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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-07-07 City Council (9)City of Palo Alto City Manager’s Report TO:HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL FROM:CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC WORKS 5 DATE:JUNE 7, 1999 CMR:261:99 SUBJECT:APPROVAL OF FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $7,500 FOR SAN FRANCISQUITO CREEK WATERSHED COORDINATED RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND PLANNING RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that Council adopt the attached Resolution amending Resolutions No. 7753, to approve an expenditure of $7,500 in support of the San Francisquito Creek Coordinated Resource Management and Planning (CRMP) process for fiscal year 1998-99. BACKGROUND The purpose of the San Francisquito Creek CRMP process is to promote the enhancement and health of the San Francisquito Creek watershed by stimulating dialogue, identifying problems, and devising solutions. The ultimate product of the effort will be a Watershed Plan, which will establish common goals, objectives and activities of the participants. In November 1994, Council adopted Resolution No. 7412(Attachment A), committing to participation in the CRMP planning process and authorizing the City Manager to contribute funding of up to $1,000 per year for administration of the process (CMR:506:94). During the first several years of the CRMP process, there was an emphasis on establishing an organizational structure and facilitating cooperation amongst the participants. These activities were largely funded through a series of small grants, whose purpose was to establish collaborative watershed groups like CRMP. The underlying assumption was that after the CRMP became established, the participants would sustain it financially. Beginning in FY 1997-98, the emphasis of CRMP began to shift towards the implementation of specific projects to benefit the watershed. These projects include creek water sampling, promotion of native vegetation, examination of flood control options, and other watershed- related tasks. The grant funding for CRMP also became more project oriented. As a result, CRMP sought funding for a portion of its operating costs from the participating agencies. In April 1998, Council adopted Resolution No. 7753 (Attachment B) which increased Palo Alto’s contribution to CRMP to $8,500 for FY 1997-98 (CMR: 167:98). A similar amount was contributed by the City of Menlo Park. CMR:261:99 Page 1 of 2 DISCUSSION CRMP has obtained a grant from the California State Water Resources Control Board for FY 1998-99. This grant funds specific projects and a portion ofCRMP’s operating expenses. Local matching funds are needed to pay for the balance 6f the operating expenses-. Therefore, CRMP has requested funding from the Cities of Palo Alto, Menlo Park, East Palo Alto, Woodside, and Portola Valley, the Santa Clara Valley Water District, and San Mateo County (see letter, Attachment C). For FY 1998-99, Palo Alto has been asked to contribute the amount of $7,500. Staff recommends that Council authorize the City Manager to contribute $7,500 this fiscal year by approving the attached Resolution (Attachment D), which modifies Resolution No. 7753. CRMP has requested that Palo, Alto contribute $15,000 towards FY 1999-00 CRMP operating expenses. Staff has included this amount in the proposed FY 1999-00 Storm Drainage Fund budget. It is anticipated that CRMP funding for future years will be discussed in the context of the newly formed San Francisquito Creek Joint Powers Authority. RESOURCE IMPACT Funding for CRMP is available in the 1998-99 Storm Drainage Fund operating budget. POLICY IMPLICATIONS Approval of the attached resolution is consistent with the established Council policy of supporting the San Francisquito Creek CRMP process. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW There is no environmental assessment required in conjunction with this report. ATTACHMENTS Attachment A: Resolution No. 7412 Attachment B. Resolution No. 7753 Attachment-C: ~-Funding Request Letter from CRMP Attachment D: Amended Resolution PREPARED BY: Joe Teresi, Senior Engineer DEPARTMENT HEAD: GLENN S. Director CITY MANAGER APPROVAL: City Manager cc:Pat Showalter, San Francisquito Creek CRMP Coordinator CMR:261:99 Page 2 of 2 ATTACHMENT A RESOLUTION NO. 7412 RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO IN SUPPORT OF THE SAN FRANCISQUITO CREEK WATERSHED COORDINATED RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AND PLANNING PROCESS WHEREAS, the protection, management and control of San Francisquito Creek, its watershed, and the bay into which the Creek flows are natural resources which are of keen concern and interest to the City of Palo Alto and many other local, regional, state, and federal agencies and non-governmental organizations; and WHEREAS, the federal and state agencies have adopted and promoted a Coordinated Resource Management Planning (CRMP) approach to watershed management; and WHEREAS, the Peninsula Conservation Center has led the City of Palo Alto and others in discussions of the diverse concerns and mandates affecting the San Francisquito Creek watershed and the active roles that the affected communities and organizations may play in the~development of a CRMP plan and process; NOW, THEREFORE, the Council of the City of Palo Alto does RESOLVE as follows: SECTION i. The City of Palo Alto will participate and cooperate with other governmental agencies and non-governmental organizations in a Coordinated Resource Management and Planning process to develop a watershed management plan for the San Francisquito Creek watershed. City resources, including