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City staff outline community garden plan, emphasize grants and volunteer vetting
Summary
Aaron Flores and Rob Diaz presented a staff-led kickoff for a city community garden, saying staff will seek grants and sponsorships to avoid taxpayer costs, will vet volunteers and are evaluating locations, partnerships and security; staff will return with sites and cost estimates.
City staff presented a kickoff plan on July 21 to implement a community garden identified in the city’s strategic plan, emphasizing outside funding, volunteer organization and modest ongoing costs.
“A lot of the funding sources are not open until toward the end of the year...we're continuing to follow-up,” said Aaron Flores, senior management analyst, describing staff efforts to pursue grants, sponsorships and private‑public partnerships so the garden “isn't costing taxpayers any money.”
Rob Diaz, Director of Parks and Recreation, described the city’s approach to operations and maintenance: staff would provide access, irrigation and some coordination while volunteers would perform much of the day‑to‑day work. Diaz said the current garden donates produce to Metrocrest Services and that staff would explore partnering with charities or school programs for education and distribution.
Council members asked practical questions: Councilwoman Gonzales sought clarity on who may harvest produce and whether the garden would be secured at night; Flores said volunteers will be vetted via the city’s volunteer process and that access policies will be developed. Councilwoman Bennett asked whether composting would be incorporated; staff said public-works and parks staff are reviewing composting and mulching options.
Councilman Neal requested a ballpark cost estimate and whether maintenance would create an ongoing budget item. Flores said the initial build-out will be the primary expense and ongoing costs would likely be limited mainly to irrigation/water; staff said they are still in early planning and do not yet have firm numbers.
On background checks for volunteers, Diaz said the current garden’s background checks had been arranged by a local church partner (Chapel Hill Church) after the city stopped performing them directly. Councilwoman Villafranca noted the checks were sought because the garden is adjacent to a German school where children are present.
Staff said they will continue researching locations, funding options and policy details and will return to the council with specific recommendations and budget estimates.
