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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-07-12 City Council (2)ClOy of Palo Alto City Manager’s Report TO:HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL FROM:CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: COMMUNITY SERVICES DATE:JULY 12, 2004 CMR: 347:04 SUBJECT:STATUS OF FUNDRAISING EFFORTS FOR THE ACQUISITION OF THE PENINSULA OPEN SPACE TRUST ARASTRADERO GATEWAY PROPERTY This is an informational report on the status of various grant applications and fund raising efforts related to the acquisition of the Arastradero Gateway property. No Council action is required. BACKGROUND In October 2002, the Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) purchased the 13-acre in- holding within the Arastradero Preserve formerly owned by Jacqueline Bressler at a bankruptcy auction for $3,560,000. Since that time, staff, together with Council members Mossar and Kleinberg as liaisons to a special fund raising committee, has been working to assertively pursue numerous grant opportunities and significant private donations. The parcel was purchased by POST with the intent of preventing the parcel from being developed. POST has offered the City of Palo Alto the opportunity to purchase the Arastradero Property for $3,560,000, the same price it paid for the property. POST will give the City of Palo Alto until October 2005 to purchase the property. If the City is unable or unwilling to purchase the property, the parcel will be offered for open sale. Acquisition of the parcel is intended complete the Arastradero Preserve, provide for expanded recreational opportunities, and preserve a valuable piece of riparian habitat. DISCUSSION In December 2003, Council authorized the City Manager to submit a grant application in the amount of $1,800,000 to the California State Coastal Conservancy Program (CMR:519:03).’ As part of the grant application, the City will need to identify the funding sources that will make up the matching (50 percent) funds required for the acquisition. The goals and aims of this grant program are closely in line with the CMR:347:04 Page 1 of 5 objectives that would be served by the City’s conservation of this property through acquisition and dedication as protected open space and watershed. Staff has submitted an application to the Coastal Conservancy, has provided representatives of the Coastal Conservancy with a tour of the site, and has discussed how this parcel would provide both enhanced recreational opportunities and protection of open space. The Coastal Conservancy is currently considering the City’s application. The Conservancy staff has asked the City of Pal0 Alto to provide additional documentation on how this parcel would serve as a truly regional trail head for the De Anza National Historic Trail and the Santa Clara County-wide Regional S-1 and C-1 trails, which are intended to connect the Arastradero Preserve with other open space properties. In December 2003, Council authorized the City Manager to submit a grant application to the State of California Resources Agency for a $163,825 grant from the Roberti-Z’Berg- Harris Per Capita Block Grant Program (CMR:544:03). An application for this program was submitted and has been approved for .the acquisition of the POST Arastradero Gateway property. These funds can be used to satisfy the matching grant requirements of other State or Federal grant programs. In March 2004, Council authorized the City Manager to submit a grant application for both the State of California Resources Agency Land and Water Conservation Grant Program ($160,000) and the Per Capita Grant Program ($266,000) (CMR:187:04). The application for the Per Capita Grant Program has been approved for the land acquisition. The application for the Land and Water Conservation Program is still under review by the State. An announcement of grant recipients is expected by October 2004. In April, a funding request to the Santa Clara County Park and Recreation Charter Fund in the amount of $1,600,000 was submitted to County Park and Recreation Director Lisa Killough withthe support of Santa Clara County Supervisor Liz Kniss. In the City’s application a case is presented for how purchase of this valuable piece of open space would be compatible with the Santa Clara County Park Strategic Plan and long-term priorities for conservation of park land throughout the County. Funds from this source would serve as needed matching grant funds for the California Coastal Conservancy grant. Staff has met on-site with Lisa Killough, POST Executive Director Audrey Rust, together with Nadine Hitchcock of the Coastal Conservancy to discuss the recreational opportunities that this parcel would provide to the public. While Ms. Killough has said that she tentatively supports the City’s request for funds, she has indicated that the City will have to provide her with additional information on how the City intends to work with Midpeninsula Regional Open Space to eventually implement goals in the City’s Comprehensive Plan to create a regional "Bay-to-Ridge" hiking trail connecting CMR:347:04 Page 2 of 5 Arastradero Preserve with Los Trancos Open Space and Monte Bello Open Space Preserves by way of a connection through or along the perimeter of Foothills Park. Staff is currently investigating alternatives for a regional trail connection that would satisfy the needs of both Santa Clara County Parks and the California Coastal Conservancy, while still protecting Palo Alto natural resources