HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 2018-049 N.C.S. 04/16/2018Resolution No. 2018-049 N.C.S.
of the City of Petaluma, California
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 N.C.S. identifies a Petaluma River Cor7idor 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
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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
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. 13 0-131); 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, 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
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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
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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.
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 ,Approve s to
Council of the City of Petaluma at a Regular meeting on the 161h day of April 2018,l for
by the following vote:
City Attor �y
AYES: Albertson, Barrett, Mayor Glass, Vice Mayor Healy, Kearney, Miller 7
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