HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-12-06; City Council; 18363; Open Space Management Plan OSMPc) w zi a a a a
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AB# 18,363 TITLE:
MTG. 12/6/05 OPEN SPACE MANAGEMENT PLAN (OSMP)
DEPT. PLN CITYMGR
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
That the City Council ADOPT Resolution No. 2005353 ACCEPTING the Open Space
Management Plan and AUTHORIZING staff to negotiate a contract with the Center for Natural Lands
Management to provide maintenance of City-owned open space land located within the City’s habitat
preserve system and to send out Requests for Proposals for the purpose of retaining a qualified
biologist to serve as the Preserve Steward to provide the City with scientific advice on managing the
HMP preserve system.
ITEM EXPLANATION:
In December 2002, the City entered into a contract with Technology Associates International
Corporation (TAIC) to prepare an Open Space Management Plan (OSMP). A goal team consisting of
representatives from Planning, Public Works and Finance was established to work with TAIC to
prepare the plan. Input to the plan was provided by interested citizens, property owners, developers,
environmental groups, and the wildlife agencies. The final draft of the Plan which addressed the
comments received from interested parties was completed in May of 2004. It was not brought
forward to the City Council at that time because the HMP had not received its final approval from the
wildlife agencies. Final approval of the HMP occurred in November of 2004 and it is now appropriate
for the Council to consider acceptance of the OSMP.
The purpose of the OSMP is:
1. To describe a process and structure for open space management and monitoring in the City
of Carlsbad.
2. To identify and describe key open space management issues in the City.
3. To recommend strategies and solutions for effectively handling these open space
management issues.
4. To quantify expected management and monitoring costs for implementation of the HMP and
the OSMP.
The preparation and acceptance of the OSMP also is intended to satisfy one of the requirements of
the State and Federal Wildlife Agencies and the California Coastal Commission as part of the
approval of the Habitat Management Plan and Implementing Agreement. The requirement was that
the City identify how the habitat preserve system will be managed, maintained and monitored.
The OSMP document is arranged to follow the four main purposes described above. The process
and structure for open space management is discussed in the Introduction (Section 1) and
Organization of OSMP Areas (Section 2). The key open space issues are identified, and solutions
are recommended, in Section 3 of the Plan. Estimated costs for management and monitoring are
provided in Appendix A of the Plan (Carlsbad OSMP Funding Analysis).
The major requirements for implementation of the HMP as identified by the OSMP are as follows:
1. Fund the management in perpetuity of City-owned land in the HMP preserve system
(approximately 600 acres);
2. Require developers to prepare project-specific management plans for privately-owned habitat
areas located in their projects and ensure that they have provided adequate funding to
manage, maintain and monitor the habitat areas;
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3. Act as the coordinator of preserve management activities by various public and private
entities to ensure management consistency throughout the City;
4. Prepare an annual report on implementation of the HMP and hold an annual public meeting
on the report;
5. Retain a biological consultant to serve as the Preserve Steward and to provide scientific
advice to assist the City in addressing preserve management and monitoring issues and
preparing the annual report; and
6. Work with other jurisdictions in the region to seek regional funding for management of preserve areas that are not currently receiving biological management and monitoring.
The primary item to be addressed by the City is the management needs of City-owned open space
lands located within the habitat preserve system, and the costs associated with performing this
management. The OSMP indicates that 604 acres of City-owned land will be included in the habitat
preserve system. The cost for providing management, maintenance and monitoring of that land is
estimated to be $180,625 annually, or approximately $300 per acre per year. First year costs will be
higher due to the need for capital outlay (i.e., fencing, signage, and start-up costs). The cost for year
one including one-time start-up costs, is estimated to be $396,992 (in 2003 dollars). These cost
estimates by City-owned parcels are summarized on Exhibit 2 to this Agenda Bill. These cost figures
are estimates at this time. There may be areas where savings can be achieved after further study by
staff or certain costs may have increased since the Plan was prepared. The City Council is not being
asked to expend any funds or authorize any expenditure at this time. Staff will return at a subsequent
Council meeting with precise costs and funding alternatives. The purpose of this report is to provide
a foundation for subsequent funding decisions.
One of the keys to successful management of open space areas is to utilize the services of
experienced experts in the field. The goal team is recommending that staff be authorized to initially
negotiate with the Center for Natural Lands Management (CNLM) as a sole source for such services.
CNLM already manages all of the Villages of La Costa and the Kelly Ranch habitat open space.
They will also be managing the habitat associated with Carlsbad Oaks North project and are in
discussions with the developers of several other major projects in the city. For economics of scale,
consistency of maintenance and monitoring, continuity with other large habitat areas and level of
experience and knowledge in Carlsbad, sole source is recommended. Staff is requesting
authorization to negotiate with CNLM to arrive at a proposed contract for management of the 604
acres of City-owned land. Upon conclusion of those negotiations, staff would return to Council with a
draft agreement and recommended funding sources and alternatives. If an acceptable contract with
CNLM cannot be negotiated, staff will return to Council with alternatives.
