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HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 3.G 08/05/2019p' L I85e, DATE: TO: FROM: SUBJECT: Agenda Item #3.G August 5, 2019 Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council through City Manager Jason Beatty — Assistant Director, Public Works and Utilities Patrick Carter — Management Analyst II, Public Works and Utilities Resolution Approving the Application for Grant Funds for the Prop 68 Trails and Greenways Grant Program RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the City Council adopt the attached Resolution Approving the Application for Grant Funds for the Prop 68 Trails and Greenways Grant Program. BACKGROUND California voters passed the California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection, and Outdoor Access for All Act of 2018 (Proposition 68) on June 5, 2018. Proposition 68 authorized the Legislature to appropriate $27.7 million to the California Natural Resources Agency (the "State") for competitive grants that provide non -motorized infrastructure developments and enhancements that promote new or alternate access to parks, waterways, outdoor recreational pursuits, and forested or other natural environments to encourage health-related active transportation and opportunities for Californians to reconnect with nature. This resulted in the Trails and Greenways Grant Program. Proposition 68's implementation has resulted in a number of other competitive and non-competitive grant programs, of which staff is evaluating and recommending application where appropriate. Under the statutory requirements, the City is an eligible applicant. Awards for individual projects are capped at $4 million. All projects must provide non -motorized infrastructure development and enhancements that promote new or alternate access to parks, waterways, outdoor recreational pursuits, and forested or other natural environments to encourage health-related active transportation and opportunities for Californians to reconnect with nature. Examples of eligible projects include new non -motorized trails where one does not currently exist, new non -motorized trail segments to expand and connect to an existing trail or trail system, non -motorized bridges that continue a trail over a waterway or other physical obstacle, new non -motorized trailhead facility including parking lot, restrooms, interpretive signage, kiosks, entry gate, planting of trees and shrubs, and acquisition of land for purposes of future development into an eligible project type. DISCUSSION The River Trail, when complete, will allow pedestrian and cyclist access from the Ellis Creek Water Recycling Facility to Downtown Petaluma and beyond. Existing trails from the Ellis Creek facility currently end at the Petaluma Marina, at which point, bicyclist and pedestrians would have to use bike lanes and sidewalks along Lakeville Highway to reach the downtown area. Staff believes CIP Project C 16101519 — River Trail 101/Crossing would be an excellent fit for the Trails and Greenways Grant. This project includes the design and construction of the segment of the River Trail that connects the Petaluma Marina to the Riverfront development, allowing cyclists and pedestrians to bypass a longer and busier segment of Lakeville Highway. The project would continue the trail at the west end of the Petaluma Marina, near the existing Harbormaster's Office, extend down the peninsula toward the SMART Haystack Bridge, construct a bridge to the SMART property, an undercrossing below the tracks previously approved in the land swap with SMART, and extend the River Trail to the Riverfront Development underneath the US 101 bridge. The project meets the following eligibility requirements: construction of a new, non -motorized trail where one does not currently exist, connection of a new segment into an existing non - motorized trail system, continue a trail over a waterway, and include tree/shrub planting and interpretive signage. According to the Grant Guidelines, projects within %2 mile of a disadvantaged community are exempt from the requirement to provide 20% matching funds for the project, meaning the unidentified, unfunded portion of this project could be 100% funded through this grant. According to California State Parks' Community FactFinder, there are disadvantaged communities within''/2 mile from the project location. Preliminary planning and design have been performed on this project, but the lack of an identified funding source for this project has delayed construction until FY 22-23 subject to funding. If this grant is awarded, the project could be implemented as soon as FY 20-21. If awarded for the full amount, the City would need to maintain and operate the property developed pursuant to this grant for a minimum of 25 years. PUBLIC OUTREACH The proposed project is part of the River Trail, a trail system described in the Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan as a proposed trail system along the entire length of the Petaluma River through the City. The Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan is an appendix to the General Plan, which received significant public outreach. If the project is awarded, or if other funding sources are identified to fund this project, staff will present the project to the Recreation, Music, and Parks Commission and Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee for feedback. I FINANCIAL IMPACTS Current total project estimates are $2.86 million, with $50,000 funded through developer contributions. To date, $25,000 has been spent on planning and preliminary design, with another $25,000 to be spent in the current fiscal year and another $50,000 in developer fees expected to be received. Funding for the remainder of this project is currently undetermined. If awarded, up to 100% of the undetermined $2.76 million River Trail 101 Crossing project may be funded by the Trails and Greenways Grant. Staff believes matching funds would not be necessary for this project, as the location meets the criteria for a disadvantaged community which would waive the 20% match requirement. ATTACHMENTS 1. Resolution Attachment 1 RESOLUTION APPROVING THE APPLICATION FOR GRANT FUNDS FOR THE TRAILS AND GREENWAYS GRANT PROGRAM WHEREAS, the Legislature and Governor of the State of California have provided funds for the Proposition 68 Trails and Greenways Grant Program, a competitive grant program providing non -motorized infrastructure developments and enhancements that promote new or alternate access to parks, waterways, and other natural environments to encourage health-related active transportation and opportunities to reconnect with nature; and WHEREAS, the California Natural Resources Agency has been delegated the responsibility for the administration of this grant program, establishing necessary procedures; and WHEREAS, said procedures established by the California Natural Resources Agency require a resolution certifying the approval of application(s) by the Applicant's (City of Petaluma) governing board before submission of said application(s) to the State; and WHEREAS, the Applicant, if selected, will enter into an agreement with the State of California to carry out the project. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Petaluma: 1. Approves the filing of an application for the River Trail 101 Crossing Project; and 2. Certifies that Applicant understands the assurances and certification in the application; and 3. Certifies that Applicant or title holder will have sufficient funds to operate and maintain the project(s) consistent with the land tenure requirements; or will secure the resources to do so; and 4. Certifies that it will comply with all provisions of Section 1771.5 of the California Labor Code; and 5. If applicable, certifies that the project will comply with any laws and regulations including, but not limited to, the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), legal requirements for building codes, health and safety codes, and disabled access laws, and that prior to commencement of construction all applicable pen -nits will have been obtained; and 6. Certifies that Applicant will work towards the State Planning Priorities intended to promote equity, strengthen the economy, protect the environment, and promote public health and safety as included in Government Code Section 65041.1; and 0 7. Appoints the City Manager, or designee, as agent to conduct all negotiations, execute and submit all documents including, but not limited to, applications, agreements, payment requests and so on, which may be necessary for the completion of the grant application for the aforementioned project(s).