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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-11-19; Agricultural Conversion Mitigation Fee Committee Ad Hoc; ; Report on Status of Remaining Projects Awarded with ACMF AGRICULTURAL CONVERSION MITIGATION FEE (ACMF) AD HOC CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE Staff Contact: Pam Drew, Associate Planner, Community & Economic Development 760-602-4644  pam.drew@carlsbadca.gov Agenda Item: #6 Subject: Report on Status of Remaining Projects Awarded with ACMF Funding Meeting Date: November 19, 2015 Of the 11 remaining projects that have been awarded with ACMF grant funding:  One project has received full disbursement of funding and project implementation is complete (I included this project since I recently received a status report);  Two projects have received full disbursement of funding and project implementation is in progress;  Five projects have received partial disbursement of funding and project implementation is in progress; and  Three projects have received no disbursement of funding. Exhibit 6.1 provides a summary of the status of the remaining projects awarded with ACMF funding. Additionally, status reports from individual grantees are attached as Exhibits 6.2 through 6.6. Exhibits: 6.1 Status Summary for Awarded Projects 6.2 – 6.6 Status Reports Exhibit 6.1 REVISED: 11/10/15 PROJECT STATUS SUMMARY FOR REMAINING AWARDED ACMF GRANTS Breakdown of Encumbrance and Disbursement Totals for Remaining Approved Projects PROJECT NUMBER ELIGIBILITY CATEGORY PROJECT NAME PROJECT DESCRIPTION GRANTEE FUNDING APPROVED FUNDING DISBURSED DISBURSED FUNDING SPENT BY GRANTEE FUNDING NOT YET DISBURSED PROJECT STATUS/NOTES PROJECTS FOR WHICH FULL FUNDING HAS BEEN DISBURSED (PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION IN PROGRESS) AGP 13-03 B Orchard, Fields and Floral Trade Center Access Creation of an access road off Carlsbad Ranch agricultural lands connecting Cannon Road and Car Country Drive. Carlsbad Ranch Company, L.P. $600,000 $600,000.00 $600,000 $0 Project status update received September 2015 (Exhibit 6.5). Project Complete AGP 06-03 D BLF Nature Center Improvements Nature Center replacement and improvements. Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation $180,732 $180,732 $92,732 $0 Remaining $92,732 issued on October 2015. Project status update not received. Grantee will give status update at committee meeting. AGP 13-06 D Kiosk Refurbishment and Interpretive Signage Installation Kiosk and interpretive signage for Buena Vista Lagoon trail system Buena Vista Audubon Society $23,500 $$23,500 $0 $0 Check request submitted November 4, 2015. Project status update received October 2015 (Exhibit 6.6). PROJECTS FOR WHICH PARTIAL FUNDING HAS BEEN DISBURSED (PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION IN PROGRESS) AGP 06-04 C & D Buena Vista Lagoon Boardwalk Engineering design and environmental studies for a boardwalk. Buena Vista Lagoon Foundation $164,000 $106,000 $93,000 $58,000 Project status update received October 2015 (Exhibit 6.2). AGP 06-12 A Batiquitos Lagoon Monitoring/Management Plan Monitor and develop management plan for lagoon. Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation $780,5891 $41,995 TBD $738,594 Grantee will give status update at committee meeting. AGP 06-13 C Agua Hedionda Lagoon Trails Maintenance and construction of trails around Agua Hedionda Lagoon. Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation $305,750 $185,620 $112,974.66 $120,130 Check request submitted on October 16, 2015 for $75,000. Project status update received October 2015 (Exhibit 6.2). AGP 09-03 A Batiquitos Lagoon North Shore Trail Planning and design of Murphy Trail Bypass Boardwalk and Rosalena Trail. Ayers property acquisition. Mitsuuchi property wetland restoration and trail building. Invasive species removal at Rosalena/San Pacific/Highway 101 areas. Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation $98,572 $59,754 $48,530.51 $38,818 Project status update not received. Grantee will give status update at committee meeting. AGP 13-05 B Orchards and Field Crop Installation and Development Installation and cultivation of blueberries, tangerines, hops, olives and pitahaya (dragon fruit) Carlsbad Ranch Company, L.P. $271,000 $176,000 $147,882 $95,000 Project status update received October 2015 (Exhibit 6.5). PROJECTS FOR WHICH NO FUNDING HAS BEEN DISBURSED (PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION NOT INITIATED) AGP 13-01 D Nature Center Replacement Project— Grant Augmentation Additional funding for previously awarded grant to replace lagoon nature center Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation $49,542 $0 $0 $49,542 Project status update received November 2015 (Exhibit 6.4). The grantee dropped off the signed grant Agreement on November 9, 2015 for city signatures. Once the agreement has been signed the remaining monies can be dispersed. AGP 13-02 A Lagoon Ecological Reserve North Shore Restoration—Phase 2 Planning, public outreach, invasive plant treatment and removal, habitat restoration, maintenance and reporting Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation $20,733 $0 $0 $20,733 Project status update not received. Grantee will give status update at committee meeting. 