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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunity Gardens San Pablo Avenue Vacant Lots CITY OF PALM DESERT MEMORANDUM DATE: JANUARY 14, 1999 TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: LISA V. CONSTANDE ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION MANAGER RE: PROPOSED COMMUNITY GARDENS LOCATED ON SAN PABLO AVENUE -- VACANT LOTS OWNED BY THE CITY OF PALM DESERT RECOMMENDATION: By minute motion: Authorize staff to begin Phase 2 of the agreement with the Community Gardens of the Coachella Valley, at a cost not to exceed $1,000.00, to learn if there is community interest in gardens being installed for public use on San Pablo Avenue. BACKGROUND: On March 23, 1998, at the City Council's first budget meeting, Council requested staff preparation of a white paper on utilizing the vacant lots on San Pablo Avenue for the development of community gardens. On May 28, 1998, a white paper was presented to Council outlining a $3,000 agreement with the Community Gardens of the Coachella Valley (CGCV) to research the feasibility of gardens. Council approved the agreement with the following structure: ONE-TIME EXPENSES Phase 1 Action Plan and Budget $ 900 Completed - 01/12/98 Phase 2 Community Organizing $1,000 Approval required Phase 3 Additional Funding Sources other than Palm Desert $ 600 Phase 4 Construction Supervision $ 500 Total one-time expenses $3,000 As noted in the above chart, Phase I is complete and requires presentation to the City Council for review and approval prior to communication with the surrounding neighborhoods to learn if there is interest in the gardens (Phase 2). CGCV researched the suitability of the vacant lots on San Pablo Avenue, and the cost associated with upgrading the lots for gardening. The following is the location of each vacant lot on San Pablo Avenue that the City owns along with lot sizes: DOUBLE LOT SPECIFICATIONS - Size of a double lot: 224' x 44%' or 9,968 sq. ft. Number of gardens possible: 75 SINGLE LOT SPECIFICATION -Size of a single lot: 112' x 44%' or 4,984 sq. ft. Number of gardens possible: 35 CVWD Garden Garden Garden Garden Well Single Double Double Double Site I Lot Lot Lot Lot San Pablo Avenue cn Q g co CI J Z 0 0 Q o H U H Q Z >- 0 U Q co co INITIAL INSTALLATION OF GARDENS "A and B": On San Pablo Avenue the City owns four vacant lots and these lots are under consideration for public gardening. Staff recommends an initial installation of two lots only, Gardens "A and B." As public interest and commitment grows, the two additional lots can be brought to Council for future consideration. As for initial installation: • Garden "A" is a single lot with a capacity of 35 garden plots ■ Garden "B" is a double lot with a capacity of 75 garden plots Together, these two lots provide a possible 110 plots for use. Each plot is precisely 4' x 10'. Depending on the size of a family or a group that wants to garden together, we may issue more than one plot for an ample and rewarding harvest. In addition to gardening, each garden will have: O Perimeter landscaping (trees, shrubs, etc.); • Fruit trees installed on the interior of the garden to provide shade; • Common areas designated for rest, socializing, shade, storage, compost and workshops; O Raised planting beds and pathways for disability accessibility; and O Appropriate and attractive signage for identification and instructional information. 