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PARK IMPROVEMENTS AT OAK, MATTIE HARRELL, AND SOUSA PARKS
recommended action
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution to:
1. Appropriate funds in the amount of $950,000 from the General Fund Balance to the Oak Park Improvements, Project No. WP24044.
2. Appropriate funds in the amount of $400,000 from the General Fund Balance to the Mattie Harrell Playground Replacement, Project No. WP24045.
3. Appropriate funds in the amount of $650,000 from the General Fund Balance to the Sousa Pool Improvement, Project No. WP24046.
4. Authorize funds for the above items to be transferred out of the General Fund into the General Capital Fund, as appropriate.
It is also recommended that the City Manager be authorized to take appropriate and necessary actions to carry out the purpose and intent of this resolution.
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Summary
At the February 2024 Council Goal Setting Session and the annual American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) update to Council, park maintenance and improvements were identified as a high priority item. To address this need in various parts of the City, Public Works recommends installation of one Exeloo restroom and the resurfacing one parking lot at Oak Park, the replacement of one playground at Mattie Harrell Park, and funding the Sousa Pool Improvement project for safety repairs to the pool (Attachment A).
It is recommended that Council adopt a resolution authorizing the appropriation of $2,000,000 from the General Fund Balance to the Oak Park Improvements, Project No. WP24044, the Mattie Harrell Playground Replacement, Project No. WP24045, and the Sousa Pool Improvement, Project No. WP24046.
DISCUSSION
Background
Exeloo manufactures prefabricated restrooms that feature self-cleaning, alarms, and scheduled opening and closing. The contactless system performs when touched or if hands are waived before its components. The units feature automatic water, soap, toilet paper, and drying functions and are regularly shut down between uses to wash down the interior. The units are open from 6:00 a.m. through sundown and are automatically locked overnight. These restrooms have been in use at four parks, and park users have heralded their contactless operation as a welcome addition to the parks system. The Exeloo units are now the preferred standard restrooms for Stockton parks.
Public Works provides and maintains playground equipment at 59 park and open space locations throughout the City. Staff inspect playground equipment on a regular basis and arranges for repair and replacement of deteriorated or vandalized components as funding becomes available.
The City maintains seven pools located at Brooking Park, Holiday Park, McKinley Park, Oak Park Pool, Sousa Park, and Victory Park. McKinley and Victory pools have been closed for several years and are currently in the process of being reconstructed. Oak Park Pool is in the design phase for the construction of a spray ground.
Present Situation
Oak Park - The men’s side of the western restroom at Oak Park was heavily burned and closed prior to 2018, and the women’s side was closed in 2019 at the Police Department’s request due to illicit activity and continued vandalism. Another single restroom at the Northern Little League area at the east of the park has been vandalized over and over by unsheltered individuals who break in regularly. The west restroom will be replaced by an Exeloo unit through Project No. WP22016 to serve the daily customers in the park across from the Oak Park Ice Arena. An additional unit is needed.
The parking lot between the Northern Little League Fields and O’Keefe Field has been deteriorated for many years and is pitted with large holes. Replacement is overdue due to complaints and damages.
Mattie Harrell Park playground was installed in 2004. Recreation Creations, the company of manufacturer, is no longer in business so replacement parts are unavailable. City staff have worked with various vendors, but they can no longer make this structure compliant with State law. This playground has surpassed its useful life and is in need of replacement.
Sousa Park Pool has had many repairs over the past 10 years, ranging from minor tile repair to the replacement of large filters. There are still many concerns: the pool deck is at the end of its useful life and the pool has missing tiles, both are major safety concerns. The plaster finish is stained, cracked, and missing in several places. The pool is leaking as a result of potential joint failure. New tile, fixtures, expansion joint repair, and new decking, along with other infrastructure repairs and replacements, will extend the viable life of this pool. If approved, these projects will be delivered in varying stages based on project complexity and material lead time.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
The following appropriation of funds will provide sufficient funding to complete the listed projects:
• Appropriate funds in the amount of $950,000 from the General Fund Balance to the Oak Park Improvements, Project No. WP24044;
• Appropriate funds in the amount of $400,000 from the General Fund Balance to the Mattie Harrell Playground Replacement, Project No. WP24045; and
• Appropriate funds in the amount of $650,000 from the General Fund Balance to the Sousa Pool Improvement, Project No. WP24046.
The recommended $2,000,000 appropriation is from the General Fund Balance which can afford the one-time special project appropriation due to final adjustments in encumbered funds, the ARPA revenue loss allocation, and savings compared to the estimated cost for employee appreciation one-time payments.
Attachment A - Vicinity Map - Oak Park, Mattie Harrell Park, and Sousa Park