Title
Authorization to Negotiate and Execute a Development Agreement with Council for Watershed Health for Greening Projects at Holmes Avenue Elementary School, Miramonte Elementary School, and Primary Academy for Success
Facilities Services Division and Eco-Sustainability Office
end
Brief Description:
description
(Authorization to Negotiate and Execute a Development Agreement with Council for Watershed Health for Greening Projects at Holmes Avenue Elementary School, Miramonte Elementary School, and Primary Academy for Success) Recommends authorization for the Chief Facilities Executive, Chief Procurement Officer, and/or their designee(s) to negotiate and execute a Development Agreement and related instruments with Council for Watershed Health (CWH) to establish the terms under which CWH may implement greening projects on District property at Holmes Avenue Elementary School (BD 5/Region E ), Miramonte Elementary School (BD 7/Region South), and Primary Academy for Success (BD 6/Region North). The projects are supported by a California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) Urban and Community Forestry Grant of up to $1,499,900.78 and are anticipated to include tree planting, asphalt removal, drought-tolerant landscaping, irrigation, soil improvements, seating, and other nature-based improvements.
end
Recommendation
Action Proposed:
Authorize the Chief Facilities Executive, the Chief Procurement Officer, and/or their designee(s), to negotiate and execute a Development Agreement with CWH for the implementation of greening projects (Projects) at the following schools owned by Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD or District): Holmes Avenue Elementary School (Holmes ES), Miramonte Elementary School (Miramonte ES), and Primary Academy for Success (Primary Academy) (collectively, Sites), and execute all reasonable instruments, as legally permissible, to implement the Projects.
end
Body
Background:
CWH has received a California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) Urban and Community Forestry grant in an amount not to exceed $1,499,900.78 to implement the Projects on District property, with CWH serving as the grant recipient and project implementer. In the grant application, CWH broke down the funding amount for each project as follows: approximately $530,000 for Holmes ES, approximately $530,000 for Miramonte ES, and approximately $440,000 for Primary Academy; however, the final allocation of grant funds among the Sites may be adjusted as project designs are refined and will be established in coordination with the District and consistent with the terms of the CAL FIRE grant. The grant performance period extends through March 31, 2028.
The Projects build upon prior planning efforts funded through a CAL FIRE Green Schoolyards Planning Grant. Through the prior grant, CWH and the District made substantial progress toward development of greening project designs for the Sites, including school community engagement and technical assessments. The planning process identified the Sites as having limited tree canopy, substantial paved areas, and limited access to nature-based spaces.
The Projects are anticipated to include removal of existing asphalt, planting of trees and drought-tolerant landscaping, irrigation, soil improvements, seating, and other nature-based improvements intended to increase tree canopy and green space and provide additional outdoor learning and recreational opportunities. CWH, through its project team and contractors, will coordinate and implement the grant-funded improvements, including design, engineering, construction, community engagement, and tree establishment activities. Los Angeles Unified will be responsible for required District review and approvals, construction oversight and inspection, and long-term maintenance of the completed improvements. The CAL FIRE grant is anticipated to include planting 90 new trees across the Sites, including 35 trees at Holmes ES, 35 trees at Miramonte ES, and 20 trees at Primary Academy.
Construction at all three Sites is currently anticipated to begin in the second quarter of 2027 and will be completed in the first quarter of 2028.
A Development Agreement between the District and CWH is necessary to establish the terms and conditions under which CWH may implement the Projects.
Expected Outcomes:
Approval of the proposed action will allow District staff to negotiate and execute a Development Agreement with CWH for implementation of the Projects.
The Projects are anticipated to increase tree canopy and green space at the Sites, reduce existing paved areas and heat exposure, and provide additional nature-based areas for student learning, recreation, and interaction with nature.
Board Options and Consequences:
Approval of the proposed action will authorize District staff to negotiate and execute the Development Agreement necessary for CWH to proceed with implementation of these CAL FIRE-funded Projects.
If the Board does not approve the proposed action, the District would be unable to proceed with the CAL FIRE-funded Projects at Holmes ES, Miramonte ES, and Primary Academy as proposed and may lose the opportunity to benefit from approximately $1.5 million in grant-funded improvements intended to increase tree canopy and green space, reduce paved areas and heat exposure, and provide additional outdoor learning and recreational opportunities for students.
Policy Implications:
The Projects support the District's school greening goals by increasing tree canopy and green space and reducing existing hardscapes at the Sites. The project at Primary Academy is anticipated to exceed the District's 30 percent schoolyard greening goal, increasing the schoolyard greening percentage from 27 percent to 35 percent. The project at Holmes ES is anticipated to increase the schoolyard greening percentage from 8 percent to 18 percent, and the project at Miramonte ES is anticipated to increase the schoolyard greening percentage from 10 percent to 15 percent. While the projects at Holmes ES and Miramonte ES are not anticipated to achieve the 30 percent goal, the improvements will increase green space at both schools in furtherance of the District's broader greening goals.
The proposed improvements will be subject to applicable District review and approval requirements.
Budget Impact:
CWH has received a CAL FIRE grant in an amount not to exceed $1,499,900.78 to support implementation of the Projects. CWH is managing the grant and is responsible for implementing the Projects using the grant funding, subject to the terms of the Development Agreement and applicable District requirements.
The District anticipates incurring approximately $350,000 in District project review, oversight, and inspection costs, which are not included in the CAL FIRE grant amount, including approximately $113,000 for Primary Academy, $119,000 for Holmes ES, and $118,000 for Miramonte ES. These costs for project review, oversight, inspection, and any applicable remediation-related costs will be funded with previously allocated and approved General Fund and Community Redevelopment Agency funds and are not included in the CAL FIRE grant amount. There is no new General Fund allocation required.
The District may incur costs associated with remediation-related work, mentioned above, including, as applicable, asbestos-containing material, lead-containing paint, and impacted soil. These costs cannot currently be estimated and will be determined following completion of the project designs and applicable environmental testing.
Student Impact:
The Projects will provide students at Holmes ES, Miramonte ES, and Primary Academy with increased access to trees, shade, landscaping, and nature-based outdoor spaces.
The improvements are anticipated to create more comfortable and engaging outdoor environments and provide additional opportunities for outdoor learning and recreation. The grant also includes student education and engagement related to trees, nature, climate, and environmental stewardship.
Issues and Analysis:
CWH previously received CAL FIRE funding to conduct planning and design activities for greening projects at Holmes ES, Miramonte ES, and Primary Academy. CWH has now received additional CAL FIRE funding to implement the proposed improvements at the Sites.
CWH, through its project team and contractors, will be responsible for completing the design and engineering, obtaining applicable approvals and permits required for implementation of the Projects, managing the bid and award process, and implementing construction of the grant-funded improvements, including community engagement, tree and vegetation planting, and post-construction tree establishment activities, subject to applicable District review and approval requirements.
Project designs are continuing to be refined based on available project funding and will be subject to applicable District technical, environmental, design, construction, inspection, and other review and approval requirements.
The District will be responsible for applicable remediation-related work, as described above, with the specific responsibilities of CWH and the District to be further defined in the Development Agreement.
A Development Agreement between the District and CWH will establish the terms and conditions for implementation of the Projects on District property, including site access, applicable remediation responsibilities, funding, and long-term maintenance of the completed improvements.
Upon completion and acceptance of the Projects, the improvements are anticipated to become part of the respective District campuses and be owned and maintained by the District, subject to the terms of the Development Agreement.
Attachments:
None
Submitted:
10/15/26