Agenda Item: 14
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
CONSENT CALENDAR
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
DATE: December 13, 2022
SUBJECT: RESOLUTION TO APPROVE STATE GRANT FUNDING
DEPARTMENT: City Manager's Office
PRESENTER: Masis Hagobian
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council adopt a resolution to authorize the City of Santa Clarita to work with the State Department of Parks and Recreation to receive a state grant for the acquisition of open space.
BACKGROUND
In response to surplus identified in the Governor’s 2022-23 Fiscal Year Budget Proposal and through the desire of the State Legislature to fund community-based projects, the City of Santa Clarita (City) worked with the office of State Senator Scott Wilk in securing $7 million in the 2022-23 State Budget for the acquisition of open space.
The State Department of Parks and Recreation has been delegated the responsibility by the State Legislature for the administration of the grant. The initial step, as established by the State Department of Parks and Recreation, is for the City Council to adopt a resolution authorizing the City to work with the State Department of Parks and Recreation to receive the grant.
A grant funding request of $7 million would fund the property acquisition of approximately 114 acres of open space located in the southeast portion of the City, between Sierra Highway and State Route 14.
The property contains approximately 1,100 oak trees and is home to a variety of sensitive species and habitat, including the California Gnatcatcher, California Condor, Western Mastiff Bat, California Walnut Woodland, and Plummer’s Mariposa Lilly. Furthermore, the property contains a blue line stream, Newhall Creek, which identified by a U.S. Geological Survey, holds water for most of the year, providing a critical water resource for habitats living in the area.
Additionally, as protected open space exists to the west and east of the property, this project would permanently connect open space areas owned by the City and Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority, providing a protected wildlife corridor and enhanced accessibility to recreational activities for future generations.
The adoption of the attached resolution will complete the first step in receiving the State grant. Following this initial step, the City will review a draft agreement from the State Department of Parks and Recreation, which will need to be executed between the two parties prior to receiving the grant.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
Other direction, as provided by the City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
No additional resources beyond those contained within the adopted Fiscal Year 2022-23 budget are required for implementation of the recommended action.
ATTACHMENTS
Resolution to Approve State Grant Funding