HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-04-26; City Council; 20514; FLOWER FIELDS ALLOCATIONS FUNDS APPROPRIATIONCITY OF CARLSBAD - AGENDA BILL
AB#
MTG.
DEPT.
-20,514
4/26/11
CED
FLOWER FIELDS ALLOCATIONS
AND APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS
DEPT. DIRECTOR^
CITY ATTORNEY
CITY MANAGER
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
That the City Council ADOPT Resolution No. 2011-069 . APPROVING two grant requests
from CB Ranch Enterprises a subsidiary of Carltas Company, and City administrative charges
for a total of $19,800 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 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 $21,864.
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, February 26,
2008, March 10, 2009, and April 27, 2010. This current request is for $18,000, plus 10%
($1,800) for administration costs totaling $19,800. The requested grants are for two major
research projects conducted in 2009-10. 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: Michele Masterson 760-602-4615 michele.masterson@carlsbadca.gov
FOR CITY CLERKS USE ONLY.
COUNCIL ACTION: APPROVED
DENIED
CONTINUED
WITHDRAWN
AMENDED
*D
D
D
D
CONTINUED TO DATE SPECIFIC
CONTINUED TO DATE UNKNOWN
RETURNED TO STAFF
OTHER -SEE MINUTES
D
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Page 2
"Flower Fields Grant Allocations and Appropriation of Funds"
Project
Name
Herbicide Trial
Methyl Bromide
Alternatives
City
Administration
Fee
Project Description
• Several new herbicides were again trialed in the Flower
Fields this past season targeting the clover weed.
• Herbicide trial was successful and has potential to lower
weeding labor for the project.
• Larger blocks were treated this year than last with the intent
that during the 2010-11 season they should be able to
conclusively determine if there are any issues with residual
herbicide activity that could carry over from one season to the
next.
• The 2009-1 0 trials were again inconsistent. Poor germination
and even plant death was apparent in most trial areas.
• Results are consistent with what has been observed in other
methyl bromide dependent crops.
• Continue to focus on herbicide alternatives during the 2010-
1 1 growing season.
• 10% of the grant request for City's administration of the
Flower Field fund and related grant requests.
TOTAL REQUEST:
Grant
Amount
$14,000
$4,000
$1,800
$19,800
FISCAL IMPACT:
CB Ranch Enterprises a subsidiary of Carltas Company is requesting $18,000 from the Flower
Fields fund. Given the interest accrual of the Flower Fields fund at this time (approximately
$21,864), there are sufficient funds to cover the combined grant requests ($18,000) as well as
City of Carlsbad administrative costs (10% of grant, or $1,800) for a total of $19,800.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT:
The requested grants are for projects, which 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. 2011-069
2. Flower Field Grant Request Letter, dated March 30, 2011.
EXHIBIT 1
1 RESOLUTION NO. 2011-069
2 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
CARLSBAD CALIFORNIA, APPROVING TWO GRANT
3 REQUESTS FROM CB RANCH ENTERPRISES, A SUBSIDIARY
OF CARLTAS COMPANY FOR RESEARCH PROJECTS
4 INTENDED TO ENSURE THE LONG-TERM PRODUCTIVITY OF
THE FLOWER FIELDS AT CARLSBAD RANCH.
5 CASE NAME: FLOWER FIELDS GRANT ALLOCATIONS
6
WHEREAS, CB Ranch Enterprises, a subsidiary of Carltas Company as property
7
owner and on behalf of the "Flower Fields" grower has filed a request for two grants for research
conducted during the 2009-10 growing season; and
9 |
WHEREAS, the first grant request is for $14,000 for research conducted on new
10
herbicides targeting the clover weed; and
WHEREAS, the second grant request is for $4,000 for research conducted on12
alternatives to Methyl Bromide; and
13
WHEREAS, the City administration fee for both grants is $1,800; and14
WHEREAS, staff has reviewed and recommends that each grant is consistent
with the purpose stipulated in the agreement between the City and the California Coastal16
Conservancy and with reasonable and customary costs associated with the scope of work
covered in each grant request; and18
WHEREAS, the Planning Director has determined that the projects covered by
the grant requests are categorically exempt from environmental review pursuant to §15301
71 (existing facilities); and
~~ 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 1 • That the above recitations are true and correct.
