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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-09-21 City Council (11)City of Palo Alto City Manager’s Report 7 TO:HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL FROM:CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: COMMUNITY SERVICES DATE:SEPTEMBER 21, 1999 CMR: 366:99 SUBJECT:ADOPTION OF RESOLUTIONS AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO FILE AN APPLICATION FOR A SAN FRANCISCO BAY CONSERVANCY PROGRAM GRANT, AND AN APPLICATION FOR A CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS GRANT FOR ARASTRADERO PRESERVE TRAIL IMPROVEMENTS REPORT IN BRIEF The San Francisco Bay Area Conservancy Grant Program was established in 1998 to address the natural resource and recreational goals of the nine-county Bay Area. The program’s goals are to protect, restore and enhance natural habitats while improving public access and related facilities for recreational and educational purposes. The State Legislature recently approved the Program’s first funding allocation of $10,000,000. Annually in September, the State of California Department of Parks accepts grant applications for projects that maintain and restore recreational trails. The State program is part of the federally funded Transportation Equity Act. $2,450,000 has been allocated in this year’s State budget for grants relating to trails. Staff is recommending that the City submit a San Francisco Bay Conservancy grant application for $24,500 to fund the development of a comprehensive trail master plan and environmental impact analysis for the Arastradero Preserve. The plan is intended to identify incorrectly sloped and situated trails and propose appropriate corrections and realignments within the Preserve. The development of the trail master plan, including presenting community workshops and environmental documentation, will cost approximately $35,000. Staff is also recommending that the City submit a grant application to the State of California Department of Parks and Recreation for $35,000 to fund the subsequent trail realignments and improvements recommended in the trail master plan. Trail construction projects will provide improved access for hikers, cyclists, equestrians and physically challenged park CMR:366:99 Page 1 of 6 users throughout the Preserve. These projects, including costs associated with materials, construction, trail signs, and trail route maps, will cost approximately $65,000. Applications must be submitted by October 1, 1999, to both the San Francisco Bay Conservancy and to the California State Parks. Grants will be awarded by January 30, 2000 CMR:366:99 Page 2 of 6 RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that Council approve the attached resolution, which authorizes the submittal of an application for up to $24,500 for the development of a trail master plan for the Arastradero Preserve, to the San Francisco Bay Conservancy Grant Program, and authorizes the City Manager or her designee to execute the application, certifications, standard grant agreement, and any amendments thereto on behalf of the City. Additionally, staff recommends that Council approve a second resolution, which authorizes the submittal of an application for up to $35,000 for the subsequent improvement of Arastradero Preserve trails to the State of California Department of Parks and Recreation, and authorizes the City Manager or her designee to execute the application, certifications, standard grant agreement, and any amendments thereto on behalf of the City. BACKGROUND When the City of Palo Alto acquired the Arastradero Preserve through inverse condemnation in 1976, the property was transected with numerous casual footpaths, farm roads and dear trails. Over the years since the land was dedicated as a public park in 1981, Arastradero Preserve has become extremely popular with local cyclists, equestrians and hikers. Although City staff designated some of the existing popular footpaths as official trails, the trails were not improved to correct improper slopes or grading. A majority of the trails are poorly situated in boggy areas, and consequently become impassable for many months of the year. The extremely sharp slope of some trails makes them inaccessible to physically challenged park users and equestrians. The inappropriate slopes also contribute to severe erosion and gullying of the trail tread. Off-trail cyclists and equestrians, who are either trying to avoid mud or steeply sloped trail sections, have created dozens of narrow "renegade" trails. These random trails have encroached on delicate wildlife habitat and further contributed to erosion problems. In the past three years, since the adoption of the Arastradero Preserve Master Plan, staff, together with the Preserve stewards and volunteers, have endeavored to correct improper drainage on many trail segments. Staff has also closed many renegade trails that are dangerous or poorly situated. Since the existing trail system was not engineered for consistent and appropriate slopes, there remain a number of trails that need to be either permanently closed, closed seasonally, or significantly rerouted to correct sloping and drainage problems. Staff is recommending