HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-06-22 - AGENDA REPORTS - PLACERITA NATURE ALLOCATION (2)NEW BUSINESS
DATE:
SUBJECT:
DEPARTMENT
Agenda Item:
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
City Manager Approval:
Item to be presented by:
June 22, 2004
ion
Mayor Bob Kellar
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PLACERITA NATURE CENTER - $15,000 ALLOCATION
Administrative Services
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council direct staff to transfer $15,000 to the Placerita Canyon Nature Center Associates,
from the City Council Contingency Fund 2250-7401 to account no. 2100-8001, to assist with
the operation of the Placerita Canyon Nature Center for the coming season. Funds are not to
support capital projects or purchases.
2. City Council direct staff to contact local governmental and private organizations who use the
Center, and urge them to support the Nature Center as well.
BACKGROUND
Since 1971, tens of thousands of people have enjoyed the flora and fauna encompassed within
the 350 -acre park. Owned by the State of California and operated by the County of Los Angeles,
the Center provides opportunities for area residents to become acquainted with the animals and
the natural habitats in which they live. Placerita is a unique east -west running canyon, featuring
cool, shaded oak groves, a willow and sycamore -lined seasonal stream, and numerous other
interesting plant and animal communities. The park area is also the home the historic "Oak of
the Golden Dream" site of California's original gold discovery in 1842.
Over the past years, the Center has been strongly supported by the Placerita Canyon Nature
Center Associates (PCNCA), a non-profit organization whose purpose is to support the the
Center. The PCNCA provides educational programming to over 11,000 grade school children a
year. The PCNCA's membership consists of docents, volunteers, and patrons, all of whom pay
membership dues. The PCNA provides interpretive hikes on the value of preserving undisturbed
areas and the exhibiting of wild animals.
The 11,000 grade school children supported by the Center come from the elementary schools
within the region's school districts. These include the districts of Acton/Agua Dulce Unified,
Castaic Union, LAUSD, Newhall, Saugus Union, and Sulphur Springs. To a lessor extent,
because of fewer schools, private schools also benefit from the Center. Based on Council action,
staff can contact the districts and urge their boards to support the Center. The purpose of the
one-time $15,000 allocation is to assist the PCNCA to continue the above activities over the next
year. Funds should be restricted from use on capital projects and purchases.
ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS
Other action as determined by the City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds for this item will come from the General Fund City Council Contingency, account number
2250-7401. Approval of this item will leave a remaining balance of $445,740 in the City
Council Contingency.