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COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
APRIL 24, 2013
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
GREG LARSON, TOWN MANAGER
MEETING DATE: 05/06/13
ITEM NO: S
SUBJECT: SANTA CLARA VALLEY WATER DISTRICT GRANT APPLICATION
ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO APPLY FOR AND ACCEPT GRANT
FUNDS UNDER THE CLEAN, SAFE CREEKS AND NATURAL
FLOOD PROTECTION PROGRAM OF 2000.
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt a Resolution (Attachment 1) to apply for and accept grant funds under the
Comprehensive Stewardship Grant Program of the Clean, Safe Creeks and Natural Flood
Protection Program of 2000.
BACKGROUND:
The Clean, Safe Creeks and Natural Flood Protection Program, administered by the Santa
Clara Valley Water District (SCVWD), is funded through a parcel tax, and was created in
2000 to achieve the following four outcomes over the next 15 years:
® Flood protection for homes, schools, businesses, and transportation.
® Clean, safe water in our creeks and bays.
® Healthy creels and bay ecosystems.
® Trails, parks, and open space .along waterways.
The District developed the Comprehensive Stewardship Grant Program to engage local
partners in meeting the goals of the Clean Safe Creeks and Natural Flood Protection
Program. Grants awarded through this program will provide funding for the construction
and implementation of open space and recreational opportunities in partnership with local
cities and have the following goals:
PREPARED BY: TODD CAPURSO
Director of Parks and Public Works
Reviewed by: 25-�Assistant Town Manager Town Attorney
Clerk Administrator 6P Pinance Community Development
N:\PPW\ MANAGEMENT \COUNCIL \COUNCIL REPORTS\2013 Reports \050613 \SCVWD Grant Application.doex
PAGE 2
APRIL 24, 2013
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: SANTA CLARA VALLEY WATER DISTRICT GRANT APPLICATION
BACKGROUND (cont'd.):
• Create partnerships to provide public access to 70 miles of open space and /or trails
along creeks.
• Increase a sense of community.
• Increase number of bicycle paths available for alternative transportation.
• Increase opportunities for open space, trails and parks incorporated into flood
protection projects.
In 2011, the Town was awarded a $300,000 grant from the Water District through this
program for the Creekside Sports Park Pedestrian Bridge Project, which was intended to
connect the Los Gatos Creek Trail to the new Creekside Sports Park. However, during the
environmental review and design development process for the Creekside Sports Park, the
Town Council directed staff to proceed with the Sports Park construction only, deferring
any action on a pedestrian bridge connection due to concerns from residents regarding the
proposed bridge alignment.
DISCUSSION:
Staff has had several meetings with the Water District and the County of Santa Clara Parks
Department to explore alternatives for a connection between the Los Gatos Creek Trail and
the Creekside Sports Park that would provide trail users with a connection to University
Avenue, and a future link to a Vasona Lake west -side extension that would create a long -
desired trail loop around Vasona Lake. While there are significant design, engineering and
financing challenges with the implementation of a loop trail, the Town has developed a
preliminary project concept that would create a connection between University Avenue and
the Creekside Sports Park, with a subsequent connection to a pedestrian bridge and the
existing Los Gatos Creels Trail. It would also provide an important link. in a Riture Vasona
Lake future loop trail connection.
Staff is recommending that the Town apply for grant funds through the Water District's
Comprehensive Stewardship Grant Program to support the design and construction of this
connection. A more detailed description of the proposed project including exhibits showing
the proposed trail connection alignment is provided in Attachment 2, (Project Scope from
the Grant Application).
Should the grant be approved, staff would retain a consultant to provide preliminary
engineering and design studies for the pathway connection and a pedestrian bridge
connection so that alternatives could be refined and presented at public meetings, as well as
to the Parks Commission and the Town Council. Final design and construction would
follow Council approval of a preferred pathway and bridge alignment.
PAGE 3
APRIL 24, 2013
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: SANTA CLARA VALLEY WATER DISTRICT GRANT APPLICATION
CONCLUSION:
Staff recommends that the Town Council approve a resolution authorizing the Town of Los
Gatos to apply for and accept grant funds under the Clean, Safe Creeks and Natural Flood
Protection Program of 2000 Comprehensive Stewardship Grant Program.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Staff has estimated the cost for design and construction of a trail connection (not including
the pedestrian bridge) at $251,000. The Water District requires a minimum 25% local
snatch, but looks favorably on grant applications that have a higher percentage local match.
Staff is therefore recommending a grant application of $150,000, which would represent a
local match of 40 %. The local match would be provided from the Creekside Sports Park
capital project fund balance.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
The recommended action is not a project as defined under CEQA, and no further action is
required. CEQA review would be conducted as part of the project design.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution to apply for and accept grant funds under the Clean, Safe Creeks and
Natural Flood Protection Program of 2000.
