Title
RESOLUTION NO. 2015-067 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA APPROVING MULTIPLE PROPOSAL SUBMITTALS TO THE SAN DIEGO FOUNDATION AND THE SAN DIEGO REGIONAL CLIMATE COLLABORATIVE'S BUILDING REGIONAL RESILIENCE GRANT PROGRAM
Body
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommended Action
Council adopt the resolution.
Body
SUMMARY
Climate change poses a serious 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 San Diego Foundation and the San Diego Regional Climate Collaborative have released a request for grant proposals to help build regional resilience to climate change. In response, City staff has worked with community partners to develop three proposals for submission. The proposals align with the City's current climate action strategies and will contribute to reducing future climate change-related risks and costs.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The Development Services Director 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(b)(2) of the State CEQA Guidelines, because the activity consists of an administrative action involving the submittal of grant applications which will not result in a direct or indirect 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. Thus, no environmental review is necessary.
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
Not Applicable.
DISCUSSION
Climate change poses a serious 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. These challenges were recently highlighted by the "San Diego, 2050 is Calling. How Will We Answer?" report released by Climate Education Partners and the San Diego Foundation with a call to action for communities to work together and invest today in solutions to prepare for a changing climate.
In late February, the San Diego Foundation and the San Diego Regional Climate Collaborative released a request for proposals for a new Building Regional Resilience grant program. The grant program is designed to help local governments and public agencies implement plans and projects that address local climate change impacts. As a result, City staff has worked with partner agencies and non-profit organizations to develop three grant proposals for submission. These proposals align with the City of Chula Vista's current climate action strategies and are outlined below:
· Fire Training Facility Water Reuse Demonstration Project - $45,000
One of the most serious climate change impacts in our region will likely be diminished water supplies. The proposed project would fund the installation of a spray wall and water capture system at Fire Station #4 allowing water emitted during firefighting training exercises to be recycled. It is estimated that over 1,000,000 gallons will be reused annually. Because the facility trains personnel from multiple jurisdictions' fire departments, the project would also serve as a regional educational asset and align with new water reuse objectives in the regional Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan. Project partners include the Otay Water District.
· South Bay Climate Ready Communities Project - $25,000
Climate change is predicted to disproportionally affect low-income and minority community members. The proposed project seeks to educate and to build capacity within these vulnerable populations through workshops, community surveys, and trainings for community-based organizations serving those populations, so that they are better prepared to respond to climate change.
The project will target neighborhoods in Chula Vista and other South Bay cities that were recently identified as "disadvantaged" through the State of California's CalEnviroScreen Tool. Project partners include the Climate Action Campaign (Lead), National City, Port of San Diego, and local public health groups.
· #Plan Diego Project - $75,000
To both mitigate and adapt to climate change, new development must be designed to be more efficient, compact, and resilient. The proposed project would fund events, trainings, and publications to broaden community engagement and education around smart growth. Project partners include Circulate San Diego (Lead), City of San Diego, American Planners Association (San Diego Chapter), and the Urban Land Institute.
Proposals are due to the San Diego Foundation and the San Diego Regional Climate Collaborative by April 20th with funding announcements expected in late May.
DECISION-MAKER CONFLICT
Staff has reviewed the decision contemplated by this action and has determined that one of the grants, specifically, the Fire Training Facility Water Reuse Demonstration Project, would be site-specific. As such, staff has reviewed the property holdings of the City Council and has found no property holdings within 500 feet of the boundaries of the property which is the subject of this action. 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 ongoing fiscal impact associated with it.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - Building Regional Resilience Grant Guidelines
Staff Contact: Brendan Reed