HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 2.F 04/20/2009CITY OF PFTALUMA, CALIFortNiA
AGENDA BILL
2.F
Agenda Title: Resolution Approving Application to the Coastal Meeting Date: April 20, 2009
Conservancy for a San Francisco Bay Area Conservancy Program Grant to
Rehabilitate the Downtown Trestle
Meeting Time: 7:00 PM
Categorv: ❑ Presentation ❑ Appointments ® Consent ElPublic Hearing [I Unfinished Business [:]New Business
Department: Dir4etor:
Public Works Vin ent arengo
Total Cost of Proposal or Project:
Contact Person: Phone Number:
Larry Zimmerp 776-3674
�f
There is no cost directly related to the resolution beyond
staff time to prepare.
Amount Budgeted:
To be included in FY 09/10 C1P budget upon approval of
Name of Fund:
Public Works CIP 3160
Account Number;
To be assigned upon approval of grant.
Current Fund Balance:
grant. Matching funds not required.
Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council take the following action:
Approve application to the Coastal Conservancy for a San Francisco Bay Area Conservancy Program grant to
rehabilitate the Downtown Trestle.
1. ❑ Fust reading of Ordinance approved unanimously, or with unanimous vote to allow posting prior to second reading
2, ❑ First reading of Ordinance approved without unanimous vote: Ordinance has been published/posted prior to second reading; see
Attachment
3. ❑ Other action requiring special notice: Notice has been given, see Attachment
Summary Statement:
The San Francisco Bay Area Conservancy Program (Bay Program), administered by the Coastal Conservancy,
was established to address the natural resource and recreational goals of the Bay Area. Proposals are accepted by
the Coastal Conservancy on a continuous basis and are subject to review and approval by the Board at a publicly
noticed meeting. Board meetings are held approximately every two months.
Attachments to Agenda Packet Item:
1. Resolution
Reviewed by Finance Director: Reviewed by City Attornev: Approved y Citv_Manaaer:
te. �% late: Date: T 1 I I
nt
Rev. # 3 Date Last Revd J:-/ File: 5:1Gras-Funding Folder\Cnastal6Conservancy�-)009 DoNvntown
4/13109 Rev. #1, 4/7/09; Rev. #Z, 418/09 Trestle Rehabilit2tion1330 PCDC City CouneiMpril 2009 Approve
1.00 prn ApplicationlFINAL Agenda Hill Approving Application.Doc
APRIL 20, 2009
AGENDA REPORT
FOR
RESOLUTION APPROVING APPLICATION TO THE COASTAL CONSERVANCY FOR A SAN
FRANCISCO BAY AREA CONSERVANCY PROGRAM GRANT TO REHABILITATE THE
DOWNTOWN TRESTLE
1. RECOMMENDATION:
Approve application to the Coastal Conservancy for a San Francisco Bay Area Conservancy
Program grant to rehabilitate the Downtown Trestle,
2. BACKGROUND:
The goals of the Bay Program are to:
1. Protect, restore and enhance natural habitats and other open -space resources of regional
significance;
2. Improve public access and related facilities to and around the Bay through the completion
of bay, coast, water and ridge trails that are part of a regional trail system;
3. Promote projects that provide open space that is accessible to urban populations for
recreational and educational purposes.
The Downtown Trestle is located on the west bank of the Petaluma River, slightly northwest
of the Turning Basin. Recently, Sonoma Marin Area Rapid Transit (SMART) fenced off the
trestle to prevent public access to their dilapidated structure.
3. DISCUSSION:
The 80+ year old Downtown Trestle begins at the terminus of Western Street, runs along the
Water Street side of the Great Petaluma Mill and the intersection of B and Second Streets, and
ends near the Yacht Chub. The 2007 Historic Structure Report for the Petaluma & Santa Rosa
Railroad Trestle (Downtown Trestle), describes the robust railroad history within the City of
Petaluma and the significance of the Downtown Trestle to the Historic Downtown. In the
recent past, the trestle has been used as a viewing platform for the yearly Riverfest.
