CITY OF SANTA MONICA Public Landscape Relocation Process www.smgov.net/pldrelocation [email protected] REYNOLD’S NEIGHBORHOOD GATHERING February 12, 2020
CITY OF SANTA MONICAPub l ic Landscape
Re loca t ion Processw w w . s m g o v. n e t / p l d r e l o c a t i o n
p e t e r . j a m e s @ s m g o v. n e t
REYNOLD’S NEIGHBORHOOD GATHERINGFebruary 12, 2020
Hi, I’m New to PW!
Peter James, Chief Operations Officer Public Works Department
• 15 years in SM Planning• Specialties in:
• Urban Design• Strategic Planning• Engagement and
Public Process• Live off Walgrove, near SMO airport• Married, two kids, two cats
Why I’m Here
To Help Design an Authentic Public Process that Engages the Community in Identifying a Location for Public Landscape Operations• Planned location drew strong
concerns from adjacent neighborhood
• City Manager and Public Works Director committed to a new, open process
Background1
City of Santa Monica Public Landscape Division• Maintains and enhances citywide
system of parks and public open spaces• Parks maintenance• Urban forest maintenance• Beach maintenance• Pier maintenance• Annenberg Beach House• Swim Center
The Public Landscape Division
The Public Landscape Division
A History of Relocation Based on Park System Expansion
Pre-2005 PLD headquartered at Airport
- Relocated for creation of Airport Park
2005 – PresentPLD headquartered at Memorial Park
- Expansion requires relocation
The Public Landscape Division
Memorial Park Expansion – Approved October 2019
Public Landscape
Division
Existing Memorial Park Future Memorial Park –Construction Winter 2021
The Public Landscape Division
Memorial Park Expansion – Approved October 2019
Future Memorial Park –Construction Winter 2021
THE CHALLENGEThe Park design approval did not include any funding to relocate the Parks Maintenance and Urban Forest units.
Initial Solution Process for PLD
Components of the Initial Search• Timing: original PLD relocation scheduled for January 2020
(last month)
• Land Use: find existing “maintenance facility” under City ownership requiring limited improvements
• Efficiency: keep operations together (Clover Park staff)
• Temporary: create impermanent facilities pending a future permanent process
• Funding: utilize operational savings for quick implementation
Sites Considered in Preliminary Effort
Various sites already considered (from October 10 Info Item to Council):CITY YARDS• First choice, seriously considered, but
found infeasible due to:• Constrained site – many other
units already at site, no room for PLD, lack of adequate land area without reducing Gandara Park
• High construction costs
Sites Considered in Preliminary Effort
Various sites already considered (from October 10 Info Item to Council):UNLEASED or EXPIRING LEASE AIRPORT PROPERTIES WITH EXISTING BUILDINGS
2501 AIRPORT AVEInfeasible due to:
• Inadequate size for workforce• Close proximity to aircraft
operations
Sites Considered in Preliminary Effort
Various sites already considered (from October 10 Info Item to Council):UNLEASED or EXPIRING LEASE AIRPORT PROPERTIES WITH EXISTING BUILDINGS
3011 AIRPORT AVEInfeasible due to:
• Inadequate size for workforce• FAA tie-down requirement
(can’t reduce existing volume)
Sites Considered in Preliminary Effort
Various sites already considered (from October 10 Info Item to Council):UNDEVELOPED NORTHEAST CORNER OF AIRPORTGreat location, BUT Infeasible due to:
• High cost of construction• Lack of necessary
infrastructure (water/sewer/power)
• Grading and earthwork• City of LA permitting
Sites Considered in Preliminary Effort
Various sites already considered (from October 10 Info Item to Council):EXISTING AIRPORT MAINTENANCE FACILITYFeasible for Temporary Location:
• Adequate land area for consolidated operations
• Existing maintenance building and facilities
• Required limited infrastructure improvements
• Efficiency with Clover Park staff
Reboot2
New Solution Process for PLD
Components of the New Search• Timing: relocation scheduled for December 2020
• Land Use: any available industrial, commercial, City-owned property that meets criteria
• Efficiency: exploring consolidated and split operations (multiple locations)
• Temporary and/or Permanent: exploring both scenarios
• Funding: utilize May/June 2020 budget session to request funding
Goals of the Reboot Process
Citywide Exploration of Site Alternatives
Identify temporary (5-10 years) or
permanent home
Minimize impact of operations to residential
and business communities
Maintain high levels of service to city parks and
public spaces
Budget responsibly
Goals of the Reboot Process
Citywide Exploration of Site Alternatives
Minimize impact of operations to residential
and business communities
Identify temporary (5-10 years) or
permanent home
Maintain high levels of service to city parks and
public spaces
Budget responsibly
• Traffic and circulation• Safety• Noise• Smell• Aesthetics• Light and air
Criteria for PLD Site Alternatives
PLD Operational Requirements (Park and Urban Forest Maintenance)
59,000 Square Feet or 2X 30,000
Square Feet
Land Area for Consolidated Ops
Bulk Materials Facilities for 40 PLD Personnel
Access to Public Spaces and Staff
Temporary(Min. 5 years) or
Permanent
45 Staff Vehicles (parked)Avg. 40-50 Active City
Vehicles/Equipment (deployed)
A Deliberative Process
DELIBERATIVEWhere a range of people learn, discuss and work out solutions together• Research• Dialogue• Decision-making
Principles to Guide the Process
The following principles are proposed to guide and open and participatory process:
• The Process is Transparent