from over-use or degradation. On May 14, 2004, staff submitted a Request For Qualification from the State of California Department of Fish and Game for a Wildlife Conservation Program grant of $260,000, which is the maximum amount allowable under this particular program. A site visit was conducted by Fish and Game representatives on June 29, 2004, to assess the value of land for wildlife habitat. The preliminary review is currently pending. If the property is determined to be of high in ecological value for protection of red legged frogs or other protected species, staff will be permitted to submit a detailed proposal for the land acquisition. Staff has also made contacts with the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation and the Compton Foundation to see whether the acquisition ofthis parcel would be compatible with their preferred areas of giving. Both foundations declined the City’s request stating the property would provide limited state-wide or national recreation opportunities, and as such were not compatible with their grant criteria. Members of a special fund raising committee, working in close association with the Friends of Palo Alto Parks, have made personal contacts with key major donors who could provide pace-setter donations to the acquisition fund. The goal of the committee is to raise $500,000 which will be used as matching funds to satisfy the requirement of the grant programs outlined above. CMR:347:04 Page 3 of 5 Funding Source Coastal Conservancy Roberti-Z’Berg- Harris Block Grant Land & Water Conservation Per Capita Grant Program (Prop 40) Santa Clara Co. Park Charter Fund Wildlife Conservation Fuhd Private Donations Private Foundations Requested Amount $1,800,000 $163,825 $160,000 $266,000 $1,600,000 $26O,000 $5OO,0OO- $1,000,000 $500,000 Matching Amount Required $1,800,000 $0 All other funds to complete the acquisition must be secured $o $0 All other funds to complete the acquisition must be secured $o $0 Status Pending Appmved Pending Approved Pending Pending decision of priority to Fish & Game In progress Two requests submitted. An additional request will be submitted ~n October. Comments Stipulation to demonstrate how the parcel would contribute to regional trail connections These funds can be used as matching funds for other grant programs Funds will only be granted if all other sources of funds are firmly identified. These funds can be used as matching funds for other grant programs Requires partnership with Coastal Conservancy to create regional trail connections Value of land as wildlife habitat must be evaluated by the Fish & Game These funds will be used to satisfy match requirements for grants Requires compatibility with grant program goals and preferred areas of giving. TIMELINE July 3 0: July 30: August 30: October 31: October 31: Provide additional documentation to the Coastal Conservancy on how the parcel will serve as a trailhead for regional trails Provide alternative strategies to Santa Clara County on how trails can connect between the Arastradero Preserve and other County and Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District park lands. Preliminary findings from the California State Fish & Game on whether the parcel qualifies as priority wildlife habitat. Decision expected from the Land & Water Conservation Grant program Grant application submitted to the Richard and Rhoda Goldman Foundation. CMR:347:04 Page 4 of 5 ATTACHMENTS: Attachment A:Potential Funding Sources PREPARED BY: Sut B Open Space & Science DEPARTMENT APPROVAL: CITY MANAGER CC: Director, HARRISON Assistant City Manager Parks and Recreation Commission CMR:347:04 Page 5 of 5 ATTACHMENT A POTENTIAL FUNDING SOURCES FOR THE CITY OF PALO ALTO’S ARASTRADERO PROPERTY ACQUISITION PUBLIC FUNDING SOURCES: Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Program Administrators: California Resources Agency Available Funds: $5 - $10 million statewide Proposal Deadline: Annual, usually in November. This year deadline is December 19, 2003. Award Notification: The Resources Agency makes its short list of priority projects usually by May 1St. The California Transportation Commission (CTC) affirms Resources’ selections by programming the short list at the July CTC meeting. By July, applicants will know for sure whether or not they are being funded. Funds Available: November 2004, December 2005 Projects Funded: The EEM Program awards funds in the following three categories: 1 .) Highway Landscape and Urban Forestry Projects 2.) Resource Lands (acquisition) 3.) Roadside Recreation *EEMP projects MUST mitigate, directly or indirectly, the environmental impacts of transportation projects. Eligibili _ty: Federal agencies, state agencies, local agencies, nonprofits Min./Maximum Request: Maximum request is $250,000 per project, although it is possible to argue for more. Match: No specific match is required but applications will be substantially stronger if needed matching funds are . secured. A matching funds component can account for as much as 10% of project scoring in the proposal evaluation process. Contact: Phone: 916-653-5656 Website: http://resources.ca.gov/eem/ Land and Water Conservation Fund - Stateside Administrators: California Department of Parks and Recreation (Federal funds managed by state) Available Funds: depends upon the appropriation for LWCF in the federal budget. Usually, $7-8 million, however, the estimate for 2004 is approximately $4 million. Proposal Deadline: Annual. May 1, 2004. Award Notification: No set date, however, DPR