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HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 3.C 04/18/2016DATE: April 18, 2016 Agenda Item #3.0 TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council through City Manager FROM: Scott Brodhun, Assistant City Manag E ,, SUBJECT: Resolution Authorizing Friends of the Petaluma River to Submit a Grant Application to the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District for the Steamer Landing Park Recreation, Access and Educational Enhancement Project Located on City Property at McNear Peninsula and Authorizing the City Manager to Sign the Application Identifying the City as Co- Applicant RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the City Council adopt the attached Resolution Authorizing Friends of the Petaluma River to Submit a Grant Application to the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District for the Steamer Landing Park Recreation, Access and Educational Enhancement Project Located on City Property at McNear Peninsula, and Authorizing the City Manager to Sign the Application Identifying the City as Co- Applicant. BACKGROUND The Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District ( SCAPOSD) has established a competitive Matching Grant Program for projects that provide open space, community recreation, and /or public access opportunities within and near incorporated areas of Sonoma County. In accordance with program guidelines, non - profit entities are eligible to apply. SCAPOSD grant guidelines require that the entity that holds title to the property subject to a proposed grant project sign the grant application as a co- applicant. The City of Petaluma is committed to the implementation of the Petaluma River Access and Enhancement Plan (River Plan) that was adopted in May 1996. A project area featured in the plan is McNear Peninsula, and projects identified for the site include docking facilities for small water craft on both sides of the Peninsula. As well, the River Plan suggests activities appropriate for McNear Peninsula include strolling and jogging, kite flying, picnicking, nature observation, public education, public gathering and special events, informal field games, temporary small craft docking and dog walking. In 1996 the City concluded the purchase of the northern portion of the McNear Peninsula, approximately 10 acres, with assistance from the SCAPOSD. In 2005 the City undertook the project that is now Steamer Landing Park and completed an initial set of improvements including a parking lot, trails, interpretive displays, landscaping, and overlook. Subsequent to the completion of the project, the historic livery stable was relocated to the property with the goal of renovating the structure and turning it into an educational center focused on the City's agricultural past and associated river - dependent industries. In May 2009 the City Council approved a Resolution recognizing and supporting a cooperative partnership with Friends of the Petaluma River (FOPR) as project leaders for restoration and programming of the former livery stable. In September 2011 the City Council approved a proposal from FOPR naming the former livery stable on McNear Peninsula the David Yearsley River Heritage Center, in posthumous honor of founding member and active participant with FOPR, David Yearsley. FOPR have made numerous improvements to the David Yearsley River Heritage Center. The effort has helped maintain interest in McNear Peninsula, while helping to educate the community about its heritage associated with the River. The effort has also supported increased recreational access to the river. DISCUSSION FOPR strongly supports increased community access to the Petaluma River for recreational and educational purposes. Toward that end, FOPR is proposing a grant application seeking the funding necessary to purchase and install floating docks suitable for temporary use by human powered small craft on the Petaluma River side of McNear Peninsula, consistent with the River Plan. FOPR desires to seek a $150,000 grant, and is committed to meet the local match requirement of $150,000. The project proposed by FOPR meets the criteria for the SCAPOSD matching grant program as a recreation project that will provide the community with increased access to the Petaluma River for free recreational opportunities and education programming. SCAPOSD grant guidelines require that the entity that holds title to the property subject to a grant project sign the grant application as a co- applicant. FOPR will provide all support needed to prepare the grant application and implement and maintain the project. FOPR will submit a project budget in the grant application that will be evaluated by SCAPOSD as part of the grant evaluation process, and the project budget will identify the sources of materials, funds and in -kind services that FOPR proposes be used as grant match. If awarded, the project will be subject to all required environmental review and permitting. The SCAPOSD will not reimburse any grant funds without proper permits, approvals and environmental review. All necessary environmental review will be conducted in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act. All necessary approvals and permits will be obtained in accordance with the requirements of all agencies with jurisdiction concerning the project. The City will contract for necessary project services occurring on the City's property, whether they will be provided by FOPR and /or third parties. FOPR is committed to funding the project costs, including environmental review and permitting costs, and would receive partial grant reimbursement, with the remaining costs funded by FOPR constituting matching funds. 