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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 13 - Authorization to apply for the CA Natural Resources Agency Urban Greening Program Grant Department Name: Public Works Cost Center: 5010 For Agenda of: February 2, 2021 Placement: Consent Estimated Time: N/A FROM: Matt Horn, Public Works Director Prepared By: Luke Schwartz, Transportation Manager SUBJECT: AUTHORIZE A GRANT APPLICATION FOR THE CALIFORNIA NATURAL RESOURCES AGENCY URBAN GREENING PROGRAM RECOMMENDATION Adopt a resolution authorizing an application for grant funds to the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) Urban Greening Program for the Anholm Greenway project (Attachment A). DISCUSSION Background As part of its efforts towards fiscal responsibility, the City has been applying for grant funding that could support key initiatives that are part of the current Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and consistent with Major City Goals. Many state grant applications require a signed resolution from the City Council as part of the application process. The City has applied for grant support from the California Natural Resources Agency’s Urban Greening Program to support a mul ti- benefit project associated with the Anholm Neighborhood Greenway. The application review is a competitive, three-phase process and the City has made it to the final phases of review. A signed resolution from the City Council is now needed to continue to be considered for funding. Project Description The Anholm Neighborhood Greenway transforms 1.7 miles of the City of San Luis Obispo's transportation network into a greener, safer, and more enjoyable way to walk and bicycle to school, work, and home. Initiated by local parents who commute by bicycle to Pacheco and Bishop’s Peak Elementary Schools, and supported by community members advocating for safer streets, the Greenway incorporates separated and protected bikeways, ADA compliant curb ramps, enhanced pedestrian crossings, drought-tolerant landscapes, street trees, and stormwater management (“green street”) design elements. The route starts downtown and travels north, guiding users through the Anholm Neighborhood to parks, open space, and Pacheco Elementary, a Title I dual immersion school. Additional destinations include the public library, grocery stores, Bishop's Peak Elementary, and the Cal Poly University Campus. The route will connect to an additional two miles of existing high-quality bikeways. A suite of stormwater improvements will ensure that stormwater runoff from sidewalks and roadways along the Greenway route receive treatment before entering two nearby creeks that provide steelhead habitat. Item 13 Packet Page 127 The very first phase of the Anholm Greenway, which included installation of a new bicycle/pedestrian crossing at the intersection of Foothill Boulevard & Ferrini Road, was completed in late 2019. If the amount currently requested through the Urban Greening Grant is awarded, the City would have sufficient funds to proceed with construction of the Anholm Neighborhood Greenway Project as part of the FY 2021-23 work program. Policy Context As part of its new City Meta Goal for Economic Stability, Recovery, and Resiliency, the City has been searching for grant funding to support priority CIP infrastructure projects. In addition, this project is specifically included in the Active Transportation Plan (final scheduled for adoption in February 2021), Safe Routes to School Plan for Bishop’s Peak & Pacheco Elemen tary Schools (2017), and the Anholm Bikeway Plan (2018). It also supports the goals in the Land Use & Circulation Elements of the General Plan (2014), Downtown Concept Plan (2017) and the Climate Action Plan for Community Recovery (2020). The City's Financial Management Manual, Section 740, requires City Council authorization to submit grant applications in excess of $5,000. Public Engagement Council and staff received public and written testimony in support of this project during an extensive outreach process that included public meetings, a City Council Study Session, an online and mailer survey, along with input through regular Active Transportation Committee meetings. COVID-19 Due to the current economic impacts of COVID-19, the City reevaluated all Capital Improvement Plan projects as part of the FY2020-21 Budget Supplement with the goal of adjusting Capital Expenditures in response to projected revenue shortfalls and aligning the adjusted CIP program with a focus on economic recovery and fiscal responsibility. The remaining phases of the Anholm Neighborhood Greenway were categorized as “Hold-Shovel Ready” as the Budget Supplement, which identifies projects where Public Works staff was to continue with design and planning, but the project would not be funded for construction in the current budget cycle. With grant support from the State and San Luis Obispo Council of Governments (SLOCOG)—a $200,000 SLOCOG Safe Routes to School Grant was recently awarded towards the Greenway project—the project can be completed with limited expense to the City. The Greenway allow riders of all ages and abilities within the community to get out of their vehicles for essential trips, reducing transportation costs for residents and allows single-car households more transportation options. Given that parking is limited in the downtown core, more trips via bike or foot by nearby residents will help conserve parking for other regional visitors. Item 13 Packet Page 128 CONCURRENCE The City’s Sustainability Manager, Chris Read, concurs with the recommended action due to the projects ability to address Greenhouse Gas Emissions in furtherance of the Climate Action Plan for Community Recovery. In addition, the Active Transportation Committee has listed completing the Anholm Neighborhood Greenway as the highest priority request for the FY2021- 23 Financial Plan and has identified this project in the “Tier 1” project list in the Active Transportation Plan, which represents the highest-priority pedestrian and bikeway projects. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW Prior analysis was conducted under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for each component of the Anholm Neighborhood Greenway project. The Class 1 Path that will extend through LDS Church Property at the north end of the corridor was analyzed with an addendum to the existing Bicycle Transportation Plan’s Initial Study/Negative Declaration. The remainder of the project was determined to be categorically exempt under CEQA under Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) and Section 15304 (Minor Alteration to the Land). FISCAL IMPACT Budgeted: Yes Budget Year: 2020-21 Funding Identified: Yes Fiscal Analysis: Funding Sources Current FY Cost Annualized On-going Cost Total Project Cost General Fund (Capital Outlay, LRM, SB1) $518,519 State (Urban Greening Grant)* $1,705,225 Federal Fees Other: Public Art Fund** $200,000 Other: Grant (SLOCOG)*** $200,000 Total $2,423,744 *Current grant request under evaluation by the California National Resources Agency. A different amount could ultimately be awarded. **City Public Art Funds have been identified for the Anholm Greenway Project but have not yet been appropriated to the project account. ***A SLOCOG $200,000 Safe Routes to School Grant was recently awarded to the City in late 2020 to help fund the Anholm Neighborhood Greenway Project. These funds have not yet been appropriated to the project account. Item 13 Packet Page 129 There is no direct obligation added to the City’s General Fund as a result of applying for or receiving these grant funds. Rather, securing these funds will reduce the City’s local funding obligation towards constructing this project, as there are currently insufficient local funds to proceed with implementation. The Project was described in the 2019-21 Financial Plan, Capital Improvement Program, but a significant portion was defunded at the 2020-21 Budget Supplement due to COVID-19 financial impacts on City revenues. The estimated total project cost is $2,423,744, which includes the local funds still committed to the project, the SLOCOG grant funds recently awarded, and the requested funds through the Urban Greening Grant. Adopting the attached resolution does not serve as formal authorization to appropriate new funds to the project or proceed with construction—if the Urban Greening Grant is awarded, staff will return to the City Council to request authorization to appropriate the funds, approve the final plans and specifications, and proceed with construction. ALTERNATIVES 1. Request Additional Information. The City Council may request additional information or clarification prior to approving the resolution. 2. Deny Approval of Resolution. The City Council may choose to deny the approval of this resolution. Staff does not recommend this alternative as the City will not be eligible for State funding without this resolution. Should this be denied, the City will need to rely on existing resources to complete the greenway’s bike and pedestrian infrastructure or implement the project in phases as resources are available. Attachments: a - Draft Resolution Item 13 Packet Page 130 R _____ RESOLUTION NO. ________ (2021 SERIES) A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE APPLICATION FOR GRANT FUNDS FOR THE CALIFORNIA CLIMATE INVESTMENTS URBAN GREENING PROGRAM WHEREAS, the Legislature and Governor of the State of California have provided funds for the California Climate Investments Urban Greening Program; and WHEREAS, the California Natural Resources Agency has been delegated the responsibility for the administration of this grant program, establishing necessary procedures; and WHEREAS, said procedures established by the California Natural Resources Agency require a resolution certifying the approval of application(s) by an Applicant’s governing board before submission of said application(s) to the State; and WHEREAS, the City of San Luis Obispo (“City”) as applicant, if selected, will enter into an agreement with the State of California to carry out the Anholm Neighborhood Greenway Project. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of San Luis Obispo as follows: 1. Approves the filing of an application for grant funds to the California Natural Resources Agency Urban Greening Program for the City’s Anholm Greenway project; and 2. Certifies that the City understands the assurances and certification in the application; and 3. Certifies that the City will have sufficient funds to operate and maintain the project consistent with the land tenure requirements; or will secure the resources to do so; and 4. Certifies that it will comply with the provisions of Section 1771.5 of the California Labor Code in carrying out and constructing the Anholm Greenway Project; and 5. As applicable, certifies that the project will comply with any laws and regulations including, but not limited to, legal requirements for building codes, health and safety codes, disabled access laws, environmental laws and, that prior to commencement of construction, all applicable permits will have been obtained; and 6. Certifies that the City will work towards the Governor’s State Planning Priorities intended to promote equity, strengthen the economy, protect the environment, and promote public health and safety as included in Government Code Section 65041.1; and Item 13 Packet Page 131 Resolution No. _____ (2021 Series) Page 2 R ______ 7. Appoints the Assistant City Manager, or his/her designee, as agent to conduct all negotiations, execute and submit all documents including, but not limited to applications, agreements, payment requests and so on, which may be necessary for the completion of the aforementioned project(s). Upon motion of _______________________, seconded by _______________________, and on the following roll call vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: The foregoing resolution was adopted this _____ day of _____________________ 2021. ____________________________________ Mayor Heidi Harmon ATTEST: ____________________________________ Teresa Purrington City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM: _____________________________________ J. Christine Dietrick City Attorney IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the City of San Luis Obispo, California, on ___________________________. ____________________________________ Teresa Purrington City Clerk Item 13 Packet Page 132