RANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: 04/04/2017 AGENDA REPORT AGENDA HEADING: Consent Calendar AGENDA DESCRIPTION: Consideration and possible action to adopt an authorizing resolution for the Outdoor Environmental Education Facilities Grant Program to fund Palos Verdes Nature Preserve Entry Signage. RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION: (1) Adopt Resolution No. 2017-, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE APPLICATION FOR OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION FACILITIES GRANT FUNDS FISCAL IMPACT: The cost of preparing this grant application would be covered by the City s current grant-writing services contract for FY16-17. Amount Budgeted: Additional Appropriation: Account Number(s): N/A N/A N/A ORIGINATED BY: Katie Lozano, Administrative Analyst/Open Space Manager REVIEWED BY: Cory Linder, Director of Recreation and Parks APPROVED BY: Doug Willmore, City Manager ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS: A. Draft Resolution No. 2017- (page A-1) B. Grant Program Fact Sheet (page B-1) BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION: The Public Use Master Plan (PUMP) for the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve (Preserve), approved by the City Council, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and California Department of Fish and Wildlife, stipulates that the City is responsible for installing and maintaining Preserve entry signage to identify individual reserves, trail systems, and rules. In 2014-2016, the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy (PVPLC), on behalf of the City, was awarded three separate grants, from which $115,000 is available for the design, purchase, and installation of entry and interpretive signage for the Preserve. PVPLC has worked with consultant Hunt Designs, Inc., the PVPLC Board of Directors, PVPLC volunteers, and City Staff on signage design and content. The topic has also been placed on quarterly Preserve Public Forum meeting agendas for discussion. 1
The Preserve currently lacks entry signage displaying the names of the individual reserves, and defining the open space areas as nature preserves. It is important to name open space areas for public safety so that the public can communicate where they are located to emergency responders or law enforcement. Entry signage will also communicate to the public that the 11 reserves (within the larger Preserve) are Nature Reserves where valuable habitat is to be both appreciated and protected. At the June 6, 2016, City Council meeting, per approval authority and protocol established in the City/PVPLC Management Agreement, the City Council reviewed and approved entry signage for the Preserve. At that time, the City Council directed Staff to seek grant funding for the entry signage, and bring back future options to fund entry signage. The City s grant consultant, Blais & Associates (B&A) has identified potential funding for Preserve entry signage from the California State Parks Outdoor Environmental Education Facilities Grant (Attachment B). The anticipated cost for signage purchase and installation is approximately $400,000, and the maximum grant award for the Outdoor Educational Grant is $500,000. If the City is awarded the grant, it would cover the entire purchase and installation cost of entry signage at all 11 Nature Reserves. This grant requires an authorizing resolution, which Staff presents for the City Council s consideration and adoption this evening (Attachment A). The grant application is due by September 1, 2017. The draft authorizing resolution follows a template provided by the State. The City Attorney has reviewed this resolution. With the City Council s authorization, Staff and B&A will work to complete and submit the grant application to the State by the September 1, 2017, deadline. ALTERNATIVES: In addition to the Staff recommendation, the following alternative action is available for the City Council s consideration: 1. Do not adopt the authorizing resolution for this grant. Staff will continue to seek other funding sources for the installation of Preserve entry signage, and will bring signage funding options for the City Council s consideration with the FY17-18 Budget. 2
RESOLUTION NO. 2017- A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE APPLICATION FOR OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION FACILITIES GRANT FUNDS WHEREAS, the State Department of Parks and Recreation has been delegated the responsibility by the Legislature of the State of California for the administration of the Outdoor Environmental Education Facilities Grant Program, setting up necessary procedures governing the application; and, WHEREAS, said procedures established by the State Department of Parks and Recreation require the Applicant to certify by resolution the approval of the application before submission of said application to the State; and, WHEREAS, the 1,400-acre Palos Verdes Nature Preserve was established in 2004, and is managed by the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy, the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife as defined in the draft Natural Communities Conservation Plan and the Management Agreement between the City and Land Conservancy; the trails and facilities receive heavy use from residents, and the larger Los Angeles County area, and the open areas and habitat are an important coastal regional resource; and, WHEREAS, one of the City s specific Preserve management responsibilities is installation and maintenance of Preserve entry signage, which will serve both interpretive and public safety purposes and the Outdoor Educational Exhibit grant funds would be used to purchase and install entry signage in all 11 of the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve properties; and, WHEREAS, due to the substantial need for the interpretive entry signage, and the heavy public use of the Preserve, the City believes it is a strong candidate for this funding; and, WHEREAS, successful Applicants will enter into a contract with the State of California to complete the Grant Scope project. A-1
