DATE: NOVEMBER 15, 2022
DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
FROM: DAVID JACOBS, DIRECTOR
BY: HEIDI NIGGEMEYER, NPDES PROGRAM MANAGER
TITLE: APPROVAL OF THE APPLICATION FOR URBAN GREENING GRANT FUNDS FOR THE CLOSTER PARK GREEN STREET PROJECT RECOMMENDED MOTION:
A motion to approve a resolution authorizing the submittal of a grant application to the California Natural Resources Agency Urban Greening Program (Prop 68).
BACKGROUND:
Small amounts of rain throughout a watershed incrementally add up to large volumes of runoff downstream. Similarly, small changes to stormwater runoff treatment in a watershed can cumulatively result in significant improvements to overall watershed health. The lack of proper stormwater runoff management and treatment negatively affects public health/safety, economic stability/vitality, and the quality of life for urban dwellers, not to mention the environmental quality of local waterways. Effective and intensive Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) implementation not only helps to address the impacts associated with excessive stormwater runoff, but also provides a strong overall investment value through the generation of significant social and economic benefits for the community.
In the fall of 2020, the NPDES Division was looking for a good location to implement a “green street” project to 1) demonstrate the benefits of “greening” to the community, and 2) to implement stormwater treatment facilities to support the City meeting its TMDL requirements. To accelerate progress toward NPDES permit compliance and articulate the linkage between the City’s financial investment with its stormwater program and the multitude of community benefits, the City took a strategic step to develop a green street conceptual design for the area around Closter Park to serve as a showcase first implementation of a “green street” in Salinas. The example attached to this report is just a concept design; the Public Works Dept. is in the process of reviewing proposals to develop the final design documents for this project.
This “green streets” project would be an example to the community of what a “green street” looks like and the benefits it can bring. The streets surrounding Closter Park present an opportunity to reduce flooding in the area, reduce impervious surfaces, introduce pervious pavements, increase urban greening through biofiltration swales, and reduce the urban heat island effect, all while promoting a safer pedestrian environment through raised crosswalks and a traffic circle. The green street renovations will encompass Towt St., Beech St., and Dewey Ave., all of which provide access to the Park. The proposed green streets intend to add popped out linear biofiltration swales along each street to capture and treat local stormwater runoff. Adjacent to the biofiltration swales will be 10 feet of permeable pavement to provide additional stormwater run-off mitigation. Educational signage will be placed around the streets and a community planting day will be held to promote a better understanding of the project benefits. This project will serve as an example of the improvements that can be made to existing streets in the City to help improve public spaces, improve stormwater quality, and enhance community connection.
In March of 2022, the NPDES division of the Public Works Department submitted a grant application requesting ~$5.2 million in funds for the construction of “green streets” around Closter Park through the California Prop 68 Urban Greening program. Prior to submittal of this grant application, a lot of community outreach occurred. For example, the Alisal Vibrancy Plan indicated that input from the community indicates they are interested in 1) improved crosswalks and sidewalks for pedestrians, 2) improved maintenance and features in existing parks and recreation facilities, and 3) more gathering spaces where people can interact and create sense of community. This project is also in alignment with Goal LU5, “Encourage the development and activation of urban community spaces within the Alisal”, which would involve increased green space (greening streets and sidewalks). And finally, this project helps aligns with the Guiding Principle of “Livable and Sustainable Community”, working to improve the quality of water and air in the Alisal’s neighborhoods. The NPDES Division also conducted additional community outreach at tabling events at the General Plan meetings and Cyclovia. The community demonstrated a lot of support for the project.
In August 2022, the City was notified by the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA), the Administrator of the Urban Greening Grant, that the project was selected to compete further in the Urban Greening Grant Program’s evaluation process (Phase 2), which entailed a site visit of the proposed project location on October 20th. The CNRA indicated that the City’s project has a very good chance of proceeding to Phase 3, which requires the submittal of specific documentation to the CNRA within 30 days after the site visit. One of these items of documentation required for submittal is a Resolution indicating the City approves the submittal of a grant application to the Urban Greening Grant Program. Unfortunately, this requirement was buried in the “Phase 3” document requirements in the grant guidelines and thus was overlooked by the NPDES Division, because the NPDES Division was focused on the immediate Phase 1 documentation submittals. Therefore, the need to sign the proposed Resolution to allow the Closter Park Green Street project to obtain grant funding should it make it through Phase 3. In communications with the CNRA, they have indicated they will accept a Resolution that is dated after the grant application was submitted. They are very excited about the project.
CEQA CONSIDERATION:
Not a Project. The City of Salinas has determined that the proposed action is not a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (CEQA Guidelines Section 15378). In addition, CEQA Guidelines Section 15061 includes the general rule that CEQA applies only to activities which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA. Because the proposed action and this matter have no potential to cause any effect on the environment, or because it falls within a category of activities excluded as projects pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378, this matter is not a project. Because the matter does not cause a direct or foreseeable indirect physical change on or in the environment, this matter is not a project. Any subsequent discretionary projects resulting from this action will be assessed for CEQA applicability.
STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVE:
The proposed project meets the City Council’s Strategic Plan Initiative of Infrastructure and Environmental Sustainability.
DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION:
This project relies on coordination between the Public Works Dept. (Traffic, CIP Engineering, NPDES) and the Library and Community Services Department. NPDES Division will coordinate with the CIP Engineering and Traffic Divisions regarding the design of the project. NPDES Division will coordinate with the Library and Community Services Department to ensure construction of the Closter Park Green Streets project aligns with the construction of the Closter Park Renovation project, also funded with Urban Greening grant funds.
FISCAL AND SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT:
There are no fiscal impacts currently. This item strictly pertains to obtaining a signed Resolution.
ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution
Closter Park Green Streets Concept Design
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