HomeMy WebLinkAbout1/26/2023 Item Public Comment, City Farm SLO
From:Kayla Rutland <
Subject:City Farm SLO's Proposal for Public Safety, Access, and Purpose-Critical Infrastructure
Support
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Dear Council Members and City of SLO officials,
City Farm SLO representatives are looking forward to attending tonight’s Community Forum in the Ludwig Center and
meeting you briefly in person there.
At that event we will be sharing our Proposal for Public Safety, Access and Purpose-Critical Infrastructure
Support. I have included a link to it here with the understanding that there’s no time for you to consider it
seriously at such short notice. We look forward to further communication with you about it as the Community
Goal Setting and Budget Priority process continues!
https://tinyurl.com/CFSproposal2023
Sincerely,
Kayla Rutland
Executive Director, City Farm SLO
kayla@cityfarmslo.org // (860) 949 0366
www.cityfarmslo.org
Facebook/Instagram: @cityfarmslo
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City Farm SLO’s Proposal for
Public Safety, Access and Purpose-Critical Infrastructure Support
Aerial view of City Farm SLO, 2019
Submitted to City of San Luis Obispo - Prepared by City Farm SLO
December 12, 2022
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Executive Summary
City Farm SLO is a 19 acre part of San Luis Obispo’s Calle Joaquin Agricultural Reserve owned
by the City and managed for the last ten years by the licensed non-profit, City Farm SLO. This
proposal presents reasons for the City of SLO to incorporate investments in its 2023-2025
Budget Cycle that will provide financial and operational support for infrastructure improvements
on the property. Prioritized and phased itemization of those improvements is based on urgent
security needs, on present expansion of services delivered, and on anticipation of increased
demand for public access resulting from ongoing neighborhood development.
Background & Context
Food security and equitable food access are direct measures of community health, wellness
and safety. In disadvantaged/ underserved communities, these issues create disparities in
community health when layered with other challenges associated with poverty/ low wages,
discrimination, high cost of living and chronic health issues. Additionally, nutrition literacy and
education are overlooked in marginalized and underserved communities. When stacked with
regionally- strained natural resources, including water resilience and reliability as a result of
prolonged drought, there is finite available capacity to address limited access to healthy foods.
City Farm SLO has filled a critical niche in addressing disparities by providing infrastructure,
mentorship and sustainable management of arable land to allow opportunities for small-scale
farmers to maintain a livelihood that results in locally grown, high quality produce and
commodities. The successful collaboration between City Farm SLO tenants has nurtured the
expansion of programming to include youth education and empowerment, as well as community
engagement. Since 2013, City Farm SLO has partnered with schools and community
organizations to provide education to SLO County youth, and has reached thousands of
students via twice-weekly classes for high schoolers, farm field trips (kindergarten through 6th
grade) and weekly therapeutic horticulture sessions for students with disabilities. Youth
programs improve health outcomes through farm-based education in health and nutrition,
science, food literacy and environmental literacy.
2022 Youth Empowerment Program (YEP) graduation & programming.
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Purpose of this Proposal
City Farm SLO’s mission is to empower the next generation to live healthier, more prosperous
lives through sustainable agriculture and farm-based education. The success of City Farm’s
efforts in driving this mission has allowed for growth that now requires strategic planning for
public safety, access and purpose-critical infrastructure. Although City Farm SLO continues to
secure grant monies and donations to support this growth, moving forward will require
collaboration and support from the City of San Luis Obispo. That support is merited by City
Farm SLO’s long-term responsible management of the Calle Joaquin Agricultural Open Space
delegated to it by the City since 2013. The non-profit has preserved this signature landscape
and developed it into an operation that provides multiple benefits.
The City acknowledged these accomplishments in January 2022 by extending its lease with City
Farm SLO for 40 years.1
1 Some benefits aligned with City Major Goals:
Economy: City Farm SLO’s efforts have contributed economic vitality to the City through support of
four independent farm businesses that produce 105,000 lbs of produce for sale per year, generating
$138,000 revenue per year and employing five people onsite per year. Its non-profit educational farm
operation produces 10,000 lbs of produce, generating revenue of $20,000 per year and employing two
full-time and three part-time employees. Between 2018 - 2022, approximately $700,000 of grant funding
has been awarded to City Farm SLO. In addition, City Farm SLO has financed infrastructure construction,
including a secondary pump and water lines, sheds, a large work and meeting structure, gates and
fencing.
Education: Since 2013, City Farm SLO has partnered with schools and community organizations to
provide education to SLO County youth, and has reached thousands of students via twice-weekly
classes for high schoolers, farm field trips (kindergarten through the 6th grade), weekly therapeutic
horticulture sessions for students with disabilities and the State College College Corps Fellows Program.
