Agenda Item: 7
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
CONSENT CALENDAR
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
DATE: May 23, 2023
SUBJECT: RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE APPLICATION FOR THE
LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND GRANT-IN-AID
PROGRAM
DEPARTMENT: Public Works
PRESENTER: Melody Bartlette
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council:
1. Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager or designee to submit an application for the Land and Water Conservation Act Grant-In-Aid Program for the Via Princessa Park project.
2. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all documents, subject to City Attorney approval.
BACKGROUND
The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) was established by Congress in 1964 to safeguard natural areas, water resources, cultural heritage, and to provide recreation opportunities to all. In 2020, the Great American Outdoors Act was signed into law, authorizing $900 million annually in permanent funding for LWCF. The LWCF provides competitive grants to states for local preservation and recreation projects, along with a federal portion to acquire land and water for public recreation or cultural resource preservation. The California Department of Parks and Recreation administers these funds for the State and provides grants through the Office of Grants and Local Services (OGALS).
The LWCF Grant-In-Aid Program (LWCF Program) is a funding opportunity available to all local governments in the State of California and is awarded through a competitive program. The LWCF Program seeks applications that develop public outdoor recreation facilities and improve the quality of life and vitality of its users. The OGALS evaluates applications, and, if selected, National Parks Service provides approval to award the funds with a maximum grant request of 50 percent of the total project cost. Local agencies who receive LWCF grants pay for the cost to
construct the project upfront and are then reimbursed for half of the construction cost of the awarded scope of work. Additionally, once a LWCF Program project is complete, the property is placed under federal protection to preserve outdoor recreational use in perpetuity.
As part of the LWCF Program application process, the City of Santa Clarita (City) must obtain authorization from City Council in the form of a signed resolution. The authorizing resolution certifies the City will abide by the terms and conditions of the grant funds and delegates authority to the City Manager or designee to execute all necessary program documentation. The City has identified the Via Princessa Park project as an appropriate submission and, if awarded, is eligible to receive up to $6 million through the LWCF Program.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
Other action as determined by the City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact from this action. If an application for grant funding is approved, staff will return to the City Council to appropriate the funding and for the required expenditure authority.
ATTACHMENTS
Resolution