City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
Meeting Date: _10/05/10__ Item Number: _A-1__
PRCS COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM: Update from the Public Works Director / City
Engineer on the Status of the AQMD Grant Projects in Culver City Park and other
PRCS-Related Projects and Issues.
Contact Person/Dept.: Pam Robinson,
Acting PRCS Director
Phone Number: (310) 253-6655
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No []
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: [X]
Public Notification: (Email) Meetings and Agendas – Parks, Recreation and Community
Services Commission (09/30/10).
Department Approval: Pam Robinson
(09/29/10) (by P. Mooney)
City Attorney Approval: N/A
Chief Financial Officer Approval: N/A City Manager Approval: N/A
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the Parks, Recreation and Community Services (PRCS)
Commission hear an update from Public Works Director/City Engineer Charles
Herbertson on the status of the AQMD grant projects in Culver City Park and other
PRCS-related projects and issues, and receive and file the report.
BACKGROUND:
In recent years, the Plains Exploration and Production Company (PXP) removed its
oil drilling equipment and vacated two plots of land within Culver City Park, one in
the proximity of the Ropes Course and another near the corner of Leash Lane.
Since that time, the PRCS Commission has periodically expressed an interest in
exploring possible recreational uses of the land, with the understanding that sites
previously used for oil production are subject to environmental restrictions when
being developed for new uses. Before a full discussion on the issue was scheduled,
the Commission learned that these areas, along with the slope above the Dog Park,
had been slated for development as part of a grant project developed by Public
Works/Engineering (“Engineering”) and approved by the City Council. March 1,
2010 City Council Agenda Item A-3: Acceptance of a Grant Award Through the
South Coast Air Quality Management District for the Local Government Tree
Partnership and Approval of a Related Budget Amendment is provided as an
Attachment.
At several meetings, the Commission has gone on record questioning why
Engineering’s plans to develop areas in Culver City Park were not brought before
this body for consideration before submission to the City Council and the granting
agency. In addition, the exact nature of the grant project, its timeline and current
status have been and continue to be Commission concerns. These matters, among City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
others, are related to a larger question of the Commission’s as to what, if any, policy
and/or procedure is in place with regard to the Public Works Department bringing
PRCS-related projects and issues before the Commission for inclusion in the
decision-making process. These topics are of such importance to the Commission
that, by consensus, they were added to the “Tentative List of Upcoming Agenda
Items.”
DISCUSSION:
Public Works Director / City Engineer Charles Herbertson is present at this evening’s
meeting to provide an update on the status of the AQMD grant projects in Culver
City Park and other PRCS-related projects and issues. He is also prepared to
comment on the traffic/parking situation on Jefferson Boulevard generated by
visitors to the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook. This is a Commission concern that
came forward at the September 7, 2010 PRCS Commission meeting. Staff
encourages the Commission to take this opportunity to query Director Herbertson on
any other matters of interest pertaining to PRCS-related projects and issues.
FISCAL ANALYSIS:
There is no fiscal impact associated with the discussion of this Agenda Item.
ATTACHMENT:
March 01, 2010 City Council Agenda Item A-3: Acceptance of a Grant Award
Through the South Coast Air Quality Management District for the Local Government
Tree Partnership and Approval of a Related Budget Amendment.
MOTIONS:
That the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission:
1. Hear an update from the Public Works Director/City Engineer on the status of the
AQMD grant projects in Culver City Park and other PRCS-related projects and
issues; and,
2. Receive and file the report.
MEETING DATE: October 5, 2010
AGENDA ITEM: Update from the Public Works Director / City Engineer on
the Status of the AQMD Grant Projects in Culver City
Park and other PRCS-Related Projects and Issues.
ATTACHMENT
Pages
March 01, 2010 City Council Agenda Item A-3: Acceptance
of a Grant Award Through the South Coast Air Quality
Management District for the Local Government Tree
Partnership and Approval of a Related Budget Amendment.
1 - 2
City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
Meeting Date: 03/01/10 Item Number: A-3
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM – FOUR FIFTHS VOTE REQUIREMENT: Acceptance
of Grant Award Through the South Coast Air Quality Management District for the
Local Government Tree Partnership and Approval of a Related Budget Amendment
Contact Person/Dept.: Eric Mirzaian Phone Number: (310) 253-6410
Fiscal Impact: Yes [x] No [] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: []
Commission Action Required: Yes [] No [X] Date: _______________
Public Notification: (E-mail) Meetings and Agendas – City Council (02/24/2010)
Department Approval:
Charles D. Herbertson (02/18/10)
City Attorney Approval:
Carol Schwab (by H. Baker) (02/22/10)
Chief Financial Officer Approval:
Mark Scott (by M. Noller) (02/23/10)
City Manager Approval:
Mark Scott (02/24/10)
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council accept a grant award from the South Coast
Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) for the Local Government Tree
Partnership Program and approve a related budget amendment.
A budget amendment requires four-fifths vote
BACKGROUND:
In January of 2010, the City of Culver City was awarded two separate tree planting
grant opportunities through the SCAQMD’s Tree Partnership Program. This local
government matching program (which match may be in the form of in-kind services)
offers to co-fund tree planting projects implemented by cities and counties. The total
funding available for the entire SCAQMD area was $1.5 million.
DISCUSSION:
The due date for the grant applications was July 31, 2009. Staff was made aware of
this grant opportunity approximately three weeks before the deadline. Due to the
short time frame to submit the applications, there was not sufficient time to obtain
City Council or public input on potential projects. Therefore, Staff used its best
judgment in looking at community needs, availability of matching funds, and how
well possible projects would match up with grant criteria.
After several meetings between the Public Works, Community Development and
Parks, Recreation & Community Services Departments, various potential projects
ATTACHMENT
1 City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
were evaluated. Subsequently, the City applied for and was awarded $9,135 to
plant 49 trees on the slope above the Culver City Dog Park to provide slope
stabilization and beautification of the hillside and $14,975 to plant 55 trees in two
areas of Culver City Park that were recently reclaimed for park use from oil well
operations. A third project was applied for but was not approved by the SCAQMD,
which included the planting of trees within the West Washington Boulevard Area
Improvement Project.
The grant opportunity also provides stipulations that student workers be utilized in
some capacity for these tree planting projects. For these projects, student workers
will assist with the landscape design. This part of the scope will be coordinated
through the Parks, Recreation & Community Services Department. The grant
amounts above already reflect the cost to utilize student workers.
FISCAL ANALYSIS:
A budget amendment will be required to (1) accept the grant funds and (2)
appropriate those funds into the following business units: $9,135 into 42300926
(Tree Planting-Dog Park Slope) and $14,975 into 42300927 (Tree Planting-Culver
City Park). A budget amendment requires a four-fifths vote.
The grant also requires that Culver City provide matching funds which may be in the
form of in-kind support. The City’s in-kind support will come in the form of staff time
for planting, maintenance and equipment use.
ATTACHMENTS:
None.
MOTION:
That the City Council:
1. Accept grants from the South Coast Air Quality Management District’s Local
Government Tree Partnership Program in the amounts of $9,135 and $14,975
to plant trees on the slope above the Culver City Dog Park and in two areas of
Culver City Park formerly used for oil well operations; and,
2. Authorize a budget amendment to (1) accept the grant funds in the aggregate
amount of $24,110 and (2) appropriate $9,135 into 42300926 and $14,975
into 42300927 (a budget amendment requires a four-fifths vote); and
3. Authorize the City Attorney to review/prepare the necessary documents; and,
4. Authorize the City Manager to execute such documents on behalf of the City.
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