2 Grant guidelines will require that an agreement between the City and FOPR be executed if the project is awarded funding. Such an agreement would authorize the co- applicants to proceed with implementation of the project, operate the project, and must identify which co- applicant is responsible for maintenance of the project property. Additional roles and responsibilities can be included in such an agreement, and would include identification of project and maintenance funding and support, and would require appropriate insurance and indemnification. SCAPOSD allows a five -year window for project implementation and grant reimbursement. A necessary element of the grant application is a resolution of support from the governing body, and in this case, the property owner. The Recreation, Music and Parks Commission considered this item at their March 16, 2016 meeting, and took action recommending that the City Council adopt a resolution supporting a grant application to SCAPOSD, submitted by FOPR, for funding to install small craft docks on City property at Steamer Landing Park on McNear Peninsula. FINANCIAL IMPACTS The Friends of the Petaluma River are proposing to take on all aspects of the grant application and project. If the grant is successful, a grant agreement, which documents the grant amount and matching funds requirement, will be presented to the City Council for consideration. There is no cost to the City to sign the grant application, other than the staff time utilized in preparing this item for Commission and City Council review. ATTACHMENTS 1. Resolution 3 RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PETALUMA AUTHORIZING THE FRIENDS OF THE PETALUMA RIVER TO SUBMIT A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE SONOMA COUNTY AGRICULTURAL PRESERVATION AND OPEN SPACE DISTRICT FOR THE STEAMER LANDING PARK RECREATION, ACCESS AND EDUCATIONAL ENHANCEMENT PROJECT LOCATED ON CITY PROPERTY AT MCNEAR PENINSULA AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO SIGN THE APPLICATION IDENTIFYING THE CITY AS CO- APPLICANT WHEREAS, the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District (District) has established a competitive Matching Grant Program (the Program) for projects that provide open space, community recreation, and /or public access opportunities within and near incorporated areas and other urbanized areas of Sonoma County; and WHEREAS, the District released Guidelines and Application Materials for the 2016 round of funding on January 28th, 2016; and WHEREAS, the City of Petaluma (City) has identified access to the Petaluma River for recreational and educational purposes (Project) at Steamer Landing Park on McNear Peninsula (Project Site) as a priority project, as reflected in the following: FINDINGS A. The Petaluma General Plan 2025 (General Plan) adopted May 19, 2008 by Resolution 2008- 085 identifies a Petaluma River Corridor Area needed for implementation of the Petaluma River Access and Enhancement Plan (River Plan) adopted May 20, 1996 by Resolution 96- 138. (p. 1 -8). B. The General Plan prescribes using the River Plan "as the tool to implement the Petaluma River Corridor by maintaining setbacks, creating natural flood terraces where appropriate, and enhancing floodplain and habitat conservation areas and other open spaces along the river utilizing an ecologically -based design approach." (2 -P -58, p. 2 -15). C. The General Plan establishes a policy intended to "[p]reserve and expand transportation and community development initiatives that utilize the Petaluma River for commercial and recreational uses," including investigation of "water- related recreational opportunities that could enhance tourism such as a multi -use public river aquatic center, including increased river access for hand - launching of small craft." (5 -P -51, p. 5 -25). D. The General Plan establishes a policy intended to "[r]etain and expand city -wide park and recreation assets and programs to maintain the quality of life they provide to the community," including "[w]here feasible, acquire and /or restore, maintain and use for the community's benefit, local historic assets," including Steamer Landing and the McNear Channel, as well as "[w]ork collaboratively with affected property owners to dredge the McNear Channel and utilize this protected body of water for small boating in concert with local organizations, including the development of a small boating facility that can house instructional and /or historic programs related to the Petaluma River and Petaluma's historical heritage," and also "[e]explore opportunities for the development a public multi -use, small - craft center providing a venue for recreational and competitive small boaters (e.g., rowing shells, outrigger canoes, kayaks, traditional wooden boats, and other human and sail powered watercraft) on the Petaluma River." (6 -P -1, p. 6 -15 — 6 -16). E. The River Plan provides that "McNear Peninsula presents an extraordinary opportunity for development of a distinctive community recreational facility and visual focal point. This land's unique attributes — its open landscape, extensive river frontage, proximity to downtown, and views of riverfront industries and hills surrounding the valley — are very special and will become a regional draw. In addition to developing upland and waterfront recreational facilities this plan recommends creating a salt marsh habitat around the perimeter of the peninsula