1 Entire request encumbered, but approved only portion ($74,995) at present to allow for data collecting and reporting and maintenance. Exhibit 6.1 REVISED: 11/10/15 PROJECT NUMBER ELIGIBILITY CATEGORY PROJECT NAME PROJECT DESCRIPTION GRANTEE FUNDING APPROVED FUNDING DISBURSED DISBURSED FUNDING SPENT BY GRANTEE FUNDING NOT YET DISBURSED PROJECT STATUS/NOTES AGP 13-04 B Floral Trade Center Improvements Coolers, display and supporting equipment for operation of relocated Floral Trade Center Carlsbad Ranch Company, L.P. $162,833.53 $0 $0 $162,833.53 Project status update received October 2015 (Exhibit 6.5). TOTAL $7,852,061.53 $6,467,059 TBD $1,385,002.53 KEY ELIGIBILITY CATEGORY A Restoration of the coastal and lagoon environment including but not limited to acquisition, management and/or restoration involving wildlife habitat or open space preservation. B Purchase and improvement of agricultural lands for continued agricultural production, or for the provision of research activities or ancillary uses necessary for the continued production of agriculture and/or aquaculture in the city’s coastal zone, including, but not limited to, farm worker housing. C Restoration of beaches for public use including, but not limited to local and regional sand replenishment programs, vertical and lateral beach access improvements, trails, and other beach-related improvements that enhance accessibility and/or public use of beaches. D Improvements to existing or proposed lagoon nature centers. Status of Agricultural Conversion Mitigation Fee Grant (AGP 06-13 Agua Hedionda Trails Program) Total Funding: $305,750.00 1 Phase 1 of this grant is complete and thus remaining funds can be transferred to phase 3.1. 2 Maintenance on Kelly Trail is complete and thus remaining funds can be transferred to phase 3.1. Milestone/Task Approximate Date of Completion Approximate Cost Funding Spent To- Date Distributed Funds Remaining to be Spent PHASE 1 1.1 Removal of invasive species and other improvements for Hubbs Trail (outer lagoon) Completed $15,000.00 13,115.67 $1,884.33 1.2 Discovery Center/DFG Trail Improvements Completed $20,000.00 $20,000.00 $0.00 1.3 Ongoing Maintenance Years 1-5 Completed $15,500.00 $15,000.00 $500.00 PHASE 1 TOTALS $50,500.00 $48,115.67 $2,384.331 Milestone/Task Approximate Date of Completion Approximate Cost Funding Spent To- Date Distributed Funds Remaining to be Spent PHASE 2 2.0 Trail System Maintenance, Years 5- 10 August 2016 $49,520.00 $21,200.00 $28,320.00 2.1 Kelly Trail Maintenance and Improvements Completed $4,800.00 $1,560.34 $3,239.662 2.2 Public Access Easement Maintenance and Improvements August 2016 $11,500.00 $1,475.70 $10,024.30 2.3 Hubbs Trail Maintenance and Improvements Dec 2018 $20,000.00 $600.46 $24,299.54 2.4 Discovery Center Trail Maintenance and Improvements August 2016 $11,000.00 $1,722.49 $9,277.51 PHASE 2 TOTALS $96,820.00 $26,558.99 $70,261.01 Funding Spent to Date: 112,974.66 Total Remaining Funding: $192,775.34 Distributed Funds Remaining to be Spent: $72,645.34 Undistributed Funds: $120,130.00 Agua Hedionda Lagoon Trails and Identified Tasks Completed 2.0: Trail System Maintenance; Years 5-10  Created interpretive signage plan for all current trails and access easements.  Established a trail volunteer base for trail maintenance and oversight.  Established trail of the month program that incorporates volunteer maintenance events on weekends and weekdays.  Monitor trails and public access easements weekly. 2.1: Kelly Trail Ongoing Maintenance and Improvements  Maintenance of trail in conjunction with the DFG, AHLF, and City’s ongoing program.  Removed invasive species along and adjacent to the trail.  Resurface and/or erosion repairs to trail and disturbed areas  Removed overgrowth of dense vegetation in the center of the trail using tractor.  Blocked unauthorized trails with removed native vegetation.  Constructed and installed informational kiosk on Via Hinton side of trail.  Applied supplemental decomposed granite donated by RCP Block & Brick.  Installation of trash cans, dog waste stations, and interpretive signage with assistance from the City of Carlsbad. 2.2: Public Access Easement Ongoing Maintenance and Improvements  Maintenance of access easements in conjunction with stakeholders, AHLF, California Coastal Commission (CCC), and City’s ongoing program.  Met with CCC to understand encroachments and limitations. 3 Due to lack of access into the CDFW ecological reserve and other limitations the completion date of additional trails remains TBD. We still plan on expanding the trail system especially in regards to a trail connection to the Discovery Center. 