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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/04/2009, C 2 - AUTHORIZATION TO APPLY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL GRANT FUNDS FROM THE CALIFORNIA COASTAL RESTORATION FUND F council M-ti y j agenda nepoM a�p�ca C I T Y OF SAN LUIS O B I S P O FROM: Shelly Stanwyck,Assistant City Manager Prepared By: Neil Havlik,Natural Resources Manager SUBJECT: AUTHORIZATION TO APPLY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL GRANT FUNDS FROM THE CALIFORNIA COASTAL RESTORATION FUND FOR THE FROOM RANCH ACQUISITION PROJECT RECOMMENDATION Adopt a resolution authorizing staff to complete and submit an application for grant monies in the amount of$50,000 from the California Coastal Restoration Fund, which would be used in support of the acquisition of a 310 acre portion of the Froom Ranch open space. DISCUSSION In June 2008 the City Council entered into a two-year option agreement with Phyllis Madonna to allow for the purchase of a 310 acre portion of Ms. Madonna's Froom Ranch property in the Irish Hills in the amount of $700,000. Since that time City staff has been pursing a variety of sources seeking to assemble the funding package for the project. One such possible funding source is the California Coastal Restoration Fund. This is a Federal program oriented toward the North and Central Coast regions of California, funded from settlement agreements for violations of Federal maritime pollution laws. It is a small program, with the total amount of $500,000 available for 2009, of which $325,000 is available for projects between Orange and San Luis Obispo Counties. The program is administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, with which the City of San Luis Obispo has had a good working relationship involving grant-funded work on the Bob Jones Trail over the past four years. Because of the small size of the program, and likely strong competition from the Los Angeles and Orange County areas, staff is recommending applying for $50,000 from the program. The filing deadline is August 24, 2009, with notification of awards on October 12, 2009. There is no set match requirement, so the proposed 13:1 match($650,000: $50,000)should be very favorable. FISCAL IMPACT The grant, if successfully applied for, will provide outside funding to support City acquisition of the property, thus providing a beneficial fiscal effect. At the current time we anticipate the following funding package for the project: City funds, $300,000; Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund, $200,000; other fundraising (including this grant application), $200,000. Additional funding sources at the State, local and private levels are being pursued, and it is possible that the above funding scenario could change. C/Hav1ik/Counci1agenda/CCRF Froom app Council Agenda Report- Authorization of Application for Grant Funds Page 2 ALTERNATIVE The Council could decide not to pursue the grant. This is not recommended as submitting the application does not commit the City in any way; if, however, we choose not to apply we will lose the opportunity entirely. ATTACHMENTS 1. Resolution 2. Location Map 3. Grant Program Summary ATTACHMENT 1 RESOLUTION NO. RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO APPROVING APPLICATION FOR GRANT FUNDS FROM THE CALIFORNIA COASTAL RESTORATION FUND IN SUPPORT OF ACQUISITION OF THE FROOM RANCH PROPERTY WHEREAS, the California Coastal Restoration Fund (the "Fund") was established by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to provide funds for natural resource enhancement projects within certain coastal areas of the State of California; and WHEREAS, the Fund has announced in 2009 Request for Proposals; and WHEREAS, the proposed Froom Ranch Property Acquisition Project is eligible to receive grant monies under the Fund's 2009 Request for Proposals. NOW, THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of San Luis Obispo hereby: 1. Approves the filing of an Application for grant assistance from the California Coastal Restoration Fund; and 2. Appoints the City Manager as agent of the applicant to conduct all negotiations and execute and submit all documents which may be necessary for the completion of the aforementioned project. Upon motion of seconded by and on the following vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: The foregoing resolution was adopted this day of 200_. Mayor David F. Romero ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM: Elaina Cano J P. Lowell City Clerk City Attorney ca-3 ATTACHMENT 2 J Jam _ ?o R Es s� i I \ H li ja u tv00 AS \\ r 7 pl F IQ At � 4 r w a a � O J \ W �.J � � � • "18 0 � x U V > \ Il b PND - RFPs California Coastal Restoration Fund Announces Request for Proposals Print• Close Window PHILA THRPY PNDNEWS DICESS ATTACHMENT 3 A SERVICE OF THE FOUNDATION CENTER REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS Posted on May 29, 2009 Deadline:August 24, 2009 California Coastal Restoration Fund Announces Request for Proposals The Northern Coastal California Restoration.Fund was established by the U.S.Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation with community service payments from settlement agreements entered into by the owners of marine vessels charged with violating federal maritime pollution laws. The fund has announced its 20og Request for Proposals,and is making a total of$5oo,000 available to support conservation and restoration projects in Northern and Central coastal California.Of this$500,000,a total of$325,000 will be awarded to projects implemented within the Central Federal Court District of California which includes coastal areas from Orange to San Luis Obispo Counties.The remaining$175,000 will be awarded to projects implemented within the Northern Federal Court District of California which includes the following three National Marine Sanctuaries: Monterey Bay,the Gulf of the Farallones,and the Cordell Banks,in addition to the California coastal zone between the Port of San Francisco and the Oregon border. Funds will be provided for on-the-ground habitat conservation and protection projects to benefit fish and wildlife species and the habitats upon which they depend,for improvement of public access areas and other public information/education projects that benefit the U.S. Fish and Wildlife National Wildlife Refuge System, for projects that encourage collaboration and support local communities seeking environmentally and economically sustainable solutions for natural resource management,for applied research that is directly related to improvement of Northern and Central coastal California's natural resources management,for projects that support activities necessary to the collection, research,analysis,study,preservation,storage, display,and protection of historical, cultural,natural,and marine and island resources and wildlife,and for expenses/equipment related to work to address pollution spills or the threat of pollution. Eligible applicants are nonprofit conservation,environmental,or related organizations,as well as counties and cities,state government agencies,tribes,Federal agencies,and schools. The maximum award amount for any one project will be $175,000.Projects should be scheduled to be completed within two years of the award. Complete program information is available at the NFWF Web site. Contact: Link to Complete RFP Ca_5 http://foundationcenter.org/pnd/rfp/rfp_print jhtml;jsessionid=IOQFT1NMCVKOBLAQB... 7/22/2009