County Regional Park

1. County Regional Park Colton Blue Ribbon Citizen�s Committee Presentation DECEMBER 5, 2007 Bill Smith Community Services Director City of Colton Good evening, Madam Mayor, members of the City Council, members of the Recreation and Parks Commission, members of the Planning Commission, members of the Colton Regional Park Committee, members of the public and staff. Good evening and thank you for spending some time this evening to review the much anticipated County Regional Park project here in Colton.Good evening, Madam Mayor, members of the City Council, members of the Recreation and Parks Commission, members of the Planning Commission, members of the Colton Regional Park Committee, members of the public and staff. Good evening and thank you for spending some time this evening to review the much anticipated County Regional Park project here in Colton.

2. Expectations What was contemplated? What is the history? What are the challenges? What are the possibilities? Tonight we are focusing much of our effort on the expectations of a Regional Park here in Colton. Expectations that have been developed over the past seven years from what was originally contemplated, through a rather interesting history, a number of challenges, and now we believe a number of possibilities as well. What we want to do this evening is get to a point where everyone � Council, Commissions, and the public � are at the same position in terms of understanding this project and what it can become � but also with a clear understanding that this isn�t an easy project � nor is it an inexpensive project.Tonight we are focusing much of our effort on the expectations of a Regional Park here in Colton. Expectations that have been developed over the past seven years from what was originally contemplated, through a rather interesting history, a number of challenges, and now we believe a number of possibilities as well. What we want to do this evening is get to a point where everyone � Council, Commissions, and the public � are at the same position in terms of understanding this project and what it can become � but also with a clear understanding that this isn�t an easy project � nor is it an inexpensive project.

3. ORIGINAL PROJECT Agua Mansa Regional Park In terms of background, a Regional Park concept has been contemplated in this community since the early 1990�s when County Regional Parks staff were actually examining delivery of a Regional Park on the landfill site of Pellisier Ranch / La Loma Hills. They actually developed a 96-page master plan for such a park, called the �Agua Mansa Regional Park.�In terms of background, a Regional Park concept has been contemplated in this community since the early 1990�s when County Regional Parks staff were actually examining delivery of a Regional Park on the landfill site of Pellisier Ranch / La Loma Hills. They actually developed a 96-page master plan for such a park, called the �Agua Mansa Regional Park.�

4. Original Project Scope Late 2001/Early 2002 � Project proposed on 225+ acres, north and south of the Santa Ana River, on either side of La Cadena Avenue �Design of the proposed facility will be master planned for minimally active recreation and predominately native landscaping.� (County website) For the purposes of our discussion tonight, however, I am going to focus on the �current� project site and refer to that as the �Original� Project. The original project contemplated 225 acres of recreational facilities adjacent to the Santa Ana River � both north and south of the river. And I will use Google Earth in a minute, along with some other maps to help you visualize the project a little better. The original concept envisioned that the �Design of the proposed facility will be master planned for minimally active recreation and predominantly native landscaping.�For the purposes of our discussion tonight, however, I am going to focus on the �current� project site and refer to that as the �Original� Project. The original project contemplated 225 acres of recreational facilities adjacent to the Santa Ana River � both north and south of the river. And I will use Google Earth in a minute, along with some other maps to help you visualize the project a little better. The original concept envisioned that the �Design of the proposed facility will be master planned for minimally active recreation and predominantly native landscaping.�

5. Regional Park Concept -- 2002 Right around 2002, the County of San Bernardino developed this concept drawing and a video that I will link to in a minute that describes the regional park. As you can see from this diagram, the regional park actually extended north of Congress street with a �golf driving range� and adult softball / baseball fields proposed, and parking on the west side of Fogg Street about where our Police Tow Yard is currently located and expanding. (Click on picture) Here is the video that was generated back then describing the regional park concept.Right around 2002, the County of San Bernardino developed this concept drawing and a video that I will link to in a minute that describes the regional park. As you can see from this diagram, the regional park actually extended north of Congress street with a �golf driving range� and adult softball / baseball fields proposed, and parking on the west side of Fogg Street about where our Police Tow Yard is currently located and expanding. (Click on picture) Here is the video that was generated back then describing the regional park concept.

