HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/01/1997, C-3 - APPROVAL OF FOUR GRANT APPLICATIONS FOR THE CITY'S NATURAL RESOURCES PROGRAM council 9
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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-
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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:
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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:
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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.
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