SEPTEMBER 20, 2005 ACCEPT GRANT FROM THE CITY OF ROLLING HILLS FOR ACQUISITION OF OPEN SPACE AND APPROVE APPLYING FOR GRANT FUNDS

TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL

FROM: DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS

DATE: SEPTEMBER 20, 2005

SUBJECT: ACCEPT GRANT FROM THE CITY OF ROLLING HILLS FOR ACQUISITION OF OPEN SPACE AND APPROVE APPLYING FOR GRANT FUNDS

Staff Coordinator: Lauren Ramezani, Sr. Administrative Analyst

RECOMMENDATION

1. Adopt Resolution 2005- ___, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES ACCEPTING THE TRANSFER OF PER CAPITA FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $220,000 UNDER THE CALIFORNIA CLEAN WATER, CLEAN AIR, SAFE NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS, AND COASTAL PROTECTION ACT OF 2002 FROM THE CITY OF ROLLING HILLS TO THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES
2. Approve the application for grant funds from the State of California, Department of Parks and Recreation, Bond Act of 2002 (Proposition 40) for Per Capita Grant in the amount of $220,000 toward the acquisition of critical natural lands and wildlife habitat in the Portuguese Bend area and Agua Amarga Canyon for preservation as open space.

BACKGROUND

The California Clean Water, Clean Air, Safe Neighborhood Parks, and Coastal Protection Act of 2002 (Proposition 40), responding to the recreational and open-space needs of a growing population and expanding urban communities, is intended to revive state stewardship of natural resources by investing in neighborhood parks, state parks, clean water protection and coastal beaches and scenic areas.

The City and the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy (PV Conservancy) have been working together to acquire property to incorporate into a nature preserve. Negotiations with the owner of properties (Hon Property) that lie largely within the Portuguese Bend area (approximately 424 acres) and within Agua Amarga Canyon (approximately 39 acres) were completed and an agreement has been approved by the City Council on November 2004. These 463 acres will be purchased for the price of

$17,057,000, which is $37,000 per acre.

DISCUSSION

On September 12, 2005, the City Council of the City of Rolling Hills (RH) approved transferring their Proposition 40 Per Capita grant in the amount of $220,000 to the City of RPV towards the acquisition of open space. The attached resolution is needed in order for the City to accept RH's transferred funds, send the certified resolution to the State for their approval and allow RPV to apply for the grant funds. RH's Per Capita funds of $220,000 will offset the PV Conservancy's $4,000,000 share. The City of RPV's share will remain at $1,000,000 and will not be reduced. In August 2005, RH transferred $5,199 in Proposition 40 Roberti-Z'Berg-Harris Block grant funds to the City for the same purpose.

On July 5, 2005 the same Per Capita funds were pledged to RPV and the City Council approved applying for these grant funds at a future date as determined by RH. RH has approved the transfer of grant funds to RPV, accordingly staff is now requesting approval to apply for the grant funds.

FISCAL IMPACT

If approved, RPV will accept the transferred amount of $220,000 from the City of Rolling Hills' Proposition 40 (2002 Bond Act) Per capita grant funds for the purchase of open space in the Portuguese Bend area.

Respectfully Submitted,

Dean E. Allison, Director of Public Works

Reviewed by:

Les Evans, City Manager

Attachment: Resolution 2005- ___

RESOLUTION No. 2005- ___

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY

OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES ACCEPTING THE

TRANSFER OF PER CAPITA FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT

OF $220,000 UNDER THE CALIFORNIA CLEAN WATER,

CLEAN AIR, SAFE NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS, AND

COASTAL PROTECTION ACT OF 2002 FROM THE CITY

OF ROLLING HILLS TO THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES

WHEREAS, the people of the State of California have enacted the California Clean Water, Clean Air, Safe Neighborhood Parks, and Coastal Protection Act of 2002 which provides funds for the Per Capita Grant program to meet the urgent need for safe, open and accessible local park and recreational facilities for increased recreational opportunities; and

WHEREAS, the California Department of Parks and Recreation has been delegated the responsibility for the administration of the grant program within the State, setting up necessary procedures; and

WHEREAS, preservation of natural open space on the Palos Verdes Peninsula is a priority for residents of Rolling Hills and Rancho Palos Verdes; and

WHEREAS, the large areas of open space in the Portuguese Bend area of Rancho Palos Verdes represent the last large, contiguous parcels of natural open space remaining on the Palos Verdes Peninsula; and

WHEREAS, said procedures established by the California Department of Parks and Recreation require the Governing Body for the Eligible Agency to certify by resolution the Acceptance of the Per Capita Grant funds from the Transferring Agency; and

WHEREAS, the Eligible Agency will enter into a Contract for the Per Capita grant funds with the State of California; and

BE IT, THEREFORE, RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES:

1. Gratefully accepts the transfer of the City of Rolling Hills funds from the Per Capita Grant Program under the California Clean Water, Clean Air, Safe Neighborhood Parks and Coastal Protection Act of 2002 to the City of Rancho Palos Verdes in the amount of $220,000; and
2. Appoints the Director of Public Works as agent to conduct all negotiations, execute and submit all documents, which may be necessary for the transfer of said funds.

PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED THE 20th DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2005.

_____________________

MAYOR

ATTEST:

___________________

CITY CLERK

State of California )

County of Los Angeles ) ss

City of Rancho Palos Verdes )

I, CAROLYNN PETRU, City Clerk of The City of Rancho Palos Verdes, hereby certify that the above Resolution No. 2005-____ was duly and regularly passed and adopted by the said City Council at a regular meeting thereof held on September 20, 2005.

_____________________

CITY CLERK