Agenda Item #12.1
For Council Meeting of: February, 28, 2023
CITY OF SANTA ROSA
CITY COUNCIL
TO: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: JEN SANTOS, DEPUTY DIRECTOR, PARKS
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 NEIGHBORHOOD PARK IMPROVEMENT PROJECT – (CEQA EXEMPT) AGENDA ACTION: RESOLUTION
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended by the Transportation and Public Works Department that the Council, by resolution: 1) approve a matching grant application to the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District (District) for design and construction of the Lower Colgan Creek Neighborhood Park Improvement Project (Project) in the amount of $1,000,000 and authorize the Assistant City Manager to submit the grant application on behalf of the City of Santa Rosa Transportation and Public Works; 2) authorize the Assistant City Manager to accept the grant and execute any and all grant agreements, conservation easements and amendments thereto, and all other documents necessary for the completion of the design and construction of the park improvement project and subject to approval by the City Attorney; and 3) authorize the Chief Financial Officer to increase appropriations by the approved grant amount.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The approved resolution will authorize The Transportation and Public Works Department (TPW) to apply for the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District’s (District) second round funding cycle of the 2022 Matching Grant Program and execute required documents to provide design and construction of the Lower Colgan Creek Neighborhood Park Improvement Project. The Project is consistent with City Council Goal 5, Build and Maintain Sustainable Infrastructure, and in coordination with the Lower Colgan Creek restoration acquisition and restoration project, will provide multiple benefits including a new public recreation space, a multi-use pathway, along with enhanced habitat, water quality, and increased flood capacity.
BACKGROUND
On June 21, 2022, in 2022, Council approved a grant application to the District’s Matching Grant Program, in conjunction with the Santa Rosa Water Department, for land acquisition needed for construction of both the Lower Colgan Creek Restoration Project and Lower Colgan Creek Neighborhood Park Improvement Project. The Matching Grant Program for 2022 did not award the full amount available for the cycle. The District announced a second round of funding with $2,050,000 available for acquisition and improvement projects. Applications are due by March 10, 2023.
The concept plan for the Lower Colgan Creek Neighborhood Park, proposed adjacent to the final segment of the Lower Colgan Creek restoration project, includes a variety of both active and passive recreational opportunities. Anticipated park amenities include play features, picnic areas and pathways with the specific character and combination of amenities to be determined with community input during the master planning process and refined in the design phase prior to construction. Master planning, design and construction of the park improvement project is estimated to cost $2,500,000.
PRIOR CITY COUNCIL REVIEW
On September 21, 2010, the City Council, by resolution No. 27736, adopted an updated mitigative negative declaration for the Colgan Creek Restoration and Neighborhood Park Project.
On June 21, 2022, the City Council, by Resolution No.RES-2022-127, authorized submittal of a grant application to the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District in the amount of $1,500,000 for acquisition of land which allows for both, construction of the Lower Colgan Creek Restoration Project, and improvements at Lower Colgan Creek Neighborhood Park.
ANALYSIS
The City has worked with the District, on three (3) previous matching grant awards which helped fund land acquisition and construction for the previous phases of the Lower Colgan Creek Restoration project. The application for this latest round of funding for design and construction of Lower Colgan Creek Neighborhood Park is consistent with the District’s Matching Grant Program Guidelines.
If successful, the funds secured with this grant application for park improvements, will be combined with Park Impact Development fees from the southwest quadrant (zone 2), for master planning, design, and construction of the park improvements which could begin as early as 2025.
FISCAL IMPACT
A Council resolution is required for an application to be deemed complete, and approval of this action does not have a fiscal impact on the General Fund. If awarded, funds for the project will be provided in an amount not to exceed $1,000,000 from the District. The remainder of the funds are available from the park development impact fees from the southwest quadrant (zone 2).
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
This action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) and 15378 in that there is no possibility that the implementation of this action may have significant effects on the environment, and no further environmental review is required. 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.
ATTACHMENTS
Resolution
PRESENTER
Scott Wilkinson, [email protected]
AUTHORIZING SUBMITTAL OF A MATCHING GRANT APPLICATION TO THE SONOMA COUNTY AGRICULTURAL PRESERVATION AND OPEN SPACE DISTRICT FOR THE LOWER COLGAN CREEK NEIGHBORHOOD PARK IMPROVEMENT PROJECT – (CEQA EXEMPT) PAGE 3 OF 3