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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-02-26; City Council; 19330; Flower Fields Grant Allocations & AppropriationCITY OF CARLSBAD - AGENDA BILL AB# 19,330 MTG. 02/26/08 DEPT. CD FLOWER FIELDS GRANT ALLOCATIONS AND APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS DEPT. HEAD (JW \W CITY ATTY. (ggz CITY MGR. UA-~ RECOMMENDED ACTION: That the City Council ADOPT Resolution No. 2008-052 ., APPROVING two grant requests from the Carltas Company, and City administrative charges for a total of $52,841 to provide aid to the flower growing operations of the Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch, and AUTHORIZING the appropriation of Flower Field grant 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 a $935,000 grant from the Conservancy and deposited it into an interest accruing special revenue account. The agreement with the Conservancy stipulates which research projects may be funded. These include: "species vitality, multiple cropping opportunities, soil variables and conditions, climate, seed promulgation, and marketing analysis". The agreement also stipulates that the amount of funds disbursed be limited to the amount of accrued interest to date not previously expended or encumbered. At this time, the amount of accrued interest in the account is approximately $60,000. The City approved previous Flower Field grant requests on January 4, 2000, May 8, 2001, December 16, 2003, September 28, 2004, December 20, 2005, and February 2, 2007. This current request is for $48,037, plus 10% ($4,804) for administration costs totaling $52,841. The requested grants are for two key multi-year projects conducted through the 2006-2007 growing season. The projects and the corresponding grant requests are outlined in the table on the next page. The grant requests have been reviewed and found consistent with the objectives of the Coastal Conservancy/City of Carlsbad agreement regarding the Flower Field funds. Project budgets were reviewed and found to be reasonable for equipment, supplies, services performed, etc. The City maintains financial accounts relating to the projects and receives written reports outlining how projects met intended objectives. DEPARTMENT CONTACT: Karen Chen 760-602-2744 kchen@ci.carlsbad.ca.us FOR CITY CLERKS USE ONLY. COUNCIL ACTION: APPROVED DENIED CONTINUED WITHDRAWN AMENDED *D D D CONTINUED TO DATE SPECIFIC CONTINUED TO DATE UNKNOWN RETURNED TO STAFF OTHER - SEE MINUTES D D D D Page 2 "Flower Fields Grant Allocations and Appropriation of Funds' Project Name Fumigation Alternatives for Methyl Bromide Seed Selection Project City Administrati on Fee Project Description • Methyl Bromide fumigation has been the most effective field treatment for ranunculas at the Flower Fields. • However, California and the US have established a timeline to ban the use of Methyl Bromide due to ozone layer concerns. • The need to develop a reasonably effective alternative is critical to the long-term survival of the crop. • A series of treatments with drip applied materials under plastic tarps have been used in an approximately 2.5 acre area. • It is anticipated that alternatives will be further focused next year. • Continues successful on-going project. • The 2006-2007 season's selection in an approximately 5 acre area continued focus on color and multiple petal expression. • Based on the most effective demonstrated treatments and delivery system, it is anticipated that alternatives will be further focused next year. • • 1 0% of the grant request for City's administration of the Flower Field fund and related grant requests. TOTAL REQUEST: Grant Amount $18,751 $29,286 $4,804 $52,841 FISCAL IMPACT: The Carltas Company is requesting $48,037 from the Flower Fields fund. Given the interest accrual of the Flower Fields fund at this time (approximately $60,000), there are sufficient funds to cover the combined grant requests ($48,037) as well as City of Carlsbad administrative costs (10% of grant, or $4,804) for a total of $52,841. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: The requested grants are for projects that are exempt from environmental review pursuant to Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), which exempts projects that consist of the "operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond that existing at the time of the lead agency's determination". EXHIBITS: 1. City Council Resolution No. 2008-052 2. Flower Field Grant Request Letter, dated February 6, 2008. 1 RESOLUTION NO. 2008-052 2 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA APPROVING TWO GRANT 3 REQUESTS FROM THE CARLTAS COMPANY FOR 4 RESEARCH PROJECTS INTENDED TO ENSURE THE LONG-TERM PRODUCTIVITY OF THE FLOWER FIELDS 5 AT CARLSBAD RANCH. CASE NAME: FLOWER FIELDS GRANT ALLOCATIONS 6 7 WHEREAS, Carltas Company as property owner and on behalf of the "Flower 8 Fields" grower has filed a request for two grants for research conducted during the 9 2006-2007 growing season; and 10 WHEREAS, the first grant request is for $18,751 for research conducted on 11 effective alternatives to methyl bromide fumigation; and 12 WHEREAS, the second grant request is for $29,286 for research conducted on 13 seed selection for improvements on color and multiple petal expression; and 14 WHEREAS, the City administration fee for both grants is $4,804; and 15 WHEREAS, staff has reviewed and recommends that each grant is consistent 16 with the purpose stipulated in the agreement between the City and the California 17 Coastal Conservancy and with reasonable and customary costs associated with the lg scope of work covered in each grant request; and 19 WHEREAS, the Planning Director has determined that the projects covered by 20 the grant requests are categorically exempt from environmental review pursuant to 21 §15301 (existing facilities); and 22 WHEREAS, there are sufficient funds in the special revenue fund to fund both of 23 the grants and the City's administrative costs. 