HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-03-10; City Council; 19734; Flower Fields grant allocationsCITY OF CARLSBAD - AGENDA BILL
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FLOWER FIELDS GRANT ALLOCATIONS
AND APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS
DEPT. HEAD
CITY ATTY.
CITY MGR.
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RECOMMENDED ACTION:
That the City Council ADOPT Resolution No. 2009-042 APPROVING three grant requests from
the Carltas Company, and City administrative charges for a total of $44,381 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 $44,382.
The City approved previous Flower Field grant requests on January 4, 2000, May 8, 2001, December
16, 2003, September 28, 2004, December 20, 2005, February 2, 2007, and February 26, 2008. This
current request is for $40,346, plus 10% ($4,035) for administration costs totaling $44,381. The
requested grants are for three key multi-year projects conducted through the 2007-2008 growing
season. The projects and the corresponding grant requests are outlined in the table on the next page.
The grants request has 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.
DEPARTMENT CONTACT: Karen Chen 760-602-2744 kchen@ci.carlsbad.ca.us
FOR CITY CLERKS USE ONLY.
COUNCIL ACTION:APPROVED
DENIED
CONTINUED D
WITHDRAWN D
AMENDED D
CONTINUED TO DATE SPECIFIC D
CONTINUED TO DATE UNKNOWN D
RETURNED TO STAFF D
OTHER-SEE MINUTES D
Page 2 "Flower Fields Grant Allocations and Appropriation of Funds'
Project
Name
Herbicide Trial
Calla Lilly
Project
Methyl
Bromide
Alternatives
City
Administration
Fee
Project Description
• Several new herbicides were trialed in the Flower Fields this past
season targeting the clover weed.
• Herbicide trial was highly successful and has great potential to lower
weeding labor for the project.
• The study is continuing this year with the goal of being able to apply in
an actual production scheme next season.
• A new crop, colored Calla Lilies, offered a complimentary opportunity
to the Ranunculus production of the Flower Fields.
• Trial crops in the 2006-07 & 2007-08 seasons succumbed to soil
diseases.
• Due to the high risk associated with growing the Calla Lilly crop, the
experiment was terminated this season.
• The 2007-2008 trials focused primarily on the few materials and
systems that appear to have potential, yet their usage requires a
significant change in the "cropping system."
• Instead of fumigating entire fields in advance of preparing beds, the
materials will be targeted to already formed beds, thus significantly
reducing the amount of chemicals needed and lower potential
exposure concerns.
• The trial was successful, and as a result, the Flower Fields are now
utilizing this new methodology on 1/3 of the main production blocks this
current season.
• 10% of the grant request for City's administration of the Flower Field
fund and related grant requests.
TOTAL REQUEST:
Grant
Amount
$8,850
$13,949
$17,547
$4,035
$44,381
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Carltas Company is requesting $40,346 from the Flower Fields fund. Given the interest accrual of
the Flower Fields fund at this time (approximately $44,382), there are sufficient funds to cover the
combined grant requests ($40,346) as well as City of Carlsbad administrative costs (10% of grant, or
$4,035) for a total of $44,381.
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:
2009-0421. City Council Resolution No. _
2. Flower Field Grant Request Letter, dated February 11, 2009.
1 RESOLUTION NO. 2009-042
2 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA APPROVING THREE GRANT
3 REQUESTS FROM THE CARLTAS COMPANY FOR
. 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 three grants for research conducted during the
9 2007-2008 growing season; and
10 WHEREAS, the first grant request is for $8,850 for research conducted on new
11 herbicides targeting the clover weed; and
12 WHEREAS, the second grant request is for $13,949 for research conducted on
13 trial crops of Calla Lilies; and
14 WHEREAS, the third grant request is for $17,547 for research conducted on
15 alternatives to Methyl Bromide; and
16 WHEREAS, the City administration fee for all three grants is $4,035; and
17 WHEREAS, staff has reviewed and recommends that each grant is consistent
lg with the purpose stipulated in the agreement between the City and the California
19 Coastal Conservancy and with reasonable and customary costs associated with the
20 scope of work covered in each grant request; and
21 WHEREAS, the Planning Director has determined that the projects covered by
22 the grant requests are categorically exempt from environmental review pursuant to
23 §15301 (existing facilities); and
24 WHEREAS, there are sufficient funds in the special revenue fund to fund both of
25 the grants and the City's administrative costs.
26
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of
~0 Carlsbad, California, as follows:
1 1. That the above recitations are true and correct.
2. That the Flower Fields Grants No. 1, 2, and 3 of 2009 are approved.
3
3. City Council authorizes the appropriation of $44,381 from the Flower
4
Fields Fund to pay for the grants ($40,346) and the City's administrative costs
($4,035).o
Condition:
8
1. Prior to the submittal of any future grant requests, the property owner/applicant
9 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 10th day of March, 2009, by the following vote to wit:
AYES: Council Members Lewis, Kulchin, Hall, Packard and Blackburn.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
-B/VIS, Mayor
ATTEST:
EXHIBIT "2"
-•-•• • -:™
City of Carlsbad February 11, 2009
1635 Faraday Avenue
Carlsbad, California
Attn: Karen Y. Chen
2007-2008 Request for Flower Field Grant Funding
We request funding support for major research projects undertaken in 2007-2008.
