RPVCCA_CC_SR_2012_10_02_G_CA_Habitat_Conservation_Fund_Grant_PV_Nature_PreserveCITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES
TO:
DATE:
FROM:
HONORABLE MAYOR &CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
JOEL ROJAS,AICP,COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR~~
OCTOBER 2,2012
SUBJECT:STATE OF CALIFORNIA HABITAT CONSERVATION FUND
PROJECT GRANT -PALOS VERDES NATURE PRESERVE
REVIEWED:CAROLYN LEHR,CITY MANAGEAr<::..\.,
Project Manager:Ara Michael Mihranian,AICP,Deputy Development DirectoM
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt Resolution No.2012_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 work and habitat restoration at the
Palos Verdes Nature Preserve.
BACKGROUND
The Habitat Conservation Fund (HCF)Program allocates approximately $2 million per year
to the California Department of Parks and Recreation to provide grants to local entities to
protect fish,wildlife,and native plant resources,to acquire or develop wildlife corridors and
trails,and to provide for nature interpretation programs and other programs which bring
urban residents into park and wildlife areas.The California Wildlife Protection Act of 1990,
Fish and Game Code,Chapter 9,commencing with Section 2780,defines the program and
authorizes grant funding to local agencies.Fish and Game Code Section 2799.5 requires
that "Reasonable public access to lands ...be provided except where access may interfere
.with habitat protection."Access may include signage or interpretive panels on the edge of
the site where direct access may interfere with habitat protection.
Grant requests generally do not exceed $200,000.However,there are no maximum or
minimum grant amounts.According to the criteria in the application packet,efforts to
provide equitable geographic distribution of funds will be made provided that sufficient well
qualified proposals exist.Furthermore,this year,there is a non-state matching fund of
100%required.
In light of the acreage that encompasses the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve and the
degree of vegetation in need of restoration and trails that can be improved for connectivity
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HABITAT CONSERVATION FUND GRANT
OCTOBER 2,2012
and access purposes,pursuant to the grant criteria for the HCF,City and PVPLC Staff
believe that the restoration of trails and habitat in the Preserve is a strong contender for
this competitive grant.It should be noted that last year the City and the PVPLC jointly filed
a similar application for the 2011 HCF grant cycle.However,on September 17,2012,the
City was notified by State Parks that the grant application for the 2011 HCF grant cycle was
not recommended for funding.The City and the PVPLC are re-applying for the 2012 cycle
for the same project but the application has been based on input obtained from State
Park's representatives.
DISCUSSION
The PVPLC functions as the City's Preserve manager.In that role,the PVPLC is
responsible for maintaining habitat and trails within the Preserve.While the PVPLC's
habitat restoration obligations are funded by the City and private donations to the PVPLC,
the PVPLC relies on private donations and grants to complete most trail and habitat
restoration work in the Preserve.In addition,the City is responsible for the installation and
maintenance of certain infrastructure improvements within the Preserve.As such,the
project for the HCF grant application encompasses the following components (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 locations (RPV)
•Installing mutt mitt stations (RPV)
•Replacing trash bins (RPV)
•Installing,replacing and repairing trail marker signs (PVPLC)
•Installing interpretive signs (PVPLC)
•Installing Reserve gateway signs at key entry points to the Preserve (PVPLC)
•Developing brochures and trails maps for the public's use (PVPLC)
•Developing a 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).
.It is the City's and the PVPLC's belief that the 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.
According to the grant criteria,because the work is proposed to occur within the City-
owned Preserve,the City of Rancho Palos Verdes is the lead applicant.However,as
described in the current operating agreement for the Preserve,the PVPLC,as property
managers,is able to submit the grant to the State with Council authorization.If awarded,
the grant money will be issued to the City.The PVPLC will manage the restoration work as
a subcontractor to the City by providing invoices as work is completed.Furthermore,the
PVPLC will coordinate with Public Works,and other City Departments,with the design and
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HABITAT CONSERVATION FUND GRANT
OCTOBER 2,2012
development of the project plans prior to any restoration work occurring.The City will
reimburse the PVPLC with the grant money it receives.It is also worth noting that the
grant requires a 100%matching fund.Based on the scope of the project described above,
the PVPLC will provide the matching fund,as stated in the attached letter,for the trail
improvements and habitat restoration,while the City will provide the matching funds for the
materials and installation of the bicycle racks,mutt mitt stations,and trash bins.Invoices
submitted to the City from the PVPLC will not include the matching funds.Furthermore,in
order to cover costs incurred by City Staff for its management of the grant and the
restoration project,the City will receive a total of 1%percent of the awarded grant.
The total cost for the project is valued at $261,600.Based on the terms of the 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.The
City will receive 1%for administration costs totaling $1,200.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Environmental Assessment
The HCF grant submittal requires the preparation of environmental documents pursuant to
the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).As such,in accordance to CEQA,Staff
has determined that the work for the restoration of trails and habitat do not result in new or
the intensification of environmental impacts in that no new trails will be constructed and no
new swathes of habitat will be created.Therefore,the restoration project is Categorically
Exempt pursuant to Class 1,Existing Facilities,and Class 4,Minor Alterations to Land.
