HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-05-08; City Council; 16177; Flower Fields Grant Requests No. 3 & 4CITY OF CARLSBAD -AGENDA BILL
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DEPT.
FLOWER FIELDS GRANT REQUESTS NO. 3 AND 4
AND APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS
CITY MGR~Z? )
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
That the City Council ADOPT Resolution No. do 0 j - j 3 5 APPROVING two grant
requests by the Carltas Company for a total $43,118 to provide aid to the flower growing operations
on the Carlsbad Ranch, and appropriating all related 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 involved a half-acre experimental plot devoted to developing two
new color mixes (purple and cafe). The cafe color is dominated by browns and oranges, and other
fall colors that could enhance an off-season (fall) crop. The purple has not been offered before and
it is currently a highly desirable color. The project commenced in July of 1999, and is now complete.
The grant request for this project is $7,472 and it is to reimburse the applicant for 100% of out-of-
pocket expenses.
The second project targeted 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 involved the development of a two-
acre plot segregated from the main growing area. The various colors of ranunculus were grown in
individual groupings separated by barriers to ensure seed purity and color integrity. The plants then
underwent constant management for selection of the most vibrant colors and the “best” or truest
form of the ranunculus plant. The management was performed by the same senior personnel and
the senior grower involved in the main operation, however, a separate accounting system was
employed so that costs associated with the project were segregated from the costs associated with
the main operation. This project also commenced July 1, 1999. The grant request for this project is
$35,648 to reimburse the applicant for 100% of out-of-pocket expenses.
The Planning Department has reviewed the grant requests and recommends that they are
consistent with the purpose stipulated in the agreement with the Conservancy. Furthermore, both
projects have been completed and the actual costs have been audited and found to be consistent
with reasonable and customary charges for equipment, supplies, utilities, salaries (including
benefits) services performed, etc. Pursuant to the Carlsbad’s agreement with the Conservancy, the
City will maintain standard financial accounts, documents and records relating to the implementation
of the projects.
PAGE 2 OF AGENDA BILL NO. ) b, ) 7 7
Since both projects have been completed, the project proponent (grantee) has submitted the
required report detailing how the projects met the intended objectives. The smaller of the two
projects (cafe and purple color selection) had mixed success. The cafe, dominated by brown and
orange did not do well in the market and therefore, this color selection will not be pursued in the
future. The purple block was more consistent in true color than in the past and the color was well
received by the flower market. There was significant progress made in the seed selection project
(the larger project). The research crop produced seed that generated “true to color” and “true to
form” bulb selection.
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 (CEQA Guidelines, Existing Facilities). The Planning Department will file the notices of
exemption following project approval.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The two projects are requesting a total of $43,118. When the grant application was made, the
special revenue account had sufficient interest accrued to fund both projects. As of December 31,
2000, the account has accrued approximately $124,488 in interest. Currently there is sufficient
interest to fund the two projects and to cover Carlsbad administrative costs (estimated to be 10% of
the grant or $4,311.80).
EXHIBITS:
1. City Council Resolution No. am I- 1 3.5
2. Grant Request Letter, dated November 6‘2000
3. 1999-2000 Grant Request Studies, dated January 20, 2001.
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RESOLUTION NO. 2001-135
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA APPROVING TWO GRANT
REQUESTS BY 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. 3 AND 4
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 $7,472 to develop two new color mixes (purple
and cafe); and
WHEREAS, Grant No. 2 requests $35,646 to conduct research on selection and
variety improvement; and
WHEREAS, staff has reviewed and recommends that each grant is consistent
with the purpose stipulated in the agreement between the City of Carlsbad 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 the projects covered by
the grant requests are categorically exempt from environmental review pursuant to 515301
(CEQA Guidelines, Existing Facilities); and
WHEREAS, there are sufficient funds in the special revenue account to fund both
of the grants and the City‘s administrative costs; and
WHEREAS, City Council authorizes the Finance Director to appropriate $47,430
to pay for the grants and the City’s administrative costs.
