For City Council Meeting [February 12, 2019]
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
APPROVAL: Sean Grayson, Interim City Administrator
FROM: Robert G. Eisenbeisz, P.E., Public Works Director/City Engineer
Title
Request City Council to Adopt Resolution No. 7471 Authorizing the Submission of a Grant Application for $1,788,000 to the Urban Greening Program through the State of California Natural Resources Agency for Landscape Improvements on the Cactus Trail Project.
(ACTION)
Body
BACKGROUND:
The State of California - California Natural Resources Agency has established the Urban Greening Program. Consistent with AB 32, the Urban Greening Program will fund projects that reduce greenhouse gases by sequestering carbon, decreasing energy consumption and reducing vehicle miles traveled, while also transforming the built environment into places that are more sustainable, enjoyable, and effective in creating healthy and vibrant communities. These projects will establish and enhance parks and open spaces, using natural solutions to improve air quality, water quality, reducing energy consumption and creating more walkable and bikeable trails. Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis. This program emphasizes, and gives priority to, projects that are located within and benefit the State’s disadvantaged communities.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION:
The Rialto grant application will request funding for landscaping along the Cactus Trail project.
Examples of eligible urban greening projects include:
• Establishment, enhancement, and expansion of neighborhood parks and community spaces.
• Non-motorized urban trails that provide safe routes for travel between residences, workplaces, commercial centers, and schools.
The proposed project meets these goals. The project will sequester and store carbon by planting vegetation and it potentially will reduce commute vehicle miles traveled through construction of bicycle and pedestrian facilities that provide safe routes for travel between residences, workplaces, commercial centers, and schools.
The following are priority considerations in awarding Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) grants.
• Provides park or recreational benefits to a critically underserved community or disadvantaged community.
• Proposed by a critically underserved community or disadvantaged community.
• Uses existing public lands and facilitates the use of public resources and investments.
City Council directed staff, at the Capital Improvement Program Workshop, on January 29, 2019, to seek grant funding opportunities for the landscaping component of the Cactus Trail project. KOA Corporation is under contract to provide conceptual, environmental, and final design for the Cactus Trail project. City staff has engaged KOA to assist with the preparation of the Urban Greening Grant Application. If the project is selected for funding, City staff will perform the grant administration in accordance with the funding requirements.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT:
The proposed request is not a “Project” as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Pursuant to Section 15378(a), a “Project” means the whole of an action, which has a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. According to Section 15378(b), a Project does not include: (5) Organizational or administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment.
GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY:
Approval of this action complies with the following City of Rialto General Plan Goals and Policies:
Our City government will lead by example, and will operate in an open, transparent, and responsive manner that meets the needs of the citizens and is a good place to do business.
Approval of this action also complies with the City of Rialto General Plan Goal and Policies:
Goal 3-11: Provide community facilities that adequately support established programs, can accommodate future needs, and are accessible to all members of the community.
Goal 3-11.1: Allocate resources for the maintenance and operations of City facilities; explore alternative funding options for maintenance and operational costs of new facilities.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney has reviewed and approved the staff report and Resolution.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Operating Budget Impact
The construction of the Cactus Trail project will increase the future maintenance operations budget with a yet to be determined amount.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact
The cost estimate for the Cactus Trail landscaping component is approximately $1,788,000.
This grant program requires no obligation for local matching funds. If the City is successful, staff will return to Council for authorization to accept the grant and approval of appropriations.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that City Council Adopt a Resolution authorizing the submission of the Urban Greening Program grant application to the State of California Natural Resources Agency for landscape improvements on the Cactus Trail project.