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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/01/1997, C-3 - APPROVAL OF FOUR GRANT APPLICATIONS FOR THE CITY'S NATURAL RESOURCES PROGRAM council 9 j AQenaa nEpont CITY O F SAN LUIS O B I S P O FROM: Ken Hampian,Assistant City Administrative Officer Prepared By: Neil Havlik,Natural Resources Manager SUBJECT: APPROVAL OF FOUR GRANT APPLICATIONS FOR THE CITY'S NATURAL RESOURCES PROGRAM CAO RECOMMENDATION Adopt Resolutions authorizing submittal of grant applications to: (1) the California Department of Fish and Game in the amount of$50,000 for fishery enhancement on San Luis Obispo, Stenner, and Brizziolara Creeks; (2) the State Wildlife Conservation Board in the amount of$30,000 for Pennington Creek Steelhead Enhancement; (3) the State Wildlife Conservation Board in the amount of up to $200,000 in support of Bishop Peak acquisition; and (4) the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the amount of$7,500 in support of acquisition of the Southern Pacific Railroad property in Stenner Creek Canyon. DISCUSSION California Department of Fish and Game Fishery Restoration Grants Program The California Department of Fish and Game is soliciting proposals for fishery restoration and other related purposes. The City has been interested in establishment of in-stream structures,which are defined as boulders or logs that, when placed into a stream, cause the development of pools. These are especially important for coldwater fishes, such as trout and steelhead. We have also been interested in fencing to exclude livestock from streambeds. Both of these programs are eligible for grant funding. Staff is recommending Council authorization to apply for grant funds of$50,000 to purchase and install in-stream structures at selected locations along San Luis Obispo Creek and Stenner Creek, and to purchase and install exclosure fencing on Stenner and Brizziolara Creeks, in. conjunction with Cal Poly. The great majority of funds would be for the latter purpose. The deadline for the year's applications is April 3, 1997. California Wildlife Conservation Board for Pennington Creek Steelhead Enhancement The City is obligated,under its water rights permit to water from Whale Rock Reservoir, to provide improvements to Pennington Creek near Cuesta College and Rancho El Chorro that will enhance the ability of steelhead to move into the upper reaches of the creek, where there is excellent spawning habitat. Preliminary engineering estimates place the cost of this work at $100,000. Staff has identified a possible "enhancement to the enhancement", which would cost an additional $30,000, and we have approached the Wildlife Conservation Board regarding funding that cost. If this were done, we would replace a service road which crosses Pennington Creek over two large culverts with a more bridge-like structure that would restore the natural creek bed. Under either scenario,the City's cost obligations would remain unchanged. This program has no deadline and is pursued through a letter request. California Wildlife Conservation Board in Support of Bishop Peak Acquisition In past years, the Wildlife Conservation Board functioned as the acquisition arm of the Department of Fish and Game. However,more recently the organization has partnered with local and non- �r3-f Council Agenda Report-Approval of Four Grant Applications Page 2 profit agencies. Thanks to the strong support and assistance of State Senator Jack O'Connell, the Executive Officer of the Wildlife Conservation Board, John Schmidt (a graduate of Cal Poly), has agreed to consider a request for finding support for the Bishop Peak project by the City of San Luis Obispo, and has agreed to come to San Luis Obispo to visit the Bishop Peak project site. Senator O'Connell has suggested that the City seek support of up to $200,000, and staff is requesting authority to request funding support from the Wildlife Conservation Board up to that amount. As noted above ,Mr. Schmidt will tour the Bishop Peak site (as well as the Pennington Creek site) on April 4, and we will submit a formal grant request following that tour. There is no grant deadline. However, if our meeting with Mr. Schmidt is successful, we will be following up quickly with a formal request for finding support. U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Small Grants Program Last year the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service began a pilot program under the 1989 North American Wetlands Conservation Act. This program, known as the Small Grants Program, was designed to encourage partnering with smaller agencies and nonprofit organizations which were tending to be overlooked under the larger