HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Bill 3C 10/05/2009
CITY OF PETALUMA, CALIFORNIA ~^~
AGEl~DA SILL Ocfober 5, 2009
Agenda Title: Resolution Proposing Necessary Revisions To The Sonoma Meeting Date: October 5, 2009
County Agricultural Preservation And Open Space District Matching Grant
Program. Meeting Time: 7:00 PM
Category: ^ Presentation ^ Appointments ~ Consent ^ Public Hearing ^ Unfinished Business ^ New Business
Department: Director: Contact Person: Phone Number:
City Manager John Brown, City John Brown 707-778-4345
Manager
Total Cost. of Proposal or Project: n/a Name of Fund:
• Account Number:
.Amount. Budgeted: Current Fund. Balance:
Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council take the following action: Adopt Resolution
Proposing Necessary Revisions To The Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation And Open Space District
Matching Grant Program.
1. ^ First reading of Ordinance approved unanimously, or with unanimous vote to allow posting prior to second reading
2. ^ First reading of Ordinance approved without unanimous vote: Ordinance has been published/posted prior to second
reading; see Attachment
3. ^ Other action requir-ng special notice: Notice has been given, see Attachment
Summary Statement: The Open Space District. (OSD) Matching Grant Program provides funding for land
acquisition, developrnent.ofrecreatiopal amenities, and restoration of open space within or near urban areas. The
Program is highly valuable to cities because it is instrumental in setting aside areas that preserve natural settings,
which are becoming more and more scarce in the face of development. Grant awards have declined each year for
the past few years, going from: $10 million in 2007 to $6 million in 2008. In 2009, the Program is anticipated to
provide up to $2 million in grants. Although sales tax and other revenues are decreasing, at least temporarily,
crucial pieces of land remain that should be preserved while they are still available. Two revisions have been
proposed by the City of Cloverdale to the Matching Grant Program:
o Provide flexibility by allowing multi year awards. There may be opportunities to set aside larger parcels of
lands, or lands of particular significance. However, their purchase is likely to exceed the amount of available
:annual funds. By allowing multi-year awards, the lands could be secured immediately but paid for over a
longer period of time, e.g., two to five years. This would allow OSD to invest in larger, high-priority projects
that it would otherwise have to decline.
• Increase the amount nvdilable for the Matching Grant Program. The Program is an essential tool for
preserving, important lands in and around commuriities. The City of Petaluma urges the OSD to provide
additional funds for matching grants.
Attachments to Agenda Packet Item:
Resolution _
Revi wed b Finance Director: Reviewed by City Attorney: A rove ana er:
ate: ~ ~ ate: ~ Date: ~°'
2d ~d
Rev. # ' '' Date Last Revised: File:
C
A RES.OLIJTION OF THE CITY .COiJNCIL OF THE CITY O>H' PETAIJUMA
PROPOSING NECESSARY REVISIONS TO THE SONOIVIA COUNTY
AG~RICJLTURAL PRESERVATION AND OPEN 5'PACE DISTRICT 1VIATCHING
GRANT PROGRAM
W>FI`EREAS, the Open .Space District (OSDj Matching. Grant Program provides funding
for land _acquisition, development of recreational amenities, :.and restoration of open space within.
or near urban areas; and
WHEREAS, the Program s.hghly valuable to cities because it is instrumental in setting
aside areas that preseive our natural settings; and
WHEREAS, these. areas are becoming more and more scarce in the face of development;
and
WHEREAS, the Matching Grant Program is an important component of OSD's mission
to permanently protect the diverse agricultural, natural resource; and scenic open space lands of
Sonoma County for future generations; and
WHEREAS, OSD:has experienced, at least temporari y, a decrease in sales tax and other
revenues; and
WHEREAS, the grant awards have declined each year for the past few years, going
from, $10 million in 2007 to $6 million in 2008; :and
WHEREAS; in 2009, the program is anticipated to provide up to $2 million in grants, an
80% reduction in funding over the prior two years; and
WHEREAS, although it is true that OSD revenues:are decreasing, at least temporarily, it
is .also true that crucial pieces of land should be preserved while they are still available, and that
the acquisition of said lands should be viewed as an investment in what is becoming, a f Hite
resource.
NOW, TI3EREFORE, BE IT RESO'L,VED THAT the City Council of the City of
Petaluma supports two revisions that have been proposed to the Matching Grant Program and'
strongly urges the OSD to provide flexibility by allowing, multi-year awards, which would allow
;larger parcels of lands, or lands of particular significance, to be secured immediately but paid for
over a longer period of time, allowing the OSD to invest m larger, high-priority projects that it
would. otherwse'have to decline; and
~-
BE I-'>c Fi1RTHER RESOLVED THAT the City Council strongly urges the OSD to
increase the amount a~a~lable for the Matching Grant Program, which is an essential tool for
preserving important.lands in and around communities; and
BE IT FURTI~ER RESOLVED T>FIAT the City Council requests the City Clerk to
send copies of this Resolution to the Open Space District and the .Sonoma County Board of
Supervisors:
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