MEETING DATE:
December 9, 2025
SUBJECT:
Title
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-9521 - ACCEPTANCE OF STATE PARKS GRANT FUNDING
Body
Recommendation
Recommendation
ADOPT a resolution accepting $5,000,000 in grant funding from the California Department of State Parks, under SB 105 - Budget Acts of 2021, 2023, 2024, and 2025.
Body
Introduction
SB 105 - Budget Acts of 2021, 2023, 2024, and 2025 appropriated a total of $5,000,000 to the City of San Marcos for park improvements. The California Department of State Parks requires that the City pass a resolution accepting these funds.
Discussion
This report provides information on SB 105, the source of the funding, and the types of projects planned for these funds.
SB 105 was a budget trailer bill signed by Governor Newsom on September 17th, 2025. Budget trailer bills provide additional funding mechanisms for state programs, and other projects. Since the beginning of the year, the Legislative Affairs team has been focused on developing a strong working relationship with our state legislators, Assemblymember Darshana Patel, and Senator Brian Jones.
In mid-September, staff was informed by Assemblymember Patel that she had helped to secure a one-time budget allocation for city park improvements. This is the largest state budget allocation that the city has received to date.
Following the date the budget trailer bill was signed, city staff met with the Administrate Project Office responsible for managing this grant, to determine next steps.
The first step is the passage of a resolution, accepting the grant funds from the California Department of State Parks, from the Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Fund. After the passage of this resolution, staff will receive an administrative and procedural guide for the grant process, and attend a workshop for capital outlay projects, hosted by the Department. Staff anticipates a contract after January 1st, 2026, at which point the City will be able to request reimbursement for park improvements.
City staff is currently reviewing the project needs at all City parks, including the various needs at Bradley Park. Staff will continue to review all project opportunities, in an effort to make the largest impact for San Marcos residents with these funds.
Environmental Review
The proposed action does not constitute a “project” as defined under Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines (California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Division 6, Chapter 3, Sections 15000 - 15387), and is therefore not subject to environmental review pursuant to Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3).
Fiscal Impact
By adopting the proposed resolution, the City will have initiated the steps by which the California Department of State Parks will be able to reimburse the City for parks improvements.
Attachments
Attachment A: Resolution
Prepared by: Michael Lieberman, Legislative Analyst
Reviewed by: Phil Scollick, City Clerk/Director of Legislative Affairs
Approved by: Michelle Bender, City Manager