• The Process has Integrity
• The Process is Collaborative
• Participants are Kept Informed
• A timely decision is made
Principles to Guide the Process
THE PROCESS IS TRANSPARENTIn an effective deliberative process, transparency applies to:
• Information provided to participants
• Reporting of views
• Channels through which views feed into decision-making are clear
Principles to Guide the Process
PARTICIPANTS ARE KEPT INFORMEDClear information on the process before, during, between and after meetings
• Flow of information to all involved, including decision-makers
• Published results at each stage
• Report-back on how participants’ input made a difference
Principles to Guide the Process
THE PROCESS HAS INTEGRITYThe integrity and openness of everybody involved are among the most important elements:
• Clarity about limitations and impacts
• Clear communication about results of the process
• Decision-makers remain open minded
Principles to Guide the Process
THE PROCESS IS COLLABORATIVEParticipants contribution and needs are clearly value and respected:
• Safe, non-confrontational atmosphere in which views are expressed freely
• Well-managed process to build confidence in the exercise
• Friendly and informal environment of collaboration
Framework3
Framework for Reboot Process
•Sites already studied•Public land•Private land•Use established criteria
Explore
•Presents results of “explore”•Discuss tradeoffs (operations, impacts, costs)•Brainstorm mitigations•Select top choices
Review and Refine
•Present options to Council•Best operational locations•Temporary vs. Permanent•Lowest to highest costs
Council Selects
1
2
3
Framework for Reboot Process
• Sites already studied• Public land sites• Private land sites
ExploreUsing Established
Criteria
Explore Phase• Learn: role of PLD, needs, criteria
• Explore: public & private land options
• Analyze: create inventory for analysisCOMMUNITY WORKSHOP FEBRUARY
19TH AT JOSLYN PARK 6:30-8PM
* CITY MAP WILL BE ONLINE FOR ADDITIONAL FEEDBAK
1st Community Workshop
Wednesday, February 19th• Joslyn Park
Community Room
• 6:30pm-8pm
• “Explore” the parcel inventory map
• All parcels 59K+ SF
• City parcels 25K+ SF
• Parking lots 25K+ SFRSVP at www.smgov.net/pldrelocation
Framework for Reboot Process
• Presents results of “explore”• Discuss tradeoffs
(operations, impacts, costs)• Brainstorm mitigations• Select top choices
Review and Refine
To Identify Realistic Options
Review and Refine Phase• Review: results of site analysis
• How does each site address criteria?
• Refine: work to select list of top contenders
Site 9 – 1234 Any StreetCost to Implement: $4MM
CriteriaLand Area
Access
Impact to Neighbors
Temp or Perm Both
67,00 SF Parking Lot
Flat
Profile
Framework for Reboot Process
• Present options to Council for final selection
Council Selects
Final Options for Consideration
Select Phase• Provide recommendation to
Council for budget decision
• Public input
• Operational analysis
• Cost analysis
A B C
Timeframe
Explore Review and Refine Select
February - March 2020Workshop and Online
Participation
March/April 2020Number
Crunching, Evaluation, and
Trade-off Discussions
May/June 2020Council Budget
Discussions
The Audience
Residents Businesses Parks People
Sports People
Neighborhood Groups
Airport Commission
Urban Forest Task Force
Recs and Park Commission
Tree People
• PLD Relocation “Working Committee” 5-6 people
• Workshop planning
• Site mitigation and trade offs
• Process evaluation
• Sign-up will be available at Feb. 19th
workshop. Random selection.
Options for Interested Participants
DECEMBER 11 AIRPORT COMMISSIONThe Commission raised a question about the possibility of citizen involvement in the management of the process.
Project Page
www.smgov.net/pldrelocation• Information about the relocation effort• Sign-up for updates and notices• Library of materials
• October Info. Item• Letter to Community• All Presentations and Materials
• Contact Information• Workshop Announcement and
RSVP registration
Questions
• Is this process really open to starting fresh, or will you end up exactly where we started?
• Why are the previously identified sites still under consideration?
• Doesn’t staff really have a preferred location in mind?
• Who, specifically, is determining the established, measurable site selection criteria?
• Beyond the operational criteria needed for these work units to effectively perform their duties, are there other criteria that will be included in the evaluation and search effort?
• How will the public be notified of this process and of the upcoming meeting?
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions
When will the City start planning the Airport’s future post-closure?
• A report on the process and opportunities associated with converting the airport land to a park, post 2028, will be an attachment to the Parks and Recreation Master Plan, which will be released in Spring.
• This detailed report will be focused on overall goals for the future and next steps, as converting Santa Monica Municipal Airport to a public park will require extensive planning and multiple steps. A framework for the possible conversion will be needed, as there are multiple pathways that the City may consider and steps that must be taken.
• The PRMP addresses the need for such a framework for the possible conversion of the Airport to a park once the Airport is able to close at the end of 2028.
Frequently Asked Questions
CITY OF SANTA MONICAPubl ic Landscape
Relocat ion Process
REYNOLD’S NEIGHBORHOOD GATHERINGFebruary 12, 2020
Thank [email protected]
www.smgov.net/pldrelocation