City Council Approves Request for $2M in Park Grant Funds

With the deadline approaching to file an application for a state grant funded through Proposition 84, the City Council on Tuesday approved a request that seeks more than $2 million for improvements to Civic Center Park.

In writing the grant application, city officials held and surveyed 480 students at Golden Avenue Elementary School to find out what kind of amenities the public is most interested in adding to the park.

From the community meetings, officials found that 21 percent of the residents who participated wanted to preserve the park’s open space, making it the most popular priority.

Other options discussed included a dog run, a tot lot, and restrooms, as well as replacing the rarely used fountain with a gazebo, which could help generate revenue for the city by being rented out.

The proposal approved by the City Council on Tuesday night features a bandstand that would replace the fountain and become the centerpiece of the park, and a game table gazebo.

There is $184 million available in park grant funding for needy communities through the state program. The maximum award is $5 million. The deadline to submit the application is July 1. Officials say the city will know by spring if a grant has been awarded to Lemon Grove.

Also Tuesday night, the City Council approved changes to the city’s waste management contract with Edco that would boost residential rates about 12 cents a month, and generate approximately $2,000 more a year for the storm water program.

Currently, residents pay a $1.25 storm water fee monthly. The city will stop collecting that fee, which was expected to generate about $85,000 for the storm water program this year. The loss will be offset, however, by an increased franchise rate, which is expected to generate $87,000 next year.

Editor's note: This story has been revised. An earlier version stated incorrectly that council members agreed a restroom was needed at the park, especially if a tot lot were to be added.