6. In 2003, it appears that the Park concept began to shrink � eliminating the golf driving range and softball / baseball fields. This brought the concept down to 150 acres. Also note that, included in this 150 acres, was a 20-acre �woolly star preserve� at the extreme northeast portion of the site. About this time, the County also put together a Proposition 40 grant request for River Parkway funding for the Park.In 2003, it appears that the Park concept began to shrink � eliminating the golf driving range and softball / baseball fields. This brought the concept down to 150 acres. Also note that, included in this 150 acres, was a 20-acre �woolly star preserve� at the extreme northeast portion of the site. About this time, the County also put together a Proposition 40 grant request for River Parkway funding for the Park.

7. River Parkway Funding Application This River Parkway Funding Application was put together by the County in August 2003 and was used to go after this funding. The reason I include it here is to show what city staff believed was occurring � that the Regional Park was moving along under the leadership of the County. As I link to the document, there are a couple of key paragraphs I want to focus on � the first being project readiness. �Project Readiness: The project is currently in the acquisition phase. An Environmental site Assessment (ESA), Phase 1 will be completed by June 2004 on parcels owned by the County of San Bernardino Flood Control District, the City of Riverside and the San Bernardino County Solid Waste Management Division. Properties currently approaching escrow have completed Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessments (ESA) for hazardous materials and if required completed Phase 2 ESAs, these properties, totaling 70-acres, require new survey data to define the legal descriptions. The remaining parcels to be acquired have been negotiated and the Phase 2 ESA is underway. The Master Plan and full EIR is expected to be complete by January 2005.� The next section is �Acquisition Schedule�: Acquisition Schedule: River Parkway funding will not be used for the acquisition of properties. I am providing the following information for your reference: D. Schmidt Trust (17.60 acres) Boundary survey needs to be completed for an accurate legal description. The entire property has historically been located in the Santa Ana River flood plane. With the construction of the Seven-Oaks Dam this potential has been severely limited. At the time the legal description is complete escrow will close in 60-days. La Sierra Water Company (50 acres) Boundary survey needs to be completed for an accurate legal description. The entire property has historically been located in the Santa Ana River flood plane. With the construction of the Seven-Oaks Dam this potential has been severely limited. At the time the legal description is complete escrow will close in 60-days. Pico Rivera Pallet Company (formerly the Guyaux Trust)(19.40 acres) This property has just completed negotiation and will require a Phase 2 ESA. The ESA will be completed approximately October 2004. At that time the property will move into a 60-day escrow.� So that was the plan and expectation back in 2003 / 04.This River Parkway Funding Application was put together by the County in August 2003 and was used to go after this funding. The reason I include it here is to show what city staff believed was occurring � that the Regional Park was moving along under the leadership of the County. As I link to the document, there are a couple of key paragraphs I want to focus on � the first being project readiness.

8. Original Project Timeline February 2005 � Master Plan acceptance by County Board of Supervisors Remainder of 2005 � Design process January 2006 � Construction to begin Property acquisition to occur throughout process Timeline per County documentation As the project was slated to move forward, this is a timeline, as included in County documentation, right up to Park construction � which the county projected would begin in January 2006.As the project was slated to move forward, this is a timeline, as included in County documentation, right up to Park construction � which the county projected would begin in January 2006.

