HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 3.D 12/3/2012 • lItww#3 .D
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DATE: December 3, 2012
TO: Honorable Mayor and Membersof the City Council through City Manager
FROM: Dan St: John, F. ASCE— Director, Public Works and Utilities
Larry Zimmer„P-.E.—Manager, Capital Projects Division .
SUBJECT: Resolution.Authorizing Staff toLApply for the Environmental Enhancement and
Mitigation Program under Section 164.56 of the Streets and Highways Code for
the 101 Corridor Tree Replacement Project, and Authorizing City Manager to
Sign the Grant-Related Documents
RECOMMENDATION .
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It is recommended that the City Council adopt the attached resolution..authorizing an application
for the Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Program under Section 164.56 of the Streets
and Highways Code for the Corridor Tree Replacement Project, and authorizing City
Manager to sign the grant-related documents.
BACKGROUND
City staff continuously'seeksgrant funding opportunities to assist the City in completing
important improvements to further the Council's goals. The subject would allow the City to
replace many of the trees removed;by Caltrans to build the US 101 improvements. The grant
application requires a resolution of support by the City Council.
The Legislature of the State."ofCalifornia enacted AB 471 (Chapter 106 of the.Statutes of 1989),
to provide $10 million:annually for a period of 10 years for grant.funds'to local, state and federal
agencies and nonprofit entities for projects to enhance and mitigate the environmental impacts of
modified or new public transportation facilities::The.California Natural Resources Agency
circulated the call for projects for the Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Program
(EEMP),on October-1,2013. The deadline for applications,is January 4,'2013. If awarded, the
projecvmust be completed by June 2015.
DISCUSSION •
The East Washington Street Interchange on Highway 101.Project eliminates approximately 600
trees. 'While Caltrans will landscape the corridor and replace trees in the future, there is
insufficient space within'the Caltrans right of way to replace them.all. Therefore, staff sought
Agenda Revie :
City Attorney/may Finance Director City Manager
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other alternatives to,offs-efthe loss of the mature;trees. One,promising alternative is funding
through the Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Progrant(EEMP).
If the attached resolution is.approved, staff will work with the Tree Advisory Committee to
develop a tree replacement project that falls within the requirements of the grant and meets,the
City's 2025 General Plan Requirements: Some•ofthe initial ideas include tree planting oh the
City owned strip between Hoim Road and Highway 101, north of Corona Road. Trees in this
location would mitigate the visual impact of tree loss along the corridor, provide shade to an
existing drainage channel and,reduce unwanted:algae growth in that channel. Staff would
negotiate tree locations with the existing businesses who may be concerned with less visibility
from the freeway. An additional location is being considered on the west side of the freeway
from the railroad tracks to Corona Road. Since•the land adjacent to Caltrans right of way is not
owned by the•City, staff will'need,to determine;the property owner's'willingness to allow the tree
planting. This work would be in addition to any mitigation;that Caltrans is already required to
follow pursuant to the.envirohmental docuinentand in addition to any developer conditions of
approval. The proposed grant project does not'affect the condition of approval for East
• Washington Place, which requires.Regency to replace certain redwood trees between East
Washington Place if these trees are'removed by Caltrans within five years of first occupancy of
the project.
If awarded, staff will return to City Council for acceptance of the grant prior to proceeding with
design.
The proposed actions meets Council goal: "Plan for and implement priority capital projects as
funding•permits."
FINANCIAL IMPACTS
The EEMP grant has a maximum award of$350,000,.and.requires no City match. Any overhead
charges, however, (approximately$8;400 maxitnum) would need to,be-paid for by the City. The
overhead costs would come from the Street Maintenance Fund 2411.
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ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution
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Attachment 1
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RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING STAFF TO.APPLY.FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL
ENHANCEMENT AND MITIGATION PROGRAM UNDER SECTION 16436 OF THE
STREETSAND HIGHWAYS CODE FOR THE 101 CORRIDOR TREE
REPLACEMENT PROJECT, AND AUTHORIZING CITY MANAGER TO SIGN THE
GRANT-RELATED DOCUMENTS
WHEREAS, the Legislature of the State of California has enacted AB 471 (Chapter 106
of the Statutes of 1989), which is intended to-provide,$10 million annually for a period of 10.
years for grant funds to Ideal, state and 'federal agencies and nonprofit entities for projects to
enhance and mitigate the environmental impacts of modified or new public transportation
facilities; and
WHEREAS, the Natural Resources Agency has established the procedures and criteria
for reviewing grant proposals and is required to submit to the California Transportation
Commission a list of recommended projects from which the grant recipients will be selected; and
WHEREAS, said procedures.and criteria established by the Natural Resources Agency
require a resolution certifying the approval of application by the Applicant's governing body
before submission of said application to the State; and
WHEREAS, the application contains assurances that the Applicant must comply with;
and
• WHEREAS, the Applicant; if,selected, will enter into an agreement with the State of
California to carry out the environmental enhancement and mitigation project; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of
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Petaluma hereby:
1. Approves the filing of an application for.the Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation
Program for grantassistance; and
2. Certifies that said Applicant will make adequate provisions for operation;and maintenance of
the project; and.
3. Appoints the,:City:Manager as agent of the City of Petaluma to conduct all negotiations,
execute and submit all documents, including, but not limited to applications, agreements,
amendments, payment requests and'so.on, which may be necessary for the completion of the
aforementioned project.
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