CITY OF SIGNAL HILL Cherry Avenue Signal Hill, CA

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1 CITY OF SIGNAL HILL 2175 Cherry Avenue Signal Hill, CA September 3, 2013 AGENDA ITEM TO: FROM: SUBJECT: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL PILAR ALCIVAR-McCOY DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMUNITY GARDEN Summary: Staff will present the conceptual design for the proposed Community Garden and will review the proposed guidelines and fees for gardeners. Recommendation: Review and provide feedback. Background and Analysis: In 2011, the City Manager was authorized to execute an Agreement for Purchase and Sale of property located at 1917 E. 21 st Street, adjacent to Signal Hill Park. This property became available after it was significantly damaged by a fire. The Parks and Recreation Master Plan calls for the expansion of Signal Hill Park as a long term action. The Master Plan states, Monitor available sites adjacent to Signal Hill Park for acquisition. The property was acquired by the City in late-2011, and the remains of the fire-damaged house were removed. In anticipation of incorporating the property into Signal Hill Park, City staff met with residents of 21 st Street on two occasions and discussed with them possible uses for the land. Due to the proximity of the parcel to the adjacent homes, they agreed that a

2 Community Garden Site Plan September 13, 2013 Page 2 passive use would be preferred and recommended development of a community garden. Staff worked with Jon Cicchetti, landscape architect, to design the garden, including two spaces accessible to persons with limited mobility and a disabled access ramp. The Parks and Recreation Commission reviewed the conceptual design, guidelines for gardeners and proposed fee schedule, as well as hosted two public meetings with residents who are interested in obtaining a space. Meeting minutes from these meetings are attached (Attachment A). The conceptual design (Attachment B) includes 26 spaces with two of those available for people with disabilities. The design also includes a small gathering space for gardener meetings and presentations, two shared tool sheds, two work benches, stabilized decomposed granite paths and hose bibs shared by 2 plots. The cost estimate for development of the garden is approximately $120,000 (Attachment C). Staff has estimated costs for staff time, maintenance and water for the garden, and anticipates costs will be approximately $175 per space per year. The cost breakdown is: Staff $17/hour x 3.5 hours/week x 52 weeks/year $3,094 Water $100/month $1,200 Maintenance $20/month x 12 months/year $240 TOTAL $4,534 Divided by 26 gardeners (Per year cost) $ In addition, staff would recommend that a $100 refundable deposit be charged. This deposit is based on the estimated cost for the City s landscape contractor to remove plant material and clear the garden for replanting. This deposit would be returned to the gardener if, upon vacating the garden, the space is left clear of plant material and ready for the next tenant. If a garden space is abandoned and left with plant material in it, the deposit will be used to pay the City s landscape contractor for clearing the space. In addition, if the actual cost to clear the land is less than the $100 deposit, the balance would be refunded to the gardener. At the Commission meetings, staff heard from a few gardeners that the fee of $ per year ($15 per month) is excessive and may be a barrier to some residents. In response to this, staff proposed offering a six-month contract rather than full year contract, especially for the first year or two. There are several reasons for this including: 1. Lowering the cost ($87.50/6 months) 2. Allowing new gardeners a shorter commitment if they re unsure of their interest 3. Contracts can be timed to coincide with planting seasons for easier scheduling

3 Community Garden Site Plan September 13, 2013 Page 2 The Commission felt this was a good compromise, and as the annual fee is less than $15 per month, voted to approve this option. The Commission also requested that staff return with a review of the garden, including the fees, after six months of operation. Upon approval of this project, staff is anticipating the following schedule: Estimated Bid Date Award of Contract Construction Period Opening Approved: Kenneth C. Farfsing Attachment A Attachment B Attachment C

