RPVCCA_CC_SR_2013_05_21_C_Grant_Application_Consultant_Srvcs_Design_Western_AveCITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES
MEMORANDUM
REVIEWED:
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
HONORABLE MAYOR &CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
JOEL ROJAS,AICP,COMMUNITY DEVEL NT
DIRECTOR
MAY 21,2013
AUTHORIZATION TO SUBMIT GRANT APPLICATION
TO O-BTALN CO-NSULTANT SERVIC-ESFO-R-
DEVELOPMENT OF DESIGN GUIDELINES FOR THE
WESTERN AVENUE CORRIDOR (Supports 2013 City
Council Goal 7 -Western Avenue~or·dor Issues)
CAROLYN LEHR,CITY MANAGE
Project Managers:Eduardo Schon born,AICP,Senior Planne
Kit Fox,AICP,Senior Administrative Analyst@
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt Resolution No.2013-_,thereby authorizing Staff to file a joint grant application
with the City of Los Angeles through the Southern California Association of
Governments'(SCAG)"Sustainability Program"to obtain consultant services for the
development of design guidelines for the Western Avenue corridor.
BACKGROUND
In 2000,SCAG initiated the Compass Blueprint Growth Vision as a response to the land
use and transportation challenges facing Southern California.The Growth Vision is
driven by the principles of mobility,livability,prosperity and sustainability.To realize
these principles,the Growth Vision encourages focusing growth in existing and
emerging centers and along major transportation corridors;creating significant areas of
mixed-use development and walkable communities;targeting growth around existing
and planned transit stations;and,preserving existing open space and stable residential
areas.
To facilitate implementation of the Growth Vision project,SCAG offered planning
services to cities through its "Compass Blueprint Demonstration Projects"program.
This program provides opportunities for local planning efforts to become regional
showcases for great planning.On October 19,2010,the City Council authorized Staff
to submit a grant application for a Compass Blueprint Demonstration Project focusing
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MEMORANDUM:Grant Application for Western Avenue Design Guidelines
May 21,2013
Page 2
on the revitalization of the Western Avenue corridor.On October 4,2011,SCAG
informed the City that it had been awarded a $120,000 1 grant to develop what would
become the Western Avenue Vision Plan.
Beginning in the summer of 2012,the Western Avenue Vision Plan Working Group was
formed,including residents,business owners,chambers of commerce and staff from
both Rancho Palos Verdes and San Pedro (Los Angeles).Working with the City's
planning consultant,AECOM,the vision planning process recently culminated in a
public open house held on April 20,2013.Staff anticipates that a draft Western Avenue
Vision plan-incorporating comments from the open house-will be presented to the
Planning Commission on May 28,2013,and to the City Council on June 18,2013.
On April 18,2013,Staff learned that SCAG was accepting applications for additional
--grant funding for EY20'l3.,.t4 under its "SustainabiLity_Program."As a past Compass
Blueprint partner jurisdiction,the City of Rancho Palos Verdes is eligible to apply for the
funding of work that will bring the Western Avenue Vision Plan closer to implementation.
Staff envisions that the development of design guidelines for Western Avenue-in
cooperation with the City of Los Angeles-would be the next logical step to implement
the Western Avenue Vision Plan.Therefore,Staff is requesting the City Council's
approval to pursue this grant opportunity,with the assistance of the City's grant
consultant,Blais &Associates.Applications are due by May 31,2013.
DISCUSSION
Under SCAG's new Sustainability Program,proposals that feature creative and forward-
thinking development solutions will benefit-free of charge-from a customized program
of consultant services,SCAG staff time,financial resources and technical assistance.
The Sustainability Program's innovative tools and services allow cities and counties to
evaluate planning and policy options and stimulate sustainable development
opportu nities.
All SCAG-member local jurisdictions are eligible for funding for nearly any planning
project that meets local needs and is consistent with the regional Sustainable
Communities Strategy.The Sustainability program will emphasize:
•Projects that make measurable progress toward implementation;
•Assistance to communities for updating General Plans;
•Inter-jurisdictional and multi-stakeholder partnerships;and,
•Outreach and education to the community and stakeholders on sustainable
development.
Staff has spoken with representatives from the City of Los Angeles who agree that since
the preparation of the Western Avenue Vision Plan is nearing completion,the next
1 $100,000 from SCAG for consultant services and $20,000 in-kind "donation"from the City.
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MEMORANDUM:Grant Application for Western Avenue Design Guidelines
May 21,2013
Page 3
logical step would be to develop specific design guidelines for replacing or upgrading
the public amenities and private development within the corridor.As a result,the City of
LA is pleased to continue its participation with the City of RPV in revitalizing the
Western Avenue commercial corridor.To that end,the City of LA will be a co-applicant
on the grant application to SCAG.Staff is confident that,given our past success with
the Compass Blueprint Demonstration Project grant,and our continued partnership with
the City of LA and other stakeholders during the Western Avenue Vision Plan process,
our application for the development of Western Avenue design guidelines will be highly
competitive.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion,Staff recommends that the City Council adopt Resolution No.2013-_,
thereby authorizing Staff to file a Joint grant application with the Gity oLLAthrough the
Southern California Association of Governments'(SCAG)Sustainability Program for the
development of design guidelines for the Western Avenue corridor.
ALTERNATIVES
In addition to Staff's recommendation,the following alternative is available for the City
Council's consideration:
1.Receive and file this report,thereby directing Staff not to pursue this grant
opportunity.
FISCAL IMPACT
The cost of preparing the grant application in consultation with Blais &Associates is
completely covered within the scope of their annual contract for services.If the City is
successful in obtaining these additional grant funds,it is expected that at least a portion
of the project funding will come for the City's "donation"of in-kind services for Staff in
the Planning Division to act as project manager for the grant.The time and resources
necessary for the Planning Division to manage this grant (if awarded)would be covered
under the Community Development Department's upcoming FY 2013-14 budget
appropriation,and should not require a budget adjustment.
Attachments:
•Draft Resolution 2013-
•SCAG Sustainability Program guidelines and application (FY 2013-14)
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I
RESOLUTION NO.2013-_
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE FILING OF A GRANT
APPLICATION FOR WESTERN AVENUE DESIGN GUIDELINES
UNDER THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF
GOVERMENTS'"SUSTAINABILITY PROGRAM"FOR FY 2013-14
WHEREAS the City of Rancho Palos Verdes is a member of the Southern
California Association of Governments (SCAG);and,
WHEREAS,in 2011,the City was awarded a grant for a "Compass Blueprint
Demonstration Project"to develop what has become the Western Avenue Vision Plan,a
collaborative effort to develop a visionary framework plan to revitalize Western Avenue
through aesthetic improvements,transit improvements and alternative modes,and
business incentives;and,
WHEREAS the Southern California Association of Governments is providing
planning assistance to member agencies for "Sustainability Program"projects that will
allow cities and counties to evaluate planning and policy options and stimulate
sustainable development opportunities;and,
WHEREAS,as a Compass Blueprint partner jurisdiction,the City believes that
the development of design guidelines for the Western Avenue corridor are essential for
the successful implementation of the Western Avenue Vision Plan;and,
WHEREAS,procedures established by the Southern California Association of
Governments require a resolution certifying the approval of applications by the
Applicant's governing board before submission of said applications;and,
WHEREAS the City of Rancho Palos Verdes is applying for Sustainability
Program planning services to develop Western Avenue Design Guidelines to implement
the Western Avenue Vision Plan that has been developed with the assistance of SCAG
under the Compass Blueprint program because it will:
•Be a project that will make measurable progress toward implementation;
•Involve and build upon inter-jurisdictional and multi-stakeholder partnerships;
and,
•Involve and build upon outreach and education to the community and
stakeholders on sustainable development;and,
WHEREAS,the City of Rancho Palos Verdes,if selected,will enter into an
agreement with the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG)to carry
out the development of the proposal.
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES:
.'
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Section 1:Approves the filing of a joint application with the City of Los Angeles
through the Southern California Association of Governments' "Sustainability Program"
for the development of design guidelines to implement the Western Avenue Vision Plan.
Section 2:Certifies the support of developing Western Avenue Design
Guidelines to align with the goals of the Sustainability Program and implement the
Western Avenue Vision Plan.
Section 3:Supports continued cooperation between the City of Rancho Palos
Verdes and the Southern California Association of Government as a Compass Blueprint
partner jurisdiction.
Section 4:Appoints the City Manager,or designee,as agent to conduct all
negotiations,execute and submit all documents including,but not limited to
applications,agreements,payment requests and so on,which may be necessary for the
completion of the aforementioned project.
PASSED,APPROVED,AND ADOPTED this 21 st day of May 2013.
Mayor
ATTEST:
City Clerk
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES))ss
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES )
I,Carla Morreale,City Clerk of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes,hereby certify that the
above Resolution No.2013_was duly and regularly passed and adopted by the said
City Council at a regular meeting held on May 21,2013.
City Clerk
Resolution No.2013-
Page 2 of 2
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CONSOLIDATED CALL FOR PROPOSALS
INTRODUCING A NEW LOCAL ASSISTANCE PLANNING PROGRAM FROM
THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS:
2013-2014 FISCAL YEAR APPLICATION
The Sustainability Program combines Compass Blueprint assistance
for integrated land use and transportation planning with new Green
Region Initiative assistance aimed at local sustainability and Active
Transportation assistance for bicycle and pedestrian planning efforts.
With the recent adoption of the region's first Sustainable Communities
Strategy (SCS,)the program will focus on voluntary efforts that will
meet local needs and contribute to implementing the SCS,reducing
greenhouse gas (GHG)emissions,and providing the range oflocal and
regional benefits outlined in the SCS.For more information on SB
375 and the SCS,go to http://rtpscs.scag.ca.gov.
