DATE: NOVEMBER 15, 2022
DEPARTMENT: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
FROM: MEGAN HUNTER, DIRECTOR
BY: LISA BRINTON, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
TITLE: 2022 CITY/COUNTY ALISAL MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ( ALISAL MOU) RECOMMENDED MOTION:
A motion to approve a resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute the 2022 Alisal Memorandum of Understanding (Alisal MOU) with the County of Monterey.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The 2022 Alisal MOU outlines an agreed upon approach for the City and County to coordinate planning activities for Alisal Vibrancy Plan (AVP) implementation, which is a City Council Economic Development Goal Strategy (2022-2025) and a Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiative, and to commit staff and financial resources to undertake identified planning activities. The three (3) primary areas of coordination and planning are:
Development of a Division Avenue Opportunity Site Master Plan Concept Mobility and connectivity to and between parks, government facilities and services Coordination of resources and expansion of health and mental health services The term of the Alisal MOU is five (5) years, expiring September 30, 2027. The terms of the MOU require that an annual review, including an update on the Schedule of Performance (Exhibit A to the MOU), be presented to the Council in October of each year. The Alisal MOU is provided as an attachment to this report as Exhibit A to the resolution. This report provides a summary of the MOU terms and provisions.
Should the Council authorize the execution of the MOU, funding for the City’s portion of master planning activities ($50,000) would come from CIP 9247 (Alisal Vibrancy Plan Implementation – Outside Services Other Professional Services 63.5900).
BACKGROUND:
In November 2019, the City of Salinas City Council unanimously adopted the Alisal Vibrancy Plan (AVP) as a community driven, action oriented strategic planning document for the Alisal neighborhood in East Salinas. AVP priorities focus on the production of affordable housing, safe pedestrian and bicycle access to community parks, government facilities and services, and increased health and mental health services in the Alisal.
In August 2021, the City and County established a joint ad hoc committee (“Committee”) focused on the development and implementation of City and County agreements such as the Greater Salinas Area Memorandum of Understanding (“GSA-MOU”) and the Downtown Government Center Memorandum of Understanding (“Downtown MOU”). In March 2022, the Committee expressed an interest in the Alisal neighborhood as an area of joint coordinated planning to further the recommendations identified in the AVP and support the County Board of Supervisor’s Strategic Initiatives. On April 18, 2022, the Committee toured the Division Avenue Opportunity and in June 2022 the Committee provided direction to staff to prepare a Memorandum of Understanding focused on planning and coordination efforts in the Alisal neighborhood (Alisal MOU).
On September 23, 2022, City and County staff presented the draft Alisal MOU to the Committee. The Committee further directed staff to present the Alisal MOU to the respective Council and Board for consideration with a recommendation to adopt and implement. City staff also shared the draft Alisal MOU with the AVP Implementation Committee via email. No comments were received at the time of submission of this report.
DISCUSSION:
The 2022 Alisal MOU has three primary areas of focus for City and County coordination and collaboration: 1) affordable housing, 2) mobility and connectivity, and 3) increased health and mental health services. A summary of each focus area objective and primary planning and coordination activities is provided below.
Division Avenue Opportunity Site Master Planning Activities A key objective of coordinating master planning efforts at the Division Avenue Opportunity Site is to ensure the maximum production of affordable housing, associated amenities and government and community services. A map of the Division Avenue Opportunity Site and a listing of property ownership is provided as Exhibit B to the Alisal MOU. Under Section I of the MOU, the County and City (Parties) agree to work collaboratively to undertake feasibility and master planning activities (Planning Activities) for the identified City and County owned parcels. Key provisions include the following:
The Parties will designate staff who will meet at least monthly to: a) jointly develop project goals, objectives and actions; b) share Planning Activity progress and expenditure reports; and c) jointly develop proposals and scopes of work for a Master Plan Concept for Phase I and Phase II as identified on Exhibit C to the MOU (Opportunity Site Concept).
The Parties will contribute fifty percent (50%) each of the cost for a Master Plan Concept development, as outlined in Exhibit A of the MOU for a combined total, not to exceed amount of $100,000 for Fiscal Year 2022-2023, of which the City will contributed up to $50,000 to fund its portion of Planning Activity costs.
