HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/06/2004, C5 - AUTHORIZATION OF APPLICATION FOR GRANT FUNDS FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL ENHANCEMENT AND MITIGATION PROG council l- u-o
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C I T Y O F SAN LU I S O B I S P O
FROM: Wendy George,Assistant City Administrative Officer 4�
Prepared By: Neil Havlik,Natural Resources Manager
SUBJECT: AUTHORIZATION OF APPLICATION FOR GRANT FUNDS
FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL ENHANCEMENT AND
MITIGATION PROGRAM(EEMP)
CAO RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a resolution authorizing staff to complete and submit an application for grant monies in the
amount of$250,000 from the Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Program (EEMP), to be
used in support of acquisition of the Ahearn property at Stagecoach Road and Highway 101.
DISCUSSION
Mr. Dennis Ahearn of San Luis Obispo is the owner of an approximately 610-acre ranch in the
upper watershed of San Luis Obispo Creek. A portion of this property is within the City's
identified greenbelt; however, most of it lies within the boundaries of Los Padres National Forest.
It is bisected by Highway 101 (Attachment 1) and contains several of the spring sources of San Luis
Obispo Creek. Mr. Ahearn approached City staff regarding the possibility of sale of the property
for conservation purposes some time ago, and with Council support staff has been pursuing a wide
variety of funding sources for the project. These include the EEMP, which is administered by the
California Department of Transportation and provides funding support for conservation projects
with a nexus to transportation. City staff consider the Ahearn property to be a good candidate for
this funding source, due to the fact that U. S. Highway 101 literally bisects the property, (1)
providing a very scenic entry into the San Luis Obispo area, and(2)contributing to some significant
runoff and water quality problems which affect San Luis Obispo Creek. There is also the historic
aspect of parts of the old highway which are still intact, as well as the route of the Juan Bautista
DeAnza National Historic Trail. Because of these numerous points of nexus with transportation,
staff is requesting authorization to seek grant support from the EEMP in its current grant cycle.
Appraisal of the property was completed in early 2002 and determined a fair market value of
$2,650,000 for the property. As Council members are aware, the Congress has appropriated
$1,500,000 to the project through the conduit of the U.S. Forest Service. The appraisal is currently
being updated to meet requirements of the Federal government..
FISCAL IMPACT
The grant, if successful, will provide outside funding to support City and Forest Service acquisition
of the property, thereby providing a beneficial fiscal effect. In fact, staff believes that this is the
final amount needed to complete the funding package; other funds are in the process of being
committed to the project from the County and from the State Coastal Conservancy. City staff are
working with Mr. Ahearn on details of the transaction, which will be reported to the Council in
Council Agenda Report- Authorization to Apply for Grant Funds
Page 2
greater detail as the project becomes more fully developed this winter. Staff is confident that the
funding needed to complete the project will be available, given the project's numerous nexuses.
The application deadline for this round of the EEMP was December 19, 2003. EENT rules permit
"late" authorizations by applicants due to meeting schedules, and this item was originally scheduled
for consideration at the cancelled December 16, 2003 meeting. Therefore the passed deadline is not
really an issue. We expect to be notified about the success of the grant by April. If the application
is successful, formal contracting with Cal Trans would take place in summer 2004, after adoption
of the 2004-2005 State budget, and the funds should be available by September.
ALTERNATIVE
The Council could decide not to pursue the grant monies. This is not recommended as submitting
the application does not commit either the City or Mr. Ahearn in any way; if, however; we choose
not to apply we will lose the opportunity entirely.
Attachments
1. Location Map
2. Grant Program Summary
3. Resolution
G/Havlik/coancilagenda/aheam EEMP app
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Location Map
City of San Luis Obispo
GREENBELT PROTECTION PROGRAM
Ahearn Property
San Luis Obispo, CA.
U. S. G. S. Quadrangles: San Luis Obispo, Lopez Mountain
1"=2,000'approx.
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ATTACHMENT 2
RESOURCES AGENCY- 14)., Ninth Street, Suite 1311
State of California Sacramento, California 95814
(916) 653-5656
ENVIRONMENTAL ENHANCEMENT AND MITIGATION PROGRAM
PROCEDURES AND CRITERIA
2004-2005 Grant Cycle
1. GENERAL INFORMATION
1-1. Purpose and Authority
These procedures and criteria guide the evaluation and selection of projects
under the Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation (EEM) program. This program,
as provided by Streets and Highways Code Section 164.56, authorizes the allocation of
up to $10 million each year for grants to State, local and federal governmental agencies
and non-profit organizations to mitigate the environmental impacts of modified or new
public transportation facilities.
In the EEM Program, the Resources Agency (Agency) prescribes procedures
and criteria to evaluate grant proposals. Based on its evaluation, the Agency prepares
and submits a list of proposals recommended for funding to the California
Transportation Commission (CTC). The CTC annually awards grants to fund proposals
from the Agency's list.
1-2. Eligible Applicants
Any State, local or federal agency or 501(c)(3) non-profit entity may apply for and
receive grants. The agency or entity is not required to be a transportation or highway
related organization, but must be able to demonstrate adequate charter or enabling
authority to carry out the type of project proposed. Two or more entities may participate
in a project with one designated as the lead agency.
