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WITHDRAWN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
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CONTINUED TO DATE SPECIFIC
CONTINUED TO DATE UNKNOWN
RETURNED TO STAFF
OTHER - SEE MINUTES
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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.
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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.
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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