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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-11-30 - AGENDA REPORTS - GRANT PROPOSALS ENVIRON (2)CITY OF SANTA CLARITA AGENDA REPORT CONSENT CALENDAR DATE: November 30, 1999 City Manager Approval: Item to be presented by: SUBJECT: ENVIRONMENTAL ENHANCEMENT AND MITIGATION PROGRAM GRANT PROPOSALS DEPARTMENT: Transportation & Engineering Services RECOMMENDED ACTION City Council adopt resolutions approving the application for grant funds for the environmental enhancement and mitigation program under Section 164.56 of the Streets and Highways Code for the San Gabriel/Santa Susana Wildlife Corridor and Open Space Acquisition Project, and the Gateway Beautification Project. BACKGROUND The Transportation Blueprint Legislation of 1989 established the Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation (EEM) program. The EEM grant program, administered by the State Resources Agency, allocates $10 million annually statewide. Applicants may apply for these funds to undertake environmental enhancement and mitigation projects, which are directly or indirectly related to the environmental impact of modifying existing transportation facilities. The related transportation facility must have been modified or constructed since 1991. EEM projects must be over and above the required mitigation for the related transportation facility. Because competition for the EEM funds are so competitive, staff from three departments met to narrow the list of candidate projects to two that were well qualified for grant funding. The following is a brief description of the two grant proposals that were prepared: The first grant proposal, the San Gabriel/Santa Susana Wildlife Corridor and Open Space Acquisition Project, seeks $400,000.00 to purchase land adjacent to Elsmere Canyon as mitigation for the addition of carpool lanes to State Route 14. This land has a high habitat value and benefits the migration of wildlife through the San Gabriel and Santa Susana Mountains. The second proposal, the Gateway Beautification Project, is requesting $237,353.00 in grant funds that will be used to add street trees and enhanced landscaping to the Jan Heidt Agenda Item: ENVIRONMENTAL ENHANCEMENT AND MITIGATION PROGRAM GRANT PROPOSALS November 30, 1999 - Page 2 Newhall and Via Princessa Metrolink Stations, as well as the streets that serve as pedestrian corridors leading to the stations. The applications have been submitted to the State Resources Agency prior to the November 15 cutoff date. Because of the short notice to the City to prepare the applications, the EEM grant program allows cities to submit resolutions authorizing proposal submittal after the cutoff date. ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS 1. Reject the proposed resolutions and direct staff to withdraw the applications for consideration for funding through the EEM program. 2. Other action as determined by the City Council. FISCAL IMPACT Local match funding for the San Gabriel/Santa Susana Wildlife Corridor and Open Space Acquisition Project would come from an existing $1 million dedicated reserve in the General Fund. Local match funding of $71,103.00 is proposed for the Gateway Beautification Project. These local funds would come from a mix of "in-kind" services, such as volunteer tree planting and City staff time to administer the project and maintain the trees totaling $48,888.00. If the grant is awarded, $22,215.00 would be included in the FY 2000/2001 General Fund budget to fund the project's design costs and the installation of root barriers. Resolution Approving Application for Grant Funds for the San Gabriel/Santa Susana Wildlife Corridor and Open Space Acquisition Project Resolution Approving Application for Grant Funds for the Gateway Beautification Project San Gabriel/Santa Susana Wildlife Corridor and Open Space Acquisition Project Map Gateway Beautification Project Map San Gabriel/Santa Susana Wildlife Corridor and Open Space Acquisition Project, and Gateway Beautification Project Grant Applications (available in City Clerk's reading file) MLY:lkl council\ee p_ado CITY OF SANTA CLARITA SAN GABRIEL/SANTA SUSANA WILDLIFE CORRIDOR AND OPEN SPACE ACQUISITION PROJECT 2000-2001 ENVIRONMENTAL ENHANCEMENT AND MITIGATION PROGRAM GRANT APPLICATION NOVEMBER 15, 1999