City of Gonzales
CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT
STAFF REPORT
TO: Honorable Mayor Rios and City Council
DATE: October 7, 2024
FROM: Carmen Gil, City Manager
THROUGH: Carmen Gil, City Manager
SUBJECT: Property Access Agreement with the Resource Conservation District of Monterey County for the Establishment and Access to a Pollinator Garden at the Site of the Gonzales Community Garden
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council Approve and Authorize the City Manager to sign a Property Access Agreement with the Resource Conservation District of Monterey County (RCDMC) for the establishment, access, and upkeep of a Pollinator Garden at the Community Garden site (Exhibit A). The Community Garden map is attached as Exhibit B.
BACKGROUND
The portion of the parcel where the Gonzales Community Garden now sits has been empty for decades.
The far-left end of the parcel hosts the Skate Park, which was established in 2003, the right end of it has been open green space and was rarely used. The idea of a community garden had been floating around for some time and when City staff members, Blue Zones, Olinga Learning, and Save the Whales got together to discuss the possibility of establishing a community garden, the site stood out as ideal given its central location and proximity to schools and the Vosti Center. Being that the space was not in use and rarely saw activity, the space seemed to be the perfect place to establish a small garden with raised beds that could be easily accessible to the public and that could encourage people to get outdoors and walk around the area, but also be easily removed, if needed. The City Council heard the plan and approved of the concept at their meeting on March 4th.
Being that the project is fairly new, and the community is still getting used to it, there is a need to have it better maintained. Partners from Olinga Learning, Blue Zones, CADRE, Save the Whales and RCDMC stepped in to help get it established. They donated funds, material, and time, but now there is a need to have it better maintained and more coordinated.
AGENDA
ITEM
7 As a component of the garden, RCDMC would like to use some of its Community Block Grant monies to help establish a Pollinator Habitat, which they would be responsible for maintaining for a minimum of three (3) years. In order for them to apply some of those grant funds to the project and dedicate their time to it, they are required to have a Property Access Agreement. This Agreement would ensure that they have access to the site to conduct maintenance of the plants and the area; and that they could access the garden at any time they needed as long as they provide notice to the City beforehand.
REVIEW AND ANALYSIS
Adding more plants and flowers in the area would help beautify the space and more importantly, allow a designated entity to help maintain that specific area. This grant would allow them to do that. Therefore, staff believes this Agreement will help further the vision of the community garden and it will help to ensure that there is better maintenance of it. If at any time during the ten-year period that the Agreement calls for the space gets used or designated for something other than a garden, then the Pollinator Habitat would need to be moved elsewhere, RCDMC and the City agree that new plants can be planted near the slough if this were to occur.
Explain Recommendation and How it Supports the Vision
Gonzales will continue to be a safe, clean, family-friendly community, diverse in its heritage, and committed to working collaboratively to preserve and retain its small-town charm.
Explain: Entering into this Agreement with RCDMC would help further the vision of having a clean, safe and family-friendly community as their work would help us further the vision of the Community Garden while helping to ensure that there is better maintenance of it.
Explain how the Recommendation Directly Implements the Mission The City Council and Staff of the City of Gonzales will realize our Vision by providing the leadership, commitment, and resources necessary to provide excellent services that enhance the quality of life of our diverse community.
Explain: By supporting this Agreement, the Council can help continue to enhance the quality of life of local residents as there are families who are participating in the upkeep of the garden, and who have found it to be a special place where they can connect with nature and with each other.
City services will be delivered in a cost-effective, respectful, and friendly manner to ensure the safety and well-being of the residents and the promotion of business, recreational, housing and employment opportunities in an environmentally sustainable manner.
Explain: See explanation above.
Strong fiscal policies allow us to provide appropriate infrastructure for:
• Public Safety Yes No N/A
• Housing Yes No N/A
• Recreation X Yes No N/A
• Environment X Yes No N/A
• Education X Yes No N/A
Explain: Staff believes that this is a great opportunity for the Community Garden as it will provide another area of plants that support the environment and the pollinators we all need. It will also support the City as additional help to maintain the community garden will be provided by RCDMC as they will be responsible for maintaining the Pollinator Garden for at least three years.
ALTERNATIVES
Alternative 1 – The City Council could determine that they don’t want to enter into the Agreement with RCDMC. This will prevent them from using the grant funds to purchase materials for the garden, and to dedicate their time to the Pollinator Habitat that they plan to establish at the site.
BUDGET IMPACT
This will not impact the budget as the City does not plan to purchase any of the materials to be used.
CONCLUSION
It is recommended that the City Council Approve and Authorize the City Manager to sign a Property Access Agreement with the Resource Conservation District of Monterey County (RCDMC) for the establishment, access, and upkeep of a Pollinator Garden at the Community Garden site (Exhibit A). The Community Garden map is attached as Exhibit B.
Attachments:
1. Property Access Agreement
2. Community Garden Map