The Parties agree to individually fund staff time for the roles and responsibilities outlined in Exhibit A of the MOU. Staff shall identify, pursue, and administer funding in support of Planning Activities.
The City of Salinas agrees to lead and coordinate Phase I Planning activities and the County of Monterey agrees to concurrently take lead and coordinate Phase II Planning Activities.
Exhibit A to the Alisal MOU is a Schedule of Performance which includes a list of Master Planning Activities, identifies the lead party for implementation, and provides estimated completion dates.
Division Avenue Opportunity Site. In October 2020, the City released a Notice of Surplus Lands and a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking a developer for the Division Avenue Opportunity Site. One complete proposal was received by the extended deadline in January 2021. Over the past year, staff has met with the developer and the adjacent property owner to discuss options for maximizing the development of affordable housing and community amenities and services outlined in the AVP Division Avenue Opportunity Site Concept provided as Exhibit C to the MOU. Staff anticipate returning with an Exclusive Negotiating Rights Agreement (ENRA) with the developer for City Council consideration early 2023.
Mobility and Connectivity
Section II of the MOU calls for the Parties to agree to work collaboratively to improve and expand a pedestrian and bicycle network that provides for attractive, safe, and convenient pedestrian crossings, linkages, trails, and green/open spaces between and among government service facilities, city parks, and primary commercial corridors in accordance with the AVP as shown on Exhibit D – Proposed Trail Network to the MOU.
Coordination of Resources and Expansion of Services
Section III of the MOU identifies increased access to and expansion of health and mental health services as a priority. The Parties agree to coordinate and collaborate on opportunities to improve access to and increase the availability of mental health, physical health, and social services resources and activities. This includes, but is not limited to, coordinating, and facilitating the implementation of AVP recommendations to increase the number of locations, expand hours, and improve ease of access and the provision of bilingual and bicultural services.
Other Provisions
Term: Five (5) years (November 15, 2022 to September 30, 2027). The period of performance may be extended or shortened by written agreement of the Parties.
Schedule of Performance: An Annual Report on the Schedule of Performance is to be provided to the City Council and Board of Supervisors in October each year.
Amendments/Revisions: The MOU and/or Schedule of Performance may be amended by written consent and agreement of both Parties.
Right of Entry: The MOU outlines the terms and conditions for Parties and their representatives to enter upon the other Party’s property to conduct Master Planning Activities.
CEQA CONSIDERATION:
Section 15061(b)(3) of CEQA Guidelines states that when it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question, in this case the adoption of an MOU, may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA. This MOU outlines the City and County’s intent for planning and policy coordination for implementation of the AVP. If recommended policies or actions progress to a “project” level further CEQA analysis will be required to address potential environmental impacts of the proposed project.
STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVE:
Implementation of the Alisal Vibrancy Plan is listed as strategy under the City Council’s 2022-2025 Goal of Economic Development. The 2022 Alisal MOU outlines City/County coordination and collaboration to further AVP priorities of Division Avenue Opportunity Site development, develop a safe and attractive pedestrian and bicycle network and increase access to and expansion of health and mental health services.
DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION:
Community Development staff led 2022 Alisal MOU preparation for the City. Community Development and Public Works staff attend monthly City/County coordination meetings, quarterly Joint Ad Hoc MOU Committee meetings and had several meetings with County staff focused on the MOU development and the identification of focus area objectives, Planning Activities and the Schedule of Performance.
FISCAL AND SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT:
Staff’s time to collaborate with the County on the preparation and implementation of the MOU is already allocated in the City’s budget for review of inter-agency projects and issues. There will be capital expenditures and other costs associated with implementing the proposed Master Planning Activities listed on the Schedule of Performance (Exhibit A to the MOU). Should the Council authorize the execution of the MOU, funding for the City’s portion of master planning activities ($50,000) would come from CIP 9247 (Alisal Vibrancy Plan Implementation – Outside Services Other Professional Services 63.5900).
ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute the 2022 Alisal MOU Exhibit A: draft 2022 Alisal MOU
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