2 The preliminary cost to install Gardens "A and B" is approximately $131,300. Garden "B" is proposed to be the main garden for community organizations to garden in a group setting. The preliminary cost to install Garden "B" has additional expenses for an upgraded common area for workshops and tours (schools) at a cost of$2,500 and for an architectural rendering at a cost of $2,200. The design of this garden will be suitable for organizations to reserve its use for workshops (CVWD, Senior Center, etc.). PRELIMINARY BUDGET: ATTACHMENT B is a detailed preliminary budget outlining the cost of$95,144.76 for installing the first double lot for community gardening, Garden "B." The cost to install the one single lot - Garden "A" is much less at $36,095 (ATTACHMENT C). At a glance, the cost to start these gardens seem excessive. Staff has prepared the budget for review by isolating expenses by major categories: • Annual costs 0 Irrigation O Undeveloped property upgrades 0 Tools and equipment(purchases and rentals) O Structures and foundation 0 Planting beds O Soil preparation 0 Furniture and fixtures O Pathways 0 Miscellaneous Analyzing costs in more detail, the enclosing of each garden with a decorative block wall is the single largest expense. The cost for a decorative block wall is half the total budget to install a single garden. Since the cost of walls is significant, their construction is detailed below for review: • Garden "A" -- Single lot with a capacity for 35 garden plots Garden "A" is a double lot, however, the use of the lot is equally shared with the Coachella Valley Water District's (CVWD) new well site on San Pablo Avenue thus making the garden a single lot use. The well site is currently under construction. When the construction is complete, half the lot will be enclosed with a decorative block wall --wrought iron fence sections installed between brick pillars placed at 20' intervals all along the circumference of the property. The color of the brick will be similar to the color of City Hall (sand stone), and the color of the wrought iron is the same. The City Council previously approved this wall design for the CVWD site. Garden "A" requires budgeting for only two walls. The CVWD well site borders the property and provides one wall. The adjacent residential property already has as a 6' high brick wall built on the property line. Only about 6' of the wall is built at a height of 3'. The cost to wall this garden with two walls and one gate is $21,095. • Garden "B" -- Double lot with a capacity of 75 garden plots Garden "B" is a double lot for potential gardening. This lot requires funding a decorative block wall on all four sides of the property. The cost to wall this garden with two gates is $55,000. 3 EXHIBIT A is a preliminary chart of annual costs associated with administration and operation of Gardens "A and B." EXHIBITS B AND C chart the cost to install the two gardens. The chart reflecting the costs associated with Garden "B", EXHIBIT B, is presented in greater detail because this is the main garden with features and equipment that will only be associated with this installation. CONCLUSION: Phase 2 of the agreement with the CGCV will require the organization, with assistance from staff, to: ■ Mail letters to homes in the surrounding area to learn of interest; • Respond via telephone or in-person to residents exhibiting interest; • Contact community organizations to learn of interest and respond to all inquiries; IN Provide a data base with names, addresses, and telephone numbers of all potential participants; ■ Orchestrate all additional communications with potential participants if the project is approved for installation; and ■ Keep staff abreast of all findings and document all information. If the City Council approves staff to initiate Phase 2 of the agreement with the CGCV, staff will return to Council with the level of community interest in utilizing the gardens. In addition, if Council approves in concept the installations of Gardens "A and B," staff will return simultaneously with a final estimate of associated costs for approval. FISCAL IMPACT: The cost to initiate Phase 2 of the agreement with CGCV is budgeted and is not to exceed $1,000. The preliminary estimates to install Gardens "A and B" is approximately $131,300 in addition to an annual cost of $19,100 to operate and administer the gardens. Respectfully