9. County Park �Master Plan� As project planning continued, there were continued changes in the design. First came the elimination of the property south of the Santa Ana River � the 50-acres we referred to as the La Sierra properties. This happened when the La Sierra Water Company was purchased by an outside development interest � apparently out from under the Wildlands Conservancy. This required the moving of camping uses onto the 100 acre site north of the Santa Ana River. What you see here is the latest �Master Plan� drawing that staff has been provided, and anyone here who has had any direct involvement with the Regional Park has seen this rendering as well. I put �Master Plan� in quotation marks, because this is what the County is calling its �Master Plan,� which in reality is a simple rendering. THIS is a Master Plan (refer to the Agua Mansa document). As project planning continued, there were continued changes in the design. First came the elimination of the property south of the Santa Ana River � the 50-acres we referred to as the La Sierra properties. This happened when the La Sierra Water Company was purchased by an outside development interest � apparently out from under the Wildlands Conservancy. This required the moving of camping uses onto the 100 acre site north of the Santa Ana River. What you see here is the latest �Master Plan� drawing that staff has been provided, and anyone here who has had any direct involvement with the Regional Park has seen this rendering as well. I put �Master Plan� in quotation marks, because this is what the County is calling its �Master Plan,� which in reality is a simple rendering. THIS is a Master Plan (refer to the Agua Mansa document).

10. Project Responsibilities County, in conjunction with the Wildlands Conservancy, to lead in all property acquisition and master planning, including environmental review City to lead on development of 25 acres of �multiuse fields� once property is acquired Just to remind everyone of the roles here � this is a County Regional Park project and the City is responsible for the development of the multi-use fields only. We have not been, and to date are not responsible for the acquisition of any property for the Park.Just to remind everyone of the roles here � this is a County Regional Park project and the City is responsible for the development of the multi-use fields only. We have not been, and to date are not responsible for the acquisition of any property for the Park.

11. Colton Regional Park Committee Established by City Council � August, 2005 Primary responsibility of Committee is to assist in the design of the facility to meet the needs of Colton residents, and ensure that Colton has a voice in development Committee has met twice � 12/13/05 & 6/29/06 Committee reviewed the preliminary �Master Plan,� but design has not moved past this point Update Letters � 4/13/06 & 7/5/07 Update Emails � 10/26/06, 2/1/07 & 4/3/07 That brings us to more recent history on the project. The Mayor and City Council established a Regional Park Citizens Committee back in August 2005 to ensure that the needs of Colton residents were met by the delivery of the Regional Park. If you�ll recall from the intro video, the original concept for this park was preservation of �native landscaping� � that�s not nice, green parkland development, but really habitat and open space preservation. It was really a result of concerns from Colton that the sports fields were added to the concept, and the primary reason for the formation of this committee � to ensure that we had a nice, attractive Regional Park project. The committee met twice in December 2005 and June 2006 to discuss the Park rendering we just saw, and the overall progress of the park. At the time, property acquisition continued to be a challenge, with only 17 acres acquired from the Schmid Trust. No lease or agreement had been entered into with the City of Riverside and the County was having significant challenges dealing with the then-owner of Pico Rivera Pallet on the West properties. An update letter was sent to the Committee by then-Mayor Bennett in April of 2006, and another letter was sent by Mayor Chastain in July of this year. There have also been several email updates from me, the most recent of which was in April of this year. But the main message of the updates has not changed � That the County has not yet acquired the property necessary to build a park.That brings us to more recent history on the project. The Mayor and City Council established a Regional Park Citizens Committee back in August 2005 to ensure that the needs of Colton residents were met by the delivery of the Regional Park. If you�ll recall from the intro video, the original concept for this park was preservation of �native landscaping� � that�s not nice, green parkland development, but really habitat and open space preservation. It was really a result of concerns from Colton that the sports fields were added to the concept, and the primary reason for the formation of this committee � to ensure that we had a nice, attractive Regional Park project. The committee met twice in December 2005 and June 2006 to discuss the Park rendering we just saw, and the overall progress of the park. At the time, property acquisition continued to be a challenge, with only 17 acres acquired from the Schmid Trust. No lease or agreement had been entered into with the City of Riverside and the County was having significant challenges dealing with the then-owner of Pico Rivera Pallet on the West properties. An update letter was sent to the Committee by then-Mayor Bennett in April of 2006, and another letter was sent by Mayor Chastain in July of this year. There have also been several email updates from me, the most recent of which was in April of this year. But the main message of the updates has not changed � That the County has not yet acquired the property necessary to build a park.

