HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 3.C 04/16/2018DATE:
TO:
FROM:
Agenda Item #3.
April 16, 2018
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council through City Manager
Scott Brodhun, Assistant City Manager
SUBJECT: Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Submit a Grant Application in
Partnership with the Friends of the Petaluma River to the Sonoma County
Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District for Acquisition of the Central
Portion of 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 the City
Manager to Submit a Grant Application in Partnership with the Friends of the Petaluma River
(FOPR) to the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District (SCAPOSD)
for Acquisition of the Central Portion of McNear Peninsula and Authorizing the City Manager to
Sign the Application Identifying the City as Co -Applicant.
BACKGROUND
The SCAPOSD continues to offer a matching grant program on an every other year cycle and in
2018 is inviting matching grant applications. The matching grant program provides funding for
land acquisition, park development and open space projects. Grant awards are subject to 50110
local matching funds, and as a condition of accepting funding, the applicant is required to convey
a conservation easement over the property to the SCAPOSD.
The City has been an active participant in the SCAPOSD matching grant program and has
successfully applied and received funds for various projects including Petaluma Community
Sports Fields, Paula Lane, LaCresta Ridge, Steamer Landing Park, Petaluma Wetlands and
Denman Reach.
In 1996, the Open Space District assisted the City in purchasing the first phase of the McNear
Peninsula, consisting of 10 acres and adjacent to the property now proposed for purchase.
Concurrent with the purchase, the SCAPOSD assumed a conservation easement on the acquired
property.
The subject portion of McNear Peninsula is 20+ acres consisting of the central portion of
McNear Peninsula. In 2001, the McNear Peninsula acquisition was presented to the SCAPOSD
for consideration and was recommended for funding. Negotiations were unsuccessful and the
acquisition was not completed.
The City Council's 2017 and 2018 goals include 2 top priority open space acquisitions, LaCresta
Ridge and McNear Peninsula.
DISCUSSION
The McNear acquisition is important from a variety of perspectives, including its designation as
open space and park. The River Access and Enhancement Plan, adopted in 1996, identifies
McNear Peninsula as a key acquisition. The development of a public park on McNear Peninsula
is a priority of the Plan, and development of Steamer Landing Park has been a wonderful asset to
the community. As well, Petaluma Water Ways, which supports the River Access and
Enhancement Plan, promotes a vision linking the community through a network of green spaces
and gathering spots, and identifies this project as an important recreational and river oriented
asset. McNear Peninsula is also recognized in the adopted Central Petaluma Specific Plan as an
important open space component to the ongoing preservation, enhancement and economic health
of the central area of the community.
The grant application is due on April 30, 2018, and is under, development at this time. The
project budget is estimated to be $1,000,000, subject to completion of a current property
appraisal. The majority of funding sought through the matching grant program will likely be
utilized for property acquisition. However, there may also be funds sought that will assist with
project elements that support continued restoration of the David Yearsley River Heritage Center,
marsh enhancement and restoration, trail development, and park amenities such as signs,
benches and trash receptacles.
FOPR, who have partnered with the City on transformation of the historic livery stable into the
David Yearsley River Heritage Center, and the grant funded McNear Peninsula floating dock
project, will partner on this grant application and project as well. The local match obligation is a
1:1 match of funds provided by SCAPOSD. FOPR will take on responsibility for development
of the local snatch, and anticipate that the match will be derived from other grants and in-kind
services. FOPR is currently completing an additional application for funding that will be
submitted in May to the Coastal Conservancy. If the project receives funding, FOPR will
execute an agreement to provide the required matching funds and an agreement that will direct a
scope of services for on-going maintenance and operations that will be carried out under the
supervision and authority of the City.
Grant awards are anticipated to be announced in fall, subsequent to which a property appraisal
would be submitted to SCAPOSD for review and approval. Once an appraisal is approved, staff
will seek City Council direction to negotiate a purchase and sale agreement.
The Recreation, Music and Parks Commission considered this item at a Special Meeting on April
3, 2018, and recommends that the City Council approve a resolution authorizing the grant
application.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS
The project partners are supporting City staff in preparation of the grant application. Thus, other
than some limited staff time to prepare the grant application, there is no cost associated with the
specific action requested.
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If the project receives funding, FOPR will execute an agreement to provide the required
matching funds and an agreement that will direct a scope of services for on-going maintenance
and operations that will be carried out under the supervision and authority of the City.
ATTACHMENTS
Resolution
ATTACHMENT 1
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PETALUMA
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO SUBMIT A GRANT APPLICATION IN
PARTNERSHIP WITH THE FRIENDS OF THE PETALUMA RIVER TO THE
SONOMA COUNTY AGRICULTURAL PRESERVATION AND OPEN SPACE
DISTRICT FOR ACQUISITION OF THE CENTRAL PORTION OF MCNEAR
PENINSULA AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO SIGN THE
APPLICATION IDENTIFYING THE CITY AS CO -APPLICANT
WHEREAS, in accordance with the voter -approved Expenditure plan, 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, 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 2018 round
of funding in January, 2018; and
WHEREAS, the City of Petaluma (City) has identified acquisition of McNear Peninsula as
a top priority open space acquisition as reflected in City Council goals and 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 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).
D. 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
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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 ari educational center focused on the City's rich agricultural past and river history;
and
WHEREAS, due to extraordinary fiscal challenges the City of Petaluma strives to engage
in strong partnerships with nonprofits and community groups such as Friends of the Petaluma
River (FOPR); and,
WHEREAS, in 2009, the City Council approved a resolution recognizing and supporting a
cooperative partnership with 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 continue as a partner with the City in
submittal of an application for grant funding to the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation
and Open Space District's Matching Grant Program for acquisition of the central portion of
McNear Peninsula; 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
WHEREAS, the FOPR is committed to funding the match required under the Program and
will secure matching funds for the Project totaling approximately $500,000 from a diverse
stream of funding derived from other grant sources, including the Coastal Conservancy to which
FOPR is preparing a grant application, local donors and in-kind donations of services and
materials; and
WHEREAS, the total estimated project cost, subject to completion of a current property
appraisal, is approximately $1,000,000; and
WHEREAS, if implemented, operation and maintenance of the Project will be funded and
managed 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 City Manager in partnership with Friends of the Petaluma River is
hereby authorized to submit a grant application to the Sonoma County Agricultural
Preservation and Open Space District for acquisition of the central portion of McNear
Peninsula, and 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
and consistent with pertinent programs and policies in the City's Petaluma River Access
and Enhancement Plan listed 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 all 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 under
the supervision and authority of the City.
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.
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