Youth programs improve health outcomes through farm-based education in health and nutrition, science,
food literacy and environmental literacy.
Community engagement City Farm SLO has strengthened the local food system by incubating small
farmers and distributing the produce generated by City Farm SLO programs back to the community
through multiple channels, including a close partnership with the SLO Food Bank and the Food Service of
San Luis Coastal School District. It has engaged thousands of community members in the life of an urban
farm with weekend work parties, seasonal festivals and internship programs.
Environmental stewardship and innovation City Farm SLO has helped achieve the City’s conservation
and climate goals by maintaining its Agricultural Open Space Reserve in organic production, by planting
350 food-producing trees, by practicing Regenerative Agriculture/Carbon Farming techniques and by
undertaking creek restoration on the section of Prefumo Creek bordering its territory.
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Challenges
Despite City Farm’s achievements, site security has become an increasing challenge. During
the last two years several thousand dollars’ worth of theft and vandalism by intruders have
created financial hardship for the non-profit and for tenant farmers. Confrontations with mentally
and drug-impaired individuals, some of who camp along the Farm’s borders, have threatened
the health and welfare of tenants, staff and students.
City Farm SLO has met with City police and completed their CPTED assessment, with Rangers,
and with SLO’s Homelessness manager and has acted upon their advice by building and
repairing fences, locking gates, sheds and stored equipment, installing motion sensor lights and
cameras, and developing long-range plans to enhance site security.
City Farm SLO is pairing defensive measures with affirmative approaches that include
maintaining high levels of maintenance and appearance and encouraging the regular presence
of people who know and care about City Farm SLO. Such measures make the site less
appealing to unauthorized campers, fire-builders, hoarders, thieves and vandals.
Solutions
City Farm SLO has identified actionable projects that offer both defensive and affirmative
solutions centered on: (1) security infrastructure, (2) farm infrastructure improvements, (3)
access improvements, and (4) on-site watershed improvement and education. Each of the
specific projects are summarized below, with preliminary cost/ time estimates and conservative
contingencies included.
1. Security Infrastructure
No. Description Timing Total
Project
Cost
Total
Match
(in-kind labor/
materials)
Request to
City
1.1 Froom Ranch Way Access (see Map
1 below, location 1.3): Attractive
pedestrian and bike access via Froom
Ranch Way from residential areas to
the west and from San Luis Ranch.
This will provide connectivity with
existing pedestrian/ bicycle paths and
the City’s active transportation network.
It will be crucial for security strategy by
replacing present unregulated/illegal
access.
Phase 1
Budget
allocation
and
planning
to begin
in Phase
1
$60,000
(early
tentative
estimate)
- $ 60,000
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1.1a A curb opening on the Eastbound lane
on the South side of Froom Ranch
Way leading to a short new
pedestrian/bicycle path through an
easement promised by San Luis Ranch
and connecting to the existing path on
the East border of City farm.
1.1b A bicycle/pedestrian crossing
arrangement from the north side of
Froom Ranch Way to the curb opening
on the South side. This could involve a
signal or signage and traffic calming
devices.
1.2 Complete continuous fencing including
gates around the property perimeter
(includes front two acres and
operations area, northwest perimeter,
and southern border)
Phase 1 $ 15,000 $ 3,000 $ 12,000
1.3 Motion sensor elevated lighting,
cameras
Phase 1 $ 4,000 - $ 4,000
1.4 Signage limiting access from dawn to
dusk, as well as informative and
warning signs at each gate to sub
parcels
Phase 1 $ 5,000 - $ 5,000
Subtotal $ 84,000 $ 3,000 $ 81,000
Contingency 25% $ 21,000
Maintenance for 4 years $ 3,000
Total $108,000 $ 3,000 $ 105,000
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2. Farm Infrastructure Improvements (Funding Request: $ 150,750; City Farm Match:
$290,250)
No. Description Timing Total
Project
Cost
Total
Match (in-
kind labor/
materials)
Request
to City
2.1 Garden for All - a fully accessible
garden for students and community
members.
Phase 1 $ 20,000 $ 20,000 -
2.2 Informative signage at all facilities
(e.g. food forest, Garden for All,
orchard, barn, etc.)
Phase 1 $ 4,000 $ 4,000 -
2.3a Replace failing well-water pressure
pump and repair booster tanks.
Phase 2 $ 5,000 - $ 5,000
2.3b Irrigation feeder lines and risers to all
subtenant parcels.
Phase 2 $ 15,000 $ 5,000 $ 10,000
2.5 Agricultural Processing Facility for
use by City Farm SLO and
subtenants.1
Phase 2 $ 325,000 $ 250,000 $ 75,000
2.7 Replace plastic of high tunnel hoop
house.
