CC SR 20170404 M - PV Nature Preserve Entry SignageRANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA REPORT
AGENDA DESCRIPTION:
MEETING DATE: 04/04/2017
AGENDA HEADING: Consent Calendar
Consideration and possible action to adopt an authorizing resolution for the Outdoor
Environmental Education Facilities Grant Program to fund Palos Verdes Nature
Preserve Entry Signage.
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION:
(1) Adopt Resolution No. 2017-, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE
APPLICATION FOR OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION FACILITIES
GRANT FUNDS
FISCAL IMPACT: The cost of preparing this grant application would be covered by
the City's current grant -writing services contract for FY16-17.
Amount Budgeted: N/A
Additional Appropriation: N/A
Account Number(s): N/A
ORIGINATED BY: Katie Lozano, Administrative Analyst/Open Space Manager
REVIEWED BY: Cory Linder, Director of Recreation and Parks
APPROVED BY: Doug Willmore, City Manager
ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
A. Draft Resolution No. 2017- (page A-1)
B. Grant Program Fact Sheet (page B-1)
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION:
The Public Use Master Plan (PUMP) for the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve (Preserve),
approved by the City Council, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and California Department
of Fish and Wildlife, stipulates that the City is responsible for installing and maintaining
Preserve entry signage to identify individual reserves, trail systems, and rules. In 2014-
2016, the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy (PVPLC), on behalf of the City,
was awarded three separate grants, from which $115,000 is available for the design,
purchase, and installation of entry and interpretive signage for the Preserve. PVPLC
has worked with consultant Hunt Designs, Inc., the PVPLC Board of Directors, PVPLC
volunteers, and City Staff on signage design and content. The topic has also been
placed on quarterly Preserve Public Forum meeting agendas for discussion.
1
The Preserve currently lacks entry signage displaying the names of the individual
reserves, and defining the open space areas as nature preserves. It is important to
name open space areas for public safety so that the public can communicate where
they are located to emergency responders or law enforcement. Entry signage will also
communicate to the public that the 11 reserves (within the larger Preserve) are Nature
Reserves where valuable habitat is to be both appreciated and protected.
At the June 6, 2016, City Council meeting, per approval authority and protocol
established in the City/PVPLC Management Agreement, the City Council reviewed and
approved entry signage for the Preserve. At that time, the City Council directed Staff to
seek grant funding for the entry signage, and bring back future options to fund entry
signage.
The City's grant consultant, Blais & Associates (B&A) has identified potential funding for
Preserve entry signage from the California State Parks' Outdoor Environmental
Education Facilities Grant (Attachment B). The anticipated cost for signage purchase
and installation is approximately $400,000, and the maximum grant award for the
Outdoor Educational Grant is $500,000. If the City is awarded the grant, it would cover
the entire purchase and installation cost of entry signage at all 11 Nature Reserves.
This grant requires an authorizing resolution, which Staff presents for the City Council's
consideration and adoption this evening (Attachment A). The grant application is due
by September 1, 2017.
The draft authorizing resolution follows a template provided by the State. The City
Attorney has reviewed this resolution. With the City Council's authorization, Staff and
B&A will work to complete and submit the grant application to the State by the
September 1, 2017, deadline.
ALTERNATIVES:
In addition to the Staff recommendation, the following alternative action is available for
the City Council's consideration:
Do not adopt the authorizing resolution for this grant. Staff will continue to
seek other funding sources for the installation of Preserve entry signage,
and will bring signage funding options for the City Council's consideration
with the FY17-18 Budget.
2
RESOLUTION NO. 2017-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF CITY OF RANCHO
PALOS VERDES, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE
APPLICATION FOR OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION
FACILITIES GRANT FUNDS
WHEREAS, the State Department of Parks and Recreation has been delegated the
responsibility by the Legislature of the State of California for the administration of the
Outdoor Environmental Education Facilities Grant Program, setting up necessary procedures
governing the application; and,
WHEREAS, said procedures established by the State Department of Parks and
Recreation require the Applicant to certify by resolution the approval of the application before
submission of said application to the State; and,
WHEREAS, the 1,400 -acre Palos Verdes Nature Preserve was established in 2004,
and is managed by the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land
Conservancy, the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service, and the California Department of Fish and
Wildlife as defined in the draft Natural Communities Conservation Plan and the Management
Agreement between the City and Land Conservancy; the trails and facilities receive heavy
use from residents, and the larger Los Angeles County area, and the open areas and habitat
are an important coastal regional resource; and,
WHEREAS, one of the City's specific Preserve management responsibilities is
installation and maintenance of Preserve entry signage, which will serve both interpretive
and public safety purposes and the Outdoor Educational Exhibit grant funds would be used
to purchase and install entry signage in all 11 of the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve
properties; and,
WHEREAS, due to the substantial need for the interpretive entry signage, and the
heavy public use of the Preserve, the City believes it is a strong candidate for this funding;
and,
WHEREAS, successful Applicants will enter into a contract with the State of California
to complete the Grant Scope project.
A-1
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Rancho
Palos Verdes as follows:
1. The filing of an application for the Nature Preserve Signage is hereby
approved.
2. The City certifies that it has or will have available, prior to commencement of
any work on the project included in this application, the sufficient funds to complete the
project.
