Title
Authorize the submission of a Federal Budget Fiscal Year 2025 Community Project Funding request for the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors authorize the submission of a Federal Budget Fiscal Year 2025 Community Project Funding request for the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex.
SUMMARY:
On May 3, 2024, the County was contacted by the Salinas Regional Sports Authority with a request that the County submit an additional Fiscal Year 2025 Community Project Funding request for the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex to Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren’s office, as the Salinas Regional Sports Authority is not an eligible applicant. Due to the need for immediate response, the request was approved by the County Administrative Officer contingent upon the Board’s concurrence.
DISCUSSION:
The Salinas Regional Sports Authority submitted a Fiscal Year 2025 Community Project Funding Request to Congresswoman Lofgren’s office but then realized that they could not be the requesting entity due to being a nonprofit organization. Since the County is an eligible funding entity and project partner, they requested that the County submit the project to Congresswoman Lofgren and built in a 15%-line item in the project budget for the County to administer the funding if received.
This request required immediate response due to Congressional deadlines for this funding process. The County Administrative Office approved the submission contingent to the Board’s concurrence, which this report seeks to obtain.
The request is for $4,751,120 in capital funding for Phase 2-B of the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex development which is focused on enhancing the facility's functionality, accessibility, and overall experience. The addition of lighting, bathroom facilities, stadium seating, scoreboard, and the essential underground infrastructure will collectively create a modern, inclusive, and dynamic environment that caters to players, spectators, and the broader community.
As background, on January 23, 2024, as part of the 2024 Legislative Program adoption, the Board authorized the submission of a series of County projects to request potential federal funding for in the Fiscal Year 2025 Federal Appropriations process - aka “Community Project Funding requests”. The projects which were approved by the Board and submitted by the County include:
• Broadway Family Connection Project -- $4 million
• Carmel River Floodplain Restoration and Environmental Enhancement (CRFREE) Project -- $1 million
• Castroville Seawater Intrusion Project (CSIP) Supplemental Well Rehabilitation/Replacement -- $3 million
• Family Justice Center (Seaside) -- $4 million
• Former Fort Ord Blight Removal -- $650,000
• Pajaro County Sanitation District (PCSD) Sewer System Improvements $2 million
• San Lucas Drinking Water -- $2 million
• Skate and Bike Park Safe Access Project -- $3 million
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The County Administrative Office - Intergovernmental & Legislative Affairs Division prepared this report with information provided by the Public Works, Facilities and Parks Department and the Salinas Regional Sports Authority in consultation with the County’s federal lobbyist, Maria Tripplaar of Ballard Spahr LLP.
FINANCING:
Approval of the recommendations contained in this report will have no impact on the General Fund.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
The award of project funding for the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex would support the following Board initiatives:
X Economic Development
__Administration
X Health & Human Services
__Infrastructure
__Public Safety
Prepared by: Annette D’Adamo, Legislative Program Manager, ext. 3045
Approved by: Nicholas E. Chiulos, Chief Assistant CAO, ext. 5145