CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
March 5, 2024 {{section.number}}f
AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A ONE-YEAR LICENSE AGREEMENT
BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES NAVY AND THE CITY OF CORONADO FOR THE SAN
DIEGO BAY TIDELAND MARSH AREA
RECOMMENDATION:
Authorize the City Manager to Execute a License Agreement Between the United States Navy and the City of Coronado for the San Diego Bay Tideland Marsh area and find the project exempt pursuant to CEQA sections 15304 and 15308.
BACKGROUND:
The San Diego Bay Tideland Marsh area, also known as the South Bay Marine Biology Study Area, is an open space area of approximately 16.5 acres located on Silver Strand Boulevard, east of the Navy Radio Receiving Facility in Imperial Beach. The site has served as a San Diego Bay biological study area for over 20 years and provides public parking, wildlife viewing, and access to walking and biking trails. The County of San Diego previously leased the ecological preserve from the United States Navy.
On June 4, 2001, the City of Coronado and the County of San Diego entered into a Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement to facilitate a joint venture between the two agencies for improvements to the area. Under the agreement, the City of Coronado performed work to improve the overlook including stabilization of the bike path, resurfacing and restriping the parking lot, mitigation of weeds, and installing new landscaping, benches, signs and trashcans as well as the construction of a new viewing deck. Completed in 2003, the project resulted in significant improvements to that portion of the Silver Strand and the City determined that it would continue to maintain the area under a license agreement with the Navy. The Navy lease requires the removal of any improvements and restoring the property to its original condition if the City were to surrender the property back to the Navy.
The City is unaware of any agency willing to assume the lease and/or maintenance of the area.
The City entered into a formal license agreement for use and maintenance of the San Diego Bay Tideland Marsh area in 2009. The current license was executed April 1, 2023 and will expire on March 31, 2024.
ANALYSIS:
The license agreement requires the City to ensure the area is free from trash which could cause pollution to the adjacent natural habitats, wetlands, and waters of the San Diego Bay. City expenditures to maintain the overlook are minimal and there is a benefit to keeping the area clean and publicly accessible as the site is home to various native wildlife and plant species. The overlook also allows for access to the scenic biking and walking trails along the Silver Strand. The license agreement is for a one-year term and expires on March 31, 2025.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The City spends approximately $5,250 per year on the maintenance of the overlook area. The U.S. Navy previously used the City’s annual maintenance expenditures to offset the fees assessed for processing the license agreement; however, new regulations from the Navy require an offsetting fee of $4,800 per license which will be charged to the Non-Departmental Permits and Fees account 10012201-80290. Sufficient funding is budgeted annually within the Public Services budget for maintenance activities.
ALTERNATIVE:
The City Council could decide not to authorize the City Manager to execute the license agreement.
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT:
CEQA Cat Ex Class 5, Minor Alt. Land Use Limitations and 15308, Actions by Regulatory Agencies for Protection of the Environment.
PUBLIC NOTICE:
No notice required.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. License for Non-Federal Use of U.S. Navy Real Property- Tidelands EcoPreserve Submitted By: City Manager's Office / Tony Winney