program, with its emphasis on large projects such as in the Central Valley of California. Grant requests cannot exceed $50,000. For 1997, funding priority will be given to new grant applicants where the project ensures long-tern conservation benefits. The City has identified a potential project in Stenner Creek Canyon on property owned by the Southern Pacific Railroad. This project would, in conjunction with State and Federal partners, preserve a 363-acre area in the mountains northeast of the City. This has been recently discussed with the Council, and a 49-acre portion of the property has been identified that has high mitigation potential of value to the City, particularly for oak restoration and grassland enhancement. However, the property also has a small area of permanent wetlands and a permanent stream (the headwaters of Stenner Creek), and because of those features our application would seek funding support from the Small Grants program for the acquisition. We anticipate a request of$7,500 from the program as a prorata share of the acquisition cost. The grant program has an application deadline of April 4, 1997. CONCURRENCES The Natural Resources Manager has worked with Utilities Department staff on both the Pennington Creek project and the Southern Pacific property, and they are supportive of the funding request. Public Works Department staff are, likewise, aware and supportive of the fishery enhancement grant request. FISCAL IIVIPACT These grants, if successful,will have a beneficial fiscal effect by providing outside funding support for several City projects. Of the four programs, only the Fish and Wildlife Service grant requires a match. That program requires that Federal funds be matched on at least a 50-50 basis. The City will be able'to do this if the City portion of the project is successfully funded through the Water Enterprise or other mitigation monies. Staff will return to Council formally on this matter when(1) we have heard that we have been successful with this application, and (2) we have advanced the Southern Pacific Railroad property project to an appropriate point. No General Fund obligation is required. Attachments Grant Program Summaries Resolutions C_3-,z RESOLUTION NO. RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO AUTHORIZING APPLICATION FOR GRANT FUNDS FROM THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME FOR THE PROJECT KNOWN AS SAN LUIS OBISPO AREA FISHERY RESTORATION WHEREAS, the California Department of Fish and Game requested proposals fishery restoration work throughout the tate ("Department") of California;dhas WHEREAS, the Department has stated in its request for proposals that projects intended to particularly benefit salmonid resources of the State will receive highest priority for funding; and WHEREAS, The City of San Luis Obispo maintains a strong interest in the potential for improvement of salmonid habitat within San Luis Obispo Creek and its tributaries; and WHEREAS, City staff have identified several projects on San Luis Obispo Creek and its tributaries which could improve salmonid habitat on said streams. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of San Luis Obispo hereby: I. Authorizes the filing of an application for grant funds from the California Department of Fish and Game 1997/98 Fishery Restoration Grants Program; and 2. Appoints the City Administrative Officer, or his designee, 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 Approved and adopted this 1st day of April, 1997. On motion of , seconded by and on the following roll call vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: The foregoing resolution was adopted this day of 1997. Allen K. Settle, Mayor ATTEST: Bonnie L. Gawf, CityClerk APPROVED AS TO FORM: d *rge se homey C-3 3 RESOLUTION NO. RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO AUTHORIZING APPLICATION FOR GRANT FUNDS FROM THE CALIFORNIA WILDLIFE CONSERVATION BOARD FOR THE PROJECT KNOWN AS PENNINGTON CREEK STEELHEAD ENHANCEMENTS WHEREAS, the City of San Luis Obispo is undertaking certain improvements to Pennington Creek in San Luis Obispo County, which are designed to improve or enhance the ability of steelhead salmon to move upstream to spawning habitat in the upper portions of said creek; and WHEREAS, City staff have identified an alternative to said improvements which would provide for more natural conditions to Pennington Creek at that site; and WHEREAS, the California Wildlife Conservation Board is a State agency which, among other programs, provides funding support for projects designed to improve the habitat of the wildlife of the State; and WHEREAS, staff of the California Wildlife Conservation Board have indicated willingness to consider funding support for such alternative improvements. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of San Luis Obispo hereby: 1. Authorizes the filing of an application to the California Wildlife Conservation Board for grant assistance for the above project; and 2. Appoints the City Administrative Office, or his designee, 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 Approved and adopted this 1 st day of April, 1997. On motion of . seconded by and on the following roll call vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: The foregoing resolution was adopted this day of . 1997. Allen K. Settle, Mayor ATTEST: Bonnie L. Gawf, City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM: J J6enn, Ci, Att ey RESOLUTION NO. RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO AUTHORIZING APPLICATION FOR GRANT FUNDS FROM THE CALIFORNIA WILDLIFE CONSERVATION BOARD FOR THE PROJECT KNOWN AS BISHOP PEAK ACQUISITION WHEREAS, the City of San Luis Obispo is seeking to acquire certain real property in the vicinity of the City commonly known as Bishop Peak for wildlife habitat, passive recreation, scenic conservation, and other public purposes; and WHEREAS, the California Wildlife Conservation Board is a State agency which, among other programs, provides funding support for projects designed to protect the habitat of the wildlife of the State; and WHEREAS, staff of the California Wildlife Conservation Board have indicated willingness to consider funding support for the project known as Bishop Peak Acquisition; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of San he Luis Obispo reby: 1. Authorizes the filing of an application to the California Wildlife Conservation Board 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, or his designee, 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. Approved and adopted this 1 st day of April, 1997. On motion of seconded by on the following roll call vote: and AYES: NOES: ABSENT: The foregoing resolution was adopted this day of 1997. Allen K. Settle, Mayor ATTEST: Bonnie L. Gawf, City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM: 4att_?oy&�� J ens RESOLUTION NO. RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO AUTHORIZING APPLICATION FOR GRANT FUNDS FROM THE UNITED STATES FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE FOR THE PROJECT KNOWN AS SOUTHERN PACIFIC RAILROAD PROPERTY ACQUISITION WHEREAS, the City of San Luis Obispo is considering the acquisition of certain real property in the vicinity of the City, commonly known as the Southern Pack Railroad property, for wildlife habitat, passive recreation, scenic conservation, potential mitigation and other public purposes, together with several other public agencies; and WHEREAS, the United State Fish and Wildlife Service has created the small grants program of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, whose purpose is to assist in the preservation of small areas of wetland throughout the nation; and WHEREAS, said property contains small areas of wetland within it, which meet the intent of the Act in linking preservation of small areas of wetlands and associated uplands. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of San Luis Obispo hereby: 1. Authorizes the filing of an application to the Small Grants Program of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act for grant assistance for the above project; and 2. Appoints the Natural Resources Manager 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. Approved and adopted this 1 st day of April, 1997. On motion of , seconded by and on the following roll call vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: The foregoing resolution was adopted this day of , 1997. Allen K. Settle, Mayor ATTEST: Bonnie L. Gawf, City Cleric APPROVED AS TO FORM: en en, Att ey MEETING AGENDA DATE ITEM # C'3 MEMORANDUM Date: March 28, 1997 To: City Council From: John Dunn, CAO Prepared by: Neil Havlik, Natural Resources Manager Subject: Grant Summaries for Natural Resources Grant Applications The staff report for Item C3 of the April 1, 1997, City Council agenda indicated that the grant summaries were attached to that report. Our intent on this matter, however, was to place the summaries in the Council reading file, so that they were available for Council members to review. The purpose of this memo is to correct the information in the staff report and inform the Council of the availability of those summaries in the Council reading file. We apologize for the error. �UNCIL D CL'U LiIFI CAO ❑ FIN DIR i CAO D FIRE CHIEF ATTORNEY D PW DIR �CLERMVIIQ D POLICE CHF D MGMr TEAM D REC DIR ❑ U77L DIR O PERS DIR ,v #vK RECENL MAN IY9/ CITY CLERK SAN LUIS OBISPO,CA