as an educational feature." (p. 127). F. The River Plan establishes programs for creating a distinctive, river - oriented community park on McNear Peninsula and for providing docking facilities for small water craft on both sides of McNear Peninsula. The River Plan directs that public use of the peninsula should be of a passive character which does not require structures, bright lights or other improvements that would destroy the Peninsula's unique sense of openness and remoteness or distract from the dramatic views, and lists passive recreation activities appropriate for McNear Peninsula as including: strolling and jogging, kite flying, picnicking, nature observation, public education, public gathering and special events, informal field games, temporary small craft docking, and dog walking. (pp. 130 -131); and WHEREAS, in 1996 the City concluded the purchase of the northern portion of the McNear Peninsula, approximately 10 acres, with funding assistance from the District, and in 2005 undertook the first phase of the project that is now Steamer Landing Park completing an initial set of improvements to the property including a parking lot, trails, interpretive displays, landscaping and overlook; and, WHEREAS, subsequent to the property acquisition and initial improvement project, the historic livery stable was relocated to the property with the goal of renovating the structure and turning it into an educational center focused on the City's rich agricultural past and river history; and WHEREAS, in 2009 the City Council approved a resolution recognizing and supporting a cooperative partnership with Friends of the Petaluma River (FOPR) as project leaders for restoration and programming of the former livery stable; and WHEREAS, in 2011 the City Council approved a resolution proposed by FOPR naming the former livery stable on McNear Peninsula the David Yearsley River Heritage Center in posthumous honor of a founding member and active participant with FOPR, David Yearsley; and WHEREAS, FOPR have made numerous improvements to the David Yearsley River Heritage Center and the grounds immediately surrounding the building, and FOPR hosts several successful community events and presents educational and river oriented recreational programs on site; and WHEREAS, the efforts of FOPR have helped to maintain interest in Steamer Landing Park and McNear Peninsula, while helping to educate the community about the rich heritage associated with the river and supporting increased recreational access to the River; and WHEREAS, FOPR have declared their desire to submit an application for grant funding to the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District's Matching Grant Program for a project consisting of floating docks and related improvements for small, human powered watercraft at the City -owned Project Site; and WHEREAS, the Project is consistent with the City's General Plan and River Plan and existing plans for the Project Site, in accordance with the Findings contained in this resolution, and meets the criteria for the District's Matching Grant Program as a recreation development project and will provide the community with increased access to the Petaluma River for free recreational opportunities and educational programming; and WHEREAS, the District's Program requires applicants to provide the equivalent of a one -to -one match for the project and the total project cost for implementation of the Project, including requested funds of $150,000 and matching funds of $150,000 is $300,000; and WHEREAS, the FOPR is committed to funding the match required under the Program and will secure $150,000.00 in matching funds for the Project from a diverse stream of funding including $75,000.00 from the Rivertown Revival festival, $25,000.00 from local donors and in- kind donations of services and materials and $50,000.00 from foundation grants; and WHEREAS, if implemented, operation and maintenance of the Project will be funded by the FOPR and be carried out under the supervision and authority of the City of Petaluma; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Petaluma as follows: 1. Truth of the Recitals. The recitals contained in this resolution are hereby declared to be true and correct and findings of the City Council of the City of Petaluma. 2. Authorization. The Friends of the Petaluma River are hereby authorized to submit a grant application to the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District for the Steamer Landing Park Recreation, Access and Educational Enhancement Project located on City Property at McNear Peninsula, and the City Manager is hereby authorized and directed to sign the application identifying the City as a co- applicant. 3. General Plan Consistency. The Project is consistent with the City's General Plan 2025 in accordance with provisions 2 -P -58, 5 -P -51, 6 -P -1, and consistent with pertinent programs and policies in the City's Petaluma River Access and Enhancement Plan listed in pages 127 and 130 -131, in accordance with the Findings contained in this resolution. I 4. Matching Funds. If the grant is awarded the Friends of the Petaluma River have committed to providing $150,000 in matching funds as cash or in kind support in sufficient amounts to complete the Project. 5. Operations and Maintenance. The Friends of the Petaluma River have committed to providing sufficient funds to operate and maintain the project, if awarded funding. 6. Legal Compliance. The City acknowledges that if the Project is funded, it will be required to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws. 7