HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/12/2002, C4 - AUTHORIZATION OF APPLICATION FOR GRANT FUNDS FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL ENHANCEMENT AND MITIGATION PROG council McMe¢�ee �a
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C I T Y OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
FROM: Wendy George,Assistant City Administrative Officerlr�
Prepared By: Neil Havlik, Natural Resources Manager
SUBJECT: AUTHORIZATION OF APPLICATION FOR GRANT FUNDS
FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL ENHANCEMENT AND
MITIGATION PROGRAM(EEMP)
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 610-acre ranch in the
upper watershed of San Luis Obispo Creek. A portion of this property is within the City's
identified greenbelt; however, most of it lies within the boundaries of Los Padres National Forest.
It is bisected by Highway 101 (Attachment 1) and contains several of the spring sources of San
Luis Obispo Creek. Mr. Ahearn approached City staff regarding the possibility of sale of the
property for conservation purposes some time ago, and with Council support staff has been
pursuing a wide variety of funding sources for the project. These include the EEMP, which is
administered by the California Department of Transportation and provides funding support for
conservation projects with a nexus to transportation. City staff consider the Ahearn property to be a
good candidate for this funding source, due to the fact that U. S. Highway 101 literally bisects the
property, (1) providing a very scenic entry into the San Luis Obispo area, and (2) contributing to
some significant runoff'and water quality problems which affect San Luis Obispo Creek. There is
also the historic aspect of parts of the old highway which are still intact, as well as the route of the
Juan Bautista DeAnza National Historic Trail. Because of these numerous points of nexus with
transportation, staff is requesting authorization to seek grant support from the EEMP in its current
grant cycle.
Appraisal of the property was completed in early 2002 and determined a fair market value of
$2,650,000 for the property. Because of the values of the property to the U. S. Forest Service,
National Park Service, Cal Trans, and other agencies, staff has been pursuing a strategy that would
utilize State and Federal funding for a significant portion of the property's purchase price.
FISCAL IMPACT
The grant, if successful, will provide outside funding to support City and Forest Service acquisition
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
C4 ' 1
Council Agenda Report-Authorization to Apply for Grant Funds
Page 2
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 this winter. 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 anticipates the use
of City funds in support of the transaction; approximately $250,000 of allocated funds are currently
available for this project and are the basis for funding matches that many grant programs require.
Staff remains confident that substantial outside sources of funds will be available for the project,
given the project's numerous nexuses.
The application deadline for this round of the EEMP is November 22, 2002. We would expect to
be notified about the success of the grant next spring. If the application is successful, formal
contracting with Cal Trans would take place in late 2003, after adoption of the 2003-2004 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
G/HavUlcouncilagenda/ahearn EEMP app
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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
I"= 2,000'approx.
e� -3
ATTACHMENT 2
RESOURCES AGENCY 1416 Ninth Street, Suite 1311
State of California Sacramento, CA 95814
916-653-5656
ENVIRONMENTAL ENHANCEMENT AND MITIGATION PROGRAM
PROCEDURES AND CRITERIA
2003-2004 Grant Cycle
1. GENERAL INFORMATION
1-1. Purpose and Authority
These procedures and criteria guide the evaluation and selection of
projects under the Environmental Enhancement and Mtigation (EEM) program.
This program, as provided by Streets and Highways Code Section 164.56,
authorizes the allocation of$10 million each year for grants to State, local and
federal governmental agencies and non-profit organizations to mitigate the
environmental impacts of modified or new public transportation facilities.
In the EEM program the Resources Agency prescribes procedures and
criteria to evaluate grant proposals. Based on its evaluation, the Agency
prepares and submits a list of proposals recommended for funding to the
California Transportation Commission (CTC). The CTC annuallyawards
grants to fund proposals from the Agency's list.
1-2. Eligible Applicants
Any State, local or federal agency or 501(c)(3) non-profit entity may apply
for and receive grants. The agency or entity is not required to be a
transportation or highway related organization, but m ust be able to
demonstrate adequate charter or enabling authority to carry out the type of
project proposed. Two or more entities may participate in a project with one
designated as the lead agency.
1-3. Implementation Timeline
Applications for funding in the 2003-04 fiscal year(July 1, 2003 through
June 30, 2004) must be postmarked no laterthan Friday, November22, 2002
or delivered to the Resources Agency by 5 p.m. that day.
ATTACHMENT 2
EEM Procedures and Criteria
August 2002
Page 3
2. PROJECT GUIDELINES
2-1. Eligible Protects
The categories of environmental enhancement and mitigation projects
eligible for funding are:
Highway Landscape and Urban Forestry-- Projects designed to offset vehicular
emissions of carbon dio)ade through the planting of trees and other suitable
plants. Projects maybe within or outside the right-of-way of a related
transportation facility. However, reimbursement for the cost of vegetation
planted within the public road right-of-way is limited to trees.
Resource Lands — Projects for the acquisition, restoration or enhancement of
resource lands to mitigate the loss of, or the detriment to, resource lands lying
within or near the right-of-way acquired for proposed transportation
improvements. Resource lands include natural areas, wetlands,forests,
woodlands, meadows, streams or other areas containing fish or wildlife
habitat. Enhancement of resource lands may include the restoration of wildlife
corridors and fish passages. Additionally, resource lands maycontain features
of archaeological or historical value.
Roadside Recreation — Projects which provide for the acquisition and/or
development of roadside recreational opportunities, including parks and
greenways, roadside rests, scenic overlooks,trails, and snow-parks.
2-2. Related Transportation Facility
To be eligible for consideration, each environmental enhancement and
mitigation project must be directlyor indirectly related to the environmental
impact of the modification of an ebstinq transportation facility(CA Constitution,
Art. XIX Sec. 1) or construction of new transportation facility.
For purposes of this program, a transportation facilityis defined as a
public street, highway, mass transit guidewayor their appurtenant features
(e.g. park and ride facilities, high-occupancy vehicle lanes, transit stations, etc.)
Additionally, the related transportation facility must be 1) a project where
construction began after January 1, 1990; or 2) a project which is not yet under
construction, but is included in an adopted State transportation program or in a
locallyadopted and certified capital outlayprogram.
ATTACHMENT 3
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.
C4 - U
ATTACHMENT 3
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 12th day of November 2002.
Allen K. Settle,Mayor
ATTEST:
Lee Price, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
J f rg en ty fffforney