Pleasanton Parks and Recreation Master Plan

5-2 Pleasanton Parks and Recreation Master Plan Section Five – Funding and Implementation Recommendations 2014 2. Grants ‐ (County, State and Federal agencies). While these sources have been declining in recent years, they do provide funding to many projects. Many require matching funds from the City which can be a barrier. Such funds, however, could come from sources such as a Non‐Profit Foundation. There is usually strong competition for such grants and the City needs to compete aggressively. Some examples of such funding are: a. The California Department of Parks and Recreation administers grants which have been established by State propositions or are provided for by other State programs such as the Habitat Conservation Fund Grant Program under the California Wildlife Protection Act of 1990 and/or the Recreational Trails Program b. Caltrans provides for on‐ or off‐street bike trails and some foot trails through such funding mechanisms as ISTEA Transportation Enhancement Activities and Bicycle Lane Account Funds c. Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding is available for upgrading parks for ADA requirements and other improvements. These funds are also used for some limited program funding d. The California Department of Resources manages many grant programs, through several departments such as the Department of Conservation, Wildlife Conservation Board, State Coastal Conservancy and others, that can be used for open space acquisition, habitat restoration, trails, etc. Much of the funding comes from State Bond Act Propositions 50 and 84 e. Foundation Grants – There are some private foundations and non‐profits that support park and recreation developments and programs. These entities can be solicited for donations to support specific projects which meet their criteria 3. Quimby Act ‐ The Quimby Act is a widely used source of funding which enables local government to exact dedication of land or in‐lieu fees from new residential development to maintain a minimum ratio of park land to population. This applies only to residential subdivisions and does not address additional park demands created through the construction of new units on existing lots or to condominium conversions. 4. Development Agreements (DA’s) are another mechanism through which park and recreation improvements can be acquired or provided. As part of an agreement specifying the type and density of development that will be allowed, the City can negotiate conditions and considerations in return for concessions. These types of incentive programs can also be used in the provision of parks and other open spaces in commercial areas. One such program would allow extra floor space in exchange for public recreation facilities such as a plaza, a mini‐park or an amphitheater. Another example of such public space in commercial development would be expansion of the Senior Center to include a fitness area. 5. Bonds ‐ Most bond issues require a two‐thirds vote of the electorate and are therefore used with great preparation, research and care to predict voting outcome. Some of the most common forms of these bonds are as follows: a. General Obligation Bonds ‐ These bonds are issued subject to a two‐thirds majority vote of the electorate and pledge the full faith and support of the borrower. G.O bonds are paid out of the City’s General Fund. Only cities with excess General Fund capacity are able to use G.O. bonds for park facility development today. Another method of implementing park and recreation facility development by use of a type of G.O. bond is by gaining voter approval for an additional property tax assessment to pay for the debt