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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-11-17; Agricultural Conversion Mitigation Fee Committee Ad Hoc; ; Report to Committee on Available Funding and Potential Grant SolicitationsSubject: Meeting Date: November 17, 2008 Agenda Item #8 CITY OF CARLSBAD AGRICULTURAL COVNERSION MITIGATION FEE AD HOC CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE Report to Committee on Available Funding and Potential Grant Solicitations November 17, 2008 As reported at the September 2, 2008 Agricultural Conversion Mitigation Committee meeting, the estimated unencumbered/available fund balance within the Agricultural Conversion Mitigation Fee account is estimated at no less than $701,936. Given that there have been no additional encumbrances or deposits into this account as a result of additional land being converted to urban uses, it is staff's assessment that this number remains an accurate approximation of the unencumbered fund balance. As stated at the September 2, 2008 Committee meeting, it is additionally recognized that conversion of remainder coastal agricultural lands to urban (non-agricultural) uses has potential to generate an additional $1 -1.5 million over time for inclusion in the fund balance. Staff continues to estimate that the unencumbered monies within the Agricultural Conversion Mitigation Fee fund may have potential to increase to approximately $1.7 -$2.2 million (excluding added interest income) before implementation of the Agricultural Conversion Mitigation Fee program is exhausted. For reference purposes, a copy of the agenda report presented at the September 2, 2008 meeting and pertaining to available funding and potential grant solicitations has been attached to this report as Exhibit 1. Respectfully Submitted, PLANNING DEPARTMENT Exhibits: 1. September 2, 2008 Agenda Report on Available Funding and Potential Grant Solicitations Subject: Meeting Date: September 2, 2008 Agenda Item #7 CITY OF CARLSBAD AGRICULTURAL CONVERSION MITIGATION FEE AD HOC CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE Report to Committee on Available Funding and Potential Grant Solicitations September 2, 2008 Available Funding and Fund Augmentation (Revisited): As previously reported, the estimated unencumbered/available fund balance within the Agricultural Conversion Mitigation Fee account as of August 18, 2008 is estimated at $701,936. It is additionally recognized that conversion of remainder coastal agricultural lands to urban (non-agricultural) uses has potential to generate an additional $1 -1.5 million for inclusion in the fund balance. Staff estimates that the unencumber~d monies within the Agricultural Conversion Mitigation Fee fund may have potential to increase to approximately $1.7 -$2.2 million (excluding added_· interest income) before implementation of the Agricultural Conversion Mitigation Fee program is exhausted. Pursuit of Grant Solicitation: Should the Committee desire to pursue solicitation of grant proposals to encumber the remaining $701,935.59 (or any portion thereof), by recommending Council approval of grant appropriations at this time, staff is available as a support resource to assist in the administration of the grant solicitation and review process. Due to the difference in fund balance currently available compared to funds available for recommendation of grant approval during the Committee's original grant solicitation process in September 2006 ($6 million), the Committee may additionally desire to revisit procedural concepts such as proposal solicitation strategy and proposal consideration/evaluation criteria. However, if the Committee desires to change the criteria or strategy, such changes may require Council approval, which would likely and significantly delay any solicitation and review of proposals by the Committee. Fund Reservation for Future Use: If, however, the Committee desires not to solicit grant applications at this time, it is likely that the fund balance will grow due to interest income and potential charge of mitigation fees on land converting to urban uses; which may provide the committee with opportunity to recommend approval of larger and/or more grant allocations at a future date. Stat( additionally notes that if the Committee desires not to proceed with grant proposal solicitation at this time, the Committee does maintain opportunity to revisit the issue at a later date. If the Committee chooses to delay soliciting proposals at this time, the Committee should note the following two items. First, according to the Comm.ittee's chartering resolution adopted by City Council, life of the Committee was limited to a four year term, which is scheduled to terminate on August 2, 2009. Pursuant to Resolution . 2005-242, the Committee, "shall cease to exist unless on or before that expiration date Exhibit 1 the City Council acts by further resolution to renew its term in either the same or an amended state." Second, the chartering Resolution requires the Committee to meet twice each year. Accordingly the Committee should plan to meet again during its fourth year, which is scheduled to conclude on August 2, 2009. Respectfully Submitted PLANNING DEPARTMENT