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Park series, as well as the enhanced pedestrian connection to the Firehouse Arts Center. Shortly after the Civic Arts Commission reviewed the schematics, and due to general economic uncertainties, the project was placed on hold. Then in March 2011, the Parks and Recreation Commission prioritized their projects for the upcoming City Council priority setting workshop for Fiscal Year 2011/12. Completing the re-design of Lions Wayside and Delucchi Parks was one of the Commission's top three priorities. On May 30, 2013, updated Lions Wayside and Delucchi Parks schematic plans were presented to the Parks and Recreation Commission with changes based on the feedback received in 2009. The meeting was held as a public workshop to garner open discussion with the community regarding the schematic plan options. Notifications were sent out to approximately 630 residents. The Commission again voted to recommend undergrounding Kottinger Creek. The Commission's support focused on the additional lawn space that would be provided for concerts and events and the accessibility and safety issues they felt would be addressed with the undergrounding of the creek. On July 16, 2013, the schematic park designs were presented to City Council. Staff provided Council with a status report on the project, including the input that was received during the Parks and Recreation Master Plan process that identified the renovation of Lions Wayside and Delucchi Parks as one of the most significant improvements that the City should pursue. Staff also identified the regulatory challenges that were possible in undergrounding the creek. City Council directed staff to pursue the option that proposed undergrounding the creek and the City adopted the master plan on October 7, 2014. Design After Adoption of Master Plan On June 3, 2014, the City contracted with AECOM to provide the necessary environmental and permit application consulting services. Undergrounding the creek required the City to secure permits from government agencies with jurisdiction over natural resources and review the project pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). To satisfy permitting and CEQA requirements, the City, with consultant assistance, prepared a Draft Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) to accompany the permitting package for the project, which was adopted by the City Council on February 16, 2016. This IS/MND was submitted to the various local permitting agencies for review prior to officially submitting the application to underground the creek. Upon receiving the IS/MND, the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB), Army Corps of Engineers (ACE), and California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) all expressed concern regarding the proposed undergrounding of 533 linear feet of the creek in Lions Wayside Park. The agencies were concerned with the potential loss of riparian habitat and impacts on surrounding watersheds. Due to these concerns, each of the agencies indicated they would likely not issue permits based on the submitted design and plans for Lions Wayside and Delucchi Parks. Page 3 of 8