TITLE
Recommendation to adopt resolution authorizing City Manager, or his designee, to submit application to the State of California Strategic Growth Council, for grant funds for the Urban Greening Grant Program under the Safe Drinking Water, Water Quality and Supply, Flood Control, River and Coastal Protection Bond Act of 2006
(Proposition 84), for the Willow Springs Wetlands Project;
DISCUSSION
The Urban Greening for Sustainable Communities Program (Program), funded by the State through Proposition 84, is administered by the Strategic Growth Council (SGC) and provides funds for projects to establish community green areas, reduce energy consumption, conserve water, improve air and water quality, and provide other community benefits. The Office of Sustainability, in the City Manager Department, is requesting authorization to submit an application for the Willow Springs Wetland (WSW) Project, to request $924,000 in grant funds. In addition, the Public Works Department is requesting authorization to submit an application under the targeted funds for small projects category, which awards a maximum of $75,000 for smaller projects proposed by disadvantaged communities. Funds awarded through the Program would fund projects within the City to preserve, enhance and improve community green areas.
As a step toward implementation of the Willow Springs Park Master Plan, the Office of Sustainability is seeking assistance of funds to finalize the design and development of the WSW Project, with goals of restoring native habitat, creating public access trails, and installing environmental education infrastructure. The City has secured $400,000 of additional funds for the WSW project through a Southern California Association of Governments grant, as well as a one-time allocation to Parks, Playgrounds and Libraries in the Fiscal Year 2014 adopted budget.
The Public Works Department is seeking funds for landscape improvements on a vacant median island adjacent to Pacific Coast Highway (peR) and east of the Terminal Island Freeway, on the City's west side. The department is working in collaboration with the Century Villages at Cabrillo (CVC) to implement this project, which was originally a component of a larger corridor improvement project along Pacific Coast Highway in West Long Beach. The Program funds would supplement $189,178 in funding that the CVC has already secured through the Port of Long Beach Mitigation Grant Program for this project.
Both projects are designed to contribute to the success of the City's efforts to provide a healthy, sustainable community and watershed, and safe public space within underserved areas.
Resolutions have been prepared that authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to apply for, accept, and execute agreements related to the grants.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Amy R. Webber on October 30, 2013 and by Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on November 4,2013.
SUSTAINABILITY
Long Beach's Sustainable City Action Plan, which was approved by the City Council on February 2, 2010, includes initiatives to increase the amount of open space for community use, promote biodiversity citywide by encouraging the wide scale use of native landscape, and enhance corridors and neighborhoods with green infrastructure and public spaces. Leveraging these funding opportunities will assist the City to create green spaces for multiple beneficial uses by the adjacent communities and City at large.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on November 19, 2013 to adopt the Resolutions required to be submitted with the grant applications.
FISCAL IMPACT
If the grant applications are successful, the City will receive grant funds up to $924,000 for the Willow Springs Wetland (WSW) Project and up to $75,000 for median island landscape improvements from the State of California. CVC and the adjoining California State University, Long Beach Research Foundation Technology Park have agreed to be responsible for maintenance of the median island once the project has been completed, alleviating the City of long-term maintenance costs.
Appropriation increases will be requested for the grant funds prior to project initiation. The grants do not require a cash or in-kind matches. There are no known job impacts associated with the recommended action.
BODY
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LONG BEACH APPROVING THE APPLICATION FOR GRANT FUNDS FOR THE URBAN GREENING GRANT PROGRAM UNDER THE SAFE DRINKING WATER, WATER QUALITY AND SUPPLY, FLOOD CONTROL, RIVER AND COASTAL PROTECTION BOND ACT OF 2006 (PROPOSITION 84)
Respectfully Submitted,
ARA MALOYAN, PE
ACTING DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER