PREPARED BY: AMANDA BOOTH DATE OF MEETING: 12/15/2025
SUBJECT:
TITLE
CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO (1) AUTHORIZING SUBMISSION OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO’S LETTER OF INTEREST AND GRANT APPLICATION TO THE METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION (MTC) PRIORITY CONSERVATION AREA GRANT PROGRAM FOR MCNEIL PARK FOR UP TO $1,000,000; AND (2) AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE GRANT APPLICATION AND TO TAKE OTHER NECESSARY ACTIONS TO RECEIVE SUCH GRANT FUNDING
CEQA: The McNeil Park project (previously called the SPARC project) has been determined to be categorically exempt pursuant to Section 15304 of the State CEQA Guidelines. Section 15304 exempts from environmental review “minor public or private alterations in the condition of land, water, and/or vegetation which do not involve removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees except for forestry and agricultural purposes.” The Project would involve alteration of the site from an empty lot with demolition debris to a park, including grading, new landscaping, and minor trenching and backfilling where the surface is restored. The Project would not remove any mature trees; the trees within and adjacent to the Project site would be preserved in place.
Label
CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Adopt Resolution
Body
Compliance statements
FY 2023-2025 Council Priority Workplan Compliance Statements:
Build a Healthy Community: Expand Safe Family Friendly Park Space (McNeil Park) And Community Facilities-(105), Develop Public Facilities For Active Living (Parks, Open Space, Sidewalks, Trails, Bike Lanes, Etc.)-(109), are major policy goals contained in the FY 2025-27 City Council Priority Workplan, effective April 7, 2025.
BACKGROUND
Priority Conservation Areas (PCAs) are locally nominated and Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG)-designated areas that support the Bay Area’s regional goals for conservation, climate resilience, and sustainable development. Established in 2007 and updated in 2024, the PCA framework identifies lands with significant natural, agricultural, recreational, or urban greening value, as well as areas important for climate adaptation. PCA nominations are locally driven, allowing jurisdictions to identify sites of regional significance in collaboration with community stakeholders, including nonprofits and residents. On June 2, 2025, through Resolution 2025-066, the City Council approved six PCA areas within the City of San Pablo.
Jurisdictions with designated PCAs are eligible for the PCA Grant Program, created by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) in partnership with the State Coastal Conservancy. Funded through the One Bay Area Grant (OBAG) Program and administered by the San Francisco Estuary Partnership, the PCA Grant Program has provided more than $38 million to over 70 projects since 2014. In October 2025, MTC released a new round of funding with a total of $8 million in funding for PCA grants ranging from $200,000 to $1 million.
One of San Pablo’s designated PCA areas is the parcel planned for McNeil Park at 2600 Moraga Road. Based on 95% design plans and a current construction estimate of $11.2 million, the project cost exceeds the $7.79 million secured to date. Funding previously awarded includes:
• $4.79 million from the California Natural Resources Agency’s Urban Greening Grant Program; and
• $3.0 million from the State of California Department of Parks and Recreation’s Legislatively Specified Grant Program.
This leaves a remaining funding gap of approximately $3.3 million.
To refine the park vision, City staff conducted extensive outreach between 2019 and 2024, including public meetings, workshops, online surveys, and participation at community events. Community input guided the development of proposed park features such as a soccer field, playground, fitness equipment, walking path, basketball court, and essential amenities, including restrooms, picnic areas, shade structures, and lighting.
To help close the project funding gap and fund all of the intended park elements, Public Works staff is seeking authorization to submit a PCA Grant Program application for up to $1 million.
FISCAL IMPACT
Staff seeks City Council authorization to apply for the MTC PCA Grant Program administered by the San Francisco Estuary Partnership. It will take approximately 40 hours of staff time to create the grant application.
For this grant, matching funds are not required; however, applicants are required to identify how the project can be fully funded. Based on the 95% design, the project cost is $11.2 million. The City has already secured $7.79 million. If awarded, the PCA grant would help to fund the $3.3 million gap. The remaining amount would potentially come from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grant program administered by the National Park Service (NPS). The LWCF grants are expected to be announced in January 2026.
ATTACHMENTS:
Att A - Resolution