HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-04-30 City Council (4)TO:
City of Palo Alto
City Manager’s Report
HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL ~
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: COMMUNITY SERVICES
APRIL 30, 2001 CMR: 214:01
ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO FILE AN APPLICATION FOR A GRANT FOR
.RENOVATION OF THE JUNIOR MUSEUM & ZOO AND
CONSTRUCTION OF SEGMENTS OF THE BAY-TO-RIDGE
TRAIL
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that Council approve the attached resolution to:
1. Authorize the submittal of a grant application for $200,000. to the State of Califomia
Resources Agency for Junior Museum & Zoo improvements and construction of a
multi-use recreation trail..
2. Authorize the. City Manager to execute and submit all documents including, but not
limited to, applications, agreements, payment requests, and any amendments on
behalf of the City.
BACKGROUND
In March 2000, California voters approved Proposition 12, the Safe Neighborhood Parks,
Clean Water, Clean Air, and Coastal Protection Bond Act. This Act is intended to revive
state stewardship of natural resources by investing in neighborhood and state parks, clean
water protection, coastal beaches and scenic areas. This program is administered by the
California Department of Parks and Recreation. $100,000 was specifically allocated out
of the State budget for bond projects at the request of State Senator Byron Sher for
improvements to the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo (Zoo). An additional $100,000 was
allocated by the legislature for development of a non-motorizetl "Bay to Ridge"
recreation trail in Palo Alto.
DISCUSSION
Exhibit animal enclosures at the Junior Museum and Zoo (Zoo) have not been
significantly upgraded since the Zoo was constructed in 1969. Funding from this grant
will be used for the design and construction of remodeled cages and enclosures,
CMR:214:01.Page 1 of 3
providing a humane and natural environment for the birds and animals on exhibit. These
new displays will also provide better viewing and interaction for Zoo visitors.
Program 26 of the Transportation element of the Comprehensive Plan envisions a
recreational trail from the San Francisco Bay Trail in the Baylands Nature Preserve to the
Ridge Trail in Monte Bello Open Space Preserve. Many segments of.such a hiking trail
exist within open space areas and the Stanford University campus. Funds from this grant
would be used to design and construct a multi-use recreational trail connecting regional
trails between urban areas of Palo Alto, Stanford University, and the Arastradero
Preserve. Staff is working with the Stanford University Planning Department to identify
the specific trail alignments between the University and Arastradero Preserve. Before
construction plans are initiated, staff will retum to Council with the proposed alignment
RESOURCE IMPACT
Use of the proposed grant funds will improve existing facilities at the Junior Museum
Zoo, and therefore will not increase operational costs. Grant funds will pay for all phases
of the project including planning, design, construction and construction management.
Staff does not anticipate any impacts on operational or capital resources for the Zoo
improvements.
Grants funds to develop the "Bay to Ridge" Trail connections between the Arastradero
Preserve and Stanford University land and at other locations in Palo Alto will be devoted
to construction costs. Since the actual trail alignment with Stanford University has not
been finalized; it is unclear what additional contribution Stanford University will make
¯ towards construction costs. This project will ultimately increase operation expenses for
the ongoing maintenance of the trail. The final design of the trail tread surface will
determine the annual maintenance cost.
The grant application requires the City to certify there are sufficient funds to operate and
maintain the projects. Staff has determined that these projects will have either no or a
slight impact on operating and maintenance costs.
POLICY IMPLICATIONS
The recommended actions in this report further, the objectives of Comprehensive Plan
Community Policy 24: reinvest in aging facilities to improve their usefulness and
appearance; Natural Environment Policy 2: support sub-regional efforts to link existing
open space areas together; Natural Environment Program 4: seek additional sources of
funding, including state and federal programs, to finance open space acquisition and
.development; Community Program 23: study and recommend methods of private and
public financing for improved park maintenance, rehabilitation, and construction; and
Transportation Program 26: Complete development of the Bay Trail and Ridge Trail in
Palo Alto.
CMR:214:01 Page 2 of 3
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 will be conducted prior to any actual construction in Open
Space areas.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A:Resolution Authorizing the Filing of Application for San Francisco
Bay Trail Funds
PREPARED BY:
DEPARTMENT HEAD:
BETTS
~erintendent, Open Space and Sciences
AUL THILTGEN
Director of Community Services
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
EMILY HARRISON
Assistant City Manager
CMR:214:01 Page 3 of 3
RESOLUTION NO.
RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO
ALTO AUTHORIZING SUBMISSION TO THE STATE OF
CALIFORNIA A GRANT APPLICATION FOR RENOVATION OF
THE JUNIOR MUSEUM AND ZOO AND CONSTRUCTION OF
SEGMENTS OF THE BAY-TO-RIDGE TRAIL
WHEREAS, the Legislature and Governor of. the State of
California have approved a State Parks Bond Act which includes a
grant for the Bay-To-Ridge Trail Improvement and for Animal Cage
and Exhibit Improvements~at the Junior Museum and Zoo;
WHEREAS, the
Recreation has been
administration of the
procedures; and
California Department of Parks and
delegated the. responsibility for
grant project, setting up necessary
WHEREAS, said procedures established by the California
Department of Parks and Recreation require the Grantee to
certify by resolution the approval of application(s) before
submission of said application(s) to the State; and
WHEREAS, the City of. Palo Alto will enter into a
contract with the State of California for subject projects(s);
NOW, THEREFORE, the Council of the City of Palo Alto
does RESOLVE as follows:
SECTION i. The Council of the C~ty of Palo Alto
authorizes the City Manager or his designee, the Superintendent
of Open Space & Sciences, to submit a grant application for
$200,000 on behalf of the Cityof Palo Alto with theState of
California Resources Agency for Junior Museum & Zoo improvements
and construction of segments of the Bay to Ridge trail.
SECTION 2. The Council hereby certifies that City staff
understands the assurances and certification in the application
form.
SECTION 3. The .Council hereby certifies that City of
Palo Alto has or will have sufficient funds to operate and
maintain the project.
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SECTION 4. The Council hereby certifies that City staff
has reviewed and understands the General Provisions contained in
the Project Contract shown in the Procedural Guide.
SECTION 5. The Council hereby authorizes the City
Manager or his. designee, the Superintendent of Open Space &
Sciences, as the person responsible for the administration of
the grant application.
SECTION 6. 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:
City Attorney
Mayor
City Manager
Director. of Community
Services
Director of Administrative
Services
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