the services of City staff, plans, and studies, will be made available to the efforts directed by the Peninsula Conservation Center, the lead agency for the Coordinated Resource Management and Planning process, as may be deemed appropriate by the City Manager. SECTION 2. The City Manager, on behalf of the City of Palo Alto, is authorized to contribute not more than one thousand dollars ($i,000) during each fiscal year that the City of Palo Alto is a participant in the process administered by the Peninsula Conservation Center. SECTION 3. The Council finds that the action taken herein does not constitute a project under the California Environmental Quality Act, and no environmental assessment is necessary. INTRODUCED AND PASSED:November 14, 1994 AYES: NOES: ANDERSEN, FAZZINO, HUBER, KNISS, MCCOWN, ROSENBAUM, SCHNEIDER, SIMITIAN, WHEELER ABSENT : 941107 syn 0070667 ABSTENTIONS: ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO Senior Asst. Ci’t~Attorney 941107 syn 0070667 2 ATTACHMENT B RESOLUTION NO. 7753 RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. ~7412 RELATING TO CITY FUNDING FOR THE SAN FRA_NCISQUITO CREEK WATERSHED COORDINATED RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AND PLANNING PROCESS WHEREAS, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 7412 on November 14, 1994, to signify its support for the Coordinated Resource Management Planning (CMRP) effort for watershed management planning for the San Francisquito Creek; and WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 2 of Resolution No. 7412, the C@uncil authorized the City Manager to contribute $i,000 per year to the CRMP process; and WHEREAS, the CRMP process has become more complex in the years since adoption of Resolution No. 7412, and the City Council desires to amend Resolution No. 7412, to provide a higher level of funding for the process. NOW, THEREFORE, the Council of the City of Palo Alto does RESOLVE as follows: SECTION I. Resolution No. 7412, adopted November 14, 1994, is hereby amended by amending Section 2 thereof to read as follows: ~SECTION 2. The City Manager, on behalf of the City of Palo Alto, is authorized to contribute not more than one thousand dollars ($i,000) during each fiscal year that the City of Palo Alto is a participant in the process administered by the Peninsula Conservation Center, through fiscal year 1996-97. During fiscal year 1997-98, the City Manager is authorized to contribute Eight Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($8,500)." // SECTION 2. Except as amended by. Section 1 hereof, Resolution No. 7412 shall remain in full force and effect. // // // // 1 980306 lac 0031944 SECTION 3.. The Council finds that this is not a project for the purposes of the California Environmental Quality Act. INTRODUCED AND PASSED:April 13, 1998 - AYES : WHEELER NOES : ABSENT : ABSTENTIONS : ATTEST Cit~ Clerk EAKINS, FAZZIN0, HUBER, KNISS, MOSSAR, OJAKIAN, ROSENBAUM, SCHNEIDER, APPROVED AS TO FORM: S4nior Asst. City Attorney ROVED: Direc of ~rvices .-ks 2 980306 lac 0031944 ~~:.’ATTACHMENT C an Fran¢isquito Creek Watershed Coordinated Resource Management and Planning (CRMP) Peninsula Conservation Center Foundation 3921 East Bayshore Road Palo Alto, CA 94303 .Mr. Glenn Roberts Director of Public Works City of Palo Alto P. O. Box 10250 Palo Alto, CA 94303 ~EOEIVED March 5, 1999 Dear Mr. Roberts: On behalf of the San Francisquito Creek Watershed CRMP, and the Peninsula Conservation Center Foundation, we want to thank you for the City of Palo Alto’s continuing interest in working with the CRMP to restore and protect San Francisquito Creek and its suri’ounding watershed and flood zone. Palo Alto’s leadership to develop a future Joint Powers Authority is an important contribution. The City’s support of the collaborative study on bank stabilization is also an important contribution. The City’s interests are mirrored by PCCF and CRMP’s strong interests to work collaboratively with all the jurisdictions in the watershed. We also want to thank you for your continuing financial support. In the past, the basic operating expenses of the San Francisquito Creek CRMP have been covered by contributions from a few CRMP participants such as Palo Alto and by grant funds. The majority of these costs have been covered by grants whose purpose was to establish watershed groups or collaborative programs like our CRMP. The underlying assumption of these grants was that after the CRMP became established, the participants would sustain it financially. In our five years of operation, the San Francisquito Creek CRMP has gained national recognition as a well-established urban CRMP. We are in an excellent position to apply for the grant funds that are available for appropriate projects, but no longer qualify for grant funds for operation expenses. As we discussed rec’ently, we are writing to ask that the City of Palo Alto consider a PCCF request to financially support the San Francisquito Creek CRMP. The City of Menlo Park, County of San-Mateo, and Santa Clara Valley Water District are considering similar requests. Our request is divided into two parts-FY98/99 and FY99/00. FY98/99 - For this fiscal year, we are requesting a similar level of funding as was provided last year - - $7,500. The cost of opeiating the CP,!vlP. program is $55,000 per year which includes the cost of the CRMP staff (part-time coordinator, part-time streamkeeper, part-time program assistant), rent and office supplies. This fiscal year CRMP’s total budget is $147,000. The 319(h) grant from the State Board has contributed to our program operating expenses for this fiscal year. The remainder of the funds are for specific projects. Your contribution will count as local government matching