Staff Report - Clean Safe Creeks Final
PREPARED BY: JIM HARBIN
Facilities & Environmental Services Manager
Reviewed by: Town Manager, Assistant Town Manager, Town Attorney, and Parks and Public Works
Director
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● 408-354-6832
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: 11/07/2017
ITEM NO: 12
DATE: OCTOBER 24, 2017
TO: MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
FROM: LAUREL PREVETTI, TOWN MANAGER
SUBJECT: ADOPT A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE TOWN MANAGER TO APPLY FOR
AND ACCEPT GRANT FUNDS UNDER THE CLEAN, SAFE CREEKS AND
NATURAL FLOOD PROTECTION PROGRAM
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt a resolution (Attachment 1) authorizing the Town Manager to apply for and accept grant
funds under the Clean, Safe Creeks and Natural Flood Protection Program.
BACKGROUND:
As part of the Clean, Safe Creeks and Natural Flood Protection Program, the Santa Clara Valley
Water District has opened the 2018 Safe Clean Water Priority B7 Grant Program to reward up
to $971,000 County-wide (up to $50,000 per project) for grant and partnership opportunities
towards achieving the following outcomes:
Reduce contaminants entering County waterways and groundwater
Engage community and support watershed stewardship activities
Provide access to trails and open space
Enhance creek and bay ecosystems
Improve fish passage and habitat
Increase community awareness and understanding of watershed stewardship
Within the grant program, there is $200,000 available to support and continue volunteer
cleanup, education, outreach and watershed stewardship activities.
PAGE 2 OF 3
SUBJECT: ADOPT A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE TOWN MANAGER TO APPLY FOR
AND ACCEPT GRANT FUNDS UNDER THE CLEAN, SAFE CREEKS AND NATURAL
FLOOD PROTECTION PROGRAM
OCTOBER 24, 2017
S:\COUNCIL REPORTS\2017\11-07-17\Clean, Safe Creeks\Staff Report - Clean Safe Creeks Final.docx 11/2/2017 9:13 AM MM
DISCUSSION:
Staff has had several meetings with the City of Campbell and the West Valley Clean Water
Program to explore collaborative, municipal grant opportunities along the Los Gatos Creek Trail.
After evaluation of litter trends, staff is recommending the following additions to the Los Gatos
Creek Trail:
Installation of trash and recycling receptacles
Installation of dog waste stations
Installation of environmental stewardship signage
Staff recommends the following five locations along the Los Gatos Creek Trail in the Town of
Los Gatos for the above additions based on need and servicing availability:
Los Gatos Creek Trailhead at Charter Oaks
Los Gatos Creek Trailhead at Roberts Road
Los Gatos Creek Trailhead at Balzer Field
Los Gatos Creek Trailhead at Forbes Mill
Los Gatos Creek Trailhead at Main Street
The addition of receptacles along the Los Gatos Creek Trail would help to divert trash from the
creeks and allow for proper collection and disposal. In some locations new receptacles would
replace existing as the existing currently do not clearly distinguish between trash and recycling
and thus pose problems with incorrectly mixed items. Dog waste has also been identified as a
regular pollution problem in and along the Los Gatos Creek, therefore installation of dog waste
stations would occur at the identified locations where feasible. Finally, installation of
interpretive signage promoting environmental stewardship messages related to litter and the
general health of riparian corridors would allow the Town to have ongoing environmental
education available to the public in these high trafficked areas along the Los Gatos Creek Trail.
The proposed project would satisfy the following objectives set by the Santa Clara Valley Water
District for this grant program:
Education and outreach for reducing waste and other pollutants in our waterways
Outreach on increasing trash free locations in riparian areas
PAGE 3 OF 3
SUBJECT: ADOPT A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE TOWN MANAGER TO APPLY FOR
AND ACCEPT GRANT FUNDS UNDER THE CLEAN, SAFE CREEKS AND NATURAL
FLOOD PROTECTION PROGRAM
OCTOBER 24, 2017
S:\COUNCIL REPORTS\2017\11-07-17\Clean, Safe Creeks\Staff Report - Clean Safe Creeks Final.docx 11/2/2017 9:13 AM MM
CONCLUSION:
With approval of this item, staff will pursue this grant opportunity. If successful, the project
would be completed over the three year grant timeframe, including post installation monitoring
and reporting.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Staff has estimated the cost for this collaborative project at $80,563. The Water District
requires a 25% local match, and looks favorably on grant applications that have a higher
percentage local match. Staff is therefore applying for grant funds of $45,188, which
represents at local match of 38%. The local match will be met through staff hours in planning
and construction.
COORDINATION:
The Town of Los Gatos has worked in collaboration with the City of Campbell and the West
Valley Clean Water Program for this recommendation.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
This is not a project defined under CEQA, and no further action is required.
Attachments:
1. Resolution to apply for and accept grant funds under the Clean, Safe Creeks and Natural
Flood Protection Program.
2. Project Scope from Grant Application.