4 Additional funds are needed to complete the expansion of the Discovery Center Trail. Milestone/Task Approximate Date of Completion Approximate Cost Funding Spent To- Date Distributed Funds Remaining to be Spent PHASE 3 3.0 Trail Construction TBD3 $120,130.00 $0 $0.00 3.1 Discovery Center Trail Construction November 2015 $68,300.004 $38,300.00 $0.00 PHASE 1 TOTALS $38,300.00 $0.00  Worked with CCC to fix encroachment issues on L&R easement (CDP 6-88-477) o The L&R easement now has full public access and includes trail regulation signs, bike racks, benches, and a fountain at very little cost to the Foundation.  Designed and replaced damaged signage identifying the public access easements and entities involved in maintenance and monitoring (CCC and AHLF).  Redesigned and replaced trail regulation signs to assure accordance with City ordinances and laws.  Accepted OTD’s for four new conservation easements surrounding the Agua Hedionda Lagoon.  Fixed erosion issues to enhance drainage along Cade property using DG and rip rap.  Pruned native vegetation and removed invasive Pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana) along Cade easement.  After removal of invasives, replanted the area with native vegetation including Creeping Black Sage (Salvia mellifera repens), Coastal buckwheat (Erigonum cinereum), Coast Sunflower (Encelia californica), and Dwarf Coyote Brush (Baccharis pilularis pilularis Pigeon Point). 2.3: Hubbs Trail Ongoing Maintenance and Improvements  Maintenance of trail in conjunction with stakeholders, CCC, AHLF, and City’s ongoing program.  Working with lagoon stakeholders and neighbors to address access issues and problems including erosion issues.  Installed interpretive signage designed and created in phase 1.3 of grant 6-13.  Removed invasive species along and adjacent to trail.  Installed new concrete trash can in response to increased traffic.  Designed and replaced slates on memorial bench due to graffiti and scratching in the original.  Cleared drainage structures on lower cliff and installed erosion control along (straw wattles, mulch).  Redistributed eroded sand and filled in ruts with tractor.  Redesigned and replaced trail regulation signs to assure accordance with City ordinances and laws.  Acquired volunteer trail captain to patrol trail weekly, fill out inspection forms, and report to the AHLF.  Acquired a $5,000 grant from the National Environmental Education Foundation for volunteer events on Hubbs trail. 2.4: Discovery Center Trail Ongoing Maintenance and Improvements  Maintenance of trail in conjunction with DFG, AHLF, and City’s ongoing program.  Replanting disturbed areas, removing invasive species, and restoring habitats adjacent to the trail.  Resurface and erosion repairs using tractor.  Removed overgrowth on and adjacent to the trail following nesting season.  Installed 6 cubic yards of donated redwood mulch along trail and garden.  Redesigned and replaced trail regulation signs to assure accordance with City ordinances and laws.  Installed 20 cubic yards of pea-sized gravel on areas of trail where water pooled after heavy rainfall.  Installed bioswale and check dams to address erosion and stormwater management issues. 3.1: Discovery Center Trail Construction  Striping completed.  Retaining walls installed.  Curbing and edging added to trail.  SWPP and erosion control added. Agua Hedionda Lagoon Trails and Work Task in Progress:  Erosion control project planned for Hubbs trail on November 20th in preparation for El Nino. o Working with SDG&E for help with volunteers and funding for materials. o Adding straw wattles, minor grading, and gravel bags as recommended to us by the City of Carlsbad’s parks and recreation  Install temporary stay on the trail signs at Hubbs prior to permanent interpretive signage installation.  Installation of new kiosk on Garfield entrance of Hubbs trail. o Amendment to management plan was approved by CCC and SCC.  Long term maintenance and management at Hubbs Trail hillside. o Researching grants on erosion control and stormwater management and permanent structures to minimize runoff.  Installing different permeable surfaces on new discovery center trail with educational nodes. o Design and install interpretive signage on the different permeable surfaces available to the public.  Designing new interpretive sign for Discovery Center trail discussing stormwater management and what structures we use to minimize runoff (bioswale, check dam, etc.).  Researching additional interpretive signage for DC trail describing different ecological aspects of the lagoon and surrounding wetland.  Complete planting of bioswale currently located on Discovery Center Trail.  Fixing tractor and subsequently purchasing trailer for transport.  Repair of split-rail fence on L&R easement with financial assistance from HOA.  