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CC SR 20150203 G Palos Verdes Nature Preserve Record DeedCITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES TO: HONORABLE MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL ME RS FROM: JOEL ROJAS, AICP, COMMUNIT E OPMENT DIRECTOR DATE: FEBRUARY 3, 2015 SUBJECT: PALOS VERDES NATURE PRESERVE - RECORDATION OF DEED RESTRICTIONS PURSUANT TO THE HABITAT CONSERVATION FUND GRANT (SUPPORTS 2014 CITY COUNCIL GOALS — TRAIL SYSTEM ENHANCEMENT AND CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT & PUBLIC OUTREACH) REVIEWED: CAROLYNN PETRU. ACTING CITY MANAGER® Project Manager: Ara Michael Mihranian, AICP, Deputy Development Direct RECOMMENDATION Authorize the Community Development Director to sign and record Deed Restrictions on the properties that make up the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve as required by the California Department of Parks and Recreation for the 2012 Habitat Conservation Fund grant awarded to City for trail improvements and habitat restoration. BACKGROUND On October 2, 2012, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2012-75 authorizing the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy (PVPLC), on behalf of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, to submit a grant application for the State's 2012 Habitat Conservation Fund for trail improvements and habitat restoration at the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve. In July 2013, the jointly filed grant was awarded to the City and the PVPLC and covers the following (the responsible entity follows each item): • Improving the condition of the existing trails for access and connectivity purposes (PVPLC) • Closing unofficial trails (PVPLC) • Installing bicycle racks at various trailhead locations (RPV) • Installing mutt mitt stations (RPV) • Replacing trash bins (RPV) • Installing, replacing and repairing trail marker signs (PVPLC) • Installing interpretive signs (PVPLC) G-1 • Installing Reserve Gateway Entry Signs at key entry points to the Preserve (PVPLC) • Developing brochures and trails maps for the public's use (PVPLC) • Developing a smart phone application to access trail and interpretative information while on a trail (PVPLC) • Habitat re -vegetation that consists of a combination of seeding with native plant seeds and planting container plants (PVPLC). The HCF grant requires a 100% matching fund. The total cost for the project components listed above is valued at $261,600. Based on the terms of the awarded grant, the PVPLC will provide $120,000 as the matching fund for its components of the project and the City will provide $10,800 as the matching fund for its components of the project with the grant funding the remaining balance of $130,800. In order to ensure the property is used for purposes consistent with the grant scope, State Parks requires a Deed Restriction be recorded on the properties that make up the Preserve. Thus, the Council is being asked to authorize the Community Development Director, the City's authorized representative for the grant, to proceed with recording the Deed Restrictions with the Los Angeles County Recorder's Office. DISCUSSION The Deed Restriction (see attachment) required by State Parks to be recorded against the property titles that make up the Preserve limits the use of the property for recreational purposes for a period of 20 years (terminating on June 30, 2033). This deed restriction is not like the deed restrictions required by the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) that prohibit a property from being developed or improved in perpetuity or the grantee needing permission from the National Parks Service (NPS) prior to performing any on-site improvements that were not originally described in the awarded grant. Essentially, the purpose of the HCF Deed Restriction is to make sure the State is notified if the City tries to sell the property and to make sure that the project area remains open for public use prohibiting the property from being used for private purposes. It is Staff's opinion that the HCF Deed Restriction is no more restrictive than the restrictions that already encumber or will encumber all the Preserve properties as part of the required NCCP conservation easements. Furthermore, the City Attorney has reviewed the terms of the grant contract and deed restrictions and has affirmed that the City projects (i.e. drainage improvements, etc.) covered in the NCCP will not be prohibited by the HCF Deed Restriction. A representative from the State has also confirmed that conclusion. Moreover, it is the City's and the PVPLC's belief that the grant scope of work described above is within the intent of the HCF grant in that the project will restore and enhance public access, as well as re- establish the native habitat and wildlife resources. Based on the aforementioned, Staff recommends the Council authorize the Community Development Director to sign and record the required HCF Deed Restrictions. G-2 HABITAT CONSERVATION FUND GRANT FEBRUARY 3, 2015 ALTERNATIVES Direct the Community Development Director not to record the required HCF Deed Restriction and terminate the grant contract with State Parks. FISCAL IMPACT Per Government Code Section 27383, the recordation of the HCF Deed Restriction will occur at no cost to the City. ATTACHMENTS • HCF Deed Restriction G-3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 RECORDING REQUESTED BY: California Department of Parks and Recreation Office of Grants and Local Services WHEN RECORDED MAIL TO: Office of Grants and Local Services PO Box 942896 Sacramento, CA 94296-0001 Attn: Karen Sims DEED RESTRICTION I. WHEREAS, the City of Rancho Palos Verdes (hereinafter referred to as "Owner(s)" is/are recorded owner(s) of the real property described in Exhibit A, attached and incorporated herein by reference (hereinafter referred to as the "Property"); and IL WHEREAS, the California Department of Parks and Recreation (hereinafter referred to as "DPR") is a public agency created and existing under the authority of section 5001 of the California Public Resources Code (hereinafter referred to as the "PRC"). And III. WHEREAS, Owner(s) (or Applicants) applied to DPR for grant funds available pursuant to the Habitat Conservation Fund , Trails Program for development of approximately 4 miles of trail and associated habitat restoration including trailhead signage, trail markers, and minor amenities for 10 reserves within the City of Rancho Palos Verdes on the Property; and IV. WHEREAS, on July 1, 2013, DPR's Office of Grants and Local Services conditionally approved Grant HT -19-018 , (hereinafter referred to as "Grant") for development of approximately 4 miles of trail and associated habitat restoration including trailhead signage, trail markers, and minor amenities for 10 reserves within the City of Rancho Palos Verdes on the Property, subject to, among other conditions, recordation of this Deed Restriction on the Property; and G 1 2' 3 4 5j 6i 7 81 91 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 V. WHEREAS, but for the imposition of the Deed Restriction condition of the Grant, the Grant would not be consistent with the public purposes of the Habitat Conservation Fund, Trails and tl funds that are the subject of the Grant could therefore not have been granted; and VI. WHEREAS, Owner(s) has/ve elected to comply with the Deed Restriction of the Grant, so as to enable Owner(s), to receive the Grant funds and perform the work described in the Grant; NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the issuance of the Grant funds by DPR, the undersigned Owner(s) for himself/herself/themselves and for his/her/their heirs, assigns, and successors- in -interest, hereby irrevocably covenant(s) with DPR that the condition of the grant (set forth at paragraph(s) 1 through 5 and in Exhibit B hereto) shall at all times on and after the date on which this Deed Restriction is recorded constitute for all purposes covenants, conditions and restrictions on the use and enjoyment of the Property that are hereby attached to the deed to the Property as fully effective components thereof. 1. DURATION. (a) This Deed Restriction shall remain in frill force and effect and shall bind Owner(s) and all his/her/their assigns or successors -in -interest for the period running from July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2033, 2. TAXES AND ASSESMENTS. It is intended that this Deed Restriction is irrevocable and shall constitute an enforceable restriction within the meaning of a) Article XIII, section 8, of the California Constitution; and b) section 402.1 of the California Revenue and Taxation Code or successor statue. Furthermore, this Deed Restriction shall be deemed to constitute a servitude upon and burden to the Property within the meaning of section 3712(d) of the California Revenue and Taxation Code, or successor statue, which survives a sale of tax -deeded property. 3. RIGHT OF ENTRY. DPR or its agent or employees may enter onto the Property at tim reasonably acceptable to Owner(s) to ascertain whether the use restrictions set forth above are being observed. 4. REMEDIES. Any act, conveyance, contract, or authorization by Owner(s) whether written or oral which uses or would cause to be used or would permit use of the Property contrary to the 2 G- terms of this Deed Restriction will be deemed a violation and a breach hereof. DPR may pursue any and all available legal and/or equitable remedies to enforce the terms and conditions of this Deed Restriction. In the event of a breach, any forbearance on the part of DPR to enforce the terms and provisions hereof shall not be deemed a waiver of enforcement rights regarding any subsequent breach. 5. SEVERABILITY. If any provision of these restrictions is held to be invalid, or for any reason becomes unenforceable, no other provision shall be affected or impaired. Dated: F1 Business Name (if property is owned by a business): Signed: PRINT/TYPE NAME & CAPACITY OF ABOVE (GRANTEE'S AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE) Signed: PRINT/TYPE NAME & CAPACITY OF ABOVE (ADDITIONAL SIGNATURE, AS REQUIRED) **NOTARY ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ON THE NEXT PAGE** 3 State of California County of On before me, , a Notary Public, personally appeared , who proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the person(s) whose name(s) is/are subscribed to the within instrument and acknowledged to me that he/she/they executed the same in his/her/their authorized capacity(ies), and that by his/her/their signature(s) on the instrument the person(s), or the entity upon behalf of which the person(s) acted, executed the instrument. I certify under PENALTY OF PERJURY under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing paragraph is true and correct. WITNESS my hand and official seal. Signature (Seal)