2011022203 - Santa Clara Valley Water District Grant Application�oWN of MEETING DATE: 2/22/11
ITEM NO: 3
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
�S CASO
DATE: FEBRUARY 9, 2011
TO: MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL p
FROM: GREG LARSON, TOWN MANAGER
SUBJECT: SANTA CLARA VALLEY WATER DISTRICT GRANT
APPLICATION
ADOPT 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.
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt 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.
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:
• Outcome 1) Flood protection for homes, schools, businesses, and transportation.
• Outcome 2) Clean, safe water in our creeks and bays.
• Outcome 3) Healthy creek and bay ecosystems.
• Outcome 4) Trails, parks, and open space along waterways.
The Trail and Open Space Grant program solicits project proposals for activities
consistent with goals and objectives of Outcome 4. The grant provides funding for the
construction and implementation of open space and recreational opportunities in
partnership with local cities. This is the fourth year that this grant has been offered.
PREPARED BY : TODD CAPURSO
Director of Parks and Public Works
Reviewed by: Assistant Town Manager Town Attorney
Clerk Administrator _4 nee Community Development
N \PF WWANAGEMENT\COUNCIL \COUNCI I. REPORTS\2011 Reports \February 22 \SCV WaterDistrictGrantCouncilReport .doc
PAGE 2
FEBRUARY 9, 2011
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: SANTA CLARA VALLEY WATER DISTRICT GRANT APPLICATION
BACKGROUND (contd.)
The goals of this grant program are as follows:
• 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.
Through approval of the Guiding Principles for the proposed Creekside Sports Park at
930 University Avenue, Council has directed staff to pursue a pedestrian and bicycle
connection to the Los Gatos Creek Trail. While the installation of such a bridge would
provide a benefit to users of the sports park, it could also provide the additional benefit of
providing all users of the creek trail access to University Avenue. Several specific
locations are currently being assessed from both a cost and environmental perspective, so
detailed cost information is not available. However, as an order of magnitude, the cost of
a pedestrian bridge, including engineering and design work, is expected to be
approximately $400,000.
DISCUSSION
Staff is recommending that the Town apply for the Trail and Open Space Grant offered
by the Santa Clara Valley Water District. This year the total grant funds available are
$2,000,000 with no minimum number of recipients. The Santa Clara Valley Water
District will cover up to 75% of projected project costs. The cost share percentage is
requested by the applicant during the application process. The probability of being
awarded this grant decreases as the percentage requested increases. The intent of this
request for grant funding is to build a pedestrian bridge over the Los Gatos Creek,
providing access to the proposed sports park.
The Santa Clara Valley Water District encourages program applicants to pursue projects
that result in the development of trails and open space and provide additional connection
points to existing trail systems. The proposed pedestrian bridge would connect the new
sports park on University Avenue to the Los Gatos Creek Trail. In addition to increasing
the accessibility to this new park, the bridge will create a link between this park, the Los
Gatos Creek Trail system, and the rest of Los Gatos. The development of this bridge will
greatly increase community recreational opportunities along the creek trail and link a
county park, town parks, and public parking. The bridge will allow for and encourage
alternative modes of transportation such as walking and biking to the new sports park and
surrounding businesses. This, in turn, will help reduce the amount of traffic on
University Avenue as well as the need for on -site parking. These objectives are directly
aligned with the goals of the Santa Clara Valley Water District grant program.
PAGE 3
FEBRUARY 9, 2011
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: SANTA CLARA VALLEY WATER DISTRICT GRANT APPLICATION
DISCUSSION (cont'dl
The timeline for this grant program is as follows:
• March 15, 2011 Applications are due.
• July 2011 Awardees are notified.
• January 2012 Awardees must have an executed agreement.
• Dec. 30, 2015 Project must be completed.
The Town has allocated funds to finance the construction of this pedestrian bridge as part
of the sports park construction budget. However, because the design of the sports park
has yet to be finalized, it is not yet possible to predict whether or not the pedestrian
bridge can be constructed as part of the initial construction phase of the project. Should
the Town apply for and be awarded Santa Clara Valley Water District funds, staff would
be able to redirect funds already allocated for the bridge for use on other features at the
new sports facility. Staff is prepared to apply for an amount between 50% and 75% of
the bridge cost ($200,000 to $300,000). Successful application of these funds would
mean a reduced contribution of Town funds towards that element of the project, however,
the bridge would then need to be included as a phase 1 construction element.
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.
FISCAL IMPACT:
If the grant is awarded, the Santa Clara Valley Water District will cover up to 75% of the
cost of building a pedestrian bridge. The Town's financial share, estimated at between
$100,000 and $200,000 will be designated within the current construction budget
identified for the sports park in the Town's CIP.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
The recommended action is not a project as defined under CEQA, and no further action is
required.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. 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.
Attachment 1
RESOLUTION
RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL
OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
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
WHEREAS, the Santa Clara Valley Water District has enacted the Trail and Open Space Grant
Program, which provides funds for the acquisition and development of neighborhood, community, and
regional trail and open space facilities; and
WHEREAS, the Santa Clara Valley .Water District's Stream Stewardship Unit has been
delegated the responsibility for the administration of the grant program, setting up necessary procedures;
and
WHEREAS, said procedures established by the Santa Clara Valley Water District require
Grantee's Governing Body to certify by resolution the approval of Grantee to apply for and accept Trail
and Open Space Grant Program Funds; and
WHEREAS, Grantee will enter into an Agreement with the Santa Clara Valley Water District.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town of Los Gatos approves the filing of
an application for local assistance funds from the Trail and Open Space Grant Program under the Clean,
Safe Creeks and Natural Flood Protection Program of 2000.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Town of Los Gatos certifies that the applicant has or
will have sufficient funds to operate and maintain the project.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Town of Los Gatos 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 project.
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Town Council of the Town of Los Gatos
held on the 22 °a day of February, 2011 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