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.
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