In November 2008, Alameda and Contra Costa County voters approved the East Bay Regional Park District’s (EBRPD) Measure WW Regional Open Space, Wildlife, Shoreline and Parks Bond Extension. From that measure, a total of $7.93 million is allocated for local park purposes to areas within the unincorporated area of the County. These funds were allocated to specific County Services Areas (CSA) ($2.49 million), Community Service Districts (CSD) and local Recreation and Park Districts ($2.39 million), and to unincorporated areas not in a CSA, CSD or local park district ($3.05 million).
On December 15, 2015 the Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution authorizing the Department of Conservation and Development to enter into a Master Contract with EBRPD for the $3.05 million allocated to the unincorporated areas not in a CSA, CSD, or local park district. The Master Contract between the County and EBRPD was finalized on February 1, 2016, thus allowing the County to submit individual project applications to EBRPD for funding. On May 15, 2018 EBRPD extended the deadline for all Measure WW projects to December 31, 2021. The portion of Measure WW Funds allocated to unincorporated communities within a CSA are administered by Public Works and covered by a separate agreement.
The Board of Supervisors approved a funding matrix identifying individual projects to be submitted to EBRPD for funding. The project identified in Supervisorial District I was Urban Tilth's North Richmond Urban Farm Project, with a final allocation of $623,187.
Urban Tilth's North Richmond Urban Farm Background
The County owns the property at 323 Brookside Drive, Richmond, California, which is the location of the North Richmond Urban Farm. The County has a lease with Urban Tilth for the development and ongoing operation of the North Richmond Urban Farm.
Supervisor Gioia has championed the creation and development of the North Richmond Urban Farm and the County has supported the farm's development through Park Dedication, Park Impact, and North Richmond Mitigation Fund fees totaling $755,000.
The Measure WW funds will be used to design, permit, and implement site preparation activities for the Urban Tilth Root and Restoration Farm including, clearing the site, amending the soil, grading the site, installing hardscape, installing cultivation area, water infrastructure, and sewer infrastructure to the site. In addition to describing the features of the scope of work, the proposed contractor also ensures the terms of the Master Contract are met.
The Department of Conservation and Development is the lead agency for the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and in the process of the CEQA review. The CEQA analysis is tied to the land use entitlement process and includes both on and offsite infrastructure improvements including utilities, access, and drainage. No Measure WW funds will be reimbursed to Urban Tilth until the CEQA process is complete.
Delay in approving the contract may result in an inability to secure grant funding, and the project would not move forward.
The proposed project will support the following community outcomes established in the Children's Report Card: 1) Children and youth are healthy and preparing for a productive adulthood; 2) Families are safe, stable and nurturing; 3) Communities are safe and provide a high quality of life for children and families.