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Home My WebLink About1998-03-24 - AGENDA REPORTS - MOU SC US DEPT AGRICULTURE (2)CITY OF SANTA CLARITA CONSENT CALENDAR DATE: March 24, 1998 AGENDA REPORT City Manager Approi Item to be presented John Danielson SUBJECT: MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA AND THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, FOREST SERVICE, ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST DEPARTMENT: Parks, Recreation, and Community Services RECOMMENDED ACTION Adopt the Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Santa Clarita and the United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Angeles National Forest. The City of Santa Clarita has hosted a series of public meetings facilitated by the United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Angeles National Forest, and the Santa Clara and Mojave Rivers Ranger District, concerning the development of recreational opportunities in the Angeles National Forest and surrounding areas. As a result of these meetings, the U.S.D.A. Forest Service has requested that the City of Santa Clarita enter into a Memorandum of Understanding which sets out, in general terms, a cooperative relationship between the City and Forest Service. The Forest Service has entered into similar Memorandums of Understanding with the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and the County of Los Angeles. The MOU will help to facilitate coordinated management of trails in the Santa Clarita Valley, to jointly coordinate management on adjacent lands, to develop joint recreational activities, and to encourage volunteer projects. The City Attorney has reviewed and approved the Memorandum of Understanding. APPROVED f- Ite�:1 ALTERNATIVE ACTION Other direction as determined by the City Council. FISCAL IMPACT None by this action. ATTACHMENT Memorandum of Understanding JD:skh pr\council usjsmou.398 MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN CITY OF SANTA CLARITA AND USDA FOREST SERVICE, ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST THIS MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING is entered into by and between the City of Santa Clarita, hereinafter referred to as CITY, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Angeles National Forest, hereinafter referred to as FOREST SERVICE, (under the provisions of the ). I. PURPOSE: The purpose of this MOU is to set out in general terms a cooperative relationship between the CITY and FOREST SERVICE, to facilitate coordinated management of trails making up the Santa Clara River Valley system, to jointly coordinate management actions on adjacent lands such as, Placerita Canyon, Elsmere Canyon, Whitney Canyon, and Sand Canyon, to develop joint recreational opportunities, and to encourage joint volunteer projects. II. STATEMENT OF MUTUAL BENEFITS AND INTERESTS: The three agencies are tasked with providing recreational opportunities to benefit the general public. These agencies are responsible for similar tasks in areas of adjacent landownership, trails systems, joint recreational opportunities, and volunteer activities involving their missions. In consideration of the above premises, the parties hereto agree as follows: III. THE CITY SHALL: 1. Take the leadership role in developing the strategy and management plan for the Santa Clara River Valley Trail system and joint recreational opportunities. 2. Take the leadership role in researching, locating, and acquiring Santa Clara River Valley trail section and right of ways outside the Forest boundary. Assist the government in researching and acquiring trail sections and right of ways inside the Forest boundary. 3. Coordinate with the FOREST SERVICE in developing, publishing, and distributing informational, educational, and interpretive materials applicable to adjacent lands, the. Santa Clara River Valley trail system, and joint recreational projects. 4. Assist the FOREST SERVICE in developing volunteer recruitment and working with interested groups. 5. Coordinate with the FOREST SERVICE when planning and implementing management activities on adjacent lands that may affect FOREST SERVICE lands. Develop additional agreements such as Partnership or Cost -Share, when appropriate in the future. 8. Meet bi-annually in the months of November and May to discuss plans, issues, and activities. VI. IT IS MUTUALLY UNDERSTOOD AND AGREED UPON BY AND BETWEEN THE PARTIES THAT: 1. Either party(s), in writing, may terminate the instrument in whole, or in part, at any time before the date of expiration. (This is mandatory). 2. This instrument in no way restricts the Forest Service or the Cooperator(s) from participating in similar activities with other public or private agencies, organizations, and individuals. 3. This instrument is executed as of the last date shown below and expires on December 30. 2002 at which time it will be subject to review, renewal, or expiration. (This is mandatory). 4. The principal contacts for this instrument are: Mike Wickman George Caravalho USDA Forest Service City Manager Santa Clara and Mojave Ranger District 23920 Valencia Blvd. 30800 Bouquet Canyon Suite 300 Saugus, CA 91350 Santa Clarita, CA 91355-2196 (805)296-9710 (805)255-4900 (This may be changed to accommodate the citing of each party's technical and business representatives if necessary, however, this is mandatory). This instrument is neither a fiscal nor a funds obligation document. Any endeavor involving reimbursement or contribution of funds between the parties to this instrument will be handled in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and procedures including those for Government procurement and printing. Such endeavors will be outlined in separate agreements that shall be made in writing by representatives of the parties, and shall be independently authorized . by appropriate statutory authority. This instrument does not provide such authority. Specifically, this instrument does not establish authority for noncompetitive award to the cooperator of any contract or other agreement. Any contract or agreement for training or other services must fully comply with all applicable requirements for competition. (This is mandatory). 6. Modifications within the scope of.this instrument shall be made by the issuance of a bilaterally executed modification prior to any changes being performed. (This is mandatory). IV. THE FOREST SERVICE SHALL: 1. Provide technical assistance, as well as a designated team member, for all strategy and management plan development for the Santa Clara Valley Trail system and joint recreational opportunities. 2. Provide leadership in researching, locating, and acquiring Santa Clara River Valley trail section and right of ways inside the Forest boundary. Provide technical assistance in researching and acquiring trail sections and right of ways outside the Forest boundary. 3. Provide technical assistance to the CITY in developing, publishing, and distributing informational, educational, and interpretive materials applicable to adjacent lands, the Santa Clara River Valley Trail system and joint recreational opportunities. 4. Cooperate with the .CITY in development of volunteer programs including recruitment and training. 5. Provide the CITY with notice to make timely comments on FOREST SERVICE actions which may affect adjacent lands, the Santa Clara River Valley Trail system and joint recreation opportunities. 6. Coordinate with the CITY when implementing activities on adjacent lands that may affect their lands. V. ALL PARTIES AGREE TO: 1. Coordinate in the management and operation of the Santa Clara River Valley Trail system and feeder trails including, but not limited to: signing, condition surveys, construction, maintenance, trailhead location and development, water development, and volunteer activities including. use of the Adopt_A-Trail program. 2. Develop joint .Santa Clara River Valley trail and recreation management, construction, maintenance, reconstruction, and funding plans. 3. Work jointly on plans for the Elsmere Canyon and adjacent area for enhanced recreation opportunities. 4. Jointly develop and conduct instruction sessions for volunteer activities on the trails and adjacent lands. 5. Coordinate management activities on adjacent lands including: signing, boundary surveys, fencing where necessary, joint facilities, roads, and volunteer activities. 6. Provide each other .with notification of private landowners, public groups or organizations, and other agency's activities and actions that may affect adjacent lands, the Santa Clara River Valley Trail system and joint recreational projects. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this instrument as of the last date written below. GEORGE CARAVALHO City Manager CARL NEWTON City Attorney Date Date MICHAEL J. ROGERS, Forest Supervisor Date USDA Forest Service Angeles National Forest The authority and format for this instrument have been reviewed and approved for signature by: JUDY REYNOLDS Date Agreements Specialist USFS - S.CA. Province s:\pr\recadmin\csc&fs.m u