Research Work Undertaken
Projects for which support is requested are (1) Tests of a series of new herbicides, (2) an experimental addition of
Calla Lilies as supplemental crop, and (3) continuation of the tests and evaluation of fumigation alternatives to
Methyl Bromide.
While the aggregate of costs incurred exceeds funds we understand are available for grants, we ask for approval
for these projects and funding for approximately 71 % of the costs for a total of $40,346 with the balance of costs
to be borne by the Flower Fields.
1. Herbicide Trial (Grant Requested- $8850)
Several new herbicides were trialed in the Flower Fields this past season. The initial study, done on an early
planting in the main block, indicated high potential against our target weed, clover, for one post emergent
material. This new material could be sprayed over the already germinated ranunculus with little damage to the
ranunculus crop itself yet selectively killed the clover weed. Based on the success of these initial results a larger
scale trial was initiated in the later plantings with the objective of refining the rate and timing of the herbicide
application for maximum weed control. In addition cut flower production and tuber viability were monitored.
This trial was highly successful and has tremendous potential to lower our weeding labor for the project. The
study is continuing this year with the goal of being able to apply in an actual production scheme next season.
Work still needs to be done and data submitted to register the product for this usage with CDFA.
Costs of the half acre experiment ($ 12, 466) are detailed on the attached schedule and billings.
2. Calla Lilly Project (Grant Requested-$13949)
Over the course of the 2006-07 & 2007-08 seasons a trial was initiated in an attempt to expand the income
potential of the Flower Fields. A new crop, colored Calla Lilies, have come onto the market over the last 5 years
and the early indicators were that the Flower Fields could be an ideal location for growing finished bulb stock for
professional growers. The dual retail product, cut flowers and bulbs, offered a complimentary opportunity to the
Ranunculus production.
Tissue cultured bulblets (TVs) were purchased from a supplier in New Zealand and planted out. The crop
progressed very nicely a good quantity of cut flowers were produced but eventually the crop was infected by
Erwinia soft rot and 50% of the bulbs were lost.
Several key points in the culture of colored callas were learned and it was decided to replant the harvested bulbs
(now T2's) in order to size them up. A small quantity of new T1 bulbs was brought in from New Zealand as well to
5600 AVENIDA ENCINAS SUITE 100 CARLSBAD, CA 92008
TELEPHONE 760 930-9123 FAX 760 431-9020 www.theflowerfields.com
continue with the sequence. At the conclusion of the second season once again 35-40% of the bulbs succumbed
to soil diseases.
Due to the high risk associated with growing this crop, the lack of available "high quality" water and what appears
to be a deteriorating market for the finished bulb product, the experiment was terminated this season.
Costs of this 1.5 acre experiment ($19,661) are reflected on the attached schedule.
3. Methyl Bromide Alternatives (Grant Requested-$17547)
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.
A continuation of the work begun some years ago was undertaken in 2007-2008 in a 1 acre trial area.
Over the last several years a multitude of alternative materials have been trialed as replacements for the pending
loss of Methyl Bromide, a soil fumigant, due to the Montreal Protocol. The 2007-08 trials focused primarily on the
few materials and systems that appear to have potential. Inline, Chloropicrin & Midas in conjunction with Vapam
are considered to be the future for the operation however their usage requires a significant change in the
'cropping system". Instead of fumigating entire fields in advance of preparing beds the materials will be targeted
to already formed beds. This targeted fumigation will significantly reduce the amount of chemicals needed and
lower potential exposure concerns.
The goal of our trials this season were two fold(a)reconfirm the effectiveness of these materials and (b) refine the
application methodology to ensure success for expanded usage in the main crop starting with the 2008-09
season. The trial was successful and as a result the Flower Fields are now utilizing this new methodology on 1/3
of the main production blocks this current season.
Papers reporting the results of the various trials have been submitted to a number of scientific publications. An
article on the Methyl Bromide work has been accepted and is currently pending publication.
Costs for this trial area ( $24,716) are detailed on the attached schedule.
Published work on salinity issues for which support is not now requested is enclosed as illustration of the work
being conducted in concert with support from the City of Carlsbad.
Prt
CB Ranch Enterprises
Cc: Michael Mellano
Flower Fields Research/Experimental
July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2008
Expenses:
Pesticides;Fertilizer
Planting Stock - Plugs
Wages & Salaries:
Weeding
Picking
Digging/Prep
Misc.
Payroll Taxes
Workers Compensation
Employee Benefits
Supplies
Gas & Oil
Equipment Leasing
Licenses & Taxes
Repair & Maint. General
Telephone
Misc. General
Utilities
Water
Outside Services
Management Fee
Rent
Interest Crop Year
Interest Bulb Cycle
Jul 07 - Jun 08
(1,052)
(6,400)
(855)
(3,049)
(1,123)
(1,909)
(648)
(335)
(47)
(441)
(333)
(216)
(28)
(168)
(41)
(290)
-
(988)
(458)
(1,002)
(21)
(257)
-
(1,806)
(148)
(650)
(1,834)
(913)
(2,166)
(517)
(178)
(50)
(549)
(297)
(228)
(32)
(212)
(42)
(193)
-
(939)
(409)
(1,068)
(30)
(205)
-
(3,582
(291
(1,293
(3,640
(1,812
(4,296
(1,029
(352
(96
(1,087
(586
(456
(62
(418
(82
(384
-
(1,865
(812
(2,112
(56
(405
-
Total Expenses:
Mellano billiing.xls 1of1
COPY
2/12/2009