Phase 2 $ 5,000 - $ 5,000
2.8 Electric powerline drop from the
supply feeding the pump on San Luis
Ranch property near Froom Ranch
Way to provide lights and power to
Western part of the property.
Phase 3 $ 2,500 - $ 2,500
2.9a Irrigated and maintained hedgerow
plantings along the borders with San
Luis Ranch Farm, including natives,
pollinators, and shrubs.2
Phase 3 $ 10,000 $ 5,000
*not secured
$ 5,000
2.9b Irrigated and maintained hedgerow
plantings along the borders with auto
dealerships, including natives,
pollinators, and shrubs.2
Phase 3 $ 12,500 $ 6,250
*not secured
$ 6,250
Subtotal $ 399,000 $ 290,250 $ 108,750
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No. Description Timing Total
Project
Cost
Total
Match (in-
kind labor/
materials)
Request
to City
Contingency 25% $ 27,000
Maintenance for 4 years $ 15,000
Total $ 441,000 $ 290,250 $ 150,750
Table notes:
1-Secured matching funds include $150,000 from California Department of Food and Agriculture 2022 Grant, and
$100,000 from private donors.
2- Efforts initiated in 2020, 1-year to secure funds/ planning, 1-year to implement = 2 years total. Plantings may be
fundable/ technical assistance supported by NRCS or as part of other efforts included with On-Site Watershed
Improvement and Education projects.
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3. Other Access Improvements (Funding Request: $ 90,500, City Farm Match: $ 20,000)
Additional improvements to access require funding and include road and safety enhancements
and informational signage, as described in the below table.
No. Description Timing Total
Project
Cost
Total
Match
Request to
City
3.1 ADA pathways from parking to all
farm facilities
Phase 1 $ 10,000 $ 10,000 -
3.3 Calle Joaquin and Froom Ranch Way
access: Signs and kiosks, including
map, and information about City
Farm Facilities and Programs
Phase 2
$ 6,000 - $ 6,000
3.4 Complete full farm perimeter access
to allow for educational and
recreational visual access to Prefumo
Creek and all farm operations.
Phase 31 $ 60,0002 - $ 60,0002
Subtotal $ 76,000 $ 10,000 $ 66,000
Contingency 25% $ 16,500
Maintenance for 4 years $ 8,000
Total $ 110,500 $ 20,000 $ 90,500
Table notes:
1- 1-year to secure funds, 1-year for planning, 1-year to implement = 3 years total.
2- Cost depends on scale of projects, engineering estimates; $10-15k will likely cover planning/ permitting/
compliance costs, remainder for implementation.
4. On-Site Watershed Improvement and Education (Funding Request: $ 70,000; City Farm
Match: $ 150,000)
Anticipated property improvements will solidify partnerships with the City’s Natural Resource
Management Department, Coastal San Luis Resource Conservation District, and Creek Lands
Conservation in ongoing efforts to support community access, education, and habitat restoration
along the reach of Prefumo Creek adjacent to the farm. (see Appendix A)
No. Description Timing Total
Project
Cost
Total
Match (in-
kind labor/
materials)
Request
to City
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4.1 Landscaping around Froom Way
Bridge, pilot restoration,
enhancement and educational
signage for creek and bank to 200’
downstream and 200’ upstream from
Bridge.
Phase 31
crossing and
approach
$ 40,000 - $ 40,000
4.2 Prefumo Creek restoration,
enhancement and education.
Phase 32 $150,000 $150,0003
*not secured -
Subtotal $ 210,000 $150,000 $ 40,000
Contingency 25% $ 10,000
Maintenance for 4 years $ 20,000
Total $ 220,000 $ 150,000 $ 70,000
Table notes:
1- 1-year to secure funds, 1-year for planning, 1-year to implement = 3 years total.
2- Depends on design/scale- 1-year to secure funds, 1-year for planning, 1-year to implement = 3 years total.
3- Partnerships are forming. This will be funded by grants.
Anticipated Timelines:
Phase 1 projects are funded in 2023; Phase 2 projects are funded in 2024; Phase 3 projects are
funded in 2025.
Summary of Funding Request for Safety Infrastructure, Access Improvements, Farm
Infrastructure Improvements and On-Site Watershed Improvement and Education
Projects
No. Projects Total Project
Cost
Total
Match
Total Request
to City
1 Security Infrastructure $ 108,000 $ 3,000 $ 105,000
2 Farm Infrastructure
Improvements
$ 441,000 $ 290,250 $ 150,750
3 Access Improvements $ 110,500 $ 20,000 $ 90,500
4 On-Site Watershed Improvement
and Education
$ 220,000 $ 150,000 $ 70,000
3 YEAR TOTAL $879,750 $463,250 $415,500
Year 1 Request to the City of San Luis Obispo = $105,000 (Phase 1)
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Appendix A:
Conservation Plan Map (NRCS 2020)