that the City submit an application to the San Francisco Bay Conservancy Program for the evaluation of all existing trails in the Arastradero Preserve and for the design of a trail master plan. By contracting with a qualified trail planner, designs for rerouting trails can take into account soil conditions, avoidance of sensitive wildlife and native plant habitat and the recreational needs of various park users. This study would look CMR:366:99 Page 3 of 6 at officially designated trails, as well as "renegade" trails. The study is intended to analyze the condition of existing trails; propose trails that can best serve as a primary access for hikers, equestrians and cyclists; and make suggestions for rerouting trails that are inappropriately sloped or situated. The master plan will be developed with a phased construction and restoration timetable that will aid staff, the Arastradero Preserve Stewards, and volunteers in the prioritization of construction and maintenance projects, and would include all necessary environmental documentation to allow the City to proceed with trail improvements in the preserve. Staff intends to use the contracted trail planner to conduct and facilitate meetings and workshops for the public and park users to provide input into the design process. Once the master plan has been developed, staff will use this information to create an all- weather "backbone" loop trail through the Preserve. Work to realign, re-slope and widen selected trails will be performed under contract with the California Conservation Corps. Staff is recommending that the City apply for funding from the California State Parks grant program. If the grant is not approved by the state, restoration work of existing trails will continue with funding from infrastructure improvement Capital Improvement Funds. However, only existing trails will be restored and widened with this money. Trails will not be rerouted or supplemented. Therefore, steep slope problems will not be addressed unless separate CIP funds are approved specifically for this purpose. RESOURCE IMPACT Since both California State Park grant funds and San Francisco Bay Conservancy funds are disbursed on a reimbursement basis (if these grants are applied for and secured), City funds would need to be appropriated for the project expenditures and then reimbursed by grant funds. As proposed, the City would match the Conservancy’s $24,500 grant with $10,500. For the portion of the project funded by the City, staff proposes using funds from Fiscal Year 1999- 2000 Park Trail Capital Improvement Program (CIP) project (CIP #10001) for costs associated with planning, advertising and presenting community workshops, public review meetings and park user workshops. The City will also pay for incidental design costs for soil analysis, estimated at $2,000 from budgeted trail operation and maintenance funds. The City would match the State’s $35,000 grant with $30,000. Staffproposes that the City’s $30,000 share be appropriated from Fiscal Year 2000-2001 Park Trail CIP#1001 as well, for costs associated with materials, retaining wall construction, trail signs, trail route maps and other incidental costs. The California State Parks Recreational Trails Program is subject to the provision of the CMR:366:99 Page 4 of 6 Single Audit Act of 1984, P. L. 98-502. This responsibility will be incorporated into the annual external audit. POLICY IMPLICATIONS The recommended actions in this report are consistent with the existing Comprehensive Plan Natural Environment Policy 2: support sub-regional efforts to link existing open space areas together; and Natural Environment Program 4: seek additional sources of funding, including state and federal programs, to finance open space acquisition and development. The development of a trail master plan and subsequent improvement of trails in the Arastradero Preserve is consistent with the adopted Arastradero Preserve Master Plan. TIMELINE The San Francisco Bay Conservancy grant applications, submitted by all of the jurisdictions in California, will be reviewed and prioritized by a review panel made up of Conservancy staff and referred to the Conservancy Board at its December 1999 meeting. All applicants will be notified of the award selection by January 30, 2000. If the trail master plan grant is approved, staff would seek proposals from qualified consultants by March 2000, and would commence the contracted work by May 2000. With public input and review of the trail plan, it is anticipated the plan and environmental impact reports would be completed and submitted to Council for review by October 2000. The California State Parks grant application will be reviewed and prioritized by State Park staff and awarded by January 2000. Additional submittals will then be required by the State for selected grant projects. Once approved by the State, a f’mal list of grant projects will be referred by State Park staff to the State Legislature for a funding appropriation. Funding would be available for reimbursement in September or October 2000. Once the trail plan is reviewed and adopted by Council, implementation of the plan through trail realignments, closures and creation of new trail segments would begin in the fall of 2000 or the spring of 2001. