City could lose out on Fairview funds

Elise Gee

FAIRVIEW PARK -- If specific design plans aren’t drawn up for restoration

areas in Fairview Park, the city could lose out on grant opportunities in

the near future, staff told the council this week.

“We’re in a situation where a lot of things are getting done except for

the most important part, which is restoration,” said Richard Mehren,

chairman of the Fairview Park citizen’s committee.

Restoration work offers the greatest opportunity for grant funding in the

park. The Coastal Conservancy has grants available, and the state is

considering a park bond that would open up funds for projects like

Fairview.

“The greatest opportunity for funding will be for those who have their

designs ready,” said City Manager Allan Roeder.

Last year, Bob Fisher was hired as Fairview Park’s project manager to

help write grant applications and get funding for improvements at

Fairview Park. Staff told the council this week that before Fisher can

apply for grants, more specific plans are needed.

“I’m concerned and curious as to why (Fisher) didn’t point out -- not

only to the council but to the staff -- that before we could actually

approach foundations or corporations for funding, that we needed design

work,” said Councilwoman Linda Dixon. “Why wasn’t that addressed in

November?”

Roeder said he expects staff to come back with recommendations in the

next few months on what it will take to get work underway.

“I, for one, as a council member would certainly support funding design

efforts so that we could make grant applications,” Councilwoman Libby

Cowan said. “I think it’s a very important piece of getting Fairview Park

funded and moved along. I think it could be moving along a lot faster.

I’m just not real happy with the progress. This is our crown jewel.”

Council members also criticized the process of implementing the Fairview

Park Master Plan as too slow.

It’s been a year and a half since the master plan was adopted by the

council. The plan outlines an estimated $9 million in improvements to the

208-acre passive-use park, including habitat restoration, a bridge across

Placentia Avenue, hiking and biking trails, additional restroom

facilities and other amenities.

“The time has come when we need to say, ‘We have the master plan, where

are we going, what are we doing, how long is it going to take?’ ” Cowan

said. “It just seems to me we are dragging our feet at every possible

moment.”

One example noted by Cowan was the way it took four months for the city

to award a design contract earlier this year for certain areas of the

park. Also, Cowan added, the city is taking a two years to use a $200,000

anonymous donation to install restroom facilities, an interpretive center

and picnic area in the park.

Public Services Director Bill Morris said the process is somewhat

drawn-out because the city is required to follow specific guidelines when

a project is put out for bids. And there are so many elements in the park

plan that efforts can get spread thin.

Also because of donations and other factors, the city has been focusing

on some aspects of the park more than others:

* The $200,000 donation pushed the city to move forward on design plans

for the interpretive center and other facilities.

* The donation of the historic Huscroft House is requiring the city to

prepare for relocation of the home to Fairview Park and the design of a

museum site.

* The Orange County Model Engineers donation of material and labor for a

restroom and snack bar at Goat Hill Junction also pushed forward plans to

build a sewer line at the park.