24 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of 25 _,. Carlsbad, California, as follows:26 27 1. That the above recitations are true and correct. 28 5 1 2. That the Flower Fields Grants No. 1 and 2 of 2008 are approved. 2 3. City Council authorizes the appropriation of $52,841 from the Flower Fields Fund to pay for the grants ($48,037) and the City's administrative costs 4 ($4,804). 5 6 Condition: 7 1. Prior to the submittal of any future grant requests, the property owner/applicant 8 shall submit a report to the Carlsbad Community Development Department detailing how each project met the intended objectives. 9 10 „ 11 // 12 13 14 15 " 16 " 17 // 18 // 19 // 20 „ 21 // 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 H 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Carlsbad on the 26th day of February, 2008, by the following vote to wit: AYES: Council Members Lewis, Kulchin, Hall, Packard and Nygaard. NOES: None. ABSENT: None. IDE A LEWIS, Mayor ATTEST: LORRAINE M. WOOD, City Clerk (SEAL) City of Carlsbad February 6, 2008 1635 Faraday Avenue Faraday Avenue Carlsbad, California Attn: Karen Y. Chen 2006-2007 Request for Flower Field Grant Funding We request funding support in the total amount of $48,037 for major research projects continued in 2006-2007. Research Work Undertaken Projects for which support is requested are continuation of the tests and evaluation of fumigation alternatives to Methyl Bromide and the maintenance of a seed block to reinvigorate and improve the quality of the cultivars. We ask for approval for each of these projects consistent with prior year grants and to the extent funds are available for grants: 1. Seed Selection $29,286 This year's selection in an approximately 5 acre area was continued focus on color and multiple petal expression. Project Budget: Pesticides 4819 Seeds & Plants 111 Wages & Salaries 12044 Payroll Taxes 1067 Workers Compensation 642 Employee Benefits 111 Supplies 1058 Gas & Oil 805 Equipment Leasing 624 Licenses & Taxes 126 Repair & Maintenance-General 784 Telephone 109 Misc. General 234 5600 AVENIDA ENCINAS SUITE 100 CARLSBAD, CA 92008 TELEPHONE 760 930-9123 FAX 760 431-9020 www.theflowerfields.com (o Utilities 11 Water 2578 Outside Services 1175 Management Fee 2892 Rent 96 Total $29,286 2. Methyl Bromide Alternatives $18,751 Methyl Bromide fumigation has been the most effective pre-emergent field treatment for ranunculus, reducing soil disease and pest problems without affecting tuber development. Since the production of bulbs requires growth and drying in the ground and thus prolonged exposure to soil borne pathogens, an effective soil fumigant is very important. California and the US have announced a timetable to ban the use of methyl bromide because of ozone layer concerns. Consequently identification of a reasonably effective alternative is critical to long term survival of the crop. Recognizing the limited funding potentially available this year, we have reduced the area for which support is sought while continuing to test various mixes of pre emergent herbicides and fumigants. A series of treatments with drip applied materials under plastic tarps have been used in an approximately 2.5 acre area. Based on the most effective demonstrated treatments and delivery system, it is anticipated that alternatives will be further focused next year. Data from this past year is being reviewed, and will be added to the overall assessment of efficacy although the conditions of near drought and concomitant impact on growing conditions will make it less consistent with prior year data. The results from these trials continue to be included in overall national studies to determine the best alternative to Methyl Bromide. In electing these experiments within the commercially grown crop, costs of production were increased for the variety of treatments, maintenance of the area and a loss of approximately 1/3 of the bulb production in these areas. The control areas and certain of the treatment areas are expected to produce bulbs with significant disease issues. Additional weeding costs were anticipated and have been incurred and are included in the labor costs. Consequently the project budget reflects the following: Project Budget: Pesticides 3143 7 Seeds And Plants 70 Wages & Salaries 7,680 Payroll Taxes 680 Workers Compensation 410 Employee Benefits 71 Supplies 686 Gas & Oil 511 Equipment Leasing 399 Licenses & Taxes 81 Repair & Maintenance-General 500 Telephone 70 Misc. General 150 Utilities 4 Water 1,639 Outside Services 749 Management Fee 1,848 Rent 60 Total $18,751 Other research continues, but in light of the anticipated reduced funding available we request support only for the above projects. Total Grant request $48,037 CB Ranch Enterprises Cc: Michael Mellano