ALTERNATIVES
1.Direct City and PVPLC Staff not to file the State HCF grant application for this
year's grant cycle;or,
2.Direct City and PVPLC Staff to apply for another project(s)as suggested by the
Council for next year's grant cycle (there is insufficient time to prepare a grant
application for another project for this year's grant cycle).
FISCAL IMPACT
As previously stated,the grant requires a 100%matching fund.The PVPLC will provide
PVPLC $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.The City's
matching fund of $10,800 will be funded by the Environmental Excise Tax (EET)Fund as
approved by the City Council last year.Additionally,costs incurred by City Staff for
administering the restoration project will be recovered by a 1%administration fee of the
total grant amount ($1,200).
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HABITAT CONSERVATION FUND GRANT
OCTOBER 2,2012
ATTACHMENTS
•Draft 2012-Resolution
•PVPLC Request Letter
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RESOLUTION NO.2012-XX
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES AUTHORIZING THE
FILING OF AN APPLICATION FOR GRANT FUNDS FROM
THE STATE'S HABITAT CONSERVATION FUND
PROGRAM FOR TRAIL AND HABITAT RESTORATION
AT THE PALOS VERDES NATURE PRESERVE.
WHEREAS,the people of the State of California have enacted the California
Wildlife Protection Act of 1990,which provides funds to the State of California for grants
to local agencies to acquire,enhance,restore or develop facilities for public recreation
and fish and wildlife habitat protection purposes;and
WHEREAS,the State Department of Parks and Recreation has been delegated
the responsibility for the administration of the HCF Program,setting up necessary
procedures governing Project Application under the HCF Program;and
WHEREAS,said procedures established by the State Department of Parks and
Recreation require the Applicant to certify by resolution the approval of Application(s)
before submission of said Application(s)to the State;and,
WHEREAS,Pursuant to the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act
("CEQA"),Public Resources Code Sections 21000 et.seq.,the State CEQA Guidelines,
California Code of Regulations,Title 14,Sections 15000 et.seq.,the City's Local CEQA
Guidelines,and Government Code Section 65952.5(e)(Hazardous Waste and
Substances Statement),the City Council of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes has
determined that the restoration project for trails and habitat do not result in new or the
intensification of environmental impacts in that no new trails will be constructed and no
new swathes of habitat will be created.Therefore,the restoration project is Categorically
Exempt pursuant to Class 1,Existing Facilities,and Class 4,Minor Alterations to Land;
and,
WHEREAS,the Applicant will enter into a Contract with the State of California to
complete the Project;and,
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
.RANCHO PALOS VERDES:
1.Approves the filing of an Application for the Habitat Conservation Fund
Program;and
2.Certifies that said Applicant has or will have available,prior to
commencement of any work on the Project included in this Application,the
required match and sufficient funds to complete the Project;and
3.Certifies that the Applicant has or will have sufficient funds to operate and
maintain the Project(s),and
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4.Certifies that said Applicant shall prepare,with full public participation,a
management plan for lands that have been acquired with HCF funds,which
plan shall reasonably reduce possible conflicts with neighboring land use
and landowners,including agriculturists;and
5.Certifies that the Applicant has reviewed,understands,and agrees to the
General Provisions contained in the Contract shown in the Procedural
Guide;
6.Delegates the authority to the Community Development Director to conduct
all negotiations,execute and submit all documents,including,but not
limited to Applications,agreements,amendments,payment requests and
so on,which may be necessary for the completion of the Project;and,
7..Agrees to comply with all applicable federal,state and local laws,
ordinances,rules,regulations and guidelines.
PASSED,APPROVED,AND ADOPTED the 2 nd day of October,2012.
Anthony Misetich,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.2012-XX was duly and regularly passed and adopted by the said
City Council at a regular meeting thereof held on October 2,2012.
City Clerk
Resolution No.2012-XX
Page 2 of 2 G-6
PRESERVING LAND AND RESTORING HABITAT FOR THE EDUCATION AND ENJOYMENT OF ALL
September 24.2012
To Ara Mihranian:
The Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy is requesting to file a joint application with the City of
Rancho Palos Verdes for the Habitat Conservation Fund Project Grant through california State
Parks.
The funds being requested are for the development of the existing trail system within the Palos
Verdes Nature Preserve.The project would focus on repair,maintenance and signage of trailheads
and multi-use trails,habitat restoration in wildlands adjacent to the trails.Specific restoration
actions,both for trails and habitat,would target the newly acqUired Upper Filiorum parcel,
particularly trail connections to adjacent reserves,and on improving entrance signage,for the
whole Preserve.The proposal also includes funding for bike racks,trash bins,and doggie bag
dispensers.
The total cost for the project is valued at $261,600.00.Based on the terms of the grant,the PVPlC
will provide $120,000.00 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.The City would receive 1%
for administration costs,totaling $1,200.For additional information,please contact Danielle leFer,
Conservation Director.
Andrea Vona
.Executive Director
916 SILVER SPUR ROAD #207.ROLLING HILLS ESTATES.CA 90274·3826 T 310.541.7613 WWW.PVPLC.ORG
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