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Home My WebLink About12/07/1999, C7 - AUTHORIZATION OF APPLICATION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL GRANT PROGRAM FUNDS councit z j ac En as REpont 'C; CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO FROM: Ken Hampian,Assistant City Administrative OfficerA# Prepared By: Neil Havlik,Natural Resources Manager I-fi SUBJECT: AUTHORIZATION OF APPLICATION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL GRANT PROGRAM FUNDS CAO RECOMMENDATION Adopt resolutions authorizing staff to complete and submit applications for grant funds from: 1. the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's State-Local-Tribal.Wetlands Development Grants Program, in amount of$60,000,which would be used in support of site planning for wetland and riparian restoration at the Filipponi property on South Higuera Street; and 2. the Avila Beach Public Restoration/Mitigation Grants Program (administered jointly by the California Department of Fish and Game, the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board, and the San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District) in amount of$200,000 which would be used in support of development of the City's portion of the Bob Jones City-to-the-Sea Greenway. DISCUSSION The two programs described above have made grant monies available on a competitive basis to local agencies and others for local programs of community interest and enhancement. The City has been contacted by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency about furthering the restoration of the Filipponi property, and has solicited a proposal for the necessary development of a restoration plan. The Avila Beach consortium of agencies has likewise solicited proposals for projects to mitigate for impacts of the Avila Beach oil spill. These are restricted to recreation projects, as mitigation for losses of recreational opportunities resulting from the spill. The EPA program has a 25%local match requirement. As has been the case with the acquisition of the property, the area acquired is in excess of lands needed for mitigation by the City. It was successfully argued that it was reasonable to use State grant funds to augment the City funds to complete a more comprehensive acquisition, which would accomplish other public benefit purposes. We believe that the same argument can be advanced for this grant; specifically that the opportunities for wetland restoration on the property are clearly in excess of the needs of mitigation, and that it is therefore reasonable for an agency such as EPA to support the effort, matching and extending monies that would be expended by the City strictly for the City's mitigation needs. We are requesting $60,000 of EPA funds, to be matched by $20,000 of City funds currently budgeted in the Water Reuse Project CIP. This program has an application deadline of December 8, 1999. C7-1 Council Agenda Report-Authorization of Application for Grant Funds Paee 2 The Avila program arose out of settlement of damage claims made against Unocal by the State to the effect that recreational opportunities have negatively impacted by the Unocal oil spills at Avila Beach and the associated cleanup requirements. The agencies have thus solicited proposals from State and local agencies and nonprofit corporations for projects with a recreational nexus to the Avila Beach impacts. Staff believes that the.Bob Jones City-to-the-Sea Greenway has such a nexus and it is therefore reasonable to apply for funding support for development of the City portion of the trail. There are no formal matching requirements; however, entities with matching monies available will likely be in a favorable position for grant consideration. The City Council has recently authorized a contract of$140,000 for planning and design services for the City's portion of the bikeway and that contract may serve as such a match to the $200,000 requested. The program has an application deadline of December 15, 1999. FISCAL EM[PACT If successful, this grant will have a beneficial fiscal effect by providing up to $260,000 in outside funding support for identified City enhancement projects. Minor ancillary costs can be absorbed within the existing natural resource program and transportation program budgets. CONCURRENCES The Utilities, Parks and Recreation, and Public Works Departments support both efforts for their value in leveraging City fiords for identified community project goals. ALTERNATIVE The Council could decide to not authorize the applications. This is not recommended as the application itself does not constitute a commitment on the part of the City. Attachment Resolutions C7-2 RESOLUTION NO. RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO AUTHORIZING SUBMITTAL OF A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY FOR THE PROJECT KNOWN AS WETLAND RESTORATION PLAN FOR THE FILIPPONI PROPERTY WHEREAS, The United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region IX, has solicited proposals for competitive grants for the development of wetland restoration plans; and WHEREAS, the City of San Luis Obispo desires to develop a wetland restoration plan for the property currently being purchased by the City from Herbert Filipponi and Jo Ann Denbow south of the City. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of San Luis Obispo hereby: 1. Authorizes the submittal of a grant proposal to the United States Environmental Protection Agency for grant support for the project known as the Wetland Restoration Plan for the Filippom Property. 2. Appoints the City Administrative Officer as agent of the City to conduct all negotiations, execute and submit all documents, including, but not limited to, submittals, agreements, amendments, payment requests and so on, which may be necessary for the completion of the aforementioned proposal. Approved and adopted this 7b day of December, 1999. On motion of , seconded by and on the following roll call vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: The foregoing resolution was adopted this day of . 1999. Allen K. Settle,Mayor ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM: Lee Price, City Clerk Jo C' Attorney �3 RESOLUTION NO. RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO AUTHORIZING SUBMITTAL OF A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE AVILA BEACH PUBLIC RESTORATION/MITIGATION PROJECTS GRANT PROGRAM FOR THE PROJECT KNOWN AS THE BOB JONES CITY-TO-THE-SEA GREENWAY WHEREAS, several agencies of the State of California have completed settlement negotiations with Unocal regarding past discharges of contaminants in the Avila Beach area; and WHEREAS, part of the settlement will include funds for recreational projects with a nexus to the losses of recreational opportunity caused by the discharges at Avila Beach; and WHEREAS, the California Department of Fish and Game, Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board, and San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District have developed specific criteria to evaluate potential projects; and WHEREAS, said agencies have solicited proposals from government agencies and nonprofit organizations for consideration in disbursing monies derived from the settlement. . NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of San Luis Obispo hereby: 1. Authorizes the submittal of a grant proposal to the above-mentioned agencies for grant support for the project known as the Bob Jones City-to-the-Sea Greenway, as said project lies within the city limits of the City of San Luis Obispo. 2. Appoints the City Administrative Officer as agent of the City to conduct all negotiations, execute and submit all documents, including, but not limited to, submittals, agreements, amendments, payment requests and so on, which may be necessary for the completion of the aforementioned proposal. Approved and adopted this 7th day of December, 1999. On motion of seconded by and on the following roll call vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: The foregoing resolution was adopted this day of 11999. Allen K Settle,Mayor C74 ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM: ------------ Lee Price, City Clerkor _m C' Attorney C7-5