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MIG prepared a preliminary hydrology study and worked with staff to update the concept plans over the course of 2020. In early September 2020, the City had to remove the giant blue eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) tree in Lions Wayside Park due to disease and safety concerns. The removal of the tree provided an opportunity to meander the creek further to the east, thus meeting a request of the RWQCB for a more natural-looking creek and providing an opportunity to further maximize lawn and concert viewing areas. Later in September, MIG presented draft concept plans to City staff that accounted for the removed tree and the purchased properties. On November 4, 2020, staff, with the assistance of its consultant, presented the concept design alternatives to the RWQCB. The RWQCB provided positive feedback but required further design details before supporting the project design. Staff and MIG refined the design and presented the updated concept plan to the RWQCB again on May 28, 2021. The updated concept plan was favorably received by the RWQCB but, again, the RWQCB indicated that more information would be required, including the basis of design for the creek and a more detailed hydrology analysis. In October 2021, the City entered into a professional services agreement with Balance Hydrologics to prepare preliminary creek design, hydraulic modeling, and a design basis memo for Kottinger Creek to be used in a detailed discussion with the regulatory agencies at the Army Corps of Engineers Interagency meeting. On December 7, 2021, staff and MIG presented the hydraulic modeling, preliminary creek design, and basis of design to the regulatory agencies at the Army Corp of Engineers interagency meeting. The agencies indicated that the design met their expectations and that the design would likely be approved if submitted as shown. DISCUSSION When City Council and Parks and Recreation Commission last reviewed the plans in 2019, the Council and Commission directed staff to proceed with the concept (option B) that maximized lawn and concert viewing area. The newly proposed concept plan reflects the feedback from the regulatory agencies along with the feedback received from the Parks and Recreation Commission and City Council. The key features of the proposed concept plan are: • Kottinger Creek will be more of a central focus and design feature of the park • the portion of the creek through Lions Wayside Park will be restored to a more natural form • the creek will be realigned further to the south to provide a larger lawn area • the First Street properties acquired by the City will provide a continuation of Lions Wayside Park, with a parking lot for approximately 25 vehicles that connects to First Street and the existing parking lot for the Firehouse Arts Center • there will be a stronger connection between the Firehouse Arts Center and the main audience area • Railroad Avenue could be closed for larger events and serve as additional space for the events. Page 6 of 8