4 SIGNAL HILL PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTE EXCERPTS COMMUNITY GARDEN April 10, 2013 Community Services Director Alcivar-McCoy provided information about the proposed community garden, and presented the staff report. Steve Myrter, Public Works Director, provided a slideshow presentation of the site plan for the garden. The following individuals asked questions and shared their comments regarding the garden: Lynn Hutchinson o Questioned what annual charge covers Carol Churchill o Requested details about annual charge o Requested ADA accessible spaces Lorraine Gilbert o Thanked the Commission for the garden Sharon Bergeron o Provided information regarding Long Beach garden costs and operation Terri Wolgemuth o Expressed concern about use of railroad ties due to chemicals used for treatment; suggested City contact volunteer program for master gardeners ; expressed concern that dwarf trees can grow 15 to 20 feet Lori Woods o Questioned if there would be electricity; concerned about noise for neighbors; asked about composting and hours of operation The Commission had the following comments: Consider offering a few raised beds for use by the disabled Consider bringing a review of the garden, including its fees, after six months of operation to the Commission Ensure that there is a dedicated budget line item for the garden project Including in the policy that all garden monuments and decorations be family friendly Consider seeking support from Home Depot for storage sheds August 14, 2013 Director Alcivar-McCoy provided an update about the proposed community garden, and presented the staff report. The following individuals asked questions and shared their comments regarding the garden: Constance Malaambo Attachment A Page 1

5 o Concerned garden wall adjacent to her home would block view of park from her home Sharon Burgeron o Requested the City rethink the annual fee to make it more affordable o To keep costs down participants could devote time per season to clean gardens rather than paying contractors o Concerned with the height of the walls near neighbors Lynn Hutchinson o Likes the 6 month commitment rather than 1 year. o Annual fee is high o Asked for target date of garden completion Scott Hunter o Feels cost is reasonable o Asked for clarification of garden components in the Preliminary Design Plan The Commission had the following comments: Other community gardens have lower costs because they are run by non-profits, not the city. In the future we can seek the support of a non-profit organization. The garden is built and run by the City of Signal hill and the charges are what is needed to cover costs. Attachment A Page 2

6 Attachment B

7 SIGNAL HILL COMMUNITY GARDEN - ROUGH IMPROVEMENT COSTS 08/14/2013 ITEM NO. DESCRIPTION UNITS UNIT COST SUB-TOTAL TOTAL 1 MOBILIZATION AND GENERAL CONDITIONS ALLOW $15, DEMOLITION - FENCE AND WALL LF $8.00 $1, WEED KILL / CLEAR AND GRUB 6,710 SF $0.30 $2, GRADING AND DRAINAGE ALLOW $10, GARDEN WALLS 670 LF $20.00 $13, SEAT WALLS 43 LF $50.00 $2, ' HIGH BLOCK WALL 64 LF $80.00 $5, ' HIGH VINYL CHAIN LINK FENCE WITH SLATS 195 LF $50.00 $9, ' HIGH TUBULAR FENCE 100 LF $70.00 $7, H/C RAISED PLANTER (2) 2 EA $2, $4, WORK STATION (2) 2 EA $1, $2, STORAGE SHED (2) 2 EA $1, $2, BROOM FINISH CONCRETE 1,268 SF $7.00 $8, POROUS CONCRETE 840 SF $8.00 $6, EXPOSED AGGREGATE CONCRETE 154 SF $7.50 $1, DECOMPOSED GRANITE 1,780 SF $4.00 $7, PRE-MIXED, COMPOSTED IMPORT SOIL 90 CY $25.00 $2, FOR GARDENS 18 IRRIGATION HOSE BIBS AT GARDEN PLOTS 15 EA $ $4, AND WORK STATIONS 19 IRRIGATION - BIOSWALES 2,000 SF $2.00 $4, FINE GRADING & SOIL PREP 2,000 SF $1.00 $2, AGRONOMY TESTING ALLOW $ " BOX SHADE TREE 3 EA $ $ GAL. FRUIT TREES 4 EA $ $ GAL. VINE 2 EA $70.00 $ JON DAVID CICCHETTI, LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS 1 Attachment C

8 SIGNAL HILL COMMUNITY GARDEN - ROUGH IMPROVEMENT COSTS 08/14/2013 ITEM NO. DESCRIPTION UNITS UNIT COST SUB-TOTAL TOTAL 25 1 GAL. SHRUB 300 EA $10.00 $3, DAY MAINTENANCE ALLOW $1, TOTAL $116, % CONTINGENCY $11, JON DAVID CICCHETTI, LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS 2 Attachment C