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Home My WebLink About06/15/2004, C7 - APPROVAL OF APPLICATION FOR GRANT FUNDS FROM THE CALIFORNIA STATE COASTAL CONSERVANCY council °' °�° - j agenda Repom CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO FROM: Wendy George,Assistant City Administrative Offuer Prepared By: Neil Havlik,Natural Resources Manager Cil �/1. SUBJECT: APPROVAL OF APPLICATION FOR GRANT FUNDS FROM THE CALIFORNIA STATE COASTAL CONSERVANCY CAO RECOMMENDATION Adopt a resolution authorizing staff to complete and submit an application for grant monies in amount of $400,000 from the California State Coastal Conservancy, to be used in support of acquisition of the Ahearn property at Stagecoach Road and Highway 101 (map). 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 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 State Coastal Conservancy, which in 2003 adopted an enhancement program for the San Luis Obispo Creek watershed,and is interested in working with the City of San Luis Obispo on a variety of watershed projects. The award of $400,000 was authorized by the Board of the Coastal Conservancy on May 27, 2004; however, Conservancy rules require a formal request in the form of a resolution prior to encumbering the funds. Because of the State's budget conditions Conservancy staff are requesting such resolutions before June 30 if possible,and for that reason the item is now before the Council. 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. City staff are working with Mr. Ahearn on details of the transaction, which will be reported to the Council in greater detail as the project becomes more fully developed later this summer: This award leaves the City with $200,000 needed for the $2.7 million transaction,and staff is pursuing several promising sources for these funds. 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.. Attachment 1. Resolution 2. Location Map C� -I ATTACHMENT 1 RESOLUTION NO. RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO APPROVING APPLICATION FOR GRANT FUNDS FROM THE CALIFORNIA STATE COASTAL CONSERVANCY FOR THE PROJECT KNOWN AS AHEARN PROPERTY ACQUISITION WHEREAS,the Legislature of the State of California has established the California State Coastal Conservancy under Division 21 of the California Public Resources Code, and has authorized the Conservancy to award grants to public agencies and nonprofit organizations to implement these provisions; and WHEREAS, grants are awarded under eligibility guidelines adopted by the Conservancy; and WHEREAS, procedures established by the Conservancy require the applicant to certify by resolution approval of the application and of listed assurances prior to submission of such application to the Conservancy for an award of grant funds; 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 funding by the Conservancy; 2. Agrees to the Assurances required; 3. Certifies that said applicant will make adequate provision for acquisition, operation and maintenance of the project; and 4. 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. On motion of seconded by and on the following roll call vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: c�-a O O Resolution No. Page 2 The foregoing resolution was passed adopted this 15th day of June 2004. David F. Romero,Mayor ATTEST: Diane Reynolds, Acting City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM: Jo a .Lowell,City Attorney ,V l 748 \ a01 4'T \\ r I ,.. •-' e!�yK _�/� - •' , iq,-__ '. -'��7366�_ `�' CP 1024 All ` '\ J •,t :/;h�/.. .III)'/// 1 `• � \\+ \� +r, 'r� ,, 11 \lt` ;`=�l/�\_ •` o •,�� \ „� i \ 1./"/� \�\` \ -`. �.\o�i��O/�—��1�\." ♦ / .t .5 �! f J \ jjl 111,$• _I, `J/�_`"`�/ / © ,- 13 ,951 lot ��._ ---- — :q� i �. 'a ." �• ___ __� `j+�` �i�•�/ 767 ^N..� .� _—`, ) •\matt � �; �e „•, a/ _. r �� -. 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 oil= 2,000'approx.