The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2010-10-12 - AGENDA REPORTS - ELSMERE CANYON PRESERVATION (2)Agenda Item: CITY OF SANTA CLARITA AGENDA REPORT NEW BUSINESS City Manager Approva Item to be presented by: Rick Gould DATE: October 12, 2010 SUBJECT: PRESERVATION OF 842 +/- ACRES OF REAL PROPERTY, ELSMERE CANYON AREA, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, ASSESSOR'S PARCELS 2848-015-010, 011, 012, 013, 2581-001-001, 007, 015, 016, 021, 025, 026, 027, 028, 029, 030, 032, 033, 034, 035, 036, 037, 038, 039, 040, 041, 2603-005-021, 2603-002-002, 003, 005, 2582-001-002, AND 2582-001-006. DEPARTMENT: Parks, Recreation, and Community Services RECOMMENDED ACTION City Council authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute all documents to authorize the purchase of 842 +/- acres of real property located in Elsmere Canyon, Los Angeles County Assessor's Parcels 2848-015-010, 011, 012, 013, 2581-001-001, 007, 015, 016, 021, 025, 026, 027, 028, 029, 030, 032, 033, 034, 035, 036, 037, 038, 039, 040, 041, 2603-005-021, 2603-002-002, 003, 005, 2582-001-002, and 2582-001-006. 2. Appropriate $3,750,000 from Open Space Preservation District Fund Balance (Fund 358) to Open Space Preservation District Expenditure Account 12592-5201.004, which includes $75,000 for immediate deposit into escrow; and approve additional expenditures and appropriate $50,000 from Open Space Preservation District Fund Balance (Fund 358) to Open Space Preservation District Expenditure Account 12592-5161.001 for anticipated due diligence costs needed to complete the transaction; and approve additional expenditures and appropriate $50,000 from Open Space Preservation District Fund Balance (Fund 358) to Open Space Preservation District Expenditure Account 12592-5201.008 for site improvements needed to allow public access. 3. City Council adopt a resolution authorizing submittal of an application for grant funds from the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District Specified Grant Project, and recognize anticipated funds from this grant in the amount of $750,000. Upon award of the funds, appropriate to 15206-5201.004 and appropriate revenue to account 262-4431.002 4. Appropriate $1,000,000 to be received from the County of Los Angeles Sunshine Canyon Landfill Benefit Trust Fund in the amount of $1 million to expenditure account 15501-5201.004 and the revenue to 259-4621.001. 5. Appropriate $500,000 to be received from the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy Proposition 84 funds, in the amount of $500,000 to expenditure account 15501-5201-004 and the revenue to 259-4621.001. The Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy Governing Board approved these funds at a meeting on September 27, 2010. BACKGROUND In September 2010, the City entered into negotiations to purchase approximately 842 acres in Elsmere Canyon, east of State Highway 14 in the Newhall Pass. Purchase of this property will enhance the City's continuous efforts to preserve open space and improve connectivity with existing natural areas. The purchase price of the property is $6,000,000. This property is located near the Newhall Pass, adjacent to State Highway 14 and Sierra Highway, Elsmere Canyon is an area of significant importance as it provides connectivity to existing wildlife corridors, while increasing the green belt of protected open space around the Santa Clarita Valley. Elsmere Canyon is adjacent to Whitney Canyon, the Angeles National Forest, and approximately 400 acres of protected lands owned by Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority. This acquisition is consistent with the goals and policies of the City's General Plan. The total estimated cost to purchase this property is $6,050,000. Purchase price is $6,000,000 and an additional $50,000 is needed for costs of escrow, title, and due diligence activities, including consultant and attorney fees, as required for property acquisition. An additional $50,000 in funding is necessary to ensure that the appropriate use, public access, and recreational opportunities are implemented on the property. Funds will be used for signage, gates, fencing, and administration of the site. The purchase of Elsmere Canyon provides a unique opportunity for multi -agency involvement and participation with a coordinated funding effort. The contributions of the funding partners will reimburse the City's Open Space Preservation District after the close of escrow. The following funding partners have pledged to contribute to the purchase of Elsmere Canyon as follows: $3,750,000 Open Space Preservation District $1,000,000 L.A. County Sunshine Canyon Land Fund $ 750,000 L.A. County Prop A Grant Funds $ 500,000 Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy- Prop 84 $6,000,000 Total Purchase Price z $ 100,000 Open Space Preservation District (Closing Costs and Improvements) $6,100,000 Total Project Cost ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS 1. City Council may direct staff to cease purchase of the property. 2. Other actions as determined by the City Council. FISCAL IMPACT Total cost of this acquisition is $6,050,000, of which approximately $2,250,000 will be reimbursed through funding received from Los Angeles County, Prop A, and Prop 84. There will be an immediate deposit of $75,000 into escrow. Additional expenses totaling $50,000 will be used for improvements other than land. The total fiscal impact to the Open Space Preservation District will be $3,850,000. ATTACHMENTS Resolution Location Map RESOLUTION NO. RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA TO ACCEPT THE RIGHT TO APPLY FOR SPECIFIED FUNDS FROM THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION AND APPROVING THE APPLICATION TO RECEIVE GRANT FUNDS FROM THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY REGIONAL PARK AND OPEN SPACE DISTRICT FOR FIFTH SUPERVISORIAL DISTRICT SPECIFIED FUNDING FOR THE ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY WITHIN ELSMERE CANYON WHEREAS, the people of the County of Los Angeles on November 3, 1992, and on November 5, 1996 enacted Los Angeles County Proposition A, Safe Neighborhood Parks, Gang Prevention, Tree -Planting, senior and Youth Recreation, Beach and Wildlife Protection (the Proposition), which among other uses, provides funds to public agencies and nonprofit organizations in the County for the purpose of acquiring and/or development facilities and open space for public recreation; and WHEREAS, the Proposition also created the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District (the District) to administer said funds; and WHEREAS, the District has set forth the necessary procedures governing application for grant funds under the Proposition, and WHEREAS, the District's procedures require the City of Santa Clarita to certify, by resolution, the approval of the application before submission of said application(s) to the District; and WHEREAS, said application contains assurances that the City of Santa Clarita must comply with; and WHEREAS, the City of Santa Clarita will enter into an Agreement with the District to provide funds for the acquisition of 842+/- acres of property within Elsmere Canyon. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA HEREBY: 1. Accepts the right to apply for Specified funds from the County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation and approves the filing of an application with the County of Los Angeles Regional Park and Open Space District for Fifth Supervisorial District Specified Funds for the above project; and 2. Certifies that the City of Santa Clarita understands the assurances and certification in the application form; and 3. Certifies that the City of Santa Clarita has, or will have, sufficient funds to operate and maintain the project in perpetuity; and 4. Appoints the City Manager, or designee to conduct all negotiations, and to execute and submit all documents including, but not limited to, applications, agreements, amendments, payment requests and so forth, which may be necessary for the completion of the aforementioned project. Passed, approved and adopted this day of 92010 MAYOR ATTEST: CITY CLERK 5 a