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HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 3.C 10/16/2017DATE: October 16, 2017 Agenda Item #3.0 TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council through City Manager FROM: Dan St. John, RASCE — Director, Public Works and Utilities SUBJECT: Resolution Approving a Grant Application to the State of California Natural Resources Agency Department of Parks and Recreation Office of Grants and Local Services for the Outdoor Environmental Education Facilities Grant Program and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute all Grant Documents RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the City Council approve the Resolution Approving a Grant Application to the State of California Natural Resources Agency Department of Parks and Recreation Office of Grants and Local Services for the Outdoor Environmental Education Facilities Grant Program and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute all Grant Documents. BACKGROUND The City of Petaluma and the Petaluma Wetlands Alliance (PWA) are proposing to jointly pursue a grant for Shollenberger Park, offered through the State of California Natural Resources Agency, Department of Parks and Recreation for Outdoor Environmental Education Facilities. The grant request is for installing a 50 -seat amphitheater at the current gathering location for educational activities near the entrance to the park and an interactive, informational kiosk along the walking path where Adobe Creek and the Petaluma River converge. The grant request estimate is $213,500. The State Grant program limits grants requests to $500,000 and is eligible to cities, counties, and Non - Profit organizations. For this particular grant, the City of Petaluma would be the primary applicant and a Council resolution approving the grant application is required as part of the submittal process. The application was submitted by the deadline of September 1,20t7. The approval resolution must be received by the State of California Natural Resources Agency Department of Parks and Recreation Office of Grants and Local Services by November 1, 2017. At their regular meeting on September 20, 2017, the Recreation, Music and Park Commission provided input to the Petaluma Wetlands Alliance, and recommended that City Council approve the proposed resolution approving a grant application. DISCUSSION The Shollenberger Park Outdoor Environmental Education Project consists of two main improvements: 1) A new environmental education kiosk with added information on native vegetation to be located at the Adobe Creek Interpretive Area, and 2) An outdoor amphitheater for environmental education lectures and demonstrations to be used by the public and Petaluma third -grade classes. The Adobe Creek Interpretive Area: This project was identified in the Petaluma Waterways project map that is utilized to attract volunteer groups to participate in development of river access and education facilities. As well, in the City's River Access Plan there is an identified need for signage, exhibits, kiosks and other interpretive facilities along the Petaluma River and it's watershed. An educational kiosk at the confluence of the river and Adobe Creek will inform and inspire the public of the value of the Adobe Creek ecosystem. The kiosk's informational material will be created and updated on a yearly basis by the United Anglers of Casa Grande High School, a student group actively working at the Fish & Game sanctioned fish hatchery at the school. In addition, revegetation of native plantings will be included on the banks of Adobe Creek. The Adobe Creek Interpretive Area kiosk will be situated along the edge of the Shollenberger path at the point where the creek enters the Petaluma River. This new kiosk will compliment three others located at other points along the path and provide an interactive educational component specifically related to the watershed. Outdoor Amphitheater: The new outdoor amphitheater will provide a gathering place for Petaluma 3rd graders and teachers taking part in the Petaluma Wetlands Alliance's (PWA) environmental educational program at Shollenberger Park. The program is focused on education of the Petaluma watershed. The outdoor education activities include a habitat walk, a bird walk,. and owl pellet dissection. This education program began in 2003 and has provided an outdoor learning experience for over 10,000 school children of Petaluma. The amphitheater will also provide a place for other PWA- sponsored activities such as the annual Christmas Bird Count for Kids and the annual Spring Feather Fest for Kids. The Outdoor Amphitheater is intended to replace and enhance existing bench seating where groups of visitors congregate for educational classes and docent led discussions. The area is located just west of the park's restroom and parking area. Once the grant is awarded the City and the PWA will work collaboratively to develop site plans and drawings for both installations. Grant funds may only be used for construction costs, thus the city will provide funding support for any design costs which are expected to be minimal. There is no local matching funds requirement. CEQA analysis has been completed for the site and was a requirement of the grant application. 2 FINANCIAL IMPACTS The grant does not require matching funds. However, all grant awarded funds must be used for construction purposes only. The City will pay for design costs, estimated at $2,000, which will be funded within the existing budget. ATTACHMENTS 1. Resolution Attachment 1 RESOLUTION APPROVING A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA NATURAL RESOURCES AGENCY DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION OFFICE OF GRANTS AND LOCAL SERVICES FOR THE OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION FACILITIES GRANT PROGRAM AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ALL GRANT DOCUMENTS WHEREAS, the State Department of Parks and Recreation has been delegated the responsibility by the Legislature of the State of California for the administration of the Outdoor Environmental Education Facilities Grant Program, setting up necessary procedures governing the application; and WHEREAS, said procedures established by the State Department of Parks and Recreation require the Applicant to certify by resolution the approval of the application before submission of said application to the State; and WHEREAS, successful Applicants will enter into a contract with the State of California to complete the Grant Scope project. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Petaluma hereby: 1. Approves the filing of an application for the Shollenberger Park Outdoor Environmental Education Project; 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 sufficient funds to complete the project; and 3. Certifies that if the project is awarded, the Applicant has or will have sufficient funds to operate and maintain the project; and 4. Certifies that the Applicant has reviewed, understand, and agrees to the General Provisions contained in the contract shown in the Grant Administration Guide; and 5. Delegates the authority to the City Manager to conduct all negotiations, sign and submit all documents, including but not limited to applications, agreements, amendments, and payments request, which may be necessary for the completion of the Grant Scope; and 6. Agrees to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, and guidelines. 11