DATE: April 8, 2003
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT: IMPROVING EAST COUNTY COMMUNITY FACILITIES

SUMMARY:
Overview
Today’s proposal continues the work toward constructing a baseball sports complex off Highway 67 at Riverford Road and Mast Boulevard in Lakeside by providing funding to conduct the environmental studies necessary to complete the project. It also assists the Singing Hills Little League to make ball field improvements at Granite Hills High School, and provides funding for the purchase of outdoor furniture at Rancho San Diego Library.

Recommendations:
VICE CHAIRWOMAN JACOB:

1. Find that the proposed action in item 2 is exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15301 because it consists of minor alterations to existing facilities. Find that the proposed action in items 4 and 5 are exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15262 because it consists of feasibility or planning studies for possible future actions which the Board has not funded or approved. Find that the proposed action in item 4 is exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15301 because it consists of minor alterations to existing facilities.
2. Allocate $289,000 from District Two Community Projects budget (org. 0262) to the Singing Hills Little League to prepare, irrigate, and sod three fields; upgrade fencing, infields, concrete, and park benches; install a permanent restroom; remodel the snack bar; and purchase an ATV for maintenance of the facilities at the Little League’s fields at Granite Hills High School in El Cajon.
3. Authorize the Chief Financial Officer to execute an agreement with the Singing Hills Little League, establishing terms for receipt of the funds described above.
4. Transfer appropriations of $63100,000,000 from District Two Community Projects budget (Org. 0262) to Contributions to Capital Outlay Fund (Operating Transfers Out) for the Lakeside Sports Complex.
5. Establish appropriations in the amount of $63100,000 in the County of San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation, Org. 5109, Account 2317, based on an Operating Transfer from the General Fund.
6. Transfer appropriations of $4,355 from District Two Community Projects budget (Org. 0262) to Contributions to Capital Outlay Fund (Operating Transfers Out) for patio furniture at Rancho San Diego Library.
7. Establish appropriations in the amount of $4,355 in the County of San Diego Library department, Org. 5003, Account 2348, Activity 727064.
8. Find that all grant awards described above have a public purpose.

Fiscal Impact
The fiscal impact of the proposed recommendation is $356,355. 100,000 The funding source is FY 2002-2003 Community Projects for District 2. This action will result in the addition of no staff years and no future costs.

BACKGROUND:
As youth sports team enrollments are constantly on the rise in East County, it is increasingly difficult to find enough hours in a day or enough facilities in an area to accommodate all the youth who wish to play.

To address this need, the County has partnered with local community groups in East County to provide recreational facilities for youth. The Singing Hills Little League is one such example. The fields on which the little league plays at Granite Hills High School are unsafe and worn. Old fences have holes, nails in dugouts are dangerously exposed, and gophers have made the fields their home. The volunteers with the organization have come up with plan, partnering with Granite Hills High School, to sod and irrigate the fields, repair fences, plant trees, upgrade infields, build bathrooms and a utility shed, remodel the snack bar, install a playground for the little ones, and purchase a utility vehicle to maintain the fields. Since these improvements are all modifications to existing fields, the project does not have to go through the CEQA process.

In addition to the improvements in El Cajon, this Board approved $20,000 in District Two Community Projects funds on December 10, 2002, to determine the feasibility of developing approximately 15 acres of undeveloped property adjacent to the San Diego River for a baseball sports complex.

The proposed site for the complex is located just north of Highway 67 and Riverford Road in Lakeside, providing a central venue for teams throughout East County and beyond to play baseball. Opportunities for trail access to the San Diego River next to the sports complex also exist, making such a project as appealing to the hiker and equestrian as it is to the parent or the shortstop.

County staff has determined that the site is suitable feasible for building this complex. Now, some required environmental work needs to be done to move the project forward. Today’s action will provide $63100,000 to conduct the necessary environmental tests for the site, and will move this project one step closer from a dream into reality.

Finally, the Rancho San Diego library, which celebrates its first anniversary this month, has an outdoor patio area with virtually no furniture for people to enjoy sitting outside with a good book. Today’s action will provide funding to purchase a table, eight chairs, an umbrella, and a stand for the back patio area.

Providing opportunities for our youth to play, learn, and develop their talents is the best investment we can make. I urge your support.


Respectfully submitted,




DIANNE JACOB
Supervisor, Second District