funds for our 319(h) grant. No funds will be left in that grant for next year’s operating expenses. FY99/00 - For the fiscal year starting July 1, 1999, we expect the cost of coordinating the CRMP program to remain at $55,000. We have applied for project grants from the California Department of Fish and Game and the Packard Foundation totaling $235,000, but have not received notification of their acceptance. The application to the Packard Foundation is for a three-year nutrientmonitoring program in the Bear Creek Gulch area. The application to the Department of Fish and Game is to systematically evaluate barriers to fish migration in the same area and develop a barrier removal program. In the absence of a formal cost-sharing formula for the municipalities and agencies in the watershed and flood zone, we are requesting that the City of Palo Alto budget $15,000 for CRMP support in FY99/00. If a joint powers authority is set up, and a cost-sharing formula is developed, the PCCF would like to base our future requests for funding on such a formula. In the meantime, this amount seems equitable based on the geographic area and population of Palo Alto in the watershed and flood zone. The City of Palo Alto’s investment will allow the PCCF to leverage these local funds into significantly larger amounts of project grants. These project grants will return to the community in the form of increased services and benefits. Granting agencies give high marks to applicants with broad-based local support. Similar requests are being made to Menlo Park, the County of San Mateo and the Santa Clara Valley Water District. Smaller requests will also be made to East Palo Alto, Woodside and Portola Valley. As we have discussed, the CRMP effort seems to be uniquely timed and positioned to help facilitate the development of comprehensive solutions to the challenges and opportunities posed by this creek and its watershed. Our collaborative efforts will be particularly important in the next fiscal year as the JPA is established. Financial support will help PCCF and the CRMP respond to those challenges and opportunities in a timely manner. Thank you for considering this request. Your financial support has been very important to us and we appreciate it. Please call either of us with questions or concerns. Pat Showalter can be reached at 962-9876 and Geoff Brosseau at 322-3070. Sincerely, Showalter, P.E. San Francisquito CRMP Coordinator Geoff Brosseau Board of Directors - Peninsula Conservation Center Foundation CRMP Steering Committee cc: Laurie Mueller, PCCF Executive Director ATTACHMENT D RESOLUTION NO. RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCILOF THE ~ITY OF PALO ALTO AMENDING RESOLUTION NO.7753 RELATING TO CITY FUNDING FOR THE SAN FRANCISQUITO CREEK WATERSHED COORDINATED RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AND PLANNING PROCESS WHEREAS, the City Cbuncil adopted Resolution No. 7412 on November 14, 1994, to signify its support for the Coordinated Resource Management Planning (CMRP) effort for watershed management planning for the San Francisquito Creek; and WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 2 of Resolution No. 7412, the Council authorized the City Manager to contribute $i,000 per year to the CRMP process; and WHEREAS, the CRMP process has become more complex in the years since adoption of Resolution No. 7412, and [he City Council by Resolution 7753 adopted April 13, 1998 amended Resolution No. 7412, to provide a higher level of funding for the process; and WHEREAS, CRMP has obtained a grant from the California State Water Resources Control Board For Fiscal Year 1998-99. The grant funds specific projects and a portion of CRMP’s operating expenses. Local matching funds are needed to pay for the balance of the operating expenses; and WHEREAS, the CRMP Coordinator has requested funding from the cities of Palo Alto, Menlo Park, East Palo Alto, Woodside, Portola Valley, the Santa Clara Valley Water District, and San Mateo County. For Fiscal Year 1998-99 Palo Alto has been asked to contribute the amount of $7,500.00; and WHEREAS, the CRMP Coordinator has requested that Palo Alto contribute $15,000.00 towards Fiscal Year 1999-00 CRMP operating expenses. NOW, THEREFORE, the Council of the City of Palo Alto does RESOLVE as follows: SECTION i. Resolution No. 7753, adopted April 13, 1998, is hereby amended by amending Section 2 thereof to read as follows: "SECTION 2. The City Manager, on behalf of the City of Palo Alto, is authorized to contribute not more than one thousand dollars ($i,000) during each fiscal year that the City of Palo Alto is a participant in the process administered by the Peninsula Conservation Center, through fiscal year 1996-97. During fiscal year 1997-98, the City 990602 sdl 0052267 Manager is authorized to contribute Eight Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($8,500). During fiscal year 1998-99, the City Manager is authorized to contribute Seven Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($7,500). For the fiscal years 1999-01 and beyond, the City Manager is authorized to contribute the amount approved by Council in the corresponding Storm Drainage Fund annual budget in a sum not to exceed $25,000.00 per fiscal year." SECTION 2. Except as amended by Section 1 hereof, Resolution Nos. 7412 and 7753 shall remain in full force and effect. SECTION 3. The Council finds that this is not a project for the purposes of the California Environmental Quality Act. INTRODUCED AND PASSED: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTENTIONS: ATTEST:APPROVED: City Clerk Mayor APPROVED AS TO FORM:City Manager City Attorney Director of Administrative Services Director of Public Works 990602 sdl 0052267 2