PREPARED BY: MATT RODRIGUEZ DATE OF MEETING: 10/06/2025
SUBJECT:
TITLE
CONSIDER AUTHORIZATION TO RATIFY A THANK YOU LETTER FROM SAN PABLO MAYOR CRUZ TRANSMITTED ON SEPTEMBER 18, 2025 TO STATE SENATOR JESSE ARREGUIN (D-7TH DISTRICT) FOR STATE GRANT FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $1M FOR THE CITY'S MCNEIL PARK PROJECT, UNDER THE ADOPTED SB 105 - STATE OF CALIFORNIA STATE BUDGET BILL, UNDER SECTION 23 (ITEM #14) SECRETARY OF NATURAL RESOURCES AGENCY ALLOCATION, SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA.
Label
CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Approve
Body
Compliance statements
FY 2025-2027 Council Priority Workplan Compliance Statements:
Under MAJOR POLICY AREA: Build a Healthy Community, an adopted Policy No.#109, Develop public facilities for active living (parks, open space, sidewalks, trails, bike lanes, etc.) is contained in the adopted FY 2025-27 Council Priority Workplan, effective April 7, 2025.
CEQA Compliance Statement
This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA.
BACKGROUND
Since FY 2023-24, the City of San Pablo has been working on development of the proposed McNeil Park Project (formerly SPARC project), located at 2600 Moraga Road in San Pablo to add an additional new park asset to the San Pablo community.
CSW Stuber-Stroeh Construction (CSW) was retained after a formal RFP solicitation process and awarded a professional services design contract via Resolution 2024-024 on February 20, 2024. The project’s design contractor conducted extensive community engagement and stakeholder meetings during FY 2024-25, and prepared preliminary and final design plans for review by the Community Services Standing Committee (Cruz; Pineda) and City Council.
The proposed McNeil Park Project will transform the former El Portal Elementary School site into a vibrant, 4.86-acre community park in San Pablo, named in honor of the late Leonard R. McNeil-the City’s long-serving African American Mayor/Councilmember, adjunct professor at Contra Costa College, and a dedicated public servant in West Contra Costa County as adopted by City Council Resolution 2024-027 on February 20, 2024.
This new McNeil Park Project will address the City’s long-standing shortage of green space and provide inclusive recreational opportunities for residents of all ages per the City’s adopted General Plan requirements.
Key park elements include:
• All-Ability Playgrounds (age 2-5 and age 5-12)
• Walking trail
• fitness equipment
• Restrooms
• Drinking fountain
• Open grass area
• Outdoor amphitheater
The estimated total project cost for the completion of McNeil Park is $12.4 million.
Project Funding
To date, the City has secured various State CA funding sources totaling $7.79 million, including a $4.79 million grant awarded by the State of California Department of Natural Resources and a $3 million allocation from the State of California Department of Parks and Recreation, sponsored by State Assemblymember Buffy Wicks (D-12th District) as a one-time 2023-24 State Budget bill appropriation. Additionally, the City has contributed a total of $1.3 million to the project cost. However, an additional ($3.3) million is required for construction due to increased construction costs related to supply chain materials and supplies.
Additional $1M in State Funding Secured for 2025-26
SB 105, the California Budget Bill for 2025-26, allocated an additional $1 million State CA park grant. Sponsored by State Senator Jesse Arreguin, this one-time grant allocation through the Secretary of California Natural Resource Agency aims to help close the City's funding gap. SB 105 was signed by Governor Newsom on September 17, 2025.
Thank you Letter to Senator Arreguin (D-7th)
Upon receiving news of the additional $1M funding sponsored by State Senator Arreguin (D-7th District), the City Manager and Mayor Cruz collaboratively drafted a letter of appreciation and thanks to extend the City's gratitude to our State Legislator for his pivotal role in securing this $1M supplemental project funding. The letter, signed by Mayor Cruz, was transmitted through the City's lobbyist, Townsend Public Affairs, on September 18, 2025.
City Council Ratification Approval
This evening, the City Manager recommends the City Council authorize said formal ratification of the appreciation/thank you letter transmitted by Mayor Cruz to State Senator Jesse Arreguin (D-7th) on September 18, 2025 via majority vote by minute action (See Attachment).
FISCAL IMPACT
No fiscal impact associated with this item.
ATTACHMENTS:
1). Letter transmitted by Mayor Cruz to State Senator Jesse Arreguin (D-7th) re: SB 105 State Budget bill and McNeil Park funding allocation ($1M) for the City of San Pablo