The OSMP also identifies the need for a Preserve Steward or biological expert to provide science-
based technical advice; guidance and coordination on managing and monitoring the HMP preserve
system. One of the Preserve Steward’s key responsibilities will be to continuously evaluate the
effectiveness and efficiency of habitat management activities in view of the resources available and
ensure that the most cost effective measures are consistently used. The Preserve Steward would
also direct the collection of all monitoring data, review all data and reports, formulate hypotheses
regarding the status of species within the habitat, prescribe adaptive management programs when
needed, prioritize threats to the preserve system and direct management actions accordingly. Staff is
recommending that the City retain the services of a private consultant rather than hire a permanent
city employee to perform these functions. The cost for the biological consultant will be included in the
annual cost for the management of the City-owned habitat lands.
ENVIRONMENTAL:
Approval of the staff recommendation is categorically exempt from the requirements of the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), per section 15307 of the State CEQA Guidelines (Actions for
Protection of Natural Resources). A Notice of Exemption will be filed after City Council Action.
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PAGE 3 OF AGENDA BILL NO. /8,3 6.3
FISCAL IMPACT:
The cost to prepare the Open Space Management Plan was $100,000. It is estimated that the cost
to maintain City-owned land within the preserve system will be $180,625 per year, based on the
estimates provided in the OSMP. After staff has had an opportunity to negotiate with CNLM, staff will
return with precise costs and alternatives for funding.
EXHIBITS:
1. City Council Resolution No. 2005-353 , accepting the Open Space Management Plan and
authorizing staff to negotiate the terms of a management agreement with the Center for
Natural Lands Management and to distribute RFPs for a Preserve Steward.
Summary of costs to manage, maintain and monitor City-owned land as part of the habitat
preserve system
Open Space Management Plan (OSMP) dated May 2004 (Revised September 2005), on file
in the office of the City Clerk.
2.
3.
DEPARTMENT CONTACT: Michael Grim, (760) 602-4623, mgrim@ci.carlsbad.ca.us
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RESOLUTION NO. 2005353
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA, ACCEPTING THE CITY OF
CARLSBAD OPEN SPACE MANAGEMENT PLAN AND
AUTHORIZING STAFF TO NEGOTIATE A CONTRACT WITH
THE CENTER FOR NATURAL LANDS MANAGEMENT TO
LOCATED WITHIN THE HABITAT PRESERVE SYSTEM AND
TO SEND OUT REQUESTS FOR PROPOSALS FOR A
BIOLOGIST TO SERVE AS THE HABITAT PRESERVE
STEWARD.
CASE NAME:
PROVIDE MAINTENANCE FOR CITY-OWNED OPEN SPACE
OPEN SPACE MANAGEMENT PLAN
WHEREAS, it is necessary to establish strategies and a structure for the
management, maintenance, and monitoring of open space lands in the City of Carlsbad; and
WHEREAS, final approval of the City’s Habitat Management Plan requires the
City Council to approve a plan which addresses on-going maintenance of habitat lands located
in the City’s open space system; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to determine the costs and scope of work of
entering into a contract with a conservation management firm to provide maintenance of City-
owned open space located within the City’s habitat preserve system; and
WHEREAS, the City Council did on the 6th day of Decmber
2005, review the Open Space Management Plan (OSMP) which addresses strategies, structure
and estimated costs for the on-going management, maintenance, and monitoring of open space
lands.
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Carlsbad, does hereby
resolve as follows:
1. That the above recitations are true and correct.
2. That the City Council approves the report entitled “Open Space
Management Plan.”, dated May 2004 (Revised September 2005), on file in the office of the City
Clerk.
3. That the City Council authorizes staff to proceed with negotiation of a
contract with the Center for Natural Lands Management to provide maintenance for city-owned
open space land located within the City’s habitat preserve system as a sole source pursuant to
Carlsbad Municipal Code Section 3.28.100 and to return to City Council for execution after the
completion of negotiations and to return to City Council for execution after completion of
negotiations.
Y
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a.
b.
C.
d.
e.
f.
CNLM currently manages over 1000 acres of habitat in the city
including the Villages of La Costa, Kelly Ranch and the Carlsbad
Oaks North project. CNLM are negotiating to manage many more
acres including Bressi Ranch. It is important that the provider of
this service provide a uniform level of maintenance of service
throughout the city.
CNLM is the only large conservation entity doing habitat
maintenance in North County. Some other firms are starting to
provide the service but do not have a proving track record.
CNLM worked on the City's Open Space Management Plan
preparing the financial analysis for habitat management so they
understand the cost associated with this service.
CNLM has local offices and a local presence and are very familiar
with what it takes to manage habitat in North County and Carlsbad
specifically.
CNLM are uniquely familiar with Carlsbad's habitat types, species,
and the Carlsbad HMP.
CNLM have submitted several years of annual reports on the
status of lands that they are currently managing in the city which is
important for doing the annual report that the city needs to prepare
regarding implementation of the HMP.