The City Council of the City of Carlsbad, California, does hereby resolve as
follows:
1. That the foregoing recitations are true and correct.
2. That the Flower Fields Grants No. 3 and 4 are approved.
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PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of
Carlsbad on the 8th day of May , 2001, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: Council Members Lewis, Kulchin, Finnila, Nygaard and Hall.
NOES: None.
SENT: None.
AI-TEST:
(SEAL)
-2-
November 6,200O
EXHIBIT 2
Gary E. Wayne
Assistant Planning Director
City of Carlsbad
1635 Faraday Ave.
Carlsbad, CA 92008
REk Grant Request - Flower Fields
Dear Gary:
Delivered with this letter is a Grant request for the Flower Field fund for two projects
supporting 1999/2000 activities.
Support is requested for the costs associated with two breeding development projects: (1)
a 2-acre seed selection block targeted at selecting for true color and form for production
of seed from seed, and (2) focused larger planting for selection of two new color mixes
(purple and cafe).
This is the second year of work with a seed selection block using seed to seed production.
The first year (1998-1999) experience was less successful than this year. The seed yield
this year was higher, and it appears that the germination rate is good.
This is also the first year of an effort to breed a “cafe” color, dominated by browns,
oranges, and other fall colors that may enhance an off season (fall) crop. In addition, a
hardy, field-grown purple was selected in significant numbers.
Continued breeding selection will be necessary to develop consistent performing bulb
and seed before commercial introduction,
Both projects represent important directions in the development of the cut flower
program, which offers the greatest improvement in farming revenue.
All of these projects were undertaken engaging Mellano and Company as farmer, with
consultation from the University of Riverside and various bulb and cut flower growers.
5600 AVENIDA ENCINAS SUITE 100 CARLSBAD, CA 92008
TELEPHONE 760 930-9 123 FAX 760 43 I-9020 www.theflowerfields.com 5-
Gary E. Wayne
November 6,200O
Page 2
Attached hereto is a detailed summary of the project costs together with the paid Me&no
invoices,
Please let me know if you require additional information.
Very truly yours,
CCC/dd
Enclosures
S:\CCCUsETTERS\WAYNE FLOWER FIELDS GRANT ZoM).doc
b
Gary E. Wayne
November 6,200O
Page 3
Grant Request Amount: $35,646.00
Project Description:
Two acres of ranunculus planted exclusively for the purpose of developing seed for the
best forms and colors of the current varieties. Each color is separated by a barrier to
insure seed purity and color integrity. Plants will undergo constant individual selection to
support only the most vibrant colors with flower and plant material truest to form.
Project Benefit:
Selection and variety improvement is critical to the long-term preservation of Tecolote
Ranunculus and operation of The Flower Fields. To maintain The Flower Fields stature
as the dominant source of ranunculus in the world market and its Carlsbad coastal
presence, The Flower Fields must establish and continue this proposed research program.
Finest quality and the most vibrant color is the only way in which The Flower Fields can
compete with third world labor and cultural costs to maintain its own preservation.
Proiect Budget:
Selection Research: 2 acres
Pesticides $5,512
Wages & Salaries 15,421*
Payroll Taxes 1,400
Workers Compensation 293
Employee Benefits 153
Supplies 2,296
Gas & Oil 418
Equipment Leasing 422
Licenses & Taxes 192
Repair & Maint. General 365
Telephone 29
Misc. General 418
Utilities 31
Water 3,280
Outside Services 1,173
Management Fee 4,200
Rent 43
Total $35,646.00
*Two dollar (2.00) variance due to rounding.
Project Timing
S:\CCC\LETTBRS\WAYNE Fl .OWER FIELDS GRANT 2C03.dcc
Gary E. Wayne
November 6,200O
Page 4
Work commenced July 1,1999.
Grant Request Amount: $7472
Proi ect Description:
Approximately one-half acre planted with newly developed color varieties for purposes
of selecting for cut quality, color, and evaluation of bulb quality.
Project Benefit:
Identification and development of a fall-oriented color palate will allow for specialty
marketing of the cut flower crop. If successful, this color mix will also enhance the long-
term bulb sales to greenhouse cut flower growers.
Purple is a highly desirable color which has not been offered in the Tecolote line. The
effort to develop a relatively consistent line will enhance overall crop marketability.
