County of Sonoma Agenda Item Summary Report

Transcription

1 County of Sonoma Agenda Item Summary Report Agenda Item Number: (This Section for use by Clerk of the Board Only.) Clerk of the Board 575 Administration Drive Santa Rosa, CA To: Board of Directors of the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District Board Agenda Date: July 22, 2014 Vote Requirement: Majority Department or Agency Name(s): Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District Staff Name and Phone Number: Curtis Kendall, District 1 Title: Sonoma Garden Park Phase II Matching Grant Recommended Actions: Supervisorial District(s): Approve resolution of the Board of Directors of the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District approving a $102,950 grant to the Sonoma Ecology Center and the City of Sonoma for restoration and development of the Sonoma Garden Park property under the Matching Grant Program; determining that the project is consistent with the Sonoma County General Plan 2020 and the District s Expenditure Plan; authorizing execution of a matching grant agreement with the Sonoma Ecology Center and City of Sonoma; and directing the filing of a Notice of Exemption in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act. Executive Summary: Matching Grant Program As directed by the 2006 Agricultural Preservation and Open Space Expenditure Plan, the District administers a competitive Matching Grant Program on a biennial basis. The program makes grants available to cities, the County, other public agencies, and non-profit organizations for urban open space projects that provide open space preservation, community recreation, and public access opportunities. Since 1994, this unique program has provided over $30 million in funding towards projects in all of the county s nine incorporated Cities, allowing our partners to leverage that funding to develop diverse and innovative projects throughout Sonoma County s communities. The budget allocated for cycle was $2 million. Background In 2011, the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District (District) acquired a conservation easement over the City of Sonoma s Sonoma Garden Park (Property) at th Street East, within the incorporated City of Sonoma, through the District s Matching Grant Program. At that time, the District awarded a $119,763 grant to assist in the development of park improvements to increase public access for recreational, educational, restoration, and agricultural purposes. Expenditure of these Phase I grant funds is nearly complete and the match committed by the Sonoma

2 Ecology Center has been met. The conservation easement retained by the District, assures that the urban open space, recreational, agricultural, natural resource, educational and scenic resources on the Property will be protected and preserved forever. The City acquired the 6.1-acre Property in 1977, a gift to the City from Ms. Pauline Bond for park purposes. In 2006, the City adopted the Sonoma Garden Park Master Plan, detailing a collaborative effort between the City and the Sonoma Ecology Center (SEC) to develop a public park that serves the community as a key landmark and educational resource. The Property provides educational and recreational opportunities for the community, protects scenic values and rural character of the area, and preserves remnant valley oak habitat. Residents and tourists alike can enjoy a family outdoor environmental education experience on the Children s Discovery Trail, with interpretive stations in English and Spanish. The demonstration gardens, a Mediterranean garden and a butterfly garden, educate the public about water saving and environmentally friendly landscaping options. The farm provides fresh seasonal produce for the Saturday Harvest Market, a Community Supported Agriculture program, and 30 community garden plots. A plant nursery produces native stock for the park s demonstration gardens and restoration projects throughout Sonoma Valley, as well as garden starts for the working farm, a model of sustainable agriculture. Workshops at the Sonoma Garden Park cover agricultural topics including sustainable gardening, fruit tree pruning, bee keeping, raising chickens, and more. Youth programs teach children about nature, environmental science, and sustainable agriculture. The Property welcomes hundreds of visitors each month. Current Project S.EC. and the City applied to the District s Matching Grant Program (Program) for a second phase of development and restoration; the budget allocated for cycle was $2 million. Sonoma Garden Park Phase II was accepted into the Program by the Board with a recommendation of $102,950 in funding to increase public accessibility and park amenities. S.E.C., in collaboration with the City, will construct components of the Sonoma Garden Park Master Plan that will increase access and educational opportunities on the Property. Specifically, S.E.C. will complete a public access pathway system compliant with the terms of the Americans with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) that creates a loop through the Property; develop and install entry and interpretive signage; develop a native plant demonstration garden and implement oak woodland habitat restoration; and install an A.D.A. compliant drinking fountain and sink. The second phase will also include construction of additional park enhancements, which will be completed as part of the project match. S.E.C.has identified $222,923 of matching funds, which include foundation grants, in-kind donation of services and materials, as well as funds from S.E.C. and the City. S.E.C. s preliminary budget indicates that they will expend $103,423 of matching funds on components of the project that will also be funded in part by the Program. The other $119,500 of match will include components of the project not funded under the Program, including installation of electrical and propane capabilities in the greenhouse; installing windows and solar panels in the straw bale barn; installing water tanks; and constructing a storage shed. Conformance with Adopted Plans The Matching Grant is in conformance with the applicable adopted plans.