Proposals that feature creative and forward-thinking development
solutions will benefit,free of charge,from a customized program of
consultant services,SCAG staff time,financial resources and technical
assistance.The Sustainability Program's innovative tools and services
allow cities and counties to evaluate planning and policy options and
stimulate sustainable development opportunities.
All SCAG-member local jurisdictions are eligible for funding for nearly
any planning project that that meets local needs and is consistent
with the regional Sustainable Communities Strategy.The 2013-2014
Sustainability program will emphasize:
"Projects that make measurable progress toward implementation
Assistance to communities for updating General Plans
Inter-jurisdictional and multi-stakeholder partnerships
-,Outreach and education to the community and stakeholders on
sustainable development
Past Compass Blueprint partner jurisdictions may propose work that
will move their plans closer to implementation.
Compass Blueprint proposals should clearly integrate sustainable
transportation and land use planning,for example:
Transit-Oriented Development (TOD)planning
'.'General Plan,Specific Plan and development code assistance
Parking strategies
Development feasibility analyses
Green Region Initiative proposals should clearly promote local and
regional sustainability,for example:
,.Local Climate Action Plans
Energy andlor Water Efficiency Plans
,.Open Space Strategies
Public Health Planning
Active Transportation proposals should clearly promote alternatives to
motor vehicles,for example:
,.Bicycle and Pedestrian projects
Complete Streets
Safe Routes to Schools
"First Mile/Last Mile planning
Proposals will be evaluated and selected based on criteria that include:
GENERAL (FOR ALL PROPOSALS)
,.SCAG membership
,.Demonstrates reasonable commitment to implement the project
"Implements the RTP/SCS
Promotes or encourages sustainability (3 E's:Economy,Equity and
Environment)
"Demonstrates a clear need for the project and requested services
•Involves public and private partnerships,including multi-jurisdictional
<Demonstrates innovative approaches to regional planning issues that can
be replicated elsewhere
"Leverages other public and private funding sources
•Outlines a realistic timeline
FOR COMPASS BLUEPRINT PROPOSALS
•Integrates land use and transportation planning
,Promotes infill,Transit Oriented Development (TOD),and other forms
of sustainable development
•Promotes a sustainable land use mix,including new housing
FOR GREEN REGION INITIATIVE PROPOSALS
o Addresses climate change through GHG emission reduction or
adaptation planning
"Promotes energy and/or water efficiency and savings
,Promotes overall sustainability on various resource issues
FOR ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION PROPOSALS
,Promotes Active (Bicycle and Pedestrian)Transportation Planning
,.Promotes physical activity,safety,education and outreach
c,Promotes linkages within existing active transportation and transit
networks
"Promotes shift ftom cars to active transportation
To apply for Sustainability Program assistance for the 2013-2014
fiscal year,fill out the cover sheet on the next page,prepare a proposal
describing your project by May 31,2013.
Applications will be accepted until 5:00 p.m.on May 31,2013.
818 West 7th Street,12th Floor,Los Angeles,CA 90017
Tel.(213)236-1800 I Email:info@compassblueprint.org
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CONSOLIDATED CALL FOR PROPOSALS 2013-2014 FISCAL YEAR APPLICATION
Please complete this form using only the space provided.
Email
Type of Planning Assistance Requested:Please check one
D Compass Blueprint D Green Region Initiative D Active Transportation
Please provide one to two paragraph description of the project:
Project Name
Agency Sponsor
Primary Contact Person
Title
Address
City
Phone
State Zip
Attach a proposal that includes detail on:
The project location (include maps)
Scope of the overall project
Scope of the planning assistance requested from the SCAG
Sustainability Program
Project timeline including anticipated start date for requested services
(funds expected to be available JUly 2013)
Estimated cost of requested services
Product(s)expected (e.g.wrirren report,visual/video aids,plans,
events,etc.)
How the project will help meet local goals and assist the region in
implementing the Sustainable Communities Strategy
The jurisdiction's commitment to implement the plans,policies and/
or recommendations that result from the project
Applicants are encouraged to include statements of support from City
Council/County Board of Supervisors,subregional organizations and
other key stakeholders.
Applicants are encouraged to contact SCAG for assistance in
assembling a winning application.
Proposals (not including support letters)should not exceed 10
pages and must include an electronic copy (PDP preferred)of all
application materials.
Proposals under 10MB may be submitted via email.
Submit your proposal by 5:00 p.m.on May 31,2013 to
Peter Brandenburg
Southern California Association of Governments
818 West 7th Street,12th Ploor
Los Angeles,CA 90017-3435
Por more information on Sustainability Program assistance,go to
www.compassblueprint.org
E-mail:brandenburg@scag.ca.gov
Or call:(213)236-1937
Awards will be announced in Summer 2013,with work on awarded
projects to begin shortly after.
818 West 7th Street,12th Floor,Los Angeles,CA 90017
Tel.(213)236-1800 I Email:info@compassblueprint.org
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