Agenda Item #13.3
For Council Meeting of: March 5, 2024
CITY OF SANTA ROSA
CITY COUNCIL
TO: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: JENNIFER BURKE, DIRECTOR, SANTA ROSA WATER
SUBJECT: AUTHORIZING SUBMITTAL OF A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE WILDLIFE CONSERVATION BOARD FOR THE LOWER COLGAN CREEK RESTORATION PROJECT – PHASE 3 AGENDA ACTION: RESOLUTION
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended by Santa Rosa Water that the Council, by resolution: 1) approve a grant application to the Wildlife Conservation Board for the construction, public art, and installation of a large-scale monarch and pollinator habitat for the Lower Colgan Creek Restoration Project – Phase 3; 2) authorize the Santa Rosa Water Director to submit a grant application; 3) authorize the Santa Rosa Water Director to accept the grant and execute the Grant Agreement and amendments thereto, and all other agreements or documents necessary for the completion of the project, subject to approval as to form by the City Attorney; and 4) authorize the Chief Financial Officer to increase appropriations by the approved grant award.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The approved resolution will authorize Santa Rosa Water to apply for the Wildlife Conservation Board grant and, if awarded, execute required documents to provide funding for construction, public art, and installation of a large-scale monarch and pollinator habitat for the Lower Colgan Creek Restoration Project – Phase 3 (Project). The Project is consistent with City Council Goal 5, Build and Maintain Sustainable Infrastructure, by enhancing habitat, water quality, and flood capacity along a reach of Colgan Creek, as well as enabling bicycle and pedestrian movement in southwest Santa Rosa.
BACKGROUND
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.
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; 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 2014. Phase 2 located between Victoria Drive and Boron Avenue was completed in 2022. Phase 3 project limits are from Boron Avenue downstream to Dutton Meadow.
On December 13, 2022, Santa Rosa Water was awarded a $1,500,000 grant from the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District Matching Grant Program for the land acquisition needed to construct the Project.
On January 5, 2023, Santa Rosa Water was awarded the Urban Streams Restoration Program grant in the amount of $4,368,066 for design, construction, and education and outreach for the Project.
Project design, land acquisition, construction, education and outreach, and public art and installation of monarch and pollinator habitat is estimated to cost approximately $9,342,421. Additional project planning, including submission of a Mitigated Negative Declaration under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), acquisition of Sonoma County Assessor’s Parcel Number 043-122-017, and 50% design plans have already been funded and completed.
On November 14, 2023, Santa Rosa Water submitted a grant pre-application to the Wildlife Conservation Board providing a project overview and requesting funding for the Project.
On January 5, 2024, the Wildlife Conservation Board invited Santa Rosa Water to submit a full application.
The City is seeking up to $2,010,000 of Wildlife Conservation Board funding for the construction, public art, and installation of monarch and pollinator habitat.
PRIOR CITY COUNCIL REVIEW
On November 19, 2002, the City Council, by Resolution Nos. 25474 and 25475, adopted a Mitigated Negative Declaration under CEQA, approved the Lower Colgan Creek Restoration Project, and authorized staff to pursue acquisition of land needed to implement the entire Project.
On December 2, 2008, the City Council, by Resolution No. 27267, amended the Lower Colgan Creek Restoration Project.
On September 21, 2010, the City Council, by Resolution No. 27736, adopted an updated Mitigated Negative Declaration under CEQA and authorized final design of the Lower Colgan Creek Restoration and Neighborhood Park Project.
On May 6, 2014, the City Council, by Resolution No. 28745, authorized submittal of a grant application and partial funding of the Lower Colgan Creek Project – Phase 1 to the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District 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.
On June 23, 2022, the City Council, by Resolution No. RES-2022-127, authorized submittal of a grant application for land acquisition required for the Project to the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District for $1,500,000.
On August 23, 2022, the City Council, by Resolution 2022-186, authorized submittal of a grant application for partial funding of the Project to the California Department of Water Resources Urban Streams Restoration Program for $4,368,066.
ANALYSIS
The Project is consistent with the Wildlife Conservation Board’s Guidelines.
If successful, this grant application would secure funding necessary to complete Project construction, public art installation, and installation of monarch and pollinator habitat.
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 needed to construct the Project.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The Council, by Resolution No. 27736, adopted a Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Colgan Creek Restoration and Park Project on September 21, 2010. Submittal of a grant application would not constitute a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378.
BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Not applicable.
NOTIFICATION
Not applicable.
ATTACHMENTS
Resolution
PRESENTER
Steve Brady, Senior Environmental Specialist
AUTHORIZING SUBMITTAL OF A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE WILDLIFE CONSERVATION BOARD FOR THE LOWER COLGAN CREEK RESTORATION PROJECT – PHASE 3 PAGE 2 OF 3