HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Bill 3J 09/14/2009
CITY OF PETALUMA~ CALIFORNIA ~•J
AGENDA ILI. S~pternber 14, 2005
Agenda Title:. Meeting Date: 14 Sept. 2009
Discussion and Possible Action to Adopt Resolution Authorizing the City
Manager to submit a grant application to the U.S. Environmental Protection ' Meeting Time: 7:00 PM
Agency (USEPA) for implementation of a Petaluma Watershed Restoration
Project Pursuant to the Adopted Policy Documents and Further Providing
Authorization to Execute Grant Agreements with the USEPA Should a
"Grant.Be Awarded. Project: 1VIcNear Peninsula bank stabilization and
wetland restoration.
Category:' ^ Presentation ^ Appointments ®Gonsent ^ Public Hearing ^ Unfinished Business ^ New Business
I)cparfiment Darector,: Contact Person:- ~ ,-'~ .Phone Number:
Water Resources and Michael Ban, P.E. ~ Remleh Scherzng r, .E. 707 / 778-4583
CQnservatiori ~ Pamela Tuft 707 / 778-4514
Total Cost.: of Proposal. or Proeect:
- -
- • Name of Fund:
_ _
-
Approximately $2,500 ~for'grant proposal and staff report
preparation and conducting site tours with the possible ~ Account Number:
funding agency..
Amount, Bud>;eted: N/A Current Fund Balance: N/A
Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council take the following action:
Adopt the attached Resolution authorizing submission of grant application to complete the McNear Peninsula
Restoration project. identified pursuant to the adopted River Access and Enhancement Plan, and if awarded, to
execute the grant documents and begin .preliminary project-.related. impact assessment and preliminary design.
1. ^ First reading of Ordinance approved unanimously; oi• with unanimous vote•to allowposting prior to second reading
2. ^Ffrst-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 Staten-cnt:
The purpose of the EPA's Request for Proposals for grants under the Water Quality Improvement Fund is to fund
projects~whichineet water quality priorities, including: reducing polluted run-off from urban development and
agriculture; implementing TMDI,s to restore .impaired waterbodies and protecting and restoring habitat
including,rparian corridors, floodplains, wetlands, and the Bay. Water Resources and Conservation staff have
identified a.project, McNear Peninsula, which implement various programs within the General Plan 2025 and
River Access and Enhancement Plan that would significantly reduce, deposition of sediment within the River and
restore. riparian Habitat, along nearly 4,200 feet of River and channel frontage.
Attachments to Agenda Packet Item:
Resolution Authorizing the .City Manager to submit a grant. application to the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (USEPA) for implementation of Petaluma Watershed Restoration Projects Pursuant to the Adopted
Policy Documents and Further Providing Authorization to Execute Grant Agreements with the USEPA Should a
Grant Be Awarded.
Proposed Project Summary, :Photos and Location Exhibit
Re ewed b Fnance:I)irector.: Reviewed b Ci Attorne ~ A rov Mana er:
(Q.- I)ate• Date: ~- ~`~
Rev: # = ~ Dafe Last:Revisedi Filer S:\Staff Folders\Pamela Tuft\Water Resources\McNear
Peninsula 2009-10\CC AB rant a auttr 0809.doc
CITY OF PETAI,LJIVIA, ~AI,I>F'OI2NIA
)<4 SEPTEMBER 2~~9 .
AGENDA REPORT
FOR
Adopt Resolution Authorizing the City 1Vlanager to submit a grant application
to the IJ.S. Environmental Protection Agency (iJSEPA)
for implementation of a Petaluma Watershed Restoration Project
Pursuant to the Adopted Policy Documents and
Further Providing Authorization to Execute Grant Agreements
with the iJSEPA Should a Grant Be Awarded.
Project: McNear Peninsula bank stabilization.
I. RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt the attached Resolution authorizing submission of a grant application to complete the project.
identified pursuant to the adopted River Access and Enhancement Plan (see below), and if awarded;
to execute the grant documents and begin preliminary project-related impact assessment and
preliminary design.
The proposed project is:
o McNear Peninsula .Restoration -bank stabilization and creation of wetland terrace pursuant
to the adopted River Access and Enhancement Plan.
2. BACKGROUND:
Both the General Plan 2025 and the River Access and Enhancement. Plan call for the development of
flood terraces, pathways, and enhanced riparian corridor habitat for the Petaluma River.
3. DlscussroN:
Region 9 of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is soliciting proposals to protect and
restore the water quality of the San Francisco Bay and its watersheds. Full application packets are
due to EPA by September 23, 2009. The intent of the grant program is to fund implementation
projects that achieve significant and measurable improvement in water quality and attainment of
beneficial uses. The funding announcement identifies three priorities:
® Reducing polluted run-off from urban development and agriculture
® Implementing TMDLs to restore impaired waterbodies.
