Title
Report regarding a resolution accepting a Congressionally Directed Spending appropriations award in the amount of $1,500,000 for the South San Francisco Library, Parks and Recreation Civic Campus Project and approving Budget Amendment # 23.042. (Christina Fernandez, Deputy City Manager and Greg Mediati, Director of Parks and Recreation)
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RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council accept a Congressionally Directed Spending appropriation in the amount of $1,500,000 for the South San Francisco Library, Parks and Recreation Civic Campus Project and approve Budget Amendment # 23.042.
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BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
In April 2022, City staff, assisted by Squire Patton Boggs, submitted five Congressionally Directed Spending Requests to the City’s congressional delegation for consideration as a part of the federal appropriations process. Those five projects included:
• South San Francisco Centennial Way Trail Park and Outdoor Learning Center
• South San Francisco Library, Parks and Recreation Civic Campus Project
• South San Francisco Economic Advancement Center
• South San Francisco Police and First Responder Information Technology Modernization Project
• U.S. 101/Produce Avenue Interchange Project
City staff met with staff from Senator Padilla and Senator Feinstein’s offices to discuss potential projects. The Library, Parks and Recreation Civic Campus Project appropriations request was submitted by U.S. House Representative Jackie Speier and U.S. Senator Alex Padilla. Staff was notified of the successful award of $1,500,000 for the South San Francisco Library, Parks and Recreation Civic Campus Project.
In December 2022, City staff were informed of the passage of the Omnibus Bill, signed by President Biden. As a part of the Omnibus Bill, the Library, Parks and Recreation Civic Campus Project was included in the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations Act, 2023. This appropriation is notable in that it had bicameral support, with support in both the House and Senate.
The project may be found on page 186 of the THUD Appropriations Act, 2023
(<https://www.appropriations.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Division%20L%20-%20THUD%20Statement%20FY23.pdf>).
This funding will be used specifically for state-of-the-art furnishings, fixtures and equipment (FF&E) which are essential to programming the parks and recreation classrooms, fitness studios, social and cultural gathering spaces, performing and visual art spaces, library spaces, early learning classrooms, and Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM) discovery areas. Bids have been received and construction has started, so true construction costs are already known. All environmental reviews have been completed and resulted in a categorical exemption. The requested funding will be obligated within 12 months and the project will be fully completed in mid-2023. Local funding has been provided through local sales tax measure revenues and philanthropic support provided by AMGEN and Genentech. Operations and maintenance of this facilities are appropriated as a part of the of City's General Fund.
FISCAL IMPACT
The acceptance of $1,500,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending appropriations advances the Library, Parks and Recreation Building project towards completion later this year. This funding will be used specifically for state-of-the-art furnishings, fixtures and equipment (FF&E).
RELATIONSHIP TO STRATEGIC PLAN
Acceptance of this award meets the City Council’s strategic goals of Financial Stability and Community Connections.
CONCLUSION
It is recommended that the City Council accept a Congressionally Directed Spending appropriation in the amount of $1,500,000 for the South San Francisco Library, Parks and Recreation Civic Campus Project and approve Budget Amendment # 23.042.