HomeMy WebLinkAbout _ 4.6(c)--Approve EPA's Community Change Grant Application for Panorama Park and Resiliency Center � � �' � � �
� � � ' � �' � � ' � ` CITY OF REDDING
REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
MEETING DATE: October l,2024 FROM: Travis Menne, Director of
ITElVI NO. 4.6(c) Community Services
***APPROVED BY***
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tmenne@cityofredding.org btippin@cityofredding.org
SUBJECT: 4.6(c)--Authorize Submission of the Environmental Protection Agency's
Communit Chan e Grant A lication for Panorama Park and Resilienc Center.
Recommendation
Approve the City of Redding as an applicant for up to $15 million from the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency's Community Change Grant for the Panorama Park and Resiliency Center;
and authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute all docuinents necessary to apply for the
grant.
Fiscal Impaet
The Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grant program(Community Change
Grants) application will request up to the program's maximum of $15 million to construct
Panorama Park and Resiliency Center. The grant does not require a match. However, the City of
Redding (City) has a]ready secured $8.5 million from the Statewide Park Program, $9.25 million
from the California Department of Food and Agriculture Community Resiliency Program, and
will contribute $1.5 million from the Park Development Fund. If awarded, the grant funds will
supplement the existing project budget for a combined total of up to $34.25 million and move the
project into construction. Though the current estimate places the full cost of the project at $25
million, staff is applying for additional funds as a buffer for potentially higher bid pricing. The
grant program operates on a reimbursement basis, and the City will need to cashflow the project
until reimbursement requests are made. The grant will not impact the General Fund.
Alternative Action
The City Council (Council) could decline to apply for the funds under this grant opportunity or
provide staff with alternate direction.
Report to Redding City Council September 25, 2024
Re: 4.6(c)--Approve EPA's Community Change GrantApplication for Panorama Park and
Resiliency Center Page 2
Background/Analysis
Created by the Inflation Reduction Act, the Environmental and Climate Justice Community
Change Grant program (Community Change Grants) is offering $2 billion in grants for projects
throughout the coun�ry. The Community Change Grants will fund projects that address climate
challenges and reduce pollution while strengthening communities. The program's �nancial
support aims to assist communities in overcoming longstanding environmental challenges, such
as Redding's extreme heat, and implement meaningful solutions to meet community needs now
and for future generations. The City's application will request up to $20 million to supplement
the project's current budget of$19.25 million. Combining multiple funding sources wi11 provide
the opportunity to outpace the inflation-caused budget issues to build the City's first purpose-
built resiliency center.
The project consists of a 10.5-acre community park with an approximately 22,100-square-foot
resiliency center. The project features park amenities such as trails, landscaping, playground, dog
park, parking, and more. The proposed resiliency center will provide services during natural
disasters, extreme heat events, and other emergency or climate-related instances. Current cost
estimates place the full cost of the project at $25 million, and staff continues to seek out funding
to fill the gap. The grant application is due November 21, 2024. If awarded, these funds would
fill the funding gap to support the construction of a purpose-built facility in the City's northwest
quadrant and increase the geographic distribution and availability of emergency shelter
infrastructure.
Envi�^onmental Review
On June 22, 2021, the Planning Commission (Commission) adopted the Mitigated Negative
Declaration and the Mitigation Monitoring Programs and approved the Panorama Park Project,
thereby satisfying the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines
§15074. At this meeting, the Commission also approved Site Development Permit SDP-2021-
00785, General Plan Amendment GPA-2021-0�86, and Rezoning Application RZ-2021-0787.
No further actions are required at this time.
Council P�^io�ity/City ManageN Goals
• Public Safety — "Work to improve all aspects of public safety to help people feel secure
and safe where they live, work, and play in the City of Redding."
• Government of the 21st Century — `Be relevant and proactive to today's residents and
workforce opportunities and challenges. Anticipate the future to make better decisions
today."
• Economic Development — "Facilitate and become a catalyst for economic development
in Redding to create jobs, retain current businesses and attract new ones, and encourage
investment in the community."