HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-15-2015 Item 07 - Authorize Habitat Conservation Fund Grant Application for Open Space Acquisition
Meeting Date: 9/15/2015
FROM: Michael Codron, Assistant City Manager
Prepared By: Robert A. Hill, Natural Resources Manager
SUBJECT: AUTHORIZE HABITAT CONSERVATION FUND GRANT APPLICATION
FOR OPEN SPACE ACQUISITION
RECOMMENDATION
1. Authorize the Natural Resources Manager to prepare and submit a grant application to
the California Department of Parks and Recreation’s Habitat Conservation Fund
Program.
2. Adopt a Resolution entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of San Luis
Obispo, California, approving the application for grant funds from the Habitat
Conservation Fund (HCF) Program.”
3. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute any other required grant application-
related documentation.
Background
Open Space Preservation is a “Major City Goal” as described in the City’s 2015-17 Financial
Plan. One of the adopted work program items is as follows:
Pursue voluntary land conservation opportunities in the Cuesta Canyon area of the City’s
Greenbelt by working cooperatively with the property owners to acquire and protect portions of
The Miossi Brothers La Cuesta Ranch and the Ahearn Family Ranch.
The Natural Resources Manager is responsible for the implementation of this particular work
program item. Historically, the City’s Natural Resource Protection Program has been successful
in leveraging its funds with grants and private donations from other entities at a ratio of
approximately three to one.
The City’s Financial Management Manual, Section 740, requires City Council authorization to
submit grant applications in excess of $5,000. In particular, section 3(d) states:
For grants in excess of $5,000, prepare a Council agenda report requesting authorization
to seek grant funding. This report should describe the grant program's conformance with
this policy, including the results of the cost/benefit analysis.
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Discussion
At this particular time, a grant opportunity promulgated by the California Department of Parks
and Recreation known as the Habitat Conservation Fund (“HCF”) Program is accepting
applications. This grant requires City Council approval of their standard resolution (Attachment
A) in order to submit the grant application, due October 1, 2015. Staff has closely evaluated the
published grant guidelines and finds this particular grant facility to be a strong match for the
Miossi Brothers La Cuesta Ranch open space land acquisition project.
Staff finds that submittal of this grant application for open space acquisition meets the City’s
Grant Management Policy outlined in Section 740 because there is an opportunity to
significantly leverage City funds on balance with only modest staff time required to prepare the
grant application; the proposed grant application would support capital costs associated with real
property land acquisition; and, all grant administration, tracking, and reporting will be conducted
in accordance with applicable City policy and any requirements specified in an awarded grant
contract.
CONCURRENCES
The Parks and Recreation Director, Shelly Stanwyck, concurs with this application in support of
the City’s efforts to accomplish its Major City Goal of Open Space Preservation.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
There is no environmental review required for grant submittals. If successful, open space land
acquisition is typically considered Categorically Exempt under the California Environmental
Quality Act.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Natural Resources Manager has time allocated within his normal work program to prepare
and submit grant applications. HCF has $2 million available in this grant cycle, although their
maximum recommended grant request is $200,000. All HCF grants are required to be matched
dollar-for-dollar with non-state funds that are committed at the time of application. In this case,
committed matching funds include Camp San Luis Obispo / National Guard Bureau funds via
The Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County and City funds budgeted in the 2015-17
Open Space Acquisition CIP. If successful, the project will therefore significantly leverage the
City’s funds budgeted for this purpose.
The completion of a new open space land acquisition would accrue new ongoing costs for
protection and maintenance depending on the type of property interest acquired. In every case,
prior to acquisition of any new open space lands, Council authorization would be required and a
detailed discussion of the exact funding strategy and fiscal impact of the acquisition would be
provided at that time.
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ALTERNATIVES
The City Council could:
1. Request additional information or analysis from staff.
2. Deny the request to submit the HCF grant application.
Attachments:
a - HCF Grant Application Resolution
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R ______
RESOLUTION NO. ______(2015 Series)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS
OBISPO, CALIFORNIA APPROVING THE APPLICATION FOR GRANT
FUNDS FROM THE HABITAT CONSERVATION FUND (HCF)
PROGRAM
WHEREAS, the people of the State of California have enacted the California Wildlife
Protection Act of 1990, which provides funds to the State of California for grants to local
agencies to acquire, enhance, restore or develop facilities for public recreation and fish and
wildlife habitat protection purposes; and
WHEREAS, the State Department of Parks and Recreation has been delegated the responsibility
for the administration of the HCF Program, setting up necessary procedures governing project
application under the HCF Program; and
WHEREAS, said procedures established by the State Department of Parks and Recreation
require the applicant to certify by resolution the approval of an application before submission of
said application to the State; and
WHEREAS, the applicant will enter into a contract with the State of California to complete the
project(s):
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council hereby:
1. Approves the filing of an application for the Habitat Conservation Fund Program; and
2. Certifies that said applicant has or will have available, prior to commencement of any
work on the project included in this application, the required match and sufficient funds
to complete the project; and
3. Certifies that the applicant has or will have sufficient funds to operate and maintain the
project, and
4. Certifies that the applicant has reviewed, understands, and agrees to the provisions
contained in the contract shown in the Grant Administration Guide; and
5. Delegates the authority to the City Manager or designee 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 project.
6. Agrees to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws, ordinances, rules,
regulations and guidelines.
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Resolution No. _____ (2015 Series) Page 2
R ______
Upon motion of _______________________, seconded by _______________________, and on the
following roll call vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
The foregoing resolution was adopted this ___ day of _____________ 2015.
____________________________________
Mayor Jan Marx
ATTEST:
____________________________________
Anthony Mejia
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_____________________________________
J. Christine Dietrick
City Attorney
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the City of San
Luis Obispo, California, this ______ day of __________, _________.
_______________________
Anthony J. Mejia, MMC
City Clerk
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