2. Project Scope from Grant Application
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Attachment 1
RESOLUTION
RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL
OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
AUTHORIZING AN APPLICATION FOR GRANT FUNDS
UNDER THE COMPREHENSIVE STEWARDSHIP GRANT PROGRAM OF THE CLEAN,
SAFE CREEDS AND NATURAL FLOOD PROTECTION PROGRAM OF 2000
WHEREAS, the Santa Clara Valley Water District has enacted the Comprehensive Stewardship
Grant Program which provides funds for environmental enhancements and restoration, pollution
prevention and public access to trails and open space; and
WHEREAS, the Santa Clara Valley Water District's Stream Stewardship Unit has been
delegated the responsibility for grant program administration and setting up necessary procedures; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Los Gatos (Grantee) desires to apply for grant funds for design and
construction of a pathway connection from the Los Gatos Creek Trail to University Avenue which
would also serve the new Creekside Sports Park (Project); and
WHEREAS, procedures established by the Santa Clara Valley Water District require a
Grantee's governing body to certify by resolution the approval of Grantee to apply for and accept grant
funds; and
WHEREAS, if approved for funding, the Town will enter into an Agreement with the Santa
Clara Valley Water District.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Council of the Town of Los Gatos
does hereby approve and certify the following;
1. Approves filing of an application for local assistance funds from the Comprehensive
Stewardship Grant Program under the Clean, Safe Creeks and Natural Flood Protection
Program of 2000.
2. Approves the acceptance of grant funds from the Comprehensive Stewardship Grant Program
under the Clean, Safe Creeks and Natural Flood Protection Program of 2000, upon approval
of grant funding from the project by the District Board of Directors; and
3. Certifies that it has or will have sufficient funds to operate and maintain the Project.
4. Certifies that it will review and agree to the Special Provisions, General Provisions and
Financial Provisions contained in any grant agreement; and
5. Appoints the Director of Parks and Public Works Department as agent to conduct all
negotiations, 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
Proj ect.
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Town Council of the Town of Los Gatos
held on the 6th day of May, 2013 by the following vote:
COUNCIL MEMBERS:
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
SIGNED:
MAYOR OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA
ATTEST:
CLERK OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA
PROJECT SCOPE
Pathway Connection from Los Gatos Creek Trail
To University Avenue
General Description
The Town of Los Gatos is requesting grant funding to construct a pathway connection From Los Gatos
Creek Trail to University Avenue. This trail will connect with the proposed Creekside Sport Park
Pedestrian Bridge, adjacent to the Vasona Dam in Los Gatos. Once completed, the trail and bridge
together will connect community members to the Los Gatos Creek Trail, the Creekside Sports Park, as
well as Lark Avenue and University Avenue corridor. The Town owns the land on University Avenue,
and maintains the area of the Los Gatos Creek Trail adjacent to it. The below image illustrates the
proposed Creekside Sports Park Pedestrian Bridge and pathway connection from Los Gatos Creek Trail to
University Avenue.
On October 27, 2012, the Town opened the Creekside Sports Park facility. Prior to the park's grand
opening, residents and community members expressed a strong desire for alternative transportation
options to access this new park. In addition to increasing the accessibility to the new Creekside Sports
Park and the area surrounding the reservoir, the combined bridge and trail projects will more importantly
create a link between the new park, the Los Gatos Creek Trail, and the rest of Los Gatos. Pedestrian and
bike accessibility would also be possible for people that work near the Lark Avenue and University
Avenue corridor. This area is home to approximately a dozen local businesses. It will give employees
who work in this area direct access to the open space areas. The bridge and trail connection pathway
ATTACHMENT 2
PROJECT SCOPE
combined will encourage residents to use the Los Gatos Creek trait as their transportation from
Downtown Los Gatos and other areas of Town to the park.
The pathway connection from Los Gatos Creek Trail to University Avenue will be located adjacent to the
Los Gatos Creek Trait, Vasona Reservoir and the Los Gatos Creek. This location is also near Vasona
County Park and the Town owned Oak Meadow Park. The images below identify the link the bridge and
new connection pathway trail would create between numerous parks, Town parking areas, waterways and
points of interest. The Los Gatos Creek Trail is shown in yellow.
The funding from the Water District would be used towards the design and construction of new
connection pathway, as well as to fiord improvements to the area of the Los Gatos Creek Trail where the
bridge connects. Improvements will include grading enhancements to connect with University Avenue,
along with a retaining wall for trail safety and infrastructure.
After completing a conceptual design of this pathway connection project, the Town will hold public
meetings with the community and Parks Commission to gather feedback on this trail connection.
Additionally, the Town will work collaboratively with the District to address easement issues, and Santa
Clara County Parks to discuss trail connection options. The proposed project team for the Town of Los
Gatos consists of the following staff. Parks and Public Works Director, Streets Superintendent (who also
oversees the Parks division), Town Engineer and Special Projects Manager.
The Town currently dedicates 5 full-time employees to the maintenance of parks and trails. The area of
the trail surrounding the proposed pathway connection trail will be maintained by these staff members.
PROJECT SCOPE
The maintenance of the trail will be added to their tasks, and will be included in all future maintenance
staffing plans.
The Mitigated Negative Declaration documentation will be filed before construction begins on the
project. This is anticipated to take place tentatively in June 2014. In addition, the Town will apply for
encroachment permits from the Water District prior to construction. This will be coordinated as part of
the environmental review process. The project will be subject to all Town permits, as applicable.
The Town of Los Gatos is requesting grant funding to help offset construction costs for the pathway
connection project. Without this funding, the Town will be unable to fund this project on its own.
Creekside Sports Park pictured below
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