4. That the City Council authorizes staff to send out Request for Proposals
for the purpose of retaining a qualified biologist to serve as the Preserve Steward and to
provide the City with technical advice in managing the HMP preserve system.
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of
Carlsbad on the 6th day of December 2005, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: Council Members Lewis, Hall, Kulchin, Packard, Sigafoose
NOES: None
ATTEST:
(SEAL)
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EXHIBIT 2
Estimated Annual Maintenance Cost
of
City-Owned Property in the HMP
City-owned property Subsequent
Years First Year
Lake Calavera (owned by Water District) 164,318 74,762
Golf Course 131,454 59,810
Other City-owned Property 101,220 46,053
Total Maintenance Cost 396,992 180,625
Cost Per Acre $ 7,303 $ 299
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Open Space Management Open Space Management PlanPlan
BackgroundBackgroundzFinal Habitat Management Plan (HMP) approved by City Council in November 2004.zImplementation of HMP requires several additional documents and regulations.zOpen Space Management Plan (OSMP) is a critical component to guiding HMP implementation and preserve management.
Agenda ItemsAgenda ItemszThree components:–Open Space Management Plan approval.–Negotiate for Preserve Manager to manage and monitor City-owned HMP preserve lands.–Create Preserve Steward (certified biologist) and authorize bid advertisement.
OSMP PurposeOSMP PurposezDescribe a process and structure for open space management and monitoring–Generalized structure to assist in guiding individual preserve management plans.zIdentify and describe key management issues within the City–Individual preserve areas will have different management issues.
OSMP PurposeOSMP PurposezRecommend strategies and solutions for effectively handling management issues–Issues and adaptive management techniques for each preserve will vary.zQuantify expected management and monitoring costs for HMP and OSMP implementation–Per acre costs are estimates and may vary.
OSMP RequirementsOSMP RequirementszFund the management in perpetuity of approximately 600 acres of City-owned HMP preserve lands.zRequire developers to prepare project-specific management plans for private HMP lands and ensure funding for management and monitoring in perpetuity.
OSMP RequirementsOSMP RequirementszCoordinate preserve management activities by public and private entities to ensure consistency throughout City.zPrepare an annual report on HMP implementation and hold annual public meetings for reporting and education.
OSMP RequirementsOSMP RequirementszRetain a biological consultant to act as Preserve Steward, providing scientific advice to the assist City in preserve management and monitoring issues and annual report preparation.zWork with other jurisdictions to seek regional funding for preserve areas lacking management and monitoring.
CityCity--owned HMP Landsowned HMP LandszApproximately 600 acres.zRequires retention of a Preserve Manager.zEstimated annual cost (in 2003 dollars):–First year = $397,000–Subsequent years = $181,000–Based upon Property Analysis Record (PAR) in OSMP Appendices.
Preserve ManagerPreserve ManagerzQualified Preserve Manager key to effective ongoing management of HMP lands.zCenter for Natural Lands Management (CNLM) has a successful record and currently manages several large open space areas in City.zEconomy of scale for managing numerous properties, whether public or private.
Preserve StewardPreserve StewardzServes as City’s biological expert for reviewing management plans, addressing management and monitoring issues, preparing annual reports, and overseeing individual preserve managers.zMust be certified biologist with experience in habitat planning and management.zConsultant to City rather than employee.
Public InvolvementPublic InvolvementzCity has conducted a public involvement program for OSMP over the last two and one half years:–Public Workshop in March 2003, including Wildlife Agencies.–Distribution of draft OSMP and receipt of comments from agencies and North County Open Space Coalition.
Public InvolvementPublic Involvement–Review and discussion of comments, incorporation of comments into document where appropriate, and redistribution of OSMP in 2004.–Receipt of additional agency comments and meeting to discuss in early 2005.–Revision to OSMP based upon additional agency comments and redistribution to agencies.
Public InvolvementPublic InvolvementzIn addition, City staff met with interested parties on November 22, 2005 and distributed copies of OSMP.zAdvised meeting participants of eminent hearings on a number of HMP-related items and recommended they request specific noticing via City website of all upcoming hearings on HMP issues.
Remaining TasksRemaining TaskszTo fully effectuate HMP implementation, the following tasks remain:–General Plan and Local Coastal Program Amendment to designate hardline preserve areas as Open Space.–Adoption of Zoning Ordinance regulations for HMP implementation.–Revision of HMP Mitigation Fee.
Remaining TasksRemaining Tasks–Lake Calavera Mitigation Bank Agreement–Staff Guidelines to assist in HMP implementation (e.g. wetland buffers and mitigation).–Annual Report(s) and annual public meetings.
RecommendationRecommendationzAdopt Resolution No. 2005-353 to:–Approve Open Space Management Plan;–Authorize staff to negotiate with CNLM to manage City-owned HMP preserve lands;–Authorize staff to request proposals for a Preserve Steward.
Open Space Management Open Space Management PlanPlan