PREPARED BY: AMANDA BOOTH DATE OF MEETING: 04/17/17
SUBJECT:
TITLE
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO APPROVING AN APPLICATION FOR $2.5 MILLION IN GRANT FUNDS FOR CALIFORNIA CLIMATE INVESTMENTS URBAN GREENING PROGRAM
Label
CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Adopt Resolution
Body
Compliance statements
“AB 32 - Climate Action Plan Implementation” is an adopted policy item under Infrastructure- Administration/Operations and “PW 607 Rumrill Complete Streets Corridor Mobility Plan” is an adopted policy item under the Infrastructure- Capital Improvement Projects section of the FY 2015-17 City Council Priority Workplan, effective October 1, 2016.
CEQA Compliance Statement
Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061 (b)(3), the adoption of the subject resolution authorizing Public Works to submit a grant application is exempt from CEQA requirements. Under Guidelines section 15378, “project” does not include the creation of government funding mechanisms or other government fiscal activities, which do not involve any commitment to any specific project which may result in a potentially significant physical impact on the environment.
BACKGROUND
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 (Agency) was allocated $80 million to its Urban Greening Program specifically for green infrastructure projects that reduce GHG emissions and provide multiple benefits. Consistent with AB 32, the Urban Greening Program will fund projects that reduce greenhouse gases by sequestering carbon, decreasing energy consumption and reducing vehicle miles traveled, while also transforming the built environment into places that are more sustainable, enjoyable, and effective in creating healthy and vibrant communities. These projects will establish and enhance parks and open space, using natural solutions to improving air and water quality and reducing energy consumption, and creating more walkable and bike-able trails. There are no minimum or maximum grant amounts for this grant program.
The City of San Pablo’s proposed submission for the Urban Greening Grant Program is for additional work for the Rumrill Complete Streets project between Market Avenue and San Pablo Avenue and performing Urban Forestry work on local streets between 23rd Street and Rumrill Boulevard.
Rumrill Complete Street
The City of San Pablo has received a $4.3 Million dollar grant from Caltrans Active Transportation Program to develop bike lanes on Rumrill Boulevard between Costa Avenue and Market Avenue. A second grant from Measure J to fund a portion of the complete streets improvements from Market Avenue to San Pablo Avenue is pending. For this grant the bike lanes south of Market Avenue will be protected with a landscape strip between the cycle track and the road. However, north of this area only has plans for striping work due to limited funds. The Urban Green Program can provide funds to enhance the area on Rumrill Avenue from Market Avenue to San Pablo Avenue so that where possible these cycle tracks are separated by a landscape strips.
Urban Forestry Work
Since this grant is funded through the GGRF a major aspect of the scoring criteria is carbon sequestration through tree planting. The City has proposed to partner with local non-profits Earth Team and The Watershed Project to plant approximately 100 trees in the City of San Pablo as part of the project. Due to grant restrictions that require the majority of the project be located in a disadvantage community census tract, the trees will be planted on local streets between 23rd Street and Rumrill Boulevard, north of Market Street to Brookside Drive. In addition, the City has proposed to use Earth Teams Urban Forestry interns to map all of the public trees in the project area using an online program call OpenTreeMap.org.
The estimated cost for the Urban Greening grant improvements is $2.5 Million and all funding is being requested through the California Natural Resource Urban Greening Program. At this time, staff is seeking approval to apply for the California Natural Resources Urban Greening Grant Program for the above described work. Grant applications are due by May 1, 2017. It is anticipated that these grant funds for projects will be awarded in Fall of 2017.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact at this time as this item is to request authority to apply for grant funds. The anticipated project costs for design and construction for the project would be $2.5 Million. The grant request is anticipated to be $2.5 Million to cover all costs for design and construction. For this grant there is no match required; however, additional points are awarded for providing matching funds. If an Urban Greening Grant is awarded, staff will return to City Council to accept, appropriate and if required request additional funds.
ATTACHMENTS
Resolution