PREPARED BY: AMANDA BOOTH DATE OF MEETING: 06/01/2026
SUBJECT:
TITLE
CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO (1) RATIFYING THE CITY’S APPLICATION FOR THE BAY AREA AIR DISTRICT’S BAY REPAIR GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,335,000; (2) ACCEPTING AND APPROPRIATING GRANT FUNDING, IF AWARDED; AND (3) AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY FOR CITY PARTICIPATION IN THIS GRANT PROGRAM
CEQA: The McNeil Park project (previously called the SPARC project) has been determined to be categorically exempt from environmental review pursuant to Section 15304 of the State CEQA Guidelines. Section 15304 exempts “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 - Priority 105: Expand Safe Family Friendly Park Space (McNeil Park) And Community Facilities and Priority 109: Develop Public Facilities For Active Living (Parks, Open Space, Sidewalks, Trails, Bike Lanes, Etc.), are major policy goals contained in the FY 2025-27 City Council Priority Workplan, effective April 7, 2025.
In May 2024, the Bay Area Air District adopted the Community Benefits Penalty Funds Policy to reinvest air quality violation penalties into communities disproportionately impacted by air pollution through the Bay REPAIR (Reinvesting Penalties for Air Improvement and Resilience) program. The program supports projects that improve air quality and public health and is administered by the Community Investments Office, which emphasizes equitable, community-driven investments. The program’s Opportunity Grant applicants are required to partner with at least one Co-Applicant, allocate at least 25% of funding to partners, and demonstrate strong collaboration, clear roles, and effective project management capacity.
The Public Works Department applied to the Air District’s Bay REPAIR grant for a combination of the McNeil project and a partnership with SOS Richmond as described below:
• The McNeil Park Project, located at 2600 Moraga Avenue, will develop a new 4.8-acre community park designed to expand recreational opportunities, promote community wellness, and provide accessible open space amenities for residents. Planned improvements include a soccer field, a playground with all-abilities equipment, a basketball court, a small amphitheater stage, exercise stations, a fitness trail, restrooms, and picnic and gathering areas. The project aligns with the grant program’s Urban Greening goals by increasing green space and supporting healthier community environments. The City is requesting $1 million in grant funding for the project.
• SOS Richmond is a local nonprofit organization that provides transitional employment and supportive services for individuals experiencing homelessness. As part of the grant proposal, SOS Richmond will deliver one year of wellness, outreach, and job readiness services focused on supporting vulnerable unhoused residents, particularly during periods of poor air quality. The organization’s work advances the grant program’s goals of improving public health and building economic resilience, and the proposal includes a request for $335,000 in grant funding.
McNeil Park Funding
To date, the City has secured $8.79 million in grant funding for the project, including:
• $4.79 million from the Urban Greening Grant Program administered by the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA)
• $3.0 million from the Legislatively Specified Grant Program administered by the California Department of Parks and Recreation
• $1.0 million from the Legislatively Specified Grant Program administered by the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA)
Based on the 95% construction plans, the current estimated total project cost is $11.2 million. As a result, the project currently faces a $2.4 million funding shortfall.
To help close the project funding gap and fully fund the planned park improvements, Public Works staff is seeking Council authorization to ratify the Public Works Department’s grant application to the Air District’s Bay REPAIR Grant Program for $1 million in funding for the McNeil Park project and $335,000 for the SOS Richmond program. Staff also requests authorization for the City Manager to execute all agreements necessary to implement the grant and, if awarded, to accept and appropriate the funds.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no required matching contribution for this grant program. The only fiscal impact associated with the application is staff time required to prepare and submit the grant materials, estimated at approximately 10 hours.
If the City is awarded the grant, the Public Works Department will accept and appropriate the funds as outlined below:
|
Action |
Description |
Accept TO: Fund/Account |
Appropriate TO: Fund/Account |
Amount |
|
Accept & Appropriate |
Bay REPAIR Grant Program Funds (McNeil Park) |
320-0501-33406-ABR-326 |
320-0501-44604-ABR-326 |
$1,000,000 |
|
Accept & Appropriate |
Bay REPAIR Grant Program Funds (SOS Richmond) |
255-3510-33406-ABR-326 |
255-3510-44001-ABR-326 |
$167,500 |
|
Accept & Appropriate |
Bay REPAIR Grant Program Funds (SOS Richmond) |
256-3510-33406-ABR-326 |
256-3510-44001-ABR-326 |
$167,500 |
|
TOTAL |
$1,335,000 |
ATTACHMENTS:
Att A. Resolution