HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 275-06City of Palo Alto
City Manager’s Report
TO:HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
FROM:CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: COMMUNITY SERVICES
DATE:JUNE 26, 2006 CMR:275:06
SUBJECT:APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION AUTHO~ZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO APPLY FOR A GRANT AND EXECUTE AN
AGREEMENT WITH THE CALIFORNIA STATE COASTAL
CONSERVANCY FOR FUNDS WHICH THE CITY INTENDS TO
EXPEND ON SPARTINA TREATMENT AND ERADICATION IN THE
PALO ALTO BAYLANDS
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that Council approve the attached resolution to:
1. Authorize the submittal of a grant application to the California State Coastal Conservancy
under its invasive Spartina treatment and eradication project, and approve the terms and
conditions of the grant agreement.
2. Authorize the City Manager or his designee, as the person responsible for the administration
of the grant on behalf of the City, including certifications and any amendments.
BACKGROUND
An aggressive species of non-native cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora) was introduced in the
Alameda marina in 1975, and since that time has infected areas of marshland throughout the San
Francisco Bay estuary. This non-native cordgrass is a threat to the Palo Alto marshes because it
crowds out native cordgrass and saltgrass and displaces nesting habitat for the endangered
California Clapper Rail by its tall, dense foliage. Cordgrasses are highly aggressive invaders that
significantly alter both the physical structure and biological composition of tidal marshes,
mudflats and creeks.
In 1998, the California State Coastal Conservancy initiated a regional program to combat the
spread of non-native Spartina throughout the nine-county Bay Area. The Invasive Spartina
Project is a coordinated regional effort among local, state and federal organizations dedicated to
preserving California’s extraordinary coastal biological resources through the elimination of
introduced species of cordgrass.
In order to enable locat agencies to effectively control the spread of the non-native cordgrass, a
grant funding program was established to pay for the costs of control and eradication. The City
of Palo Alto has received grants from this program for the past three years. The Coastal
Conservancy proposes that the grant program to the City of Palo Alto continue for an additional
year in the amount of $4,500.
CMR:275:06 Page t of 2
The Palo Alto marshes, which comprise 1,000 acres, have a relatively small area (.7 acres) of
non-native cordgrass. The invasive species was identified in two areas of the Palo Alto marshes
five years ago, and for the last five years the City has hired specialized contractors to
systematically treat the non-native cordgrass during September of each year when birds are not
nesting.
DISCUSSION
The proposed grant from the State Coastal Conservancy would reimburse the City of Palo Alto
for all costs incurred with the control of Spartina. The annual expense for contracted spraying is
approximately $5,000.
RESOURCE IMPACT
Work covered by the grant application is an on-going responsibility for Community Services
Open Space staff. Approval of the grant will not affect other scheduled park or community
facility projects or their completion timelines.
The systematic containment of Spartina now, while its infestation in Palo Alto marshes is
relatively small, will reduce the amount of expenditures required in the future if the plant is not
adequately controlled.
POLICY IMPLICATIONS
These recommendations are consistent with existing City policy.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The application for a grant is not considered an action subject to the California Environmental
Quality Act; therefore, no environmental assessment is needed at this time. Environmental
review has been conducted by the Coastal Conservancy on approved methods of treatment.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A:Resolution Authorizing the Filing of Application to the California State
Coastal Conservancy their invasive Spartina treatment and
eradication project
PREPARED BY:
,..CITY MANAGER APPROVAL: ~ [ / X ~’/d}.~---G~’’~--’/
~glV~I’LYHARRIgON
Assistant City Manager
CMR:275:06 Page 2 of 2
***NOT YET APPROVED***
RESOLUTION NO.
RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PALO ALTO AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
SUBMIT TO THE CALIFORNIA STATE COASTAL
CONSERVANCY A GRANT APPLICATION FOR FUNDS
WHICH THE CITY INTENDS TO EXPEND ON SPARTINA
TREATMENT AND ERADICATION IN THE PALO ALTO
BAYLANDS
WHEREAS, the California State Coastal Conservancy
("Conservancy") provides grant funds to treat, monitor and
eradicate invasive, non-native cordgrass (Spartina
alterniflora) in the marshes of the San Francisco Bay
Estuary (’~Bay"); and
WHEREAS, the Conservancy accepts, annually, grant
applications for projects that preserve and protect marsh
habitat around the Bay; and
WHEREAS, the City of Palo Alto ("City") wishes to
accept a grant from the Conservancy that will enable the
City to obtain reimbursement of funds in the amount of
$4,500 that wil! be expended in connection with proposed
control, monitoring and eradication of non-native Spartina
in the Palo Alto Baylands;
NOW, THEREFORE, the Council of the City of Palo Alto
does RESOLVE as follows:
SECTION I. The Council hereby authorizes the City
Manager to accept a grant and execute a grant agreement on
behalf of the City of Palo Alto with the California State
Coastal Conservancy in order that the City may be
reimbursed for funds in the amount of $4,500 which the City
intends to expend on proposed habitat restoration and
conservation in the City-owner Baylands.
SECTION 2. The Council hereby certifies that the
City’s staff has reviewed and understands the Genera!
Provisions contained in the Project Contract shown in the
Procedura! Guide of the Conservancy.
SECTION 3. The Council hereby designates the City
Manager or his designee as the person responsible for the
administration of the grant application.
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***NOT YET APPROVED***
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 Environmental Quality Act. Staff wil! perform an
environmental assessment when the proposed trai!
improvement project is considered.
INTRODUCED AND PASSED:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTENTIONS:
ATTEST:APPROVED:
City Clerk Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Senior Asst. City Attorney
APPROVED:
City Manager
Director of Community Services
Director of Administrative Services
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