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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-08-26 - AGENDA REPORTS - GRANT APP ENVIRON MITIG FUND (4)Agenda Item: 3 CITY OF SANTA CLARITA AGENDA REPORT CONSENT CALENDAR City Manager Approval: �1 Item to be presented by: Rick Gould DATE: August 26, 2014 SUBJECT: RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING SUBMITTAL OF A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA NATURAL RESOURCES AGENCY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ENHANCEMENT AND MITIGATION PROGRAM FUNDING DEPARTMENT: Parks, Recreation, and Community Services RECOMMENDED ACTION City Council adopt a resolution authorizing submittal of the Valley Vista Acquisition Project, located in the Southern Border Wildlife Corridor for an Environmental Enhancement Mitigation Program (EEMP) grant application to the California Natural Resources Agency and California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). BACKGROUND At the City Council meeting on May 13, 2014, City Council adopted the original resolution for submittal of a grant application for EEMP Grant funds for the Southern Border Wildlife Corridor Acquisition Project. Caltrans has requested additional clarification in the language of the resolution to meet new procedures; therefore, a new resolution has been prepared and is attached to this report that meets those guidelines. The Natural Resources Agency and Caltrans have announced the joint release of the Grant Guidelines and Application for the EEMP for the 2013-14 grant cycle. This program makes funds available for acquisition, development, or improvement of land to mitigate the environmental impacts caused by a new or modified public transportation facility. The program, as provided by Streets and Highways Code Section 164.56, authorizes the allocation of up to $10,000,000 each year. The maximum grant amount is $500,000, and eligible projects must be directly or indirectly related to the environmental impact of the modification of an existing transportation facility. i The southern border of Santa Clarita, specifically the areas both east and west of the intersection of the Golden State Freeway (Interstate 5) and the Antelope Valley Freeway (Highway 14), provides necessary wildlife connections for large and small mammals from the Santa Susana mountain range to the Angeles National Forest. This area has undergone an extensive highway widening program to add high occupancy vehicle lanes using federal and state transportation funding. The City is partnering with the Trust for Public Land (TPL) on an application for EEMP Grant Funds. Should this grant be awarded to the partnership, the funds will be used for the acquisition of vacant land impacted by these major road projects and mitigation of the environmental impacts to the movement of wildlife through the Newhall Pass. Upon approval of the resolution, a copy will be sent to the TPL to submit with the grant application for Fiscal Year 2013-14. ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS Other action as determined by City Council. FISCAL IMPACT No fiscal impact by this action. ATTACHMENTS Resolution IN RESOLUTION 14- A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE APPLICATION FOR GRANT FUNDS FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL ENHANCEMENT AND MITIGATION PROGRAM (EEMP) WHEREAS, the Legislature and Governor of the State of California have enacted Section 164.56 of the California Streets and Highways Code, which is intended to provide grant funds to local, state and federal agencies and nonprofit entities for projects to enhance and mitigate the environmental impacts of modified or new public transportation facilities; and WHEREAS, the California Natural Resources Agency has been delegated the responsibility for the administration of this grant program, establishing necessary procedures and criteria, and is required to submit to the California Transportation Commission a list of recommended projects from which the grant recipients will be selected; and WHEREAS, said procedures established by the California Natural Resources Agency require a resolution certifying the approval of an application by the Applicant's governing board before submission of said application to the State; and WHEREAS, the Applicant, if selected, will enter into an agreement with the State of California to cavy out the Project. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Santa Clarita does hereby resolve as follows: SECTION 1. Approves the filing of an application for the Valley Vista Property Acquisition Project, and SECTION 2. Certifies the Applicant understands the requirements in the Program Guidelines; and SECTION 3. Certifies that Applicant or title holder will have sufficient funds to operate and maintain the project consistent with the land tenure requirements; or will secure the resources to do so; and SECTION 4. Certifies that Applicant will record a document against the real property that defines the State's interest in the property whether the grantee owns the property or not; and SECTION 5. Certifies that Applicant will comply with provisions of Section 1771.5 of the State Labor Code regarding payment of prevailing wages on Projects awarded EEMP Funds; and SECTION 6. If applicable, certifies that the project will comply with any laws and regulations including, but not limited to, legal requirements for building codes, health and safety codes, disabled access laws, and environmental laws. Furthermore, prior to the commencement of construction, all applicable licenses and permits will have been obtained; and SECTION 7. Certifies that Applicant will work towards the Governor's State Planning Priorities intended to promote equity, strengthen the economy, protect the environment, and promote public health and safety as included in Government Code Section 65041.1; and SECTION 8. Appoints the City Manager, or designee, as agent to conduct all negotiations, execute and submit all documents including, but not limited to applications, agreements, payment requests, etc., which may be necessary for the completion of the aforementioned project. PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this day of 2014. ATTEST: INTERIM CITY CLERK DATE: STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) ss. CITY OF SANTA CLARITA) I, Armine Chaparyan, Interim City Clerk of the City of Santa Clarita, do hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was duly adopted by the City Council of the City of Santa Clarita at a regular meeting thereof, held on the day of 2014, by the following vote: AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: 2 INTERIM CITY CLERK v