1-3. Implementation Timeline.
Applications for funding in the 2004-05 fiscal year (July 1, 2004 through June 30,
2005) must be postmarked.no.later than Friday, December 19. 2003 or delivered to the
Resources Agency by 5 p.m. that day.
The Agency will send a list of recommended projects and funding amounts to the
CTC by April 15, 2004 and notify all applicants of the status of their projects.
In July 2004, it is anticipated that the.CTC will give preliminary approval to
projects to be funded, with funding allocations to be considered at that time or at a
subsequent CTC meeting. The Department of Transportation (Caltrans) executes and
administers a contract with each approved grant applicant that is officially called the
"Applicant-State Agreement" (referred to as "Agreement" hereinafter). The Agreement
is the instrument through which the applicant receives reimbursement-for project costs.
After the CTC approves funding for an EEM project, Caltrans sends the applicant a
proposed Agreement. If the proposed Agreement isnot returned to Caltrans within 90
EEM Procedures and Cnceria _ ATTACHMENT 2
September 2003
Page 2
calendar days of issuance. Caltrans will contact the applicant to determine.if the project
remains viable and if the.Agreement will be executed prior to March 31. If Caltrans
determines that no Agreement will likely be executed by March 31, Caltrans will retract
the offered Agreement and will offer an Agreement to the next highest applicant in
priority to execute its Agreement by June
Environmental clearance documents for Agency recommended projects are
required by the CTC and must be submitted to the CTC in May 2004 for projects to be
considered at the July 2004 meeting. Projects without environmental clearance
documents will not be considered for funding.
Grant funds should be expended as soon as possible after the CTC allocation for
the project. If the applicant cannot submit its first invoice for reimbursement to Caltrans
by May 31, 2005, the applicant must submit an official statement of project progress to
Caltrans by May 31, 2005 appropriate to the project that provides solid assurances that
the project will be completed prior to April 30, 2007. Solid assurance includes but is not
limited to: project advertisement or firm advertisement schedule, entry into escrow for
acquisitions, date project plans will be completed, date of receipt from a specified entity
of other needed funding for the project, etc.
Please note, all expenditures must be made within three fiscal years and the final
invoice submitted to Caltrans by April 30, 2007.
1-4. Proiect.Magnitude
Grants for individual project are generally limited to $250,000. However, the
Resources Agency may recommend awards exceeding the $250,000 guideline for
acquisition projects only, based on the consideration of unique or unusual factors,
including, but not limited to, maximum benefits in a one-time or limited opportunity,
acquisition of resource lands of a considerable size, substantial leveraging, and/or
projects with high statewide significance.
1-5. North/South Split
In accordance with the provisions of Section 187 and 188 of the Streets and
Highways Code; an attempt will be made to allocate 40 percent of the total amount
recommended to projects in northern counties and 60 percent of the total amount to
projects in southern counties. The southern counties are: San Luis Obispo, Kern,
Mono, Tulare, Inyo, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Orange,
Riverside, San Diego, and Imperial. For purposes of this north/south split, all other
counties are considered northern counties.
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- ATTACHMENT 3
RESOLUTION NO.
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
AUTHORIZING APPLICATION FOR GRANT FUNDS FROM
THE ENVIRONMENTAL ENHANCEMENT AND MITIGATION PROGRAM
UNDER SECTION 16456 OF THE STREETS AND HIGHWAYS CODE
FOR THE PROJECT KNOWN AS AHEARN PROPERTY ACQUISITION
WHEREAS, the Legislature of the State of California has enacted AB 147 (Chapter 106 of
the Statutes of 1989), which is intended to provide $10 million annually for grant funds to local,
State, and Federal agencies and nonprofit entities for projects to enhance and mitigate the
environmental impacts of modified or new public transportation facilities; and
WHEREAS, the Resources Agency has established the procedures and criteria for
reviewing grant proposals and is required to submit to the California Transportation Commission a
list of recommended projects from which the grant recipients will be selected; and
WHEREAS, said procedures and criteria established by the Resources Agency require a
resolution certifying the approval of application by the applicant's governing body before submission
of said application to the State; and
WHEREAS,the application contains assurances that the applicant must comply with; and
WHEREAS, the applicant, if selected, will enter into an agreement with the State of
California for acquisition or development of the project;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of San Luis
Obispo hereby:
1. Authorizes the filing of an application for the Environmental Enhancement and
Mitigation Program for grant assistance for the above project; and
2. Certifies that said applicant will make adequate provision for operation and
maintenance of the project;and
3. Appoints the City Administrative Officer as agent of the City to conduct all
negotiations, execute and submit all documents, including, but not limited to, applications,
agreements, amendments, payment requests and so on, which may be necessary for the completion
of the aforementioned project.
CS to
ATTACHN 3
Resolution No.
Page 2
On motion of seconded by and on the
following roll call vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
The foregoing resolution was passed adopted this 6th day of January 2004.
David F. Romero,Mayor
ATTEST:
Lee Price, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Jon h owell, City Attorney
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