® ,Protecting and restoring habitat including riparian corridors, floodplains, wetlands, and the
Bay.
'The project proposed for consideration is defined in the .attached Project Proposal Summary, photos
and map exhibits, as follows:
s McNear Peninsula Restoration
This unique funding opportunity through the U,S. Environmental Protection Agency would allow the
City, if funded, to implement a major component within the River Access- and Enhancement Plan
(located in the heart of downtown and highly visible from numerous locations). The project would
provide bank stabilization and habitat improvements, reduce soil sediment load into the Petaluma
River, and. improve the quality of water runoff. Primary focus of the project is bank stabilization to
.reduce sediment and improvement of riparian habitat values. The creation of mid-level wetland
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terraces will not provide any flood reduction as the entire stretch of McNear Peninsula is tidally
' influenced.
Recent discussions between the City and the property owner's real estate representative have
,reopened the possibility of acquiring the 20 acre center portion of the peninsula. The McNear
Peninsula Restoration project is proposed, assuming acquisition can be completed within the next
year: Should the EPA grant be awarded the grant could be used as matching funds for Open Space
Distrct:acquisition funds.
4. FINANCIAL IMPACTS:
No upland improvements on McNear Peninsula are proposed at this time, therefore no maintenance
of trails or parklands are included.. The mid-level. terraces would be planted with. native plants with
no maintenance expected after initial construction.
It is difficult :to guarantee all costs will be reimbursed, but staffis. not aware at this time of any cost to
the City other than staff time.. It is typical for a project with this type of grant funding to have a
budgef for non-reimbursable contingency in the event that an invoice is not approved by the granting
agency. Due to the City's budget constraints,- such a contingency is not being included at this time.
The initial estimates for the project are as follows:
McNear Peninsula Restoration $1,050,000
Design ~ $50,000
Construction Contract $840,000
Construction. Contingencies,. $84;000
Construction 1Vlanagement $76,000
Estimated Total Project Cost / G-rant $1,050,000
Attachments: Project Proposal Summary, Photos and Map Exhibits
Resolution Authorizing. Submittal of .Grant Application to EPA
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Petaluma River -Water Quality Improvement Project
Environmenfa'I Protection Agency Region 9„Proposal -..2009
McNear Peninsula Restoration, City of Petaluma, Sonoma County
The City of Petaluma General Plan 2025, adopted May 2008,. set forth the identification, protection and
enhancement of the "Petaluma River Corridor" and includes numerous goals, policies and programs to
insure the improvement of the natural resources and habitat along the River. Preservation of the low
flow channels and creation. ofmid-line. wetland terraces to reduce sediment and contaminants traveling
downstream to the San Francisco Bay are one of the many strategies contained in the Plan. The City has
obtained, and continues to seek, grant funds for the implementation of the river relevant projects within
the General Plan's Natural Environment Element and the adopted Petaluma River Access and
Enhancement Plana
In the central reach of the navigable portion of the Petaluma River there exists one 20-acre property,
known as the McNear .Peninsula with over 4;200 linear feet of river and channel bank. The property
owner still grazes cattle indirect contact with the .Petaluma River. This property, with many decades of
use as seasonal grazing, has experienced significant degradation of habitat and soil stability along the
riverbank. The result has been significant:-sediment deposition within the navigable river corridor and
the adjacent IVIeNear Channel. The attached photos of the riverbank illustrate the need for the project
and the aerial photo portrays its proximity to the central area of the City and the upstream head of the
navigable waterway of the Petaluma River, known as the Turning Basin.
The City's Petaluma River Access and Enhancement Plan shows the area along the Petaluma River and
McNear Channel as having a restored salt marsh section along the: River's edge, with file near vertical
banks sloped back and stabilized.- A restored marsh plain and/or marsh grass terrace would be graded
along the Petaluma River and McNear Channel, as shown, in the Enhancement Plan (see attached Plan
excerpt for inlet side of peninsula and plan: view). The restored marsh plain could range from 20 feet to
40 feet in width. Typically marsh grasses such as cordgrass, alkali bulrush, and tule occur along the
Petaluma Riverbanks in the project vicinity at elevations of about 2 to 2.5 feet msl, so the conceptual
design within the adopted Plan would provide the grading of'the terrace sloping from the front at
elevation 2.0, to 3.0 at the. upper edge. The over-steepened river banks call for laying back to a gentler
slope. Erosion control could include measures such as the installation of 3 rows of coir logs of 12-
18"diameter at the wave action zone, with coir erosion control blankets on the slopes.. The coin logs
could. be plug-planted with. bulrush transplants, 2' on-center; while the marsh terrace could be planted
to encourage natural colonization of native marsh grasses. The laid back slopes would be hydroseeded
prior to blanket installation.