27 2. That the Flower Fields Grants No. 1 and 2 for 2009-10 are approved.
28 3. City Council authorizes the appropriation of $19,800 from the Flower
1 „
Fields Fund to pay for the grants ($18,000) and the City's administrative
2
costs ($1,800).
3 Condition:
4 1. Prior to the submittal of any future grant requests, the property owner/applicant shall
submit a report to the Carlsbad Community and Economic Development Department
5 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 April, 2011, by the following vote to wit:
AYES: Council Members Hall, Kulchin, Blackburn, Douglas and Packard.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
'ORRAfNE M. WOOD, City Clerk
(SEAL) v
»I *
EXHIBIT 2
CITY OF CARLSBAD
APR 04/Oil
Community & Economic
Dth'tilopnieni Department
City of Carlsbad March 30, 2011
1635 Faraday Avenue
Faraday Avenue
Carlsbad, California
Attn: Michele Masterson
2009-2010 Request for Flower Field Grant Funding
We request funding support tor major research projects undertaken in 200Q-10.
Research Work Undertaken
Projects for which support is requested are (1) Tests of a series of new herbicides, and (2)
continuation of the tests and evaluation of fumigation alternatives to Methyl Bromide.
While the aggregate of costs incurred (summarized on attached) exceeds funds we understand
are available for grants, we ask for approval for these projects and funding for approximately 16%
of the total costs for a total of $18,000 with the balance of costs ($97,301) borne by the Flower
Fields.
1. Herbicide Trial (Grant Requested- $14,000)
Several new herbicides were again trialed in the Flower Fields in 2009-10. This represents a
continuation of trails with material previously used in 2008-09 which indicated a high potential
against our target weed, clover, for one post emergent material. This material could be sprayed
over the already germinated ranunculus with little damage to the ranunculus crop itself yet
selectively killed the clover weed.
This trial was very successful and definitely has potential to lower our weeding labor for the
project. The timing of application was refined as was the rate to what are considered to be
functional levels. There were still some minor physical affects to the flowers on some of the
ranunculus that were more advanced at the time of herbicide application but not enough to
appreciably affect yields.
The herbicide is post emergent in activity and timing is critical. For maximum impact the clover
seeds need to be sprouted at the time of application. This could limit the effectiveness for the
early warm season plantings when clover germination is low but definitely has large potential for
the late fall sow dates.
Larger blocks were treated this year than last with the intent that in the 2010-11 season we
should be able to conclusively determine if there are any issues with residual herbicide activity
that could carry over from one season to the next. In addition we will be able to determine if there
are any issues from multi year usage.
Costs requested for grant funding for this trial area are detailed on the attached schedule and
billings. Totals are rounded for amounts of less than $1.00 on the summary schedule.
2. Methyl Bromide Alternatives (Grant Requested-$ 4,000)
5600 AVENIDA ENCINAS SUITE 100 CARLSBAD, CA 92008
TELEPHONE 760 930-9I23 FAX 760 43I-9020 www.theflowerfields.com
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 2008-2009 in a 5 acre trial
area.
2009-10 trials were again inconsistent. Poor germination, stunting and even plant death was
apparent in most trial areas. Areas that were cropped 2 years in a row using the alternative
materials were especially prone to these problems. These results unfortunately are consistent
with what has been observed in other methyl bromide dependent crops. It is felt that the light
sandy nature of the soil at the Flower Fields only further aggravates the situation. In order for the
alternatives to be considered useable it is mandatory that we see consistent, repeatable, positive
results and plant performance. Variability from one year to the next is unacceptable. It seems
that for the soil type at the Flower Fields we will need to rely on broadcast, tractor applied
fumigants rather than the drip applied materials. Most alternative fumigants currently registered
along these lines have limited ability weed control ability so it will be critical that we continue to
focus on herbicide alternatives as above.
Invoices paid for the research work are attached.
Very/Trluly Yours,
Presