HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 5e. Authorize an Application for the Miossi Charitable Trust Grant Item 5e
Department: Administration
Cost Center: 1005
For Agenda of: 2/15/2022
Placement: Consent
Estimated Time: N/A
FROM: Greg Hermann, Deputy City Manager
Prepared By: Freddy Otte, City Biologist
SUBJECT: AUTHORIZE AN APPLICATION FOR THE MIOSSI CHARITABLE TRUST
GRANT
RECOMMENDATION
1. Approve a grant application in the amount of $10,795 to the Miossi Charitable Trust
for a project to study benthic macroinvertebrates in the San Luis Obispo Creek
watershed; and
2. If awarded, authorize the City Manager, or their designee, to execute the grant
documents and approve the budget changes necessary to appropriate the gra nt.
DISCUSSION
Background
The San Luis Obispo Creek watershed supports Steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss,
or O. mykiss), which are protected under the Endangered Species Act. Climate change
is a major concern for this population and the factors that impact these fish and their
habitat need to be better understood by resource managers to inform restoration
activities. Resident rainbow trout and juvenile steelhead (before they move down and out
to the ocean) rely on the insects in the creek, known as benthic macroinvertabrates (BMI),
as food for survival. With a changing climate, several factors can impact the insect
community in the creek such as warmer water and changing rain regimes. By
investigating which species and how many insects are available at different locations in
both San Luis Obispo Creek and Stenner Creek (in the upper watershed), staff can
identify what actions may need to be taken in the future to support native Steelhead trout
in light of climate change.
The Morro Bay National Estuary Program (NEP) has been working with the Miossi
Charitable Trust for many years monitoring BMI in the Morro Bay Watershed and the
trustee for the Trust, Mr. Howard Carroll, wants to start working in the S an Luis Obispo
Creek Watershed. The NEP approached the City and Cal Poly to inquire about a
collaborative project to collect baseline BMI data along with an educational component
provided by Cal Poly.
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Item 5e
BMI are akin to “the canary in the coal mine” as they are strong indicators of good or bad
water quality. In addition to water quality, these insects are a needed food resource for
O. mykiss in the San Luis Obispo Creek Watershed and need to be better understood in
the context of climate change. The City owns several properties including the headwaters
of Stenner Creek and upper reaches of San Luis Obispo Creek, both of which support
refugia populations of O. mykiss. These refugia populations are typically classified as
“resident” fish but still need to be protected since their offspring can revert to and support
the anadromous population of steelhead in the watershed. Thi s project will collect key
information to better inform resource managers how to address threats from
anthropogenic impacts and climate change by supporting scientific data collection and
education principles; our collective understanding what species of benthic
macroinvertebrates are present in San Luis Obispo Creek watershed since the last
sampling effort completed by the Central Coast Ambient Monitoring Program in 2007.
Previous Council or Advisory Body Action
This is a new project but supports programs and policies previously adopted by the City
Council.
Policy Context
This project supports Strategy 4.3 of the Climate Action, Open Space & Sustainable
Transportation Major City Goal (MCG) identified in the 2021-23 Financial Plan.
Numerous Goals, Programs and Policies are identified in the Conservation and Open
Space Element (COSE) of the General Plan that would be addressed through this
research including sections 7.0, 7.1, 7.2, and 7.3. In particular, section 7.3 calls out
standards for species protection on City property, while COSE 7.7.5 states that the City
should “develop and maintain current benchmark information on habitat types and
conditions.”
The City’s Financial Management Manual (Section 740 -1) requires City Council
authorization for grant applications that exceed $5,000. In addition, this section requires
that staff provide a cost-benefit assessment of the opportunity; in this case, staff finds that
this particular grant facility is beneficial in consideration of the partnership that brings time
and resources from others, the modest investment of City staff time, and the ability to
derive data and resource management insights with the support of grant funds that are
not otherwise available.
Public Engagement
Public comment has not been initiated as this project fits within the programs and policies
of the Conservation and Open Space Element. Any member of the public may comment
on this item as part of the Consent Agenda at the City Council hearing.
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Item 5e
CONCURRENCE
Natural Resources staff is collaborating with Utilities’ Water Quality Lab and
Environmental Programs staff, and they concur.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This scientific research is not considered a Project under the California Environmental
Quality Act and no environmental review is required.
FISCAL IMPACT
Budgeted: No Budget Year: 2021-22
Funding Identified: Yes
Fiscal Analysis:
Funding
Sources
Total Budget
Available
Current
Funding
Request
Remaining
Balance
Annual
Ongoing
Cost
General Fund $2,000
State
Federal
Fees
Other (grant): $10,795
Total $10,795 N/A N/A $2,000
The grant funds from this project will be directed to purchasing creek sampling equipment
and for the logistics of shipping the samples to and receiving a report from the lab.
Nominal staff time will be required to oversee this project. The $2,000 from the General
Fund (Office of Sustainability budget) will be used for production of a California Stream
Condition Index (CSCI) report and this project is proposed to cover three sampling
seasons (2022-2024). The current budget appropriation for the Office of Sustainability is
sufficient to cover the required funding, however, grant funding will be pursued to offset
ongoing costs and the program will be re-evaluated in 2024 to determine if it should
continue. The City investments in this project are also being matched by Cal Poly.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Request additional information or clarification prior to taking action.
2. Approve request to apply for grant funds from the Miossi Charitable Trust with
direction to make changes that the City Council may desire .
3. Deny the request to apply for grant funds, although this is not recommended as Staff
have worked in good faith to develop the project with several project partners.
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