HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-01-04; City Council; 15561; Flower Fields Grants- *? 113
CITY OF CARLSBAD -AGENDA BILL
AB# w TITLE: DEPT. HD. Y -
MTG. /4/, /a /go* FLOWER FIELDS GRANTS NO. 1 AND 2 AND CITY ATTY. SE- APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS
DEPT. PLN # CITY MGR +‘-
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
That the City Council ADOPT Resolution No. dm- 09 , APPROVING two grant requests by the
Carltas Company for a total of $70,374 to provide aid to the flower growing operations on the
Carlsbad Ranch and AUTHORIZING the appropriation of funds.
ITEM EXPLANATION:
On June 30, 1997, the City entered into an agreement with the California Coastal Conservancy to
administer grants supporting floriculture research for the preservation of the “Flower Fields” located
on the Carlsbad Ranch. On August 29, 1997, the City received the $935,000 grant from the
Conservancy and deposited it into an interest accruing special revenue account.
The agreement with the Conservancy stipulates the acceptable research projects include, without
limitation: species vitality, multiple cropping opportunities, soil variables and conditions, climate,
seed promulgation and marketing research. The agreement also stipulates that the amount of funds
that may be disbursed from the $935,000 special revenue account be limited, in each fiscal year, to
the amount of accrued interest not previously expended or encumbered.
The Carltas Company, as land owner and representing the “Flower Fields” grower (Mellano), has
requested two separate grants to fund projects that would assist in the long term production at the
“Flower Fields”. The first project would complete a dual reclaimed water/potable water system to
serve the “Flower Fields”. The project involves the installation of a specially designed back-flow
prevention system that would allow either reclaimed or potable water to be delivered to the fields by
the same system. Utilization of reclaimed water at the “Flower Fields” could free over 40 million
gallons of potable water for the community annually. The grant request for this project is $33,489.
The second project is targeting seed development and new plant selection to preserve the “best”
forms and colors of the current varieties of ranunculus. Selection and variety improvement are
critical to the long-term preservation of the “Flower Fields” operation by helping maintain the
operation as a dominant source of ranunculus in the world market. The project involves the
development of a two acre plot segregated from the main growing area. The various colors of
ranunculus would be grown in individual groupings separated by barriers to ensure seed purity and
color integrity. The plants then undergo constant management for selection of the most vibrant
colors and the “best” or truest form of the ranunculus plant. The management would be performed
by the same senior personnel and the senior grower involved in the main operation, however, a
separate accounting system will be employed so that costs associated with the project can be
segregated from the costs associated with the main operation. The grant request for this project is
$36,885.
The Planning Department has reviewed the grant requests and recommends that they are
consistent with the purpose stipulated in the agreement with the Coastal Conservancy.
Furthermore, each project budget was reviewed and found consistent with the reasonable and
customary charges for equipment, supplies, utilities, salaries (including benefits), services
performed, etc. Pursuant to Carlsbad’s agreement with the Conservancy, the City will maintain
standard financial accounts, documents and records relating to the implementation of the projects.
This will include an audit of actual costs incurred by each project and a requirement for the project
proponent (grantee) to submit a report upon project completion detailing how the projects met their
intended objectives.
PAGE 2 OF AGENDA BILL NO. /< f&f
ENVIRONMENTAL:
The Planning Director has determined that both projects are minor alterations to existing facilities
and/or operations, and therefore, categorically exempt from environmental review pursuant to
§I5301 (existing facilities) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The Planning
Department will file the notices of exemption following project approval.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The two projects are requesting a total of $70,374. When the grant application was made, the
special revenue account had insufficient interest accrual to fund both projects. Subsequently, the
account has accrued approximately $122,580 in interest. Currently there is sufficient interest
income to fund the two projects and to cover Carlsbad administrative costs (estimated to be 10% of
the grant or $7,037.40).
EXHIBITS:
1. City Council Resolution No. &Qco~
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RESOLUTION NO. 2000-09
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING TWO GRANT
REQUESTS FOR THE CARLTAS COMPANY TO PROVIDE
RESEARCH AND ASSISTANCE TO ENSURE THE LONG-TERM
PRODUCTIVITY OF THE CARLSBAD RANCH FLOWER FIELDS
CASE NAME: FLOWER FIELDS GRANTS NO. 1 &2
The.City Council of the City of Carlsbad, California, does hereby resolve as
follows:
WHEREAS, Carltas Company, as property owner and on behalf of the “Flower
Fields” grower, has filed a request for two grants; and
WHEREAS, Grant No. 1 requests $33,489 to construct a dual reclaim/potable
water system; and
WHEREAS, Grant No. 2 requests $36,885 to conduct research on selection and
variety improvement of ranunculus; and
WHEREAS, staff has reviewed and recommends that each grant is consistent
with the purpose stipulated in the agreement between the City and the California Coastal
Conservancy and with reasonable and customary costs associated with the scope of work
covered in each grant request; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Director has determined that projects covered by the
grant requests are categorically exempt from environmental review pursuant to §I5301
(existing facilities) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA); and
WHEREAS, there are sufficient funds in the special revenue account to cover
both grants and the City’s administrative costs.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the following:
1. That the foregoing recitations are true and correct.
2. That Flower Fields Grants No. 1 and 2 are approved and appropriations in
the amount of $77,411.40 are hereby authorized subject to the following:
Conditions:
1. Upon each project’s completion, the grant recipient shall submit a report to the Planning
Director, detailing and/or summarizing how the project met the intended objective.
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2. Upon each projects completion, the grant recipient shall submit to the Planning Director, an
accounting of all costs incurred by and specific to each project.
3. The Planning Director or his designee will review the accounting and determine the validity
of the costs. If the actual grant is determined to be more than the validated costs, the
applicant shall, within 30 days of said audit, refund the difference to the City.
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of
Carlsbad on the 4th day of JANUARY 2000, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES. Council Members Lew&, Hall, Finnila, Nygaard, Kulchin
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
CLAUDE A. lk!flS~&$or
ATTEST:
KAREN R. KUNDTZ, Assistant City Clerk (SEAL)
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