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RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA APPROVING THE SUBMISSION OF AN APPLICATION FOR GRANT FUNDS TO THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA NATURAL RESOURCES AGENCY THROUGH URBAN CORPS OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY FOR THE URBAN GREENING PROGRAM GRANT FUNDED BY CALIFORNIA CLIMATE INVESTMENTS
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommended Action
Council adopt the resolution.
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SUMMARY
Climate change poses a challenge to Chula Vista and the greater San Diego region and expected local impacts include escalating temperatures and heat waves, changing precipitation patterns, rising sea levels, and increasing extreme natural events. To help better prepare local communities, the California Natural Resources Agency has released a request for grant proposals to help execute green infrastructure projects that reduce GHG emissions and provide multiple benefits. In response, City’s Public Works and Development Services staff members are working with community partners to develop one proposal for submission. The proposal aligns with the City’s current climate action strategies and will contribute to reducing future climate change-related risks and costs.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Environmental Notice
Environmental Notice
The activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) no environmental review is required. In addition, notwithstanding the foregoing, the “Project” also qualifies for an Exemption pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines.
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Environmental Determination
The Director of Development Services has reviewed the proposed activity for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines because the activity consists of an administrative action involving the submittal of grant applications which will not result in adverse physical impact to the environment; therefore, pursuant to Section 15060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines, the activity is not subject to CEQA. In addition, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Director of Development Services has also determined that the “Project” qualifies for an Exemption pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines. Thus, no environmental review is required.
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
Not Applicable.
DISCUSSION
Climate change poses a challenge to Chula Vista and the greater San Diego region. In 2011, the City of Chula Vista was the first jurisdiction in southern California to develop comprehensive strategies to reduce the future risk and associated costs from local climate change impacts. Expected local impacts include escalating temperatures and heat waves, changing precipitation patterns, rising sea levels, and increasing extreme natural events. The State of California has been addressing these challenges through various programs ensuing from Assembly Bills and Senate Bills.
Signed into law in 2006, Assembly Bill (AB) 32, also known as the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 required a sharp reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. AB 32 was the first program to take a comprehensive, long-term approach to addressing climate change to improve the environment and natural resources while maintaining a robust economy. Recently signed into law, Senate Bill (SB) 32 confirms the State’s continued commitment to reducing GHG emissions by directing emissions reductions to meet a target of 40% below 1990 levels by 2030.
Signed into law on September 14, 2016, SB 859 (Chapter 368, Statutes of 2016) authorized the expenditure of $1.2 billion in Cap and Trade revenues, also known as the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF), for projects aimed to reduce GHG emissions. The California Natural Resources Agency was allocated $80 million to its Urban Greening Program specifically for green infrastructure projects that reduce GHG emissions and provide multiple benefits.
Greenhouse Gas Reduction Funds have separate governing statutes: AB 1532 (Pérez, Chapter 807, Statutes of 2012), SB 535 (De León, Chapter 830, Statutes of 2012), and SB 1018 (Budget and Fiscal Review Committee, Chapter 39, Statutes of 2012) provide the framework for how the GGRF must be appropriated and expended. All GGRF expenditures must achieve reductions of greenhouse gas emissions. In addition to greenhouse gas emissions reduction, goals derived from AB 1532, established for the investment of auction proceeds, and SB 535, requirements for allocating funds to benefit disadvantaged communities, are presented below:
• Maximize economic, environmental, and public health benefits to the State;
• Foster job creation by promoting in-State greenhouse gas emission reduction projects carried out by California workers and businesses;
• Complement efforts to improve air quality;
• Direct investment toward the most disadvantaged communities and households in the State;
• Provide opportunities for businesses, public agencies, nonprofits, and other community institutions to participate in and benefit from statewide efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions;
• Lessen the impacts and effects of climate change on the State’s communities, economy, and environment;
• Allocate at least 25% of the available proceeds to projects that provide benefits to disadvantaged communities; and
• Allocate at least 10% of the available proceeds to projects located within disadvantaged communities.
In March 2017, the California Natural Resources Agency released a request for proposals for a new Urban Greening Program grant. City staff is working with Urban Corps of San Diego County, a regional non-profit organization, to develop one grant proposal for submission. This proposal aligns with the City of Chula Vista’s current climate action strategies.
The Proposal is due to the California Natural Resources Agency by May 1st, with funding announcements expected in October 2017.
F STREET PROMENADE PROJECT
The F Street Promenade Project is being proposed for funding with the Urban Greening Program grant.
Background
Through a Call for Projects by The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG), the City of Chula Vista (“City”) applied for and was successful in its bid to receive Active Transportation Funding for planning projects that support local efforts to increase walking, biking, and transit usage throughout the region.
The City was awarded funding through the TransNet Active Transportation Grant Program (ATGP) for the preparation of the F Street Promenade Streetscape Master Plan (“Project”). The City entered into an Agreement with SANDAG and received a notice to proceed in August 2015.
Project Objectives
On September 20, 2016, the City Council approved a two-party agreement with Moore, Iacofano, and Goltsman (MIG), Inc. to prepare a Streetscape Master Plan and 30% Design Development construction documents in accordance with the objectives contained within the Urban Core Specific Plan, as well as the City’s Street Design and Construction Standards.
The Master Plan’s primary objectives are to develop a streetscape using the principles of “Complete Streets” and to establish a theme and identity for F Street between Third Avenue and the future Bayfront. The Plan identifies focal points, pedestrian connections to various land uses, and multi-modal access (via walking, biking, and transit) to nearby community amenities and facilities such as parks, schools, City Hall, Civic Center, Library, office buildings, restaurants, and local and regional shopping centers.
Some of the street improvements being analyzed as part of the development are undergrounding of utilities, addition of bike lanes, extended curb returns at intersections, enhanced paving, pedestrian-scale lighting, way-finding, site furnishings, and a unified planting scheme with street trees and shrubs.
DECISION-MAKER CONFLICT
Staff has reviewed the property holdings of the City Council members and has found no property holdings within 500 feet of the boundaries of the properties which are the subject of this action. Consequently, this item does not present a disqualifying real property-related financial conflict of interest under California Code of Regulations Title 2, section 18702.2(a)(11), for purposes of the Political Reform Act (Cal. Gov’t Code §87100, et seq.).
Staff is not independently aware, and has not been informed by any City Council member, of any other fact that may constitute a basis for a decision maker conflict of interest in this matter.
LINK TO STRATEGIC GOALS
The City’s Strategic Plan has five major goals: Operational Excellence, Economic Vitality, Healthy Community, Strong and Secure Neighborhoods and a Connected Community. The grant proposals support the Healthy Community goal as they seek to improve the community’s resilience to climate change impacts.
CURRENT YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
If funded, the proposed project would have no net fiscal impact to the General Fund: one-time project expenditures would be offset by one-time grant revenues.
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
If funded, the proposed project would be a one-time activity, so there would be no significant ongoing fiscal impact associated with it.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - Urban Greening Program Grant Guidelines
Staff Contacts: Sam Oludunfe, City Forester;
Patricia Fermán, Principal Landscape Architect