Monitoring encroachments on Cade easement with assistance from the CCC. o Following correction of these encroachments, we will remove vegetation currently blocking public access during high tide. o Grade small trail and revegetate area to allow access.  Redesigning and replacing informational signage on Cade and Gallagher public access easements. EXHIBIT 6.5 Carlsbad Ranch Company Grant Update- Floral trade Center and Marketplace Project October 1, 2015 Pursuant to the recommendation of the advisory committee, the Carlsbad City Council approved a series of grants, directed at enhancing the long term sustainability of agriculture in the area designated for agriculture proximate to Cannon road. Our project envisioned the addition of specialty food crops to the existing floral production, coupled with a series of facilities for distribution of onsite production, as well as the translation from farm to table products, in an environment analogous to the Flower Fields. In doing so, the project is intended to increase the value of the production, to enhance the access of the Carlsbad community and its visitors to the agricultural areas and experience, and to create a lively place for engagement with agricultural production. The project , now named North 40 Urban Farm, is introduced on our a website at http://www.carlsbadnorth40.com. The complexity of the project requires multiple initiatives, 3 of which were supported by the grants from the mitigation fund.  AGP 13-03—Orchard, Fields and Floral Trade Center Access Design and development immediately followed approval of the grant, and initial construction of the most significant element- access from Cannon Road and major frontage improvements- was initiated to coordinate with the construction of the desalination line work in Cannon. This expedited work reduced to potential for interference with traffic flow. Below is a photo some of the work. The project frontage on Cannon is complete. Additional work on interior roadways will be undertaken concurrent with the remaining project development. Total costs for the initial work ($607,227) used in full the grant funding ($600,000)largely as a result of additional storm water treatment/management requirements, and landscaping costs. The result is better than planned in its aesthetics, while addressing the critical infrastructure need. The completed work has made a significant difference in field operations.  AGP 13-04—Floral Trade Center Improvements Leasing is progressing with Floral Trade Center tenants for whose benefit this grant will be applied during construction of the facility with selected distributors, wholesalers, and producers of floral products who are currently in temporary or unsatisfactory locations. Occupancy is targeted for late 2017, and the grant funds will likely be applied in late-2016. The ability to underwrite part of the cost of the tenant improvements for coolers and other significant items has made financial viability more certain.  AGP 13-05—Orchards and Field Crop Installation and Development Crop installation and related field preparation and infrastructure began shortly after the grant was confirmed. The major water line was installed, and crops are in process of installation. We have made some changes in the crop mix in light of concerns over certain pest issues and availability of planting stock. Distributed grant funds were used to pay for completed waterline construction ($37,324), Field Preparation and cultural costs (2013-$40,500, 2014- $42,295) and for planting stock for olives blueberries and coffee ($20,763). A ½ acre planting of tangerines failed ($7000) as a result of disease and insect issues. Replanting was deferred in light of concerns over “greening “ disease and lack of effective controls. Additional plantings of Hops have been deferred while assessment of various varieties continues. The area of blueberry production was expanded by 50% and the plants have thrived. We anticipate marketable production in 2016. Below are some of the blueberries showing the maturation of the plants After a series of discussions and evaluation with a specialty nursery in Ventura, we acquired and have planted a variety of coffee that is suited for our climate. We anticipate ultimately planting approximately 300 plants which will provide a reasonable production for roasting and sale at the North 40, as well as with other local coffee roasters. The growth is good so far with potential harvestable crop in 2017. Approximately 600 Olive trees have been planted and are in good health . . . Delays in processing construction have slowed the anticipated planting schedules and funds targeted to be drawn for cultural costs this year have not yet been requested. Additional Funding The grants contemplated additional funding in January of 2015 and 2016 which have not yet been requested but will be requested as cultural and harvesting costs are incurred. The grant support has been critical to the initiation of the project and we continue to be appreciative for this funding. Please let us know if you require further information.