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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCMR- 465-01TO: City of Palo Alto City Manager's Report HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL FROM:CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: COMMUNITY SERVICES DATE:DECEMBER 17, 2001 CMR: 465:01 SUBJECT:ADOPTION OF REVISED RESOLUTIONS AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO RESUBMIT APPLICATIONS FOR TWO SEPARATE GRANTS FROM THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA FOR CONSTRUCTION OF EDUCATIONAL EXHIBITS AT THE LUCY EVANS BAYLANDS NATURE CENTER AND CONSTRUCTION OF A GATEWAY FACILITY AT THE ARASTRADERO PRESERVE RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that Council approve the attached revised resolutions to authorize the submittal of two separate grant applications under the Safe Neighborhoods, Clean Water, Clean Air and Coastal Protection Bond Act of 2000. BACKGROUND On September 24, 2001, Council approved resolutions authorizing the submittal of two separate grant applications to the State of California. Staff has been notified by the State Grant Office that the wording of the resolutions adopted by the City Council do not conform with State requirements. The initial resolutions were worded in part: "Whereas, the City Council has been advised by the City Manager that the City of Palo Alto has or will have sufficient fimds to operate and maintain the project"; and "Whereas, City staff has reviewed and understands the General Provisions contained in the Project Contract shown in the Procedural Guide, and ..." According to the grant administrator at the State Resources Department, the Resolution must be amended to read: "whereas, the City Council has been advised by the City Manager, and hereby certifies that the City has or will have sufficient funds to operate and maintain the project," and CMR:465:01 Page 1 of 3 "Whereas, the City Council has been advised by the City Manager, and hereby certifies that City staff has reviewed and understands the General Provisions contained in the Project Contract shown in the Procedural Guide, and ..." DISCUSSION The grant requests are intended for the following programs: ¯$75,000 from the Urban Educational and Cultural Centers, Museums, and facilities for Wildlife or Environmental Education Grant Program is intended to fund the creation of new interactive exhibits and displays at the Lucy Evans Baylands Nature Interpretive Center. ¯$300,000 from the Urban Educational and Cultural Centers, Museums, and facilities for Wildlife or Environmental Education Grant Program is intended to fund a modest 1,200 square-foot gateway educational facility for the Arastradero Preserve. RESOURCE IMPACT 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 initially have a slight impact on operating and maintenance costs. Once the Arastradero Preserve Gateway facility is constructed, as much as an additional $16,000 in General Fund monies will need to be allocated annually to maintaining this public facility. Staff will investigate the feasibility of charging fees for educational workshops and classes conducted in the new building to help offset some of the anticipated operational and maintenance costs. Grant funds for improvements to exhibits at the Baylands Nature Center will not increase maintenance or operational costs. The exhibits and displays are intended to be on display for six to ten years. Exhibit components will replace existing outdated displays. POLICY IMPLICATIONS The recommended actions 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 will be conducted prior to any actual construction. ATTACHMENTS Attachment A:Resolution Authorizing the Filing of Application to the State of California Resources Agency from the Urban Recreational-and Cultural Centers, Museums, and Facilities for Wildlife Education or Environmental Education Program under the Safe Neighborhood Parks, Clean Water, Clean Air, and Coastal Protection Bond Act of CMR:465:01 Page 2 of 3 Attachment B: 2000 for the construction of educational exhibits and displays at the Lucy Evans Nature Interpretive Center. Resolution Authorizing the Filing of Application to the State of Califomia Resources Agency from the Urban Recreational and Cultural Centers, Museums, and Facilities for Wildlife Education or Environmental Education Program under the Safe Neighborhood Parks, Clean Water, Clean Air, and Coastal Protection Bond Act of 2000 for construction of a gateway educational facility at the Arastradero Preserve. PREPARED BY: DEPARTMENT HEAD: GREG BETTS Open Space & Sciences PAUL T. THILTGEN Director of Community Services 'EMILY HARRISON Assistant City Manager CMR:465:01 Page 3 of 3 Attachment A RESOLUTION NO. RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO AUTHORIZING SUBMISSION TO THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA A GRANT APPLICATION FOR DEVELOPMENT AND CONSTRUCTION OF EDUCATIONAL EXHIBITS