12. Colton Regional Park Committee Colton Residents � Ray Abril Jr., Joanne Carlstrom, Michele McKinney, Pilar Tabera, Jess Vasquez, Kenneth White, Sarah Zamora, Frank Gonzales Colton Elected Officials � Mayor Kelly Chastain, Mayor Pro Tempore Isaac Suchil, Council Member Susan Oliva City Staff � Bill Smith, Amanda Rhinehart County Regional Parks Staff � Maureen Snelgrove Wildlands Conservancy Staff For informational purposes, here is the representation on the Colton Regional Park Committee.For informational purposes, here is the representation on the Colton Regional Park Committee.

13. Challenges -- Property Acquisition �La Sierra� Properties � approximately 50 acres South of the river, on either side of La Cadena Avenue, in Colton (west side) and Grand Terrace (east side) Early 2005 � Sold to a private entity, instead of Wildlands Conservancy �South� Properties � approximately 10 acres Controlled by County of San Bernardino �North� Properties � approximately 17 acres Owned by the County, through purchase by the Wildlands Conservancy The key issue facing this regional park is no secret � it is property acquisition. As we mentioned the 50 acres south of the River, or La Sierra Properties, were acquired by a private entity. In discussions with this property owner, he has indicated a willingness to sell the property for a Regional Park or other use if the City is interested in dealing, but the initial acquisition of this property is a big part of the reason for the pull-back on the part of the Wildlands Conservancy, who was a big part of the property acquisition process for the County. In addition to the La Sierra Properties, San Bernardino County Flood Control owns 10 acres on the south side of the 100-acres north of the River (and again, I will show you a map in a minute), As for the north properties, the Wildlands Conservancy was able to acquire the 17 acres we noted previously� but just today, it�s my understanding that Supervisor Gonzales indicated to City officials that the Conservancy has asked for the property to be returned to them by the County. So this presents yet another challenge to the Park in this location.The key issue facing this regional park is no secret � it is property acquisition. As we mentioned the 50 acres south of the River, or La Sierra Properties, were acquired by a private entity. In discussions with this property owner, he has indicated a willingness to sell the property for a Regional Park or other use if the City is interested in dealing, but the initial acquisition of this property is a big part of the reason for the pull-back on the part of the Wildlands Conservancy, who was a big part of the property acquisition process for the County. In addition to the La Sierra Properties, San Bernardino County Flood Control owns 10 acres on the south side of the 100-acres north of the River (and again, I will show you a map in a minute), As for the north properties, the Wildlands Conservancy was able to acquire the 17 acres we noted previously� but just today, it�s my understanding that Supervisor Gonzales indicated to City officials that the Conservancy has asked for the property to be returned to them by the County. So this presents yet another challenge to the Park in this location.

14. Challenges -- Property Acquisition �West� Properties � approximately 28 acres August 2006 � sold to a private entity �East� or �Middle� Properties � approx. 40+ acres Owned by Riverside Public Utilities Uncertainty between County of San Bernardino, Wildlands Conservancy, and RPU, about amount of land actually available for Park At least a majority apparently unavailable due to RPU plans for a �water recharge basin� The primary challenge to date, regarding the original site, boils down to the two principle properties needed for the park � the 45+ acres owned by Riverside Public Utilities and the 28-acre, Pico Rivera Pallet site that was purchased by a private businessman. We have inquiries in again to Riverside Public Utilities regarding their acreage, and we have not yet heard back from them. There is some uncertainly about the amount of acreage potentially available for the Park, but our most recent indication is that a majority of the land is not available.The primary challenge to date, regarding the original site, boils down to the two principle properties needed for the park � the 45+ acres owned by Riverside Public Utilities and the 28-acre, Pico Rivera Pallet site that was purchased by a private businessman. We have inquiries in again to Riverside Public Utilities regarding their acreage, and we have not yet heard back from them. There is some uncertainly about the amount of acreage potentially available for the Park, but our most recent indication is that a majority of the land is not available.

