|
Title:
|
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.
|
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 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.