3. The City certifies that it has or will have sufficient funds to operate and maintain
the project.
4. The City certifies that it has reviewed, understands, and agrees to the General
Provisions contained in the contract shown in the Grant Administration Guide.
5. The City Council delegates the authority to City Manager to conduct all
negotiations, sign and submit all documents, including, but not limited to applications,
agreements, amendments, and payment requests, which may be necessary for the
completion of the Grant Scope.
6. The City agrees to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws,
ordinances, rules, regulations and guidelines.
Resolution No. 2017 -
Page 2 of 3
A-2
PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED on , 20
Mayor
Attest:
City Clerk
State of California )
County of Los Angeles ) ss
City of Rancho Palos Verdes)
I, Emily Colborn, City Clerk of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, hereby certify that the
above Resolution No. 2017- was duly and regularly passed and adopted by the said City
Council at a regular meeting thereof held on , 2017.
City Clerk
Resolution No. 2017 -
Page 3 of 3
A-3
Blais &Associates
professional grant management
FACTSHEET
Outdoor Environmental Education Facilities Grant
Funding Information and Application Requirements
FAST FACTS
1
Important Dates
0 Deadline: September 1, 2017. U.S. Postmark accepted.
• Completion Date: Seven years and nine months after the
appropriations date. The appropriation date is July 1 of the
fiscal year in which the funds are appropriated in the state
budget.
• Award Date: Approximately six months after the application
date.
2
Public Hearings
0 Folsom, March 14 9:30 am — 11 am
• Rancho Cucamonga , March 219:30 am — 11 am
• Torrance , March 22 9:30 am — 11 am
• San Diego , March 23 9:30 am. — 11 am
• Oakland , March 28 9:30 am — 11 am
• Fresno, March 29 9:30 am — 11 am
RSVP at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/OEEFworkshop
3
Eligible Applicants
Cities, counties, nonprofit organizations, and district.
4
Purpose of Program
For the development of public outdoor environmental education
amenities, structures and exhibits.
5
Success Rate Last Year
Data is not available as this is a new program.
6
Authorizing Resolution Required?
Required
FUNDING INFORMATION
7
Total Funds Available
$10 million
8
High, Low, Average Grant
Data is not available as this is a new program.
9
Maximum Funding Request
There is no minimum. Maximum funding is $500,000.
10
Local Match Required
Not required, but 5 points will be assigned for projects that utilize
grant funds for construction costs only and non construction costs
will be funded for other sources.
11
Funding Cycle
One round.
PROJECT INFORMATION
12
Examples of Funded Projects
Data is not available as this is a new program.
13
Priorities
Applications that include a commitment for match.
14
Eligible Project Types
• Development of public outdoor education facilities structures
and exhibits that facilitate focused learning.
• Development must be outdoors, in a natural setting with
native vegetation.
• Amenities may provide outdoor education on their own (such
as signs, kiosks, nature trails), or consist of outdoor structures
Blais 'Associates
professional grant management
that facilitate providing outdoor education (such as campfire
centers, amphitheaters, group campgrounds).
• Non -construction costs are limited to 25% of grant amount.
15 Ineligible Activities 0 Acquisition projects.
• Education programs, activities, and programmatic
development.
• Purchase of specimens.
• Indoor facilities, including nature centers, restrooms and
traditional classrooms.
• Community and botanical gardens.
• Trail construction and improvements that do not provide for
outdoor education.
16 Project Readiness 0 Performance period end eight years after the appropriation
date.
• CEQA compliance must be completed within 60 days for the
application due date.
HOW TO APPLY
17 Application Requirements
18 Submission Requirements
• Application Checklist
• Application Form
• Grant Scope/Cost Estimate
• Resolution
• CEQA Compliance Certification Form
• Land Tenure Requirement
• Sub -Leases or Agreements
• Site Plan
• Photos of the Project Site
• Project Summary
• Project Selection Criteria (10 page limit)
• Match Certification Form
• Additional Requirements for Non -profits:
o IRS Determination Letter
o Articles of incorporation
o Mission Statement
o First two pages of the most recently filed 990 Form
o Balance Sheet
o Income Statement
Submit one unbound application packet to:
Street Address for Overnight Mail:
Calif. Dept. of Parks and Recreation
Office of Grants and Local Services
1416 Ninth Street, Room 918
Sacramento, CA 95814
Mailing Address:
Calif. Dept. of Parks and Recreation
� B-2
HOW APPLICATIONS WILL BE SCORED
19 Evaluation Criteria and Process
WHO TO CONTACT
20 Agency
Blais &Associates
professional grant management
Office of Grants and Local Services
P.O. Box 942896
Sacramento, CA 94296-0001
Projects will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
• Need for Outdoor Education — 25 points
• Educational Opportunities — 25 points
• Who will be served? — 15 points
• Getting there and Project Availability — 15 points
• Organizational Capacity— 10 points
• Operation and Maintenance — 5 points
• Match Funds — 5 points
Awards will be made approximately six months after the
application date.
California State Parks
21 Contact Name/Phone Number localservices@parks.ca.gov or 916-653-7423
22 Web Site http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=29407
(949) 589-6338 ♦ www.bIaisassoc.com