15. Google Earth Visual representation of all parcels at the original and revised sites for the Regional Park in Colton Let me give you a visual on these properties so that you can put everything in perspective.Let me give you a visual on these properties so that you can put everything in perspective.

16. Challenges --Budget County estimates at Park cost = $50 million Wildlands Conservancy 17 �North� acres donated to the County for project $400,000 to County for Master Plan process $10 million of Prop. 84 funding has been allocated to the County to spend along River Has not as yet been allocated specifically for the Park Indications that much will be spent on River Trail No other funding identified at this time $30-$40 million shortfall at least Along with property acquisition challenges, there are also budget challenges for this park. The County has estimated the park cost at $50 million dollars. The Wildlands Conservancy has donated (at least as of yesterday), 17 acres, plus an additional $400,000 for the �Master Plan� process. $10 million dollars of recently voter-approved Proposition 84 funding has also been allocated to the Santa Ana River for the County, but this has not been earmarked for this project, and we have received word that at least a portion of that money will go to complete the Santa Ana River Trail through San Bernardino and Redlands. No other funding has been identified at this time, so at the least, we are looking at a $30-$40 million dollar gap in funding to build this facility.Along with property acquisition challenges, there are also budget challenges for this park. The County has estimated the park cost at $50 million dollars. The Wildlands Conservancy has donated (at least as of yesterday), 17 acres, plus an additional $400,000 for the �Master Plan� process. $10 million dollars of recently voter-approved Proposition 84 funding has also been allocated to the Santa Ana River for the County, but this has not been earmarked for this project, and we have received word that at least a portion of that money will go to complete the Santa Ana River Trail through San Bernardino and Redlands. No other funding has been identified at this time, so at the least, we are looking at a $30-$40 million dollar gap in funding to build this facility.

17. Overall Timeline Late 2001/Early 2002 � Project proposed April 2002 � Initial planning meeting w/staff June 2003 � Board of Supervisors approves concept and authorizes County staff to develop a �cooperative agreement� with the City of Colton regarding division of responsibilities To date, no such agreement has been submitted by County So at this point, what I would like to do is take you through a quick timeline of significant events from project concept to the present time, just to try and line things up for everyone, and see how we got to where we are. GOTO SLIDESSo at this point, what I would like to do is take you through a quick timeline of significant events from project concept to the present time, just to try and line things up for everyone, and see how we got to where we are. GOTO SLIDES

18. Overall Timeline Early 2004 � County begins Master Plan work on Park October, 2004 � Community Meeting held at Luque Center Early 2005 � �La Sierra� Properties are lost to private sale Focus shifts to �revised� site on north 100 acres August 2005 � North 17 acres are formally accepted by Board of Supervisors First, and to date, only acreage formally allocated to the Park December 2005 � Colton Regional Park Committee meets for first time

19. Overall Timeline Early 2006 � Acquisition of West properties proving to be a �sticking point� for development of Park Original timeline for Park construction June 2006 � Colton Regional Park Committee meets and asks County to pursue any and all options to acquire property necessary for Park Park construction + 5 months Mid 2006 � Negotiations with owner of West parcels remain unsuccessful August 2006 � West parcels sold to another private owner, with development interests

20. Overall Timeline April 2007 � Letter from Mayor Chastain, requested by Supervisor Gonzales, suggesting potential alternate sites for the Park, given apparent difficulty at original site Park construction + 15 months May 2007 � Response from Supervisor Gonzales rejecting proposed alternates as not suitable May 2007 � Riverside Public Utilities Board removes 38 of 48 East acres from �surplus� designation, making them apparently unavailable for Park June 2007 � Wildlands Conservancy formally withdraws from project

21. Overall Timeline July 2007 � City staff along with Mayor Chastain, MPT Suchil and CM Oliva meet with Supervisor Gonzales and County staff to discuss Park City informed by County that RPU property appears �out of play� City asked by County for consensus to �abandon� original site City indicates no such desire Both entities agree to explore alternate sites in the increasingly likely event that the Park cannot be delivered in the original proposed location Park construction + 18 months December 2007 � City Council imposes a moratorium on original 125 acres in Colton

