TITLE
Recommendation to adopt resolution authorizing City Manager to submit a grant application to the State of California Department of Parks and Recreation, Habitat Conservation Fund Program, in the amount of
$345,210 for the West San Gabriel River Parkway Project; and to execute any documents necessary for the implementation and administration of the Project. (District 5)
DISCUSSION
The Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine (Department) has identified a grant opportunity for funding habitat and open space development through the California Department of Parks and Recreation, Habitat Conservation Fund Program (HCP). The HCP provides funding to local governments annually under the California Wildlife Protection Act of 1990. Funds are available for programs that bring urban residents into park and wildlife areas, and for programs that provide for the interpretation of the State's park and wildlife resources.
The City has already received funding from the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy (RMC) for the construction of a walking trail through the West San Gabriel River Parkway. The HCP funds would help to offset the cost of creating habitat in the areas around the trail. The HCP funding guidelines require that the City provide a 50 percent match for any grant funds received.
Funding for the West San Gabriel River Parkway Project, in the amount of $690,420, will provide for the development of habitat adjacent to the trail, east of the golf course and west of the levee of the San Gabriel River, between Spring Street and Stearns Street (see Attachment A). The City match will provide $345,210 of this total. The habitat will consist of California native landscaping including trees, shrubs, and grassland, and an irrigation system to be used for plant establishment and during periods of drought.
This item was reviewed by Senior Deputy City Attorney Donna F. Gwin, on September 1, 2005, and Budget Management Officer David Wodynski on September 2, 2005.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on September 20, 2005, to allow submission of the grant application to the California Department of Parks and Recreation in Sacramento by the due date of October 3, 2005.
FISCAL IMPACT
The total project cost is estimated at $690,420. If funded, the grant monies will offset $345,210 of the project development costs. The city match from projected Fiscal Year 2007 (FY 07) Park Impact Fees will fund the remaining balance of the project cost of $345,210. If the HCP grant is awarded by the state, the Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine will request City Council approval to accept and appropriate the funds. If the FY 07 Park Impact Fees are not received as anticipated, another non-General Fund source will be identified to provide the 50 percent match required. Additional costs associated with maintenance of the site will be incurred, funding for which has not been identified at this stage of the project development.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LONG BEACH AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION FOR AND EXECUTE ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS WITH THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION FOR FUNDING UNDER THE WILDLIFE PROTECTION ACT OF 1990 FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF HABITAT ADJACENT TO A WALKING PATH IN THE WEST SAN GABRIEL RIVER PARKWAY
Respectfully Submitted,
PHIL T. HESTER
DIRECTOR OF PARKS, RECREATION AND MARINE