HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 2016-055 N.C.S. 04/18/2016Resolution No. 2016 -055 N.C.S.
of the City of Petaluma, California
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 N.C.S. 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 N.C.S.. (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
Resolution No. 2016 -055 N.C.S. Page 1
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
Resolution No. 2016 -055 N.C.S. Page 2
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.
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.
Resolution No. 2016 -055 N.C.S. Page 3
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.
Under the power and authority conferred upon this Council by the Charter of said City.
REFERENCE: I hereby certify the foregoing Resolution was introduced and adopted by the Approvcd� as to
Council of the City of Petaluma at a Regular meeting on the 18th day of April, 2016, f y .r form:
by the following vote:
' A,,s'sistant City Attorney
AYES: Barrett, Mayor Glass, Healy, Kearney, Vice Mayor King, Miller
NOES:
None
ABSENT:
Albertson
ABSTAIN:
None
ATTEST:
City Clerk
Mayor
Resolution No. 2016 -055 N.C.S. Page 4