Project Budget:
Special color selection
Pesticides $1156
Wages & Salaries 3232
Payroll Taxes 294
Workers Compensation 62
Employee Benefits 32
Supplies 482
Gas & Oil 88
Equipment Leasing 88
Licenses & Taxes 40
Repair & Maint. General 76
Telephone 6
Misc. General 88
Utilities 6
Water 688
Outside Services 246
Management Fee 880
Rent 8
Total $7472.00
Proi ect Timing:
Work commenced July 1, 1999.
S-\CCC\LETTERS\WAYNE FLOWER FIELDS GRANT 2ooO.dw
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February 20,200l
Gary Wayne
Assistant Planning Director
City of Carlsbad
1635 Faraday Avenue
Carlsbad, CA 92008
REl: Revised Letter and Grant Request
Dear Gary:
Enclosed is the revised letter and Grant request tying to the $43,118 with footnote noting
that the salary and compensation number on the selection grant, through rounding was
overstated by $2.00, therefore in the project budget it is reduced by $2.00 to tie to the
final costs and invoices.
I’ll separately be sending you a report regarding the project for you to include in the
agenda bill. I’ll try to have that to you before the end of the week.
for fl e Flower Fields
CY cc/so
S~'CCC\LETmRS'WAY~W~~~ ENCINAS SUITE 100 CA 92008 CARLSBAD,
TELEPHONE 760 930-9123 FAX 760 431-9020 www.theflowerfields.com 9
February 20,200l I.. ,’ I : / : I. . .
Gary E. Wayne
Assistant Planning Director
City of Carlsbad
163 5 Faraday Avenue
Carlsbad, CA 92008
RE: 1999/2000 Grant Request Studies
Dear Gary:
The purpose of this letter is to summarize the results of the two projects funded in
1999/2000.
1. Seed selection
A grant was requested for a second years work on selection of crops on a seed to
seed production. In prior years the results which were obtained from using seed
to produce new seed rather than using selected bulbs to produce seed was less
than satisfactory. Colors were not true and were often mixed.
During 1999/2000 the work was again pursued using selected seed from true color
flowering crops to then create seed producing block of flowers.
The primary reason for the seed to seed effort is that a seed produced seed will
tend to be less impacted by viruses and other elements which can weaken the
vigor and the genetic stability of the bulb produced flower and thus provides the
strongest potential seed for future development.
In this years crop significant progress was made in having true to color and true to
form bulb selection. Additional work will need to be done to improve the number
and the dominance of the multi-petaled “double” parent products from the seed to
seed production as well in some of the colors production continues to be seed
production and the trueness continues to be weak. However we are encouraged
by the results of the work since it will allow us to develop a strongest line possible
for field production.
5600 AVENIDA ENCINAS SUITE 100 CARLSBAD, CA 92008
TELEPHONE 760 930-9123 FAX 760 431-9020 www.theflowerfields.com
Gary E. Wayne
February 20,200l
Page 2
2. Cafe
For the second year in a row and this time in a larger block a cafe colored
dominated by browns and oranges was grown. These “fall” colors were tested in
spring sales as well as in some fall sales. While there was clearly acceptance in
fall, it appears that the season will be too short to use this as a primary line. In
springtime the colors were not particularly sought by the florists because of the
dominance of the brighter pastels and other colors. Accordingly although we’re
satisfied that we’ve developed a color mix which is satisfactorily dominated by
fall colors, it does not appear that we will be able to use it as a commercial vehicle
in the future. We do intend to retain the work that was done and maintain a small
and continuing block of these colors.
3. Purple
One of the target objectives at the Flower Fields program over an extended period
of time has been the development of a field grown purple, which could be added
to the current mix of colors. A large block was grown this year. The produced
block was more consistent than the smaller block seen in the past and a significant
number of the products were of a deep purple hue which is the color being
selected.
The cut flower color was well received, but significant work still needs to be done
in order to improve the consistency by color and by multiple petal appearance.
However, this years work demonstrated that the selection to date has created a
viable crop.
Thank you very much for the support and please feel free to call me with any questions or
comments you may have regarding the forgoing.