City Council
MEETING DATE: 3/22/2017
TITLE:
Title
Resolution Approving an Application for Grant Funds through the California Climate Investments Urban Greening Program.
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FROM:
John A. Corella, P.E. - City Engineer
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends the City Council adopt a Resolution approving an application for the California Natural Resources Agency California Climate Investments Urban Greening Program for the Dream Homes Park Neighborhood Greening Project.
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BACKGROUND:
The Urban Greening Grant Program was established through SB 859 (September 14, 2016) and is part of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) for projects aimed to reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG.)
The California Natural Resources Agency has an $80 million allocation from GGRF for the Urban Greening Grant Program, specifically for green infrastructure projects that reduce GHG emissions and provide various other multiple benefits.
Eligible projects, in addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, must do at least one of the following:
1. Acquire, create, enhance, or expand community parks and green spaces; and/or
2. Use natural systems or systems that mimic natural systems to achieve multiple benefits.
The Dream Homes Park Neighborhood Greening Project meets the requirements for this grant program.
DISCUSSION:
City staff has developed a conceptual design for an approximate 7-acre park on the east side of the Dream Homes Neighborhood that will be located on City owned property. The previous park space in the neighborhood was located at and on the Agua Caliente Elementary School property, which is no longer available due to the school reclaiming the space for school purposes.
The Urban Greening Grant Program provides an opportunity for the City to receive grant funds to create a greenspace park for the neighborhood where currently no park exists.
The Dream Homes Park Neighborhood Greening project will be in line with state goals for sustainable landscaping, water conservation, as well as tree planting to sequester and store carbon emissions. The community will also gain a much-needed outdoor recreation space for play, exercise, community gathering, walking, and bicycling.
The cost of this Project is estimated to be $3 million. Although no matching funds are required, projects that leverage other sources of funds will be more competitive. The City is not proposing to provide matching funds, however the City will look at leveraging the existing Whitewater Bike Trail Grants as matching funds. The City will also use the coordination of the Desert Health Care District and the Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG) for potential matches to ensure connectivity and maximize other agency programs and investments in the area.
This Grant application is required to be submitted to the State of California Natural Resources Agency by May 1, 2017
FISCAL IMPACT:
If grant funds are awarded, staff time will be required to perform project coordination, design, engineering, oversight, inspection and grant administration. These are considered direct costs and would be reimbursable from the Grant.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution approving Cathedral City’s Application for California Climate Investments Urban Greening Grant for the Dream Homes Park Neighborhood Greening Project.