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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-12-11 - AGENDA REPORTS - CANYON COMMUNITY CENTER PROJ F3020 - APPROVAL TO E (2)Agenda Item: 10 DATE: December 11, 2018 SUBJECT: CANYON COUNTRY COMMUNITY CENTER, PROJECT F3020 - APPROVAL TO ENTER INTO A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA AND THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT DEPARTMENT: Public Works PRESENTER: Damon Letz RECOMMENDED ACTION City Council: 1. Approve entering into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Santa Clarita (City) and the Los Angeles County Flood Control District (District) which will include provisions for the exchange of property, funding obligations, use area agreement, and maintenance agreement for the construction of the Mint Canyon Channel and storm drain improvements at the Canyon Country Community Center (C4) project. 2. Authorize the transfer of assessor parcel numbers 2844-005-908 and 2844-005-909 to the District in exchange for a portion of assessor parcel number 2844-003-902, which will be deeded to the City, as part of the land exchange. 3. Authorize the granting of easements to the District for the relocation of an existing storm drain necessary for the construction of the C4 project. 4. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all documents, including the MOU obligating the City's financial contribution for the Mint Canyon Channel improvements not to exceed the authorized amount at time of bid award by City Council, subject to City Attorney approval. BACKGROUND In September 2014, the City Council authorized the purchase of four vacant parcels, totaling 6.5 acres, located at the northeast corner of Soledad Canyon Road and Sierra Highway for C4. Page 1 Following a public engagement process, the Master Plan for C4 was adopted by the City Council on June 28, 2016, which included the previously mentioned four parcels as well as five additional private parcels not owned by the City. To date, the City has successfully acquired the remaining five privately owned parcels necessary to implement the adopted Master Plan for C4. One remaining parcel of land owned by the District is needed to complete the area identified in the Master Plan for C4. The City and District have been in discussions over the past several years regarding the C4 project, this parcel of land, and the improvements to the Mint Canyon Channel, which is currently unimproved through most of the C4 project area. In order to maximize the available property for the City's project, the Mint Canyon Channel improvements are being combined with the overall project. The C4 project will be constructed in two phases. Phase I will include the rough grading of the site and construction of all drainage improvements including the improvements to the Mint Canyon Channel. Phase 11 will begin construction immediately following Phase I and includes all above ground elements, such as the 25,000 -square -foot community center, parking lots, walkways, play area, half -court basketball court, courtyards/plazas, landscaping, and irrigation. The City and District intend to enter into an MOU which will define the key components of the agreement and the channel portion of the C4 project. These components include the exchange of property, funding obligations, use area agreement, and maintenance agreement. Each of these components are further described below. Exchange of Property and Easements The District currently owns the Mint Canyon Channel and property west of the channel as depicted in Exhibit A. The District currently uses the property outside the channel as a staging area for the removal and hauling of sediment that builds up in the channel after significant rain events or on an as -needed basis. The City owns property east of the existing Mint Canyon Channel adjacent to Solamint Road. The City and District agree that exchanging these properties would be beneficial to both agencies. The properties to be exchanged are depicted on Exhibit A and are approximately the same size. The City would own the property that is contiguous to C4 while the District would own the property east of the channel allowing them to continue necessary maintenance operations. Future ownership boundaries are illustrated on Exhibit B. This arrangement increases the useable area of the C4 site from 8 to approximately 9 acres. The District currently has easements across the City -owned parcels for drainage purposes. The existing drainage facility is an open v -ditch which carries water from Sierra Highway to Mint Canyon Channel. The open v -ditch will be replaced with a below ground storm drain and will be relocated on the site to accommodate the C4 project. The District will relinquish portions of the existing easement and require the City to provide new easements which will reflect the new alignment of the future storm drain. Funding Obligations Improvements to the Mint Canyon Channel are included in the Phase I rough grading and drainage construction of the C4 project. The District would typically construct a reinforced Page 2 concrete rectangular channel or a trapezoidal concrete channel to improve the Mint Canyon Channel. However, both of these options are open concrete lined channels protected by chain link fencing and are not aesthetically appealing. As an alternative, the City proposed a covered concrete box channel through the C4 site. After evaluating the City's proposal, the District and City came to a compromise which includes an open channel on the north and south ends and a box channel in the middle as shown on Exhibit C. This box channel will allow for the City to use the District maintenance road as a trail and pedestrian path along with berms and landscaping over the top of the box channel. The preliminary cost estimate for the construction of the Mint Canyon Channel improvements is approximately $9 million with the City's share estimated between $3.5-$4 million. However, the actual cost of the channel improvements will be determined when the project is bid. It is anticipated that the City will allocate funding for the construction of the Mint Canyon Channel at the time of award for Phase I rough grading of the C4 project. The MOU will identify payment methods by the District to the City to cover the District's financial obligation for construction of the Mint Canyon Channel. Use Area Agreement The MOU will identify a Use Area allowing the City to use portions of the District -owned property for trail/walkway, landscaping, and recreational use. This area will also serve as a buffer between the site and adjacent mobile home park. The Use Area will also include the triangular piece of property the City granted to the District for a maintenance staging area. The City's use of this area would be limited to overflow parking during special events at C4 when the area is not being used by the District. The proposed Use Area is illustrated on Exhibit D. Maintenance Agreement The City would maintain the landscape and above ground elements in the Use Area. The City will also install landscaping and irrigation compatible with the rest of the C4 site which will provide for a more consistent appearance on both City and District -owned property. The District will have maintenance and repair responsibility of the entire channel structure. This includes any fencing and signage required at the open channel sections. Additionally, the District will maintain the new storm drain which replaces the existing v -ditch currently on the site. Approval to enter into an MOU with the District by the City Council will allow for complete implementation of the adopted Master Plan for C4. It is anticipated that Phase I of this project will go out to bid by the end of the year with construction projected to start early spring of 2019. ALTERNATIVE ACTION Other action as determined by the City Council. Page 3 FISCAL IMPACT At this time, there is no impact by this action. The recommended action to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the District commits the City to appropriate funding for the preferred Mint Canyon Channel improvements. Fiscal impacts for these improvements will be addressed at the time of contract award for Phase I in a separate agenda item for City Council approval. ATTACHMENTS Exhibit A - Existing Property Ownership Exhibit B - Future Property Ownership Exhibit C - Mint Canyon Open and Box Channel Location Exhibit D - Proposed Use Area Page 4 EXHIBIT A Existing Property Ownership EXHIBIT B Future Property Ownership EXH I BIT C Mint Canyon Open and Box Channel Locations AlNnoo S313JNV SOi 4NV Alla N33M139 noiN tio) eeiv ash pasodoad - a 4!q!gx3 :;u9wg3e44V m GJ L H m H W O CL O L- CL a rim"! vloor