County of Sonoma Agenda Item Summary Report

Transcription

1 County of Sonoma Agenda Item Summary Report Agenda Item Number: 2 (This Section for use by Clerk of the Board Only.) Clerk of the Board 575 Administration Drive Santa Rosa, CA To: Board of Directors, Sonoma County Water Agency Board Agenda Date: April 11, 2017 Vote Requirement: Majority Department or Agency Name(s): Sonoma County Water Agency Staff Name and Phone Number: Joan Hultberg/ Title: Supervisorial District(s): Tree Planting, Inventory, and Urban Forestry Management Plan Recommended Actions: Adopt a Resolution approving the filing of a grant application to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) for the Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program as provided through the State Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund in the estimated amount of $572,000 and taking related actions. If the grant is awarded, the resulting project will improve urban forest health, water quality, wildlife habitat, and quality of life for adjacent communities, and reduce sedimentation and stream temperatures. Executive Summary: In December 2016, the Sonoma County Water Agency (Water Agency) submitted a concept proposal to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) for the Urban and Community Forestry California Climate Initiatives Grant Program, and subsequently has been invited to submit a full proposal to the program. The Water Agency s concept proposal included planting trees along two miles of Roseland Creek to provide greenhouse gas and community benefits (see Attachment 1), conducting a LIDAR-based tree inventory within the Water Agency s stream channels, and developing a 40-year Urban Forest Management Plan for all engineered channels, such as urban streams and creeks, within the Water Agency s jurisdiction. A resolution from the Water Agency s Board of Directors (Board) authorizing the Water Agency to submit the full application is required as part of the grant application. This agenda item presents a resolution for the Board s consideration to authorize the Water Agency s General Manager to file a grant application in the amount of approximately $572,000 ($375,000 in grant funds and $197,000 in Water Agency match funds); and if awarded, execute the grant agreement as approved by County Counsel, and take other related actions. Before preparing the concept proposal, Water Agency staff reached out to community groups in the Roseland area, as well as municipalities where the Water Agency s stream channels are located. These

2 entities were enthusiastic about the grant program and potential projects. See Discussion below for a list of supporters. Discussion: The Urban & Community Forestry Program works to optimize the benefits of trees and related vegetation through multiple-objective projects as specified in the California Urban Forestry Act of 1978 (Public Resources Code ). These projects further the goals of the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, result in a net greenhouse gas benefit, and provide environmental services and cost-effective solutions to the needs of urban communities and local agencies. The Water Agency s proposed project contains three actions that have been carefully designed for alignment with the Cal Fire program requirements and desirable attributes. The first action is to conduct tree plantings along two miles of Roseland Creek, in a designated urban area that is economically disadvantaged. Tree planting objectives related to the adjacent urban community are to create educational opportunities through partnering with two area schools (Roseland Creek Elementary School and Sheppard Accelerated Elementary School), jobs and job training opportunities for disadvantaged youth through partnering with Conservation Corps North Bay, community awareness through outreach, and enhanced active transportation routes, quality of life, and property values for the 850 parcels adjacent to the proposed trees. The environmental objectives of the tree planting are to improve urban forest health, water quality, wildlife habitat, and reduce sedimentation and stream temperatures. The second action is to perform a tree inventory, with the objective of achieving Cal Fire s Tree Inventory specifications. The purpose of our tree inventory will differ from a municipality because the trees under our jurisdiction are associated with urban floodway easements, grow under more natural conditions, and the magnitude of our forest resources is vast with 82 miles of engineered stream channels. At our most conservative estimate there are approximately 50,000 managed trees (trees installed and cultivated for flood control and environmental benefit) within the Water Agency s jurisdiction. Throughout most channels the actual number of trees greatly exceeds these estimates, and thus the primary objective of this tree inventory is to quantify and analyze all trees, including extra trees. The type of tree inventory data that would be useful to collect and analyze would be derived from remotely collected Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) sampling with some direct measurements at ground level to verify the remotely obtained data. The objectives of LIDAR data would include documenting overall tree canopy cover, stem arrangement and density in the channel, height, species, estimated age, condition, and plant community type. The specific objectives of our tree inventory would be designed in partnership with our Cal Fire Regional Urban Forester, and receive their authorization prior to implementation. The objective of the third action in this project, development of a 40-year Urban Forest Management Plan for all engineered channels under the Water Agency s jurisdiction, is to create a management tool that will support the Water Agency in managing its urban riparian forest resources towards maximum greenhouse gas benefit, while also enhancing urban riparian forest health and adjacent communities. The plan will include management objectives such as a goal to increase tree canopy cover, improved water quality, habitat, environmental benefits, forest health, quality of life for adjacent communities, reduced in-stream sedimentation, and a sustained tree canopy cover over time.

3 Authorizing Resolution In order to apply to the Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program as provided through the State Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, the funding agency requires a resolution from the Water Agency s governing board that takes the following actions: 1. Approves the filing of the grant application for State Greenhouse Gas Reduction Funding urban forestry grant program funds; and; 2. Certifies that the Water Agency has or will have sufficient funds to operate and maintain the project; and 3. Certifies that funds under the jurisdiction of the Water Agency are available to begin the project; and 4. Certifies that the Water Agency will expend grant funds prior to March 30, 2020; and 5. Appoints the General Manager or his designee as agent of the Board of Directors to conduct all negotiations, execute and submit all documents, including, but not limited to applications, amendments, payment requests, etc., which may be necessary for the completion of the aforementioned project. A copy of this approved resolution must be submitted to the funding agency no later than April 26, 2017 with the grant application. Project Partners and Supporters The following is a list of project partners and supporters who agreed to provide letters of support for the full application: Roseland Creek and Sheppard Accelerated elementary schools; Burbank Avenue and Hughes Avenue Neighborhood Associations; Conservation Corps of the North Bay; Cities of Rohnert Park, Cotati, Petaluma, Santa Rosa; and the Town of Windsor. Next Steps If authorized by the Board, Water Agency staff will develop a full grant proposal, which will include a detailed scope of work, schedule, and budget. If the grant is awarded, the Water Agency will return to the Board to present the final project and budget for approval, as well as any related professional services agreements requiring Board approval for execution. Prior Board Actions: Strategic Plan Alignment Goal 3: Invest in the Future County Goal 3: Invest in the Future This project will be proactive in mitigating and adapting to the causes and impacts of climate change to safeguard the environment, human health, and the economy. Water Agency Flood Control Goals and Strategies, Goal 1: Maintain, operate, and modify flood protection facilities to meet current and future public needs.

4 Fiscal Summary Expenditures FY Adopted FY Projected FY Projected Budgeted Expenses Additional Appropriation Requested Total Expenditures Funding Sources General Fund/WA GF State/Federal Fees/Other Use of Fund Balance Contingencies Total Sources Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts: This item seeks approval to apply for grant funding. If a grant is awarded, the Water Agency will return to the Board with complete project and budget information. Staffing Impacts Position Title (Payroll Classification) Monthly Salary Range (A I Step) Additions (Number) Deletions (Number) Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required): Attachments: Resolution Roseland Area Tree Planting Location Map Related Items On File with the Clerk of the Board: nw\\s:\agenda\misc\ WA Urban Forestry Management CF/ California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Grant Plan_summ.docm Agree for Sonoma County Water Agency Urban Forest Management Plan) FP (ID 6710)

5 Item Number: Resolution No.: RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE SONOMA COUNTY WATER AGENCY FOR FUNDING FROM THE URBAN AND COMMUNITY FORESTRY GRANT PROGRAM AS PROVIDED THROUGH THE GREENHOUSE GAS REDUCTION FUND. WHEREAS, the Governor of the State of California in cooperation with the California State Legislature has enacted State of California Greenhouse Gas Reduction Funding, which provides funds to the State of California and its political subdivisions for urban forestry programs; and WHEREAS, the State Department of Forestry and Fire Protection has been delegated the responsibility for the administration of the program within the State, setting up necessary procedures governing application by local agencies and non-profit organizations under the program, and WHEREAS, said procedures established by the State Department of Forestry and Fire Protection require the applicant to certify by resolution the approval of application before submission of said application to the State; and WHEREAS, the applicant will enter into an agreement with the State of California to carry out an urban forestry project; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the BOARD OF DIRECTORS 1. Approved the filing of an application for State Greenhouse Gas Reduction Funding urban forestry grant program funds; and 2. Certifies that said applicant has or will have sufficient funds to operate and maintain the project; and, 3. Certifies that funds under the jurisdiction of the Board of Directors are available to begin the project. 4. Certifies that said applicant will expend grant funds prior to March 30, Appoints the General Manager, or a designee, as agent of the Board of Directors to conduct all negotiations, execute and submit all documents including, but not limited to applications, agreements, amendments, payment requests and so on, which may be necessary for the completion of the aforementioned project. Approved and adopted the day of, 20. I, the undersigned, hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution, number was duly adopted by the following roll call vote: Directors: Gorin: Rabbitt: Gore: Hopkins: Zane: Ayes: Noes: Absent: (Clerk) Notarized Seal:

6 Attachment 1. Location Map Roseland Creek Elementary School Colgan5C Burbank Avenue Colgan Colgan 4 l an d1 Ro se Colgan5A Miles Sonoma County Water Agency Roseland Revegetation Project CalFire - Urban Forestry Management Plan 0 Roseland2 and1a Rosel µ Roseland Roseland3 DISCLAIMER This map document and associated data are distributed for informational purposes only "AS-IS" at the published scale and provided without warranty of any kind, expressed or implied. The positional accuracy of the data is approximate and not intended to represent survey map accuracy. The Sonoma County Water Agency assumes no responsibility arising from the use of this information Project Area Sheppard Accelerated Elementary School Engineered Channels