Submitted, Reviewed and concur, LISA V. CONSTANDE, MANAGER RAMON A. DI ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION ITY MANAGER ^ITY COUNCIL�ICTION: DENIED PIPROVED v T •Fr —• 'CF IVED OTHER - Ear—Ow � G E•T• ri, 1� T ;'1\1r DATE , • Ln _ _ s3SNT: BS AIN: r ;RIFIED BY:on File with ty lerk' s Office cI EXHIBIT A PRELIMINARY ANNUAL COSTS FOR OPERATION AND ADMINISTRATION DESCRIPTION AMOUNT ANNUAL COSTS Electricity $300.00 Water/irrigation $1,500.00 General administration $10,200.00 Public education and outreach $3,000.00 Tool repair and/or replacement $1,500.00 Instructional classes $2,600.00 TOTAL $19,100.00 Preliminary Installation costs for Gardens "A and B" is approximately $131,239.76 Preliminary installation cost for Garden "A" is approximately $ 36,095.00 Preliminary installation cost for Garden "B" is approximately $ 95,144.76 EXHIBIT B PRELIMINARY BUDGET FOR GARDE 'B" DESCRIPTION QTY. COST )TAL UNDEVELOPED PROPERTY UPGRADES Architectural rendering 1 2,200.00 $2,200.00 Wrought iron fence inserts with brick pillars(retaining wall) 1 555,000.00 $55,000.00 6'gate with locking mechanism 2 $800.00 $1,600.00 Water meter 1 $1,500.00 $1,500.00 Solar/battery powered,flood lights 5 $125.00 $625.00 Landscape of perimeter(trees,shrubs,etc.) 1 $2,500.00 $2,500.00 Trencher and bulldozer rentals(equipment and labor) 2 $500.00 $1,000.00 Grading equipment and labor 1 $500.00 $500.00 SUBTOTAL $64,925.00 STRUCTURES and FOUNDATION Common area for workshops 1 $2,500 $2,500.00 12'x 12'storage facility(prefabricated) 2 $1,500.00 $3,000.00 10'x 12'shade structure 2 $300.00 $600.00 SUBTOTAL $6,100.00 SOIL PREPARATION Soil mixture/compost(sold by the yard) 500 $11.00 $5,500.00 SUBTOTAL $5,500.00 PLANTING BEDS(75 garden plots) Seeds 1 $200.00 $200.00 12'x 12"x 2'beds 2'x 12"x 12' lumbar 16 $12.24 $195.84 4'x 4"x 4'post lumber 96 $3.50 $336.00 2'x 12"x 12'lumber 80 $12.24 $979.20 2'x 12"x 6' lumber 80 $5.10 $408.00 4'x 4"x 4' post lumber 240 $3.50 $840.00 12'x4"x 4'handicapped beds(raised) 2'x 12"x 12'Lumber 96 $12.24 $1,175.04 2'x 12"x 4' Lumber 96 $4.08 $391.68 4'x 4"x 8' Post Lumber 144 $3.50 $504.00 SUBTOTAL $5,029.76 PATHWAYS Ten rock trailing(handicap access) 24 $45.00 $1,080.00 Woodchips--donation secured 0 0 $0.00 SUBTOTAL $1,080.00 IRRIGATION Solar/battery powered, auto. irrigation system 40 $125.00 $5,000.00 Irrigation-bed system drip 1 $1,200.00 $1,200.00 Irrigation-O/H 9 blbs. ($500)and border drip($700) 1 $1,200.00 $1,200.00 SUBTOTAL $7,400.00 TOOLS and EQUIPMENT(PURCHASES and RENTALS) Produce scale 1 $20.00 $20.00 Faucet sprayer(sink) 1 $25.00 $25.00 25' hose 10 $9.00 $90.00 Hose caddy 10 $27.00 $270.00 Rope 1 $18.00 $18.00 Irrigation flags 100 $0.20 $20.00 5 lb. deck screw 3.5" 4 $27.00 $108.00 Pkg. screw bits 1 $30.00 $30.00 Recharchable portable drill 1 $150.00 $150.00 Rechargable portable saw 1 $150.00 $150.00 Keys 10 $1.00 $10.00 Engraving tools 1 $45.00 $45.00 Wheelbarows 4 $75.00 $300.00 Trash containers 10 $13.00 $130.00 Weather andsoil thermomenters 2 $7.00 $14.00 Shovels, rakes, spades, pitchforks, brooms, etc. 1 $450.00 $450.00 SUBTOTAL $1,830.00 FURNITURE and FIXTURES Chairs, picnic tables,6'countertop, double sink, faucet, 6'cupboards, and plexiglass(bulliten board) 1 $2,300.00 $2,300.00 SUBTOTAL $2,300.00 MISCELLANEOUS Misc. lumber 1 $250.00 $250.00 Wood stain 5 $47.00 $235.00 Plastic(roll) 1 $75.00 $75.00 Worm bins and worms(compost) 1 $420.00 $420.00 SUBTOTAL $980.00 TOTAL $95,144.76 EXHIBIT C PRELIMINARY BUDGET FOR GARDEN "A" DESCRIPTION AMOUNT Undeveloped property upgrades* $22,695.00 Structures and foundation $1,500.00 Soil preparation $2,225.00 Planting beds (35 garden plots) $2,510.00 Pathways $500.00 Irrigation $3,700.00 Tools and equipment $1,000.00 Furniture and fixtures $1,500.00 Miscellaneous $465.00 TOTAL $36,095.00 *Undeveloped property upgrades -- within this catagory is the is the cost of$21,095 for the decorative block wall.