Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-03-23 - AGENDA REPORTS - BOUQUET CREEK PROP ACQUISITION (2)Agenda Item: 7 CITY OF SANTA CL,ARITA AGENDA REPORT CONSENT CALENDAR City Manager Approval Item to be presented by DATE: March 23, 2010 V11 I Travis Lange SUBJECT: ACQUISITION OF 3.6 +/- ACRES OF REAL PROPERTY FOR BOUQUET CANYON CREEK RESTORATION PROJECT, A PORTION OF ASSESSOR'S PARCEL 2849-003-001 DEPARTMENT: Public Works RECOMMENDED ACTION 1. City Council approve the purchase of 3.6 +/- acres of real property for Bouquet Canyon Creek Restoration project, a portion of Assessor's Parcel 2849-003-001. 2. Approve expenditure up to $26,950 of previously appropriated funds from Account R4001259-5161.001 for $15,950 and Account R4001601-5161.001 for $11,000 to acquire the property and perform Phase I analysis. 3. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all documents, subject to City Attorney approval. BACKGROUND The City entered into negotiations to purchase approximately 3.6 acres in Bouquet Canyon Creek, a portion of Assessor's Parcel 2849-003-001. The purchase of this property will enhance the City's continuous efforts to preserve and enhance natural open space and improve water quality. This section of creek is the last relatively natural section of Bouquet Canyon Creek that flows within the City limits. Upstream and downstream of this parcel has concrete lined banks. The creek flows underneath Bouquet Canyon Road and is adjacent to Central Park and a mixed use commercial/residential area. This acquisition also stems from a settlement agreement obligation between the Center for Biological Diversity, Santa Clarita Organization for Planning the Environment (SCOPE), the City of Santa Clarita, and Newhall Land. The Settlement Agreement is related to a 2002 lawsuit filed by the Center for Biological Diversity and SCOPE regarding the City's California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review for the Auto Mall project for which Newhall Land APPROVED was the applicant. One of the terms of the settlement required that Newhall Land pay $25,000 to the City to be used for the restoration of the property being considered by the City Council for acquisition. Approximately 75 percent of the funding for this project comes from a Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP) grant through the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB). The SEP grant process included a cap on the amount of funds that could be awarded to the project. The funds did not come from the RWQCB, but from permittees they fined. When the RWQCB found a permittee in violation of their permit and issued fines, the permittee was allowed to fund a SEP with part of their fine instead of sending it to the state general fund. For the Bouquet project, the City received funds from various entities intermittently throughout the last eight years. In 2008, this project received its full approved limit. Since the City received this grant, the RWQCB has fundamentally changed the rules about how these grants are awarded. Once the property is acquired, the ecosystem restoration study work can begin. An ecosystem restoration firm will be retained to develop a restoration plan with a range of strategies, estimated budgets, and level of work effort required for their recommended actions. The firm will be required to map invasive and native species on the property and riparian zones present. This information will be used to evaluate appropriate plant species and other restoration efforts to encourage as much natural function as feasible. This process will include various stakeholders, including the environmental community, water districts, interested property owners, and appropriate City divisions. The effort will also include public meetings to help explain the project as it progresses and to receive input. Budget and environmental concerns dictate as little intervention as possible. The primary need of the project is to restore the stream section that will provide habitat and stabilize the eroding bank. This acquisition is in compliance with Government Code Section 65402 regarding General Plan consistency to protect the Santa Clara River. The purchase price of the property is $22,000. The fees associated with the purchase are $3,000. Phase I environmental analysis will cost $1,950. The total estimated cost associated with the purchase of this property is $26,950. ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS Direct staff to cease purchase of the property or other action as determined by the City Council. FISCAL IMPACT The total project budget is $140,525. The total costs for this property acquisition is estimated at $26,950. The development of a restoration plan is estimated to cost $18,000. The remaining budget will be used for implementation of the restoration plan. If the City Council approves the recommended action, funds are currently available in Expenditure Accounts R4001259-5161.001 and R4001601-5161.001 to complete the transaction. ATTACHMENTS Bouquet Canyon Creek Section Photos Location Map z Looking south downstream OT Bi Railroad rail & plank revetment (bank protection) Looking upstream east bank Looking north upstream Rail & plank revetment, east bank Looking downstream east bank 3