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW The application for a grant is not considered an action subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA); therefore, no environmental assessment is needed at this time. Development of a full environmental impact report is intended to be a component of the trail master plan. Environmental review will be completed and approved by Council prior to obligating grant funds from the California State Parks to the construction of new trails. CMR:366:99 Page 5 of 6 ATTACHMENTS A. Resolution Authorizing the Filing of Application for San Francisco Bay Conservancy Funds B. Resolution Authorizing the Filing of Application for California State Parks Funds C. Application Summaries Prepared By: Greg Betts, Superintendent, Open Space and Sciences Department Head Revie "~_ Director of Community Services City Manager Approval: EMILY Assistant City Manager CMR:366:99 Page 6 of 6 RESOLUTION NO. RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO SUBMIT TO THE CALIFORNIA COASTAL CONSERVANCY A GRANT APPLICATION FOR FUNDS WHICH THE CITY INTENDS TO EXPEND ON TRAIL IMPROVEMENTS LOCATED WITHIN THE PALO ALTO ARASTRADERO PRESERVE WHEREAS, the State of California Coastal Conservancy provides grant funds to protect, restore and enhance natural habitats throughout the nine-county Bay Area; WHEREAS, the California Coastal Conservancy accepts, annually, grant applications for projects that will improve public access and related facilities to and around the Bay, its surrounding hills and the coast, and that will promote projects that provide for open space accessible to the public for recreation and educational purposes; and WHEREAS, the City of Palo Alto wishes to submit a grant application that will result in the reimbursement to the City for funds that are expended in connection with proposed improvements to the Bay Trail that passes through the Pa!o Alto Baylands Preserve; NOW, THEREFORE, the Council of the City of Palo Alto does hereby RESOLVE as follows: SECTION i. The Council hereby authorizes the City Manager to file a grant application on behalf of the City of Palo Alto with the State of California Coastal Conservancy in order that the City may be reimbursed for funds which the City intends to expend on proposed improvements to the trails passing through the Palo Alto Arastradero Preserve. SECTION 2. The Council hereby designates the City Manager or her designee as the person responsible for the administration of the grant application. 990914 syn 0071741 SECTION 3. The Council finds that the adoption of this resolution, which authorizes the submittal of a grant application, does not constitute a project under the California Environmental Quality Act. Staff will perform an environmental assessment when the proposed trail improvement project is considered. INTRODUCED AND PASSED: AYES: NOES: ABSENT ABSTENTIONS: ATTEST:APPROVED: City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM: Mayor Senior Asst. City Attorney APPROVED: City Manager Director of Community Services Director of Administrative Services 990914 syn 0071741 RESOLUTION NO. RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO APPROVING THE APPLICATION FOR GRANT FUNDS FROM THE RECREATIONAL TRAILS PROGRAM WHEREAS, the Transportation Equity Act For The 21st Century provides funds to the State of California for grants to state, local and non-profit organizations to acquire, develop and/or maintain motorized and non-motorized trail purposes; and WHEREAS, the California Department of Parks and Recreation has been delegated the responsibility for the administration of the program within the State, setting up necessary procedures governing project application under the program; and WHEREAS, the procedures established by the California Department of Parks and Recreation require the applicant to certify by resolution the approval of applications(s) before submission of the applications(s) to the State; and WHEREAS, the City of Palo Alto, as the applicant, will enter into an agreement with the State of California to complete the project(s); NOW, THEREFORE, the Council of the City of Palo Alto does hereby RESOLVE as follows: SECTION i. The Council hereby approves the filing of an application for the Recreational Trails Program. SECTION 2. The Council hereby certifies that the City of Palo Alto has or will have available prior to commencement of any work on the project(s) included in this application, sufficient funds to operate and maintain the project(s). SECTION 3. The Council hereby appoints the City Manager or her designee as agent of the City of Palo Alto to conduct all negotiations, execute and submit 990914 syn 0071740 all documents, including, but not l~mited to applications, agreements, amendments, payment requests and so on, which may be necessary for the completion of the aforementioned project(s). SECTION 4. The Council finds that the adoption of this resolution, which authorizes the submittal of a grant application, does not constitute a project under the California Environmenta! Quality Act. Staff will perform an environmental assessment when the proposed trail improvement project is considered INTRODUCED AND