Business Agenda Item 5a
STAFF REPORT
City Council Business Agenda Item
DATE: March 21, 2022
TO: Honorable Mayor and Council Members
FROM: Merritt Perry, City Manager
SUBJECT: Authorize the City Manager to Submit an Urban Greening Grant, Resolution 2022-09
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Approve Resolution 2022-09 authorizing the City Manager to submit an Urban Greening Grant for the acquisition of forest land adjacent to the Vancil Reservoir and execute all related documents.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Signed into law on September 14, 2016, SB 859 (Chapter 368, Statutes of 2016) created the California Natural Resources Agency’s (Agency) Urban Greening Program, funded by the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF). Approximately $47.5 million is available for urban greening projects that reduce Green House Gas (GHG) emissions and provide multiple benefits.
The State anticipates one funding cycle; however, funding cycles are contingent upon the number of competitive applications. There are no maximum or minimum grant awards and no required grant match.
Eligible urban greening projects will reduce GHG emissions, mitigate the effects of extreme heat, and provide multiple additional benefits, including, but not limited to, a decrease in air and water pollution or a reduction in the consumption of natural resources and energy.
A competitive project will maximize opportunities to reduce GHG emissions through project design and implementation as well as incorporate green infrastructure solutions that improve the sustainability and function of existing urban hardscapes and landscapes. In addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, SB 859 requires all projects to achieve measurable benefits. Per statute, all projects must do at least one of the following
Acquire, create, enhance, or expand community parks and green spaces, and/or Use natural systems or systems that mimic natural systems to achieve multiple benefits.
The grant application process is fairly straight forward and consists only of an online submittal.
Business Agenda Item 5a
Staff have identified a potential acquisition project that meets requirements of the Urban Greening Grant Program and proposes to acquire the approximately seven acre parcel adjacent to the City owned parcel that contains the Vancil Reservoir. This serves as a green-belt within otherwise residential area has provided a stunning backdrop to the Fortuna’s Rohner Park and in particular the Rodeo Grounds. Recently the parcel was logged and is currently being considered for development for residential purposes, for which it is zoned. Acquisition of this parcel will ensure this area remains a green-belt, a forested backdrop for the park, and opens up the potential for a trail from the Vancil Street area directly to Rohner Park. The figure below shows the proposed acquisition, as well as the other nearby city-owned parcels.
Staff has been in communication with the property owner and they are willing to sell the property and will provide a “willing seller” letter to accompany the grant application. The total cost of the project with title, escrow, appraisal and other costs is expected to be approximately $350,000.
Business Agenda Item 5a
FISCAL IMPACT:
The primary costs to the City will be staff time to develop the grant application and the costs of an appraisal, which will be contracted for in advance of the grant awards. If the grant application is not successful, the City will have to pay for the appraisal costs, which is expected to cost up $5,000.
Funding would come from Measure E funds that have been set aside for parks acquisition and improvement. If the grant is successful, the appraisal costs may be reimbursed as a part of the grant.
Business Agenda Item 5a
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION:
1. Receive staff report and review questions with staff
2. Open Public Comment
3. Close Public Comment
4. Motion to adopt Resolution 2022-09; and read by title only. Roll Call vote ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution 2022-09, A Resolution Of The City Council of the City Of Fortuna Approving the Application for Grant Funds from the California Urban Greening Grant Program