22. Reason for Concern? Property Acquisition January 2007 � Board of Supervisors approves an appraisal for West 28 acres at $213,000 Property purchased in August 2006 for reportedly much more July 2007 � Letter from RPU citing over a year lapse in contact, between late 2005 and February 2007, regarding property acquisition for east 40+ acres More than 5 years into project, a total of 17 acres has been acquired and designated for the project Budget No money has been officially allocated by County for Park estimated at over $50 million to construct County Urgency? Did not attend staff update to City Council on 11/6/07 Not able to attend tonight�s meeting Is there reason for concern at this point? CLICK - Consider property acquisition, where 6 years into the project, a total of 17 acres has been acquired and officially designated for the project. You can see in the first bullet point that there appears to have been some significant �strategy lapses,� if you will, to County efforts at property acquisition, including a significant period of apparent inactivity on the most significant piece of the puzzle � the RPU land. CLICK - We have mentioned the budget challenge, which is certainly a significant challenge. CLICK - And lastly, is there reason for concern about County leadership on this County-led project? Given the fact that we continue to have difficulty engaging them, getting concrete answers from them, getting them to attend meetings that we continue to invite them to, including tonight. We think there is reason for some concern.Is there reason for concern at this point? CLICK - Consider property acquisition, where 6 years into the project, a total of 17 acres has been acquired and officially designated for the project. You can see in the first bullet point that there appears to have been some significant �strategy lapses,� if you will, to County efforts at property acquisition, including a significant period of apparent inactivity on the most significant piece of the puzzle � the RPU land. CLICK - We have mentioned the budget challenge, which is certainly a significant challenge. CLICK - And lastly, is there reason for concern about County leadership on this County-led project? Given the fact that we continue to have difficulty engaging them, getting concrete answers from them, getting them to attend meetings that we continue to invite them to, including tonight. We think there is reason for some concern.

23. County Feedback County has made no new efforts on �original� site since July, 2007 meeting Agreement at that meeting to evaluate alternate sites RPU property issues Wildlands Conservancy withdrawal from project County has privately expressed skepticism about the continued feasibility of the original site County does appear amenable to renewing the effort at the original site if City is on-board What is the most recent information from County staff? You can see it here. They have been evaluating alternate sites, per our meeting back in July, and have indicated that there are other sites that can work. The County has made no efforts at the original site since that time, and has privately expressed skepticism to staff about whether the Park can be delivered there. The last bullet indicates that, as of last week, the County was amenable to another effort at the original site, but given the latest news about the Wildlands Conservancy, whom the County has identified as the �key player� here, it seems that this might change as well.What is the most recent information from County staff? You can see it here. They have been evaluating alternate sites, per our meeting back in July, and have indicated that there are other sites that can work. The County has made no efforts at the original site since that time, and has privately expressed skepticism to staff about whether the Park can be delivered there. The last bullet indicates that, as of last week, the County was amenable to another effort at the original site, but given the latest news about the Wildlands Conservancy, whom the County has identified as the �key player� here, it seems that this might change as well.

24. Where do we go from here? ORIGINAL SITE � 150 acres Moratorium in place, which includes land originally sought by Wildlands Conservancy Original �Revised� site � 100 acres 2 significant property acquisition hurdles North 17 acres Only land officially designated for the Regional Park Land reverts to Wildlands Conservancy in the absence of a Regional Park Wildlands Conservancy has reportedly asked for this land back from the County Where do we go from here? GOTO SLIDE Where do we go from here? GOTO SLIDE

25. Where do we go from here? Questions/Input? That brings you all current with this project, so at this point, we would like to open it up for questions and comments, and look for direction as to where we might go from here.That brings you all current with this project, so at this point, we would like to open it up for questions and comments, and look for direction as to where we might go from here.