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes as follows: 1. The filing of an application for the Nature Preserve Signage is hereby approved. 2. The City certifies that it has or will have available, prior to commencement of any work on the project included in this application, the sufficient funds to complete the project. 3. The City certifies that it has or will have sufficient funds to operate and maintain the project. 4. The City certifies that it has reviewed, understands, and agrees to the General Provisions contained in the contract shown in the Grant Administration Guide. 5. The City Council delegates the authority to City Manager to conduct all negotiations, sign and submit all documents, including, but not limited to applications, agreements, amendments, and payment requests, which may be necessary for the completion of the Grant Scope. 6. The City agrees to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws, ordinances, rules, regulations and guidelines. Resolution No. 2017- Page 2 of 3 A-2
PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED on, 20. Attest: Mayor City Clerk State of California ) County of Los Angeles ) ss City of Rancho Palos Verdes) I, Emily Colborn, City Clerk of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, hereby certify that the above Resolution No. 2017- was duly and regularly passed and adopted by the said City Council at a regular meeting thereof held on, 2017. City Clerk Resolution No. 2017- Page 3 of 3 A-3
FACT SHEET Outdoor Environmental Education Facilities Grant Funding Information and Application Requirements FAST FACTS 1 Important Dates 2 Public Hearings Deadline: September 1, 2017. U.S. Postmark accepted. Completion Date: Seven years and nine months after the appropriations date. The appropriation date is July 1 of the fiscal year in which the funds are appropriated in the state budget. Award Date: Approximately six months after the application date. Folsom, March 14 9:30 am 11 am Rancho Cucamonga, March 21 9:30 am 11 am Torrance, March 22 9:30 am 11 am San Diego, March 23 9:30 am. 11 am Oakland, March 28 9:30 am 11 am Fresno, March 29 9:30 am 11 am RSVP at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/oeefworkshop 3 4 Eligible Applicants Purpose of Program 5 Success Rate Last Year Cities, counties, nonprofit organizations, and district. For the development of public outdoor environmental education amenities, structures and exhibits. Data is not available as this is a new program. 6 Authorizing Resolution Required? FUNDING INFORMATION Required 7 8 9 Total Funds Available High, Low, Average Grant Maximum Funding Request $10 million Data is not available as this is a new program. There is no minimum. Maximum funding is $500,000. 10 Local Match Required 11 Funding Cycle Not required, but 5 points will be assigned for projects that utilize grant funds for construction costs only and non construction costs will be funded for other sources. One round. PROJECT INFORMATION 12 Examples of Funded Projects 13 Priorities Data is not available as this is a new program. Applications that include a commitment for match. 14 Eligible Project Types (949) 589-6338 u Development of public outdoor education facilities structures and exhibits that facilitate focused learning. Development must be outdoors, in a natural setting with native vegetation. Amenities may provide outdoor education on their own (such as signs, kiosks, nature trails), or consist of outdoor structures www.blaisassoc.com B-1 Page 1
that facilitate providing outdoor education (such as campfire centers, amphitheaters, group campgrounds). Non-construction costs are limited to 25% of grant amount. 15 Ineligible Activities Acquisition projects. Education programs, activities, and programmatic development. Purchase of specimens. Indoor facilities, including nature centers, restrooms and traditional classrooms. Community and botanical gardens. Trail construction and improvements that do not provide for outdoor education. 16 Project Readiness Performance period end eight years after the appropriation date. CEQA compliance must be completed within 60 days for the application due date. HOW TO APPLY 17 Application Requirements Application Checklist Application Form Grant Scope/Cost Estimate Resolution CEQA Compliance Certification Form Land Tenure Requirement Sub-Leases or Agreements Site Plan Photos of the Project Site Project Summary Project Selection Criteria (10 page limit) Match Certification Form Additional Requirements for Non-profits: o IRS Determination Letter o Articles of incorporation o Mission Statement o First two pages of the most recently filed 990 Form o Balance Sheet o Income Statement 18 Submission Requirements Submit one unbound application packet to: Street Address for Overnight Mail: Calif. Dept. of Parks and Recreation Office of Grants and Local Services 1416 Ninth Street, Room 918 Sacramento, CA 95814 Mailing Address: Calif. Dept. of Parks and Recreation B-2 (949) 589-6338 u www.blaisassoc.com Page 2
HOW APPLICATIONS WILL BE SCORED Office of Grants and Local Services P.O. Box 942896 Sacramento, CA 94296-0001 19 Evaluation Criteria and Process Projects will be evaluated based on the following criteria: Need for Outdoor Education 25 points Educational Opportunities 25 points Who will be served? 15 points Getting there and Project Availability 15 points Organizational Capacity 10 points Operation and Maintenance 5 points Match Funds 5 points Awards will be made approximately six months after the application date. WHO TO CONTACT 20 Agency California State Parks 21 Contact Name/Phone Number localservices@parks.ca.gov or 916-653-7423 22 Web Site http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=29407 B-3 (949) 589-6338 u www.blaisassoc.com Page 3