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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/06/2001, C11 - AUTHORIZATION TO APPLY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL GRANT MONIES FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL ENHANCEMENT AND MITIGA Council MeefitD.te�i_� j AgenOA nepoat "gym" C CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO FROM: Wendy George,Assistant City Administrative Officer Prepared By: Neil Havw Natural Resources Manager SUBJECT: AUTHORIZATION TO APPLY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL GRANT MONIES FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL ENHANCEMENT AND MITIGATION PROGRAM(EEMP)IN SUPPORT OF THE PROJECT KNOWN AS THE AHEARN PROPERTY ACQUISITION CAO RECOMMENDATION Adopt a resolution authorizing staff to complete and submit an application for grant monies in the amount of $250,000 from the Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Program (EEMP), which would be used in support of acquisition of the Ahearn property at Stagecoach Road and Highway 101. DISCUSSION Mr. Dennis Ahearn of San Luis Obispo is the owner of an approximately 700-acre ranch in the upper watershed of San Luis Obispo Creek. A portion of this property is within the City's identified greenbelt; most of it is within the boundaries of Los Padres National Forest. It is bisected by the Cuesta Grade (see Attachment 1) and contains several of the spring sources of San Luis Obispo Creek. Mr. Ahearn recently approached.City staff regarding the possibility of sale of the property for conservation purposes: Several sources of grant funding are available to support this acquisition; these include the EEMP, which is administered by the California Department of Transportation. This program provides funding support for a variety of conservation projects with a nexus to transportation, and City staff consider the Ahearn property to be a good candidate for this funding source. This is due to the fact that U. S. Highway 101 literally bisects the Ahearn property, (1) providing a very scenic entry into the San Luis Obispo area, and (2) contributing to some significant runoff and water quality problems on the property. There is also the historic connection of parts of the old highway which are still intact, as well as the route of the Juan Bautista DeAnza National Historic Trail. Staff is therefore requesting authorization to seek grant support from the EEMP in its current grant round. Appraisal of the property is underway, as staff and Mr. Ahearn have different views on the value of the property. Both parties have agreed to use the appraised value as the basis for negotiation. In the meantime, staff continues to pursue other potential funding sources and is seeking direct funding support from the United States Forest Service, since most of the property lies within the boundaries of Los Padres National Forest. The project has also attracted the attention of the National Park Service, as the property lies on the route of DeAnza National Historic Trail. FISCAL IMPACT The grant, if successful, will provide outside funding to support City and Forest Service acquisition C11-1 Council Agenda Report Authorization to Apply for Grant Funds Page 2 of the property, thereby providing a beneficial fiscal effect. City staff are working with Mr. Ahearn on the concept of a phased transaction that would be accomplished over a period of years, or possibly a partial acquisition, should we be unsuccessful in obtaining the grant amount we are seeking. This will be reported to the Council in greater detail as the project becomes more fully developed. In the meantime,however,staff believes it is prudent to pursue existing grant sources in an effort to assemble a funding package for the property. Staff does foresee the likelihood of ultimate use of City funds in the transaction; this would be over and above the budget allocation for 2001-2003 to the Open Space Protection Program since those funds are expected to be largely used up in the anticipated Johnson Ranch acquisition. Staff is confident, however, that substantial outside sources of funds will be available for Ahearn property acquisition, due to the property's numerous nexuses. The application,deadline for this round of the EEMP is November 16, 2001. We would expect to be notified about the success of the grant next spring. Formal contracting with Cal Trans would take place after adoption of the 2002-2003 State budget. 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. Attachments 1. Location Map 2. Grant Program Summary 3. Resolution C � � -2 .16 qI, .7766 I 1 bm 1024 ♦ - I' \ o (� \ � / CO ( iJIR \ cur \ ;- --- --•- - — 2� i Jam.. d -� �` .;,;' i,'i iiJ�^ ;- :` 1 P lel < rJ�il 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"= 2,000'approx. C Il�3 Environmental Enhancement, Mitigation Grants Page 1 of 1 ATTACHMENT a I kS%t� S .�.GENCY CA YFbRNO'� : kf_SOf1kCF5 fiO3fLPACE•CALIFORNIA LiOAlEPAC[•COYfAKOkS Elb\lEPACE Ie ecretary ENVIRONMENTAL ENHANCEMENT AND MITIGATION PROGRAM The Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Program(EEMP)was established by the Legislature in 1989. It offers a total of$10 million each year for grants to local, state,and federal governmental agencies and to nonprofit organizations for projects to mitigate the environmental impacts caused by new or modified state transportation facilities. State gasoline tax monies fund the EEMP. Grants are awarded in three categories: Highway Landscape and Urban Forestry-- Projects designed improve air quality through the planting of trees and other suitable plants. Resource Lands --Projects for the acquisition, restoration, or enhancement of watersheds, wildlife habitat,wetlands, forests, or other natural areas. Roadside Recreational --Projects for the acquisition and/or development of roadside recreational opportunities. Program Procedures and Criteria, including specific application dates and funding limits, are generally published by the Resources each year in September, and grant applications are typically due in November. The Resources Agency evaluates project proposals and provides a list of recommended projects to the California Transportation Commission(CTC) by April 15th each year for consideration. The Department of Transportation(Caltrans) administers the approved grant agreements. EEM program applications are available from the Resources Agency, 1416 Ninth Street, Room 1311, Sacramento, CA 95814, or by contacting the EEMP Coordinator at(916) 653- 5656. MThis file last modified on:May 17,2000. Document URL:http://resources.ca.gov/download srp.html Copyright© 1999 California Resources Agency. All rights reserved. http://ceres.ca.gov/cra/eemp_jlew.html 10/16/01 ATTACHMENT3 RESOLUTION NO. RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO AUTHORIZING APPLICATION FOR GRANT FUNDS FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL ENHANCEMENT AND MITIGATION PROGRAM UNDER SECTION 164.56 OF THE STREETS AND HIGHWAYS CODE FOR THE PROJECT KNOWN AS AHEARN PROPERTY ACQUISITION WHEREAS, the Legislature of the State of California has enacted AB 147 (Chapter 106 of the Statutes of 1989), which is intended to provide $10 million annually for grant funds to local, State, and Federal agencies and nonprofit entities for projects to enhance and mitigate the environmental impacts of modified or new public transportation facilities; and WHEREAS, the Resources Agency has established the procedures and criteria for reviewing grant proposals and is required to submit to the California Transportation Commission a list of recommended projects from which the grant recipients will be selected; and WHEREAS, said procedures and criteria established by the Resources Agency require a resolution certifying the approval of application by the applicant's governing body before submission of said application to the State; and WHEREAS,the application contains assurances that the applicant must comply with; 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 the Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Program 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 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. C !l-5 Resolution No. Page 2 On motion of , seconded by and on the following roll call vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: the foregoing resolution was passed adopted this 6th day of November 2001. Allen K. Settle, Mayor ATTEST: Lee Price, City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM: ff ge en, i omey C11