PASSED: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTENTIONS: ATTEST:APPROVED: City Clerk Mayor APPROVED AS TO FORM:City Manager Senior Asst. City Attorney Director of Community Services Director of Administrative Services 990914 syn 0071740 2 ATTACHMENT C GRANT APPLICATION SUMMARIES APPLICANT INFORMATION Applicant name: Address: Contact name: Telephone: E-mail: City of Palo Alto, Open Space & Science 1451 Middtefield Road Palo Alto, CA 94301 Greg Betts, Open Space Superintendent 650-617-3112 Fax: 650-473-1965 gregory_betts@citv.palo-alto.ca.us Signature:Date: PROJECT INFORMATION Proj ect title: Project location: Proposed starting date: Trail Master Plan Development for the Arastradero Preserve City:Palo Alto County:Santa Clara Street: Arastradero Road Cross street:Page Mill Road November 1, 1999 Estimated completion date:April, 2000 Project Type:[]Trail connections between population centers and public facilities []Restoration or enhancement of natural habitats or connecting corridors 71 Watershed protection (through erosion control) Funding Request San Francisco Bay Area Conservancy Progam Funds: FY 99/00: $ 24,500 FY 00/01 :$ 0 FY 01-02:$ 0 Matching Funds: FY 99/00 Planning: $10,500 Source: City of Palo Alto Capital Improvement Project July 1, 1999 Matching Funds: FY 99/00 FY 00/01 FY 01-02 Construction: $ 35,000 Source: California State Parks Grant January 1, 2000 $ 25,000 Source: City of Palo Alto Capital Improvement Project June 1, 2000 $ 25,000 Source: City of Palo Alto Capital Improvement Project June 1, 2001 TOTAL PROJECT COSTS: $120,000 Project Description: The City of Palo Alto is requesting $24,500 for the development of a trail master plan, and associated environmental documents, for the Arastradero Preserve in Palo Alto. The primary objective of the trail master plan is to address serious erosion and habitat destruction issues caused by poorly situated and sloped trails, as well as renegade trails which have been carved by mountain bikes and equestrians over the past twenty years. The secondary objective is to designate a trail route that will connect trails in the adjoining Foothills Park, through the Arastradero Preserve, and to Stanford University for a "Bay to Ridge" trail. The City of Palo Alto Open Space Department does not currently have planning staff to create a trail master plan. The project would consist of collecting information on existing planned and volunteer trails within the 609-acre Arastradero Preserve and adjoining parks and properties. A qualified trail planner would be contracted to evaluate present trails and then gather and analyze information such as: ¯the number and kind of users who use various trails and trail segments within the Preserve, ¯seasonal patterns, ¯trail tread and slope conditions, ¯soil conditions, and ¯areas of environmental concern (wildlife or native plant habitat, erosion problems, etc.) The planner would then work with City Open Space staff to identify primary loop and destination trails that should form the "backbone" of trail routes. These primary trails will eventually be improved so that they will provide access to a variety of park users year-around. A major emphasis will be given to identifying trail segments that are causing run-off erosion, or that are creating damage to terrain because of their location. Emphasis will also be given to identifying the trail segments that would be the most appropriate links for the Bay to Ridge Trail. The planner would then designate secondary trails that may be open to park users seasonally. Inappropriately sited or sloped trails would be designated for closure according to a created schedule. The planner would also recommend appropriate uses for each trail or trail segment, such as bikes, horse, hiking or combinations of these uses. Once a conceptual trail plan has been outlined, together with plans to protect environmentally sensitive areas of the Preserve from intrusion, the draft trail plan will be presented to the public and park users through a series of public workshops and hearings. The planner will adjust the plan to address concerns of park users, residents and neighbors, while still protecting important habitat areas. The planner will present a finalized draft trail master plan, together with CEQA and other environmental documentation, to the Palo Alto City Council for review and adoption. The master plan document will also contain the following elements: ¯standards for trail locations, slopes and grading, which are in accordance with ADA requirements, ¯guidelines for materials and methods for diverting water from trail treads and preventing erosion, ¯guidelines for the management of natural resources impacted by trail building and usage, ¯guidelines for trail closures, and ¯a maintenance schedule. This trail master plan will then be immediately implemented using approved City Capital Improvement Project funds to reroute, close or create trail segments. Additional funds have also been sought from the Califomia State Parks Department grant program to augment City Capital Improvement funds for trail restoration projects. The California Conservation Corps will be contracted to perform all phases of the proposed trail construction and restoration.