TITLE
Recommendation to adopt resolution approving the acceptance of grant funds from the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) in the amount of $250,000;
Authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all necessary documents with SCAG relating to the grant awarded to the Development Services Department for professional planning services to study land use regulations for North Long Beach in the context of the City’s proposed updated General Plan; and
Increase appropriations in the Development Services Fund (EF 337) in the Development Services Department (DV) by $28,000 to provide matching funds. (Districts 8,9)
DISCUSSION
SCAG recently awarded the City of Long Beach a Sustainability Planning Grant. Under this grant program, the Department of Development Services will receive $250,000 in planning services from a firm to be procured by SCAG with the City’s input. This firm will conduct community engagement and outreach, assess existing conditions, and devise zoning mechanisms that will improve rates of investment, achieve land-use and transportation goals, and improve the overall quality of life in the greater North Long Beach area.
The Department of Development Services, in consultation with the City Manager, applied for $881,310 in grant funds from SCAG in November 2016. SCAG received a high volume of grant requests and the City was able to secure $250,000 in initial funding. In March 2017, staff came to an agreement with SCAG regarding a reduced scope for the project consistent with the awarded funding amount. An unfunded second phase of the project will be pursued if and when future funding becomes available. The complete scope and funding memo are attached as Exhibit A. City Council approval is required now to accept the grant.
The planning efforts funded by this grant are generally focused on areas of the City north of Del Amo Boulevard with a particular emphasis on commercial corridors such as Long Beach Boulevard, Atlantic Bouleva...
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