The Historic Structure Report also catalogues the current condition of the trestle structure,
provides loading analyses of pedestrian -only use and trolley and pedestrian use, and
documents engineering requirements to rehabilitate the trestle to either level of use.
The grant application to the Bay Program would request funding for the design and
construction to rehabilitate the trestle structure, including bank stabilization measures, habitat
maintenance or enhancement, completion of the River Trail and an educational component.
The Historic Structure Report points to an obvious deflection in the radius of the track, which
could be the result of previous bank de -stabilization. Nonetheless, the current condition of the
bai>Ic should be analyzed and appropriate measures should be designed into the project to
prevent any possible further bank erosion.
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Application\11NA1, Agenda Bill Approving Application.doc
The River Trail, as approved in the Petaluma River Access and Enhancement Plan, continues
along the length of the trestle from Water Street Plaza to connect with First Street.
Rehabilitation of the trestle may allow for the River Trail to be widened while providing
continuity. A properly designed "history lesson" would showcase the significance of the
trestle to the history of Petaluma. However, equally important to this area of Petaluma is the
storm drain culvert underneath the trestle that delivers roadway runoff into the river. Citizens
rarely get to see any infrastructure system at work. Illustrating the collection and delivery of
surface water to the river could further support the message of environmental protection
through proper disposal of hazardous materials.
The trestle structure supports the western spur of the Petaluma & Santa Rosa Railroad, the
same track line that is the focus of the Petaluma Trolley group. An application for a
feasibility study of the existing trolley line to determine required rail improvements, ridership
and right-of-way requirements was submitted to Caltrans on April 1, 2009. This Bay Program
application is separate and distinct from the Caltrans FY 09-10 Transit Technical Planning
Assistance grant, in that it focuses on the rehabilitation of the trestle structure only.
4. FINANCIAL IMPACTS:
The cost to complete and submit the application will require staff time only. Costs incurred
prior to contractual agreement with the Conservancy are not reimbursable.
The grant application fonn makes clear that applications with other funding sources, in-kind
or volunteer services, make the grant proposal more competitive. City staff conversation with
the Conservancy Project Manager reinforced this criterion. The Conservancy Project
Manager also indicated that the grant funds are generally limited to pay for administrative
costs up to 10% of the total grant request. The specific funding details are discussed after the
grant is awarded and documented in the Cooperative Agreement between the Conservancy
and the City establishing the project scope, funding, timeline and restrictions, if any.
The approved grant monies will be paid to the City on a reimbursement basis as the project
progresses. The Conservancy retains 10% of each invoice, much in the same way that the
City retains 10% from construction contractors until project acceptance. The 10% retention
will be paid by the Conservancy when the project is deemed complete. Staff will recommend,
at the tune of project approval, that at least 10% of the project cost be approved for the CIP
project budget.
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Applic flon\FINAL Agenda Bill Approving Application.doc 3
ATTACHMENT I
APPROVING APPLICATION TO THE COASTAL CONSERVANCY FOR A SAN
FRANCISCO BAY AREA CONSERVANCY PROGRAM GRANT TO REHABILITATE THE
DOWNTOWN TRESTLE
WHEREAS, the San Francisco Bay Area Conservancy Program (Bay Program) provides funds
to address the natural resource and recreational goals of the nine -county Bay Area; and
WHEREAS, the Coastal Conservancy has been designated as the administrator of the Bay
Program; and
WHEREAS, the Downtown Trestle has been determined to be an historical resource and the
structure is in need of improvements; and
WHEREAS, the City of Petaluma desires to submit an application to the Coastal Conservancy
for a San Francisco Bay Area Conservancy grant to support the design and construction necessary for
trestle rehabilitation.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Petaluma City Council hereby:
1. Approves the filing of a grant application to the Coastal Conservancy for a San Francisco Bay
Area Conservancy grant for the Downtown Trestle rehabilitation; and
2. Authorizes the City Manager to sign the grant application.
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ApplicationU INAL. Agenda Bill Approving Application.doc