AND DISPLAYS AT THE LUCY EVANS BAYLANDS NATURE INTERPRETIVE CENTER WHEREAS, the voters of the State of California approved Proposition 12, the Safe Neighborhood Parks, Clean Water, Clean Air, and Coastal Protection Bond Act that provides funding for eight different grant programs. One of these programs is the Urban Recreational and Cultural Centers, Museums and Facilities for Wildlife Education or Environmental Education Program which provides .grant funding for the development and construction of educational exhibits and displays within neighborhood parks, among others; and WHEREAS, many of the current exhibits and displays at the Lucy Evans Baylands Nature Interpretive Center are staid, non-interactive and labeled strictly with English captions; and 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, the 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, City staff understands certification in the application form; and the assurances and WHEREAS, the City Council has been advised by the City Managerl and hereb~ certifies that the City of Palo Alto has or wil! have sufficient funds to operate and maintain the project; and WHEREAS, the City Council has been advised by the City Manaqer, and hereby certifies, that City staff have reviewed and understands the General Provisions contained in the Project Contract shown in the Procedural Guide; and WHEREAS, the City of Palo Alto will enter into a contract with the State of California for subject project(s); and 011212 sdl 0052905 NOW, THEREFORE, the Council of the City of Palo Alto does RESOLVE as follows: SECTION I. The Council of the City of Palo Alto authorizes the City Manager or his designee, the Superintendent of Open Space & Sciences, to submit a grant application for $75,000 on behalf of the City of Palo Alto with the State of California Resources Agency for grant funds from the Urban Recreational and Cultural Centers, Museums and Facilitiesfor Wildlife Education or Environmental Education Programfor development and construction of educational exhibits and displays at the Lucy Evans Baylands Nature Interpretive Center. SECTION 2. 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 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 construction 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 011212 sdl 0052905 Director of Administrative Services Attachment B RESOLUTION NO. RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO AUTHORIZING SUBMISSION TO THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA A GRANT APPLICATION FOR CONSTRUCTION OF A GATEWAY EDUCATIONAL FACILITY AT THE ARASTRADEROPRESERVE WHEREAS, the voters of the State of California approved Proposition 12, the Safe Neighborhood Parks, Clean Water, Clean Air, and Coastal Protection Bond Act that provides funding for eight different grant programs. One of these programs is the Urban Recreational and Cultural Centers, Museums and Facilities for Wildlife Education or Environmental Education Program which provides grant funding for the development and construction of educational facilities within neighborhood parks; and WHEREAS, on June 25, 2001 Council approved the conceptual design for a gateway education facility for the Arastradero Preserve; and 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, the procedures established by the California Department of Parks and Recreation require the Grantee to certify by resolution the approva! of application(s) before submission of said application(s) to the State; and WHEREAS, City staff and City Council understands the assurances and certification in the application form; and WHEREAS, the City Council has been advised by the City Manager, and hereby certifies, that the City of Palo Alto has or will have sufficient funds to operate and maintain the project; and WHEREAS, the City Council has been advised bv the City ManaGer, and hereby certifies, that City staff have reviewed and understands the General Provisions contained in the Project Contract shown in the Procedural Guide; and WHEREAS, the City of Palo Alto will enter into contract with the State of California for subject projects(s); O11212 sdl 0052904 NOW, THEREFORE, the Counci! of the City of Palo Alto does RESOLVE as follows: SECTION I. The Council of the City of Palo Alto authorizes the City Manager or his designee, the Superintendent of Open Space & Sciences, to submit a grant application for $300,000 on behalf of the City of Palo Alto with the State of California Resources Agency for grant funds from the Urban Recreational and Cultural Centers, Museums, and Facilities for Wildlife Education or Environmental Education Program for construction of a gateway educational facility at the Arastradero Preserve. SECTION 2. 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 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 environmenta! assessment when the proposed construction 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 2 011212 sdl 0052904