3 Sonoma County General Plan The District Grant Project conforms to the Sonoma County General Plan Applicable policies and objectives in the Land Use Element and the Open Space and Resource Conservation Element include: L.U-11f: Encourage conservation of undeveloped land, open space, and agricultural lands, protection of water and soil quality, restoration of ecosystems, and minimization or elimination of the disruption of existing natural ecosystems and flood plains. O.S.R.C.-7: Protect and enhance the County's natural habitats and diverse plant and animal communities. O.S.R.C.-17.1: Provide for adequate parklands and trails primarily in locations that are convenient to urban areas to meet the outdoor recreation needs of the population. P.F.-2b: Work with the Cities to provide park and recreation, public education, fire and emergency, medical and solid waste services as well as public utilities. City of Sonoma General Plan 2020 The City of Sonoma General Plan Designations: Land Use Plan Element designates the Property as a Public Facility. Environmental Resources Element designates the Property as a Community Park. Sonoma Garden Park Master Plan, 2006 The Sonoma Garden Park Master Plan establishes uses for sustainable small-scale farming, restores natural resources, protects a water recharge area and a wildlife corridor, and offers recreational and educational programs for 5 acres of the Property. District Expenditure Plan Under the voter-approved Expenditure Plan, sales tax monies may be spent on urban open space, restoration and recreation projects within and near incorporated areas and other urbanized areas of Sonoma County. Further, it states that these funds shall be available through the Matching Grant Program. The Project is one which provides multiple benefits to school age children, residents of the City of Sonoma and visitors to the area, including recreation and education, sustainable small-scale farming uses, water conservation, a wildlife corridor, propagation of native plants, natural resource restoration and open space. District Connecting Communities and the Land, A Long-Range Acquisition Plan The project furthers policies in the District s long-range acquisition plan, Connecting Communities and the Land, in the Agriculture category, Water, Wildlife and Natural Areas category and in the Recreation and Education category as noted below: Agricultural Policies: Protect agricultural lands near the urban edge and protect lands important to agricultural heritage. Water, Wildlife and Natural Areas Policy: Protect lands critical to water recharge areas. Recreation and Education Policies: Protect viable agricultural land near urban centers that provide for locally grown and produced food. Acquire or protect lands that promote public access in proximity to urban communities. Work with partners through the Competitive Matching Grant Program to enhance and develop lands for parks in urban areas which promote recreational and educational opportunities for urban residents.

4 CEQA The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requires state and local agencies to identify the significant environmental impacts of their actions and to avoid or mitigate those impacts, to the extent feasible. A public agency must comply with CEQA when it undertakes an activity defined by CEQA as a project. Based on the District s review of the District s contribution toward development and restoration of the Project at Seventh Street East, the District finds that its actions are exempt from CEQA on several grounds: (1) existing facilities [CEQA Guidelines section (a) (c) and (h) ]; (2) new construction or conversion of small structures [CEQA Guidelines (e)]; (3) minor alterations to land, [CEQA Guidelines (b) and (f)]; (4) accessory structures [CEQA Guidelines (a)]; and (5) small habitat restoration projects [CEQA Guidelines (a) (b) (c) and (d)]. Prior Board Actions: On September 18, 2012, the Board accepted the project into the Matching Grant Program. On November 18, 2011, the Board approved the District s acquisition of a conservation easement over the Sonoma Garden Park and expenditure of grant funds for Phase I of the project. Strategic Plan Alignment Goal 2: Economic and Environmental Stewardship The project protects, restores and maintains public lands and open space systems that promote recreation, health, agricultural viability and protects watersheds, promotes biodiversity and contributes to the area s economic vitality. Expenditures Fiscal Summary - FY Funding Source(s) Budgeted Amount $ 102,950 $ Add Appropriations Reqd. $ State/Federal $ $ Fees/Other $ 102,950 $ Use of Fund Balance $ $ Contingencies $ $ $ Total Expenditure $ 102,950 Total Sources $ 102,950 Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts (If Required): The District has this expense budgeted in its F.Y. 14/15 budget. The funding source is sales tax revenue. Staffing Impacts Position Title (Payroll Classification) Monthly Salary Range (A I Step) Additions (Number) Deletions (Number)

5 Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required): Attachments: 1. Location/General Plan Map 2. Site Map 3. Matching Grant Agreement 4. Notice of Exemption 5. Resolution Related Items On File with the Clerk of the Board: