SR-03-19-2013-3CCity Council Meeting: March 19, 2013
Agenda Item: 3 -6.
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Dean Kubani, Director, Office of Sustainability and the Environment
Subject: Applications for Proposition 84 Urban Greening grant funds
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt the attached resolution authorizing applications for grant funds in the
amount of $700,000 from the State of California Proposition 84, Urban Greening
program, Fiscal Years 2014 -16 for the Expo Bikeway Greening and Marine Park
Wash projects.
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents to apply for
grants, accept grants, if awarded, and accept all grant renewals, if awarded.
3. Accept and appropriate funds for grants received, if awarded.
Executive Summary
The Urban Greening for Sustainable Communities Program of the Safe Drinking Water,
Water Quality and Supply, Flood Control, River and Coastal Protection Bond Act of
2006 awards grants to projects that improve water quality, promote public health and
protect natural resources by greening urbanized areas. Staff prepared two grant
applications in the amount of $700,000 for the Expo Bikeway Greening and Marine Park
Wash landscape improvement and stormwater harvesting projects. The Bikeway is
located between 17th Street and Cloverfield Boulevard along the Expo Light rail
alignment. The Wash is situated on the east side of Marine Park in a city easement at
the end of 16th and 17th Streets. Both projects would feature native climate- appropriate
plants and low- volume irrigation landscapes, stormwater harvesting and use,
educational signage and recreational enhancements, which support the objectives of
the Urban Greening Program. In order for the City to apply for an Urban Greening
grant, Council must adopt a resolution approving the applications.
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Background
California voters passed the Safe Drinking Water, Water Quality and Supply, Flood
Control, River and Coastal Protection Bond Act of 2006 (Proposition 84) on November
7, 2006. Proposition 84 added Division 43, Chapter 9, Section 75065(a) to the Public
Resources Code, authorizing the Legislature to appropriate $70 million for urban
greening projects, under the Urban Greening for Sustainable Communities Program
(the Program), that reduce energy consumption, conserve water, improve air and water
quality, and provide other community benefits. The purpose of the Program includes
reducing urban communities' contribution to global warming and increasing their
adaptability to climate change while improving the quality of the life in those
communities. Because of the built -out nature of California's urban areas, the Program
provides funds to preserve, enhance, increase or establish community green areas,
such as urban forests, open spaces, wetlands and community gardens. The goal is for
these greening projects to incrementally create more viable and sustainable
communities throughout the State.
Discussion
The City is submitting two project applications for the Urban Greening Program:
1. Expo Bikeway Greening and Stormwater Harvesting Project
2. Marine Park Wash Landscaping and Stormwater Harvesting Project
Expo Bikeway Greening and Stormwater Harvesting Project
The proposed Expo Bikeway Greening project would provide new landscaping and
irrigation, and capture runoff for non - potable sub - surface irrigation along 0.4 miles of
pedestrian and bike paths along the future Expo Light Rail in Santa Monica. The
segment of the pedestrian and bike path proposed for urban greening is between
Cloverfield Boulevard and 17th Street, and is located within the Metro right -of -way
alongside the future Expo Light Rail alignment. The Expo Bikeway is planned to
connect downtown Los Angeles with Santa Monica, and is anticipated to be used by
daily commuters as well as recreational users.
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The landscape palette would include a mixture of climate- appropriate species native to
Southern California and other Mediterranean -type ecosystem species. A low- volume,
sub - surface irrigation system would supply water to plants. Cisterns would be placed
underground at each of the four sections of the project, Cloverfield Boulevard to
Olympic Boulevard, Olympic Boulevard to 20th Street, 201h Street to 19th Street, and 19th
Street to 17th Street, to harvest runoff from the pedestrian and bike paths. Stored water
would be filtered before it enters the sub - surface drip irrigation system along each
section of the project. Educational signage about plant species and the rainwater
harvesting system would be installed at accessible locations where the City expects the
highest concentration of users of the bike and pedestrian paths.
Marine Park Wash Landscaping and Stormwater Harvesting Project
The proposed Marine Park Wash (Wash) greening project would provide new
landscaping and irrigation, and capture runoff for passive infiltration. On the east side
of Marine Park is a City easement that stretches from the end of 16th Street and Marine
south to the border between the City of Santa Monica and Los Angeles' Penmar Golf
Course. This swath of open space is covered with wild grass and weeds along a
depressed swale that carries any surface runoff from the adjacent City streets into a Los
Angeles County Flood Control District culvert. The culvert goes under the golf course,
eventually draining into Santa Monica Bay at Rose Avenue.
The present easement, approximately 400 feet long and 25 feet wide, would be re-
graded to form a V- shaped meandering dry wash from north to south, and landscaped
with appropriate riparian and climate- appropriate species. Along the Wash banks,
seven landscapes would be planted to demonstrate the seven different Mediterranean -
style ecosystems of the planet, including that of Southern California. The irrigation
supply would come via the City of Los Angeles' Penmar stormwater harvesting project,
which Santa Monica will be using to irrigate Marine Park. Pedestrian paths would be
constructed along the Wash and through the ecosystems.
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Two rainwater harvesting techniques would be demonstrated at the Wash. First, to
harvest surface stormwater from 16th and 17th Streets, four storm drains in these two
streets would be closed, allowing surface runoff to flow into the Wash and passively
infiltrate into the ground instead of underground into storm drain pipes. Second, green
street components similar to those found at the other City green streets, Bicknell,
Longfellow and Ocean Park, would be installed at the western terminus of Dewey
Street, at the southern end of the Wash, to passively harvest surface stormwater from
Dewey Street. Educational signage about the Mediterranean ecosystems and
stormwater harvesting systems would be installed at a number of locations along the
walk paths.
Next Steps
According to the state, the grant application and approval process will conclude by
summer 2014. All grant funded projects must be completed by summer 2016.
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Financial Impacts & Budget Actions
The total amount of grant funds requested from the Program is $700,000. No local
match is required; however, to give the grant applications a higher probability of
acceptance, the City will commit in -kind staff time for design and construction
management, and up to 10% of grant match funds from available Measure V funds in
account 06661.405490.
If awarded one or both grants, staff will return to Council to appropriate the necessary
funds into new 06661 expenditure and revenue accounts for FY 2014 -15 and FY15 -16.
Prepared by: Neal Shapiro, Senior Administrative Analyst
Approved:
Dean Kubani
Director, Office of Sustainability and the
Environment
Attachments:
1) Resolution
2) Expo Bikeway Project Map
3) Marine Park Wash Map
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Forwarded to Council:
Rod Gould
City Manager
City Council Meeting: March 19, 2013 Santa Monica, California
RESOLUTION NUMBER 90738 (CCS)
(City Council Series)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO SUBMIT GRANT APPLICATIONS
FOR GRANT FUNDS FOR THE URBAN GREENING GRANT PROGRAM
UNDER THE SAFE DRINKING WATER, WATER QUALITY AND SUPPLY, FLOOD
CONTROL, RIVER AND COASTAL PROTECTION BOND ACT OF 2006
(PROPOSITION 84) AND TO EXECUTE AGREEMENTS IN FURTHERANCE OF
URBAN GREENING AND STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
WHEREAS, the State legislature and Governor of the State of California have
provided funds for the program show above; and
WHEREAS, the Strategic Growth Council has been delegated the responsibility
for the administration of this grant program, establishing necessary procedures; and
WHEREAS, said procedures established by the Strategic Growth Council require
a resolution certifying the approval of applications by the applicant's governing. board
before submission of said applications to the State; and
WHEREAS, the applicant, if selected, will enter into agreements with the State of
California to carry out the Projects; and
WHEREAS, this resolution certifies the City Council's approval of the City's
applications for grant funding; and
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WHEREAS, the grant funding will assist the City to achieve its sustainability
goals found in the City Sustainability Plan.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA
DOES RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The City Council of the City of Santa Monica hereby approves the
City's applications for Proposition 84 Urban Greening grant funding.
SECTION 2. The City Council of the City of Santa Monica authorizes the City
Manager or his designee to submit grant applications and to negotiate, execute and
submit all documents including, but not limited to applications, agreements, payment
requests and so on, which may be necessary for the completion of the aforementioned
projects.
SECTION 3. The City of Santa Monica has the capability to provide the amount
of funding and/or in -kind contributions specified in its funding plan to operate and
maintain the projects consistent with the land tenure requirements.
SECTION 4. The City of Santa Monica understands the assurances and
certification in the application.
SECTION 5. The City of Santa Monica certifies that it will comply with the
provisions of Section 1771.5 of the State Labor Code regarding payment of prevailing
wages on projects awarded Proposition 84 funds.
SECTION 6. The City of Santa Monica will work towards the Governor's State
Planning Priorities intended to promote equity, strengthen the economy, protect the
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environment, and promote public health and safety as included in Government Code
Section 65041.1.
SECTION 7. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution, and
thenceforth and thereafter the same shall be in full force and effect.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
6t 4a
MARSHAJONF-S MOUT,RIE
City A t�orne
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Adopted and approved this 19th day of March, 2013.
clr3 l—
O'Connor, Mayor
I, Sarah P. Gorman, City Clerk of the Cit� of Santa Monica, do hereby certify that
the foregoing Resolution No. 10738 (CCS) was duly adopted at a meeting of the Santa
Monica City Council held on the 19th day of March, 2013, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers: Holbrook, Davis, McKeown, Vazquez, Winterer
Mayor O'Connor, Mayor Pro Tern O'Day
NOES: Councilmembers: None
ABSENT: Councilmembers: None
ATTEST:
5046�
Sarah P. Gorman, City Clerk
�..i Contvars
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Panted: Feb 12 12, 2013 6:09:37 PM
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Marine Park Wash Map 2 (surrounding blocks) for Proposition 84 Urban Greening Grant Application Feb of Sant. 6:07:2 clM
Printed: Feb 12, 2013 fi:0]:26 PM
Reference Resolution No.
10738 (CCS)