usually notifies applicants by November/December. Funds Available: Funds available after grant agreement and all other documents (including appraisal for acquisition projects) are signed/reviewed. Usually about three months after the award notification date. Proiects Funded: The types of projects most often funded through the statewide competitive program are acquisition or de~,elopment of neighborhood, community, and regional parks that include top priority recreation projects or acquisition of wetlands. Combination acquisition!development projects are not eligible. Eligibili _ty: Counties, cities, recreation and park districts and special districts with authority to acquire, develop, operate, and maintain public park and recreation areas. Min.iMaximum Request: Competitive program. The recommended maximum request (in order to stay competitive) is $200,000 per project. Match: The program requires and $1-$1 match (nonfederal) Additional Notes: CEQA documents are required at the time of application as well as authorizing resolutions, and EIR, and other certifications. See official guidelines for further information. Contact: Phone: 916-653-7423 Website: http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=21360 Habitat Conservation Fund Administrators: California Department of Parks and Recreation Available Funds: $2 million (with $500,000 available in each of the four program categories) Proposal Deadline: Annual. October 1. Award Notification: The following January. Funds Available: July (or when state budget is passed) Proiects Funded: The focus of the program change with each year. In 2003, the funding cycle will support acquisition projects including: Acquisition of fee title and easements for: a)deer and lion habitat including oak woodlands b)habitat for rare, endangered, threatened, or fully protected species c)wetlands d)riparian habitat Next year’s funding cycle (for application submitted in October 2004) will support acquisition projects including: a)wetlands b)riparian habitat c)trails/programs/urban access d)anadromous salmonids and trout habitat Eligibility: Local agencies (cities, counties, and special districts) Min./Maximum Request: None. However, $200,000 tends to be the maximum given per project. Match: A 50% local (non-state) match is required. Contact: Phone: 91.6-653-7423 Website: http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=21361 Urban Streams Restoration Grants Program Administrators: Califomia Department of Water Resources Available Funds: $4.5 million statewide for FY2003/2004 Proposal Deadline: Mid-January 2004 (expected). Award Notification: Site visits for projects under serious consideration March/April 2004. Final decisions announced by mid-May 2004 (approximate schedule). Funds Available: After grant agreement is executed. Estimate: July/August 2004 Projects Funded: The objective of this program is to assist communities in reducing damages from steam bank flooding and erosion. Past grants have funded a variety of activities including creek cleanups, re-vegetation efforts, bioengineering bank stabilization projects, channel reconfiguration to improve stream morphology, and acquisition and restoration of parcels critical for flood management. Acquisition projects must be presented as part of a larger urban stream restoration project. DEFINITION: Urban Stream For the purposes of this program, an urban stream is defined as a "creek which crosses built-up residential, commercial, or industrial property, or which crosses land where, in the near future, the land use will be residential, commercial, or industrial. Urban streams include natural streams or creeks or small rivers (even if they only flow during the rainy season), channelized creeks, greenbelt areas or designated open space areas adjacent to an urban creek or a small river that are used for flood management. Eligibility: All projects must have two sponsors. Eligible sponsors include local agencies, nonprofits, and local community conservation corps. Collaboration with local conservation corps or California Conservation Corps likely strengthens proposals. Min./Maximum Request: $1 million, however, DWR expects the actual maximum award to be approximately $400,000 - $500,000 per project. Match: No match required, however, secured matching funds can strengthen proposal. Contact: Kurt Malchow, Bay Area Phone: 916-651-9627 Email: kurtm@water.ca.gov Website: http://www.watershedrestoration.water.ca.gov/urbanstreams/ POTENTIAL LOCAL PRIVATE FUNDING SOURCES: The Compton Foundation Menlo Park, California Program: Environment The Foundation’s overall goal is the prevention of environmental deterioration and the protection of natural resources. The criteria applicable to the City’s project is: - Land, river and watershed protection and management for purposes of long term habitat and ecosystem preservation and restoration Deadlines: Proposals must be received by 5:30pro in the Compton Foundation office on February 15 for Board consideration in May and September 15 for Board consideration in December. Contact: Phone: 650-328-0101 Web: www.c0mptonfoundation.org The David and Lucile Packard Foundation Los Altos, California Program: Local Area Funds Contact: Phone: 650-948-7658 Web: www.packard.org The Richard and Rhoda Goldman Fund One Lombard Street, Suite 303 San Francisco, California 94111 Phone: 415-788-1090 Fax: 415-788-7890 E-mail: info@goldmanfund.org Program Area: Environment Proposals accepted on an on-going basis - Board of Trustees meets four times a year.