Agenda Item #12.8
For Council Meeting of: June 21, 2022
CITY OF SANTA ROSA
CITY COUNCIL
TO: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: CLAIRE MYERS, STORM WATER AND CREEKS MANAGER
SANTA ROSA WATER
SCOTT WILKINSON, PARKS PLANNER
TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: AUTHORIZING SUBMITTAL OF A MATCHING GRANT APPLICATION TO THE SONOMA COUNTY AGRICULTURAL PRESERVATION AND OPEN SPACE DISTRICT FOR THE LOWER COLGAN CREEK RESTORATION PROJECT – PHASE 3 AND LOWER COLGAN CREEK NEIGHBORHOOD PARK PROJECT AGENDA ACTION: RESOLUTION
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended by the Transportation & Public Works Department and Santa Rosa Water that Council, by resolution: 1) approve a matching grant application to the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District for land acquisition needed for construction of the Lower Colgan Creek Restoration Project – Phase 3 and Lower Colgan Creek Neighborhood Park Project in the amount of $1,500,000 and authorize the Water Director (Director) to submit a grant application; 2) authorize the Director to accept the grant and execute any and all grant agreements and amendments thereto, and all other documents necessary for the completion of the land acquisition, in coordination with the Director of Transportation & Public Works and subject to approval by the City Attorney; and 3) authorize the Chief Financial Officer to increase appropriations by the approved grant award.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The approved resolution will authorize the Transportation & Public Works Department and Santa Rosa Water to apply for the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District’s (District) Matching Grant Program (Program) and execute required documents to provide funding for land acquisition required to construct the Lower Colgan Creek Restoration Project – Phase 3 and the Lower Colgan Creek Neighborhood Park (Project). The Project is consistent with City Council Goal 5, Build and Maintain Sustainable Infrastructure, by acquiring land to enhance habitat, water quality, and flood capacity along a reach of Colgan Creek, as well as provide a new public recreation space and enable bicycle and pedestrian movement in southwest Santa Rosa.
BACKGROUND
Since the District’s inception, the City has partnered with the District on numerous projects through the Program and other partnership opportunities including acquisition of land for the Lower Colgan Creek Restoration Project Phase 1, construction for the Lower Colgan Creek Restoration Phase 2, Bayer Neighborhood Park and Gardens, Roseland Creek Community Park, and the Prince Memorial Greenway, most recently for A Place to Play Park in 2020.
In this funding cycle the District has $4,000,000 available for acquisition and development projects and requires a 1:1 match. Applications are due by July 1, 2022.
On August 27, 2013, the Council adopted an update to the Santa Rosa Citywide Creek Master Plan which authorized staff to seek funds for implementation of the Lower Colgan Creek Restoration Project. The Master Plan includes a detailed conceptual restoration plan for Lower Colgan Creek and illustrates the proposed adjacent neighborhood park.
The Lower Colgan Creek Restoration Project is a three-phased project stretching along 1.3 miles of the creek in southwest Santa Rosa. The three phases are restoring the creek from a trapezoidal flood control channel to a healthier seasonal creek that includes riffles, pools, instream habitat structures, and native plantings; inclusion of a bicycle and pedestrian pathway; and increasing the flood capacity of the channel to carry the 100-year flood. Phase 1 near Elsie Allen High School was constructed in the summer of 2014. Phase 2 is located between Victoria Drive and Boron Avenue, and construction was completed in May of 2022. Phase 3 project limits are from Boron Avenue downstream to Dutton Meadow and could be constructed in 2024 if all necessary funding is secured.
The concept plan for the Lower Colgan Creek Neighborhood Park proposed adjacent to the creek restoration site includes a variety of both active and passive recreational opportunities. The Project will fund acquisition of park land and as future funding becomes available anticipated amenities to be implemented include ball courts for various sporting activities such as tennis/pickleball, basketball, bocce, and volleyball; picnic areas; play areas for children of various ages; bicycle and pedestrian pathways; and the potential for limited parking facilities.
With construction of Lower Colgan Creek Restoration Project Phases 1 and 2 complete, the Transportation & Public Works and Santa Rosa Water staff have begun working on the final design of Restoration Phase 3, and master planning of the Neighborhood Park will begin on or before acceptance of the Project into the Matching Grant Program. In order to construct these projects, additional land acquisition is required.
With an anticipated cost of $3,000,000 to acquire the land needed to begin construction of Restoration Phase 3 and the Neighborhood Park, the City is seeking $1,500,000 from the Program to secure funds needed for land acquisition.
PRIOR CITY COUNCIL REVIEW
On November 19, 2002, the City Council, by resolutions No. 25474 and 25475 adopted a mitigated negative declaration and adopted the Lower Colgan Creek Restoration Plan, and authorized staff to pursue acquisition of land needed to implement the Project.
On December 2, 2008, the City Council, by resolution No. 27267, amended the Lower Colgan Creek Restoration Plan.
On September 21, 2010, the City Council, by resolution No. 27736, adopted an updated mitigated negative declaration and authorized final design of the Colgan Creek Restoration and Neighborhood Park Project.
On May 6, 2014, the City Council, by Resolution No. 28475, authorized submittal of a grant application for partial funding of the Project to the Program for $995,360.
On February 24, 2015, the City Council, by Resolution No. 28606, authorized submittal of a grant application for partial funding of the Project to the California Department of Water Resources’ Urban Streams Restoration Program for $941,224 On September 22, 2015, the City Council, by Resolution No. 28693, authorized submittal of a grant application for partial funding of the Project to the California Resources Agency’s River Parkways Program for $494,903.
On April 19, 2016, the City Council, by Resolution No. 28769, authorized submittal of a grant application for partial funding of the Project to the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District for $617,710.
ANALYSIS
The Project is consistent with the District’s Program Guidelines and the City has previously worked with the District to fund a portion of the Restoration Phase 2 construction and acquire land for the overall Lower Colgan Creek Project under two previous matching grant awards.
If successful, this grant application would secure a portion of the funding necessary to acquire the remaining land needed to begin constructing the Project in 2024.
If awarded funding, the City of Santa Rosa has or will have available $1,500,000 for matching funds to purchase the land required to construct the project, which is consistent with the Program guidelines. These funds are from Storm Water Enterprise funds, Park Development Impact fees from the Southwest Zone 2, and future grants from other sources.
A Council resolution is required for an application to be deemed complete.
FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of this action does not have a fiscal impact on the General Fund. If the grant application is awarded funding, then the grant would reduce the Storm Water Enterprise funds and Park Development Impact Fees needed to acquire the land required to construct the restoration and park projects.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The Council approved and adopted, by Resolution No. 27736, a Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Colgan Creek Restoration and Park project on September 21, 2010.
BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Not applicable.
NOTIFICATION
Not applicable.
ATTACHMENT
Resolution
CONTACT
Claire Myers, [email protected], 707-543-4204
AUTHORIZING SUBMITTAL OF A MATCHING GRANT APPLICATION TO THE SONOMA COUNTY AGRICULTURAL PRESERVATION AND OPEN SPACE DISTRICT FOR THE LOWER COLGAN CREEK RESTORATION PROJECT – PHASE 3 AND LOWER COLGAN CREEK NEIGHBORHOOD PARK PROJECT PAGE 2 OF 2