieve the Conservancy's statutory objectives, in light of limited funding; and WHEREAS, on January 8, 2026, the City's Public Works Municipal Services Division applied for these grant funds to make improvements to the City's Santiago Park; and WHEREAS, at its April 23, 2026 meeting, the Conservancy adopted a resolution authorizing a grant to the City of Santa Ana ("Grantee") for Santiago Park Trail and Habitat Improvements Project (the "Project"). The resolution was adopted by the Conservancy pursuant to the Conservancy's April 23, 2026 staff recommendation, a copy of which is on file with the Grantee and with the Conservancy; and WHEREAS, the Project will consist of constructing site improvements in a 5-acre area on the eastern end of Santiago Park, including an accessible pedestrian walkway, native landscaping, improved security lighting, and a pedestrian bridge across Santiago Creek; and WHEREAS, the Conservancy requires that governing body of the grantee certify through a resolution that it approves the award of Conservancy grant funding and authorizes the execution by a representative of the Grantee of a grant agreement on terms and conditions required by the Conservancy grant agreement. NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that the grantee hereby: Section 1. The award of grant funding from the Conservancy for the Project is hereby approved in an amount not to exceed $2,925,000. Section 2. Grantee acknowledges that it has or will have sufficient funds to complete the Project and, if any property is acquired as part of the Project, to operate and maintain the property and, if any facilities are constructed as a part of the Project, to operate and maintain the facilities for a reasonable period, not less than the useful life of Resolution No. 2026-XX Page 1 of 3 the facilities. Section 3. Grantee agrees to be bound by all terms and conditions of the grant agreement and any other agreement or instrument as may be required by the Conservancy and as may be necessary to fulfill the terms of the grant agreement and to complete the Project. Section 4. Grantee authorizes the City Manager, or designee, to act as a representative of the Grantee, to negotiate and execute on behalf of the Grantee all agreements and instruments necessary to complete the Project, and to comply with the Conservancy's grant requirements, including, without limitation, the grant agreement. Section 5. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption by the City Council, and the City Clerk shall attest to and certify the vote adopting this Resolution. ADOPTED this 19t" day of May 2026. Valerie Amezcua Mayor APPROVED AS TO FORM: Sonia R. Carvalho City Attorney By: Kyie Nellesen Assistant City Attorney AYES: Councilmembers NOES: Councilmembers ABSTAIN: Councilmembers NOT PRESENT: Councilmembers Resolution No. 2026-XX Page 2 of 3 CERTIFICATE OF ATTESTATION AND ORIGINALITY I, Jennifer L. Hall, City Clerk, do hereby attest to and certify the attached Resolution No. 2026- to be the original resolution adopted by the City Council of the City of Santa Ana on May 19, 2026. Date: City Clerk City of Santa Ana Resolution No. 2026-XX Page 3 of 3