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.