Hollister’s Parks Department has relied on impact fees from
housing development to fund projects, but with the state-imposed
cease-and-desist order, the impact of those fees will be
nonexistent for the next three years.
Hollister’s Parks Department has relied on impact fees from housing development to fund projects, but with the state-imposed cease-and-desist order, the impact of those fees will be nonexistent for the next three years.
Before the cease-and-desist order, the parks development fund received $1,123 in fees from each new house, but now parks officials must scramble for alternative sources of funding or face imminent project delays.
The stop order was issued because of the 15-million gallon sewage spill May 4 at the wastewater treatment plant. The Regional Water Quality Control Board ordered the three-year moratorium on any new sewer connections Sept. 19.
Public Works Director Clint Quilter summarized the financial dilemma to the Parks and Recreation Commission at a recent meeting.
Hollister currently maintains 12 parks, along with other facilities such as the skate park and the Community Center. The Recreation Division will not experience a significant setback because its budget comes from the city’s General Fund.
As of July 1, the parks development fund maintained $997,276. That money will go toward projects currently underway, including Southeast Park and a refurbishing project on Park Hill, said Robert Baumgartner, chairman of the Parks and Recreation Commission.
“It’s sad, but it all depends on money,” Baumgartner said.
The city released the Parks and Recreation Master Plan in February. The total projected cost for parks development during the next five years is $4.4 million. During the next 10 years, the projection is up to $22,894,750.
While impact fees usually fund such development, city officials will now prioritize projects by necessity and seek out other funding sources, according to Don Kelley, vice-chairman of the Parks and Recreation Commission.
“We need to sharpen our pencils and really be creative at how we’re going to fund them,” Kelley said.
Regardless, project delays seem likely, according to officials. Quilter said the City Council plans to look at “viable funding alternatives” soon. The master plan lists several alternative funding sources. Some of those include grants, joint partnerships with outside agencies, private donations and corporate sponsorships. For instance, Pepsi has sponsored the parks.
Quilter expressed calmness over the financial quandary, saying construction after completion of the cease-and-desist order would compensate for any lost funding or delayed projects.
“Over a five-year period, the funding will be the same. Houses will be built at some point,” Quilter said.
City Manager George Lewis said a need for new parks goes “hand in hand” with population growth. Without new housing for three years, the city has less urgency for park development, he said.
Baumgartner agreed conceptually with Lewis, but said the current fund would not cover costs for projects underway. And Baumgartner said other recently developed areas deserve parks consideration, also.
“We’ve got to catch-up. We’re behind,” he said.
Baumgartner said his best hope would be if the RWQCB lifted the cease-and-desist order. If houses are not built for three years, the parks will suffer, he said.
“We’ll be in a lot of trouble,” he said.
Kelley said city officials should focus on project timelines without sacrificing quality.
“The timeline is pretty much set by the master plan,” Kelley said. “We’re pretty much dedicated to maintaining that timeline.”
Without new housing development for three years, the pace of parks development will slow. Lewis said this three-year time frame provides the city an opportunity to review its fee structure and overall parks development strategy.
Kelley said the public needs to be more involved, especially now. He encouraged people to attend Parks and Recreation Commission meetings, which are held the last Tuesday of every month at City Hall.
“Public input is our best avenue for information on the direction of each neighborhood,” Kelley said.
