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RESOLUTION NO. 2017-018 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA ESTABLISHING A NEW CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT “COASTAL CACTUS WREN HABITAT RESTORATION 2016” (OP229), AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2016/2017 CIP PROGRAM BUDGET, AND APPROPRIATING $49,972 IN SANDAG GRANT FUNDS THEREFOR (4/5 VOTE REQUIRED)
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommended Action
Council adopt the resolution.
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SUMMARY
On March 7, 2016, the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) issued a Call for Projects (CFP) for grant funding under the TransNet Environmental Mitigation Program (EMP) to support environmental land management projects. In October, the City Council approved the grant application and staff submitted a grant proposal (see Attachment 2) to fund an eighteen-month land management program to restore and enhance degraded coastal cactus wren habitat within the City’s Otay Ranch Preserve Management Area (Otay Ranch Preserve). The grant was approved by the EMP Working Group, the SANDAG Transportation Committee, the Regional Planning Committee, the Independent Taxpayer Oversight Committee, and the Board of Directors.
Tonight’s action appropriates $49,972 in grant funds provided by SANDAG to the fiscal year (FY) 2016-17 CIP program budget to implement the restoration program within the Otay Ranch Preserve.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Environmental Notice
Environmental Notice
The Project qualifies for a Class 4 Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15304 (Minor Alterations to Land) of the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines.
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Environmental Determination
The Director of Development Services has reviewed the proposed project for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the project qualifies for a Class 4 Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15304(d) (Minor Alterations to Land) of the State CEQA Guidelines. Consistent with Section 15304(d), the proposed project involves minor alterations to lands within an existing officially designated wildlife management area (i.e., Otay Ranch Preserve) for the purposes of improving existing wildlife habitat and resources. Thus, no further environmental review is necessary.
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
Not Applicable
DISCUSSION
In November 2004, the voters of San Diego County approved the TransNet Extension Ordinance 04-01 and Expenditure Plan, including an Environmental Mitigation Program (EMP). The EMP is a funding allocation category for the costs to mitigate habitat impacts for regional transportation projects. The EMP is a unique component of the TransNet Extension, in that it goes beyond traditional mitigation for transportation projects by including a funding allocation for habitat acquisition, management, and monitoring activities, as needed, to help implement regional habitat conservation plans.
On February 26, 2016, the SANDAG Board of Directors approved land management activities and a budget of $1.8 million for projects that related to: 1) Threat Reduction Stewardship and 2) Species and Habitat Recovery.
On March 7, 2016, SANDAG issued a Call for Projects (CFP) from entities wishing to apply for TransNet funds to be used for environmental land management projects.
On June 10, 2016, the City submitted a grant proposal requesting funds to support an eighteen-month land management program to increase the quality of habitat and improve connectivity for the coastal cactus wren within the Otay Ranch Preserve. In particular, grant funds were requested to perform necessary habitat enhancement, shrub thinning, and monitoring activities within suitable wren habitat along Salt Creek. The coastal cactus wren is a qualifying Management Strategic Plan (MSP) Category SO species (species whose persistence of one or more significant occurrences in the MSP area is at high risk of loss without immediate management action above and beyond that of daily maintenance activities).
The grant amount requested to retain a qualified biological consultant to implement this proposal is $49,972 and would provide up to eighteen months of funding. The City’s grant proposal included matching funds through the use of in-kind administrative resources, more specifically through the use of City staff time. City staff will be utilized to implement the proposed project and administer the consultant contract. City staff time for this project, and all Multiple Species Conservation Program (MSCP) related projects, is funded through the General Fund based on the City's obligation to implement the provisions of the Chula Vista MSCP Subarea Plan and the associated MSCP implementing ordinances. This obligation is pursuant to the Implementing Agreement between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the City of Chula Vista and is consistent with SANDAG’s grant requirements.
On October 4, 2016, the City Council approved the grant application for TransNet funding, authorized staff to accept the requested grant funds, acknowledged the City’s commitment to providing matching funds through in-kind administrative services, and authorized the City Manager to execute a grant agreement between SANDAG and the City to implement the project.
On November 18, 2016, the SANDAG Board of Directors approved funding for the City’s coastal cactus wren project for up to $49,972.
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 property which is 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. If awarded, the funds received through this grant program will support the Healthy Community goal, particularly City Initiative 3.2.1 (Implement environmental/conservation programs). The Chula Vista MSCP Subarea Plan, and associated Implementing Agreement with the Wildlife Agencies, rely on supplemental funding sources such as SANDAGs EMP to implement enhanced conservation projects (e.g., habitat restoration and habitat enhancement) for the protection of biological resources within the Otay Ranch Preserve.
CURRENT YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of this recommendation will result in the creation of CIP Project (OP229) Coastal Cactus Wren Habitat Restoration 2016 and the appropriation of $49,972 to the CIP Projects Expenditure category of the Transportation Sales Tax Fund. In kind staff services that are estimated to be $1,300 as required by the grant will be absorbed from within the existing personnel services budget resulting in no net fiscal impact.
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
The $49,972 in grant funds awarded are sufficient to fund a biological consultant to perform the necessary habitat enhancement, shrub thinning, and monitoring activities.
In-kind City staff services for eighteen months of project management are anticipated to total $1,300. No additional appropriations will be requested to fund the associated personnel expenditures. The City is not obligated to continue to implement maintenance and enhancement once the grant funds have been expended.
ATTACHMENTS
1) Chula Vista 2016 EMP Grant Proposal
Staff Contact: Cheryl Goddard, Senior Planner, Advance Planning