The proposed project, when fully implemented, would largely eliminate the single largest non-point
source- of fine sediment in the~Petaluma River basin (research undertaken for the Existing Conditions
analysis ea"rly work on. the General Plan ZQ25 documenf). The detrimental effects of high-suspended
sediment loads on anadromous fish migration and spawning success for listed steelhead is already well
accepted by tle: Department;of Fish and Game and the U.S. Department of Fish. and Wildlife. Substantial
reduction of fine sediment generation from 4200 linear feet of unprotected and. unstable shoreline,. and
replacing it with created riparian habitat will be highly beneficial to future steelhead runs in the basin
and the other'fish grid bird species utilizing the River corridor.
This proposed. project will create over 4200 linear feet of new tidal marsh and shallow water riverine
wetland habitat, which will result in significant improvement to the water quality of the discharge from
.the Petaluma Watershed toward the San Francisco Bay. The,prominent and highly visible location of the
project site will also serve to illustrate the success of a restoration effort within an urbanized area.
Matching: funds are from the Sonoma County Ag Preservation and Open Space District which will be
used foracquisition of fhe Peninsula from a willing seller.
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Typical exposed soilsand~erosion along.McNear Peninsula river and inlet channel banks.
Typical.
undercutting;arid
sloughing.
Aerial of McNear
Peninsula
.(Petaluma-
downtown'is
bottom left.
quarter of
picture].
5
a`--.R ~ r
Existing Pr4fi1®~±v'J`"'~'S ~~-
ti
~~
Emerg~rd'Marsh
RES7OiiATlON:2UNE
{Resukt Aocassl
TrdlE'
BUFFER ZONE
(Access Allowed)
r ~
~.
Excerpt: River Access and Enhancement Plan -McNear Peninsula (inlet side)
Note: River main channel cross section would repeattestoration zone, with no docks.
- •
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P4~tiflf ~-~p
~4~1rF~ `
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_ ron ~a_
>~a>~;siu.,la
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•~ tut~'n i
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Q. ~!(~ R*7#lE ~RrA
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Excerpt: River Access and Enhancement Plan -McNear Peninsula (concept)
Note: Specific site plan will be designed subsequent to regulatory agency consultation
and permit issuance.
S:\Staff Folders\Pamela Tuft\WaterResources\McNear Peninsula 2009-10\EPA grant proposal0709.doc
6
Resolution No. 2'009- N.C.S.,
of the City of Petaluma, California
AUTHORIZING THE CITY 1V1<ANAGER TO SUBMIT
A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTETION AGENCY (USEPA)
FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF A
PETALUMA WATERSHED RESTORATION PR®JECT
PURSUANT TO THE ADOPTED POLICY DOCUMENTS AND
FURTHER PROVIDING AUTHORIZATION TO
EXECUTE GRANT AGREEMENTS' WITH THE USEPA
SH®IILD A GRANT BE AWARDED
WHEREAS, the United. States Environmental Protection Agency, Region 9, has
announced a competitive program and availability of funds for grants in the area of
protecting and restoring the water quality of the San Francisco Bay and its watersheds;
and,
WHEREAS, said grants are intended to help protect and restore watershed
functions and values by protecting and restoring habitat including riparian corridors,
floodplains, wetlands, and the Bay; and,
WHEREAS, past work. efforts by the City of Petaluma has prepared, adopted
and/or participated in numerous policy documents relating to river protection, including
but not limited to the General Plan 2025, the Petaluma River Access and Enhancement
Plan; and the Petaluma Watershed Enhancement Plan; and,
WHEREAS, the City is currently working toward attaining additional funding to
complete the acquisition of the McNear Peninsula through previously authorized grant
applications to the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District by
the adoption of Resolution 2006-160 N.C.S.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of
Petaluma approves the application for United States Environmental Protection Agency
("USEPA'') grants and hereby directs the City Manager to continue the processing of a
7
grant application with the United -State Environmental Protection Agency in the
approximate amount of$1,050,000 for the implementation of the following project:
BE IT FURTHER RES®LVED that the City Manager. is hereby authorized to
execute appropriate .grant agreements with the USEPA and to execute all necessary
documents to process and implement said grant, should it be awarded.
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 Approved.as to
the Council of the City of Petaluma at a Regular meeting on the day form:
of , by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
Eric'Danly, City Attorttey
ABSTAIN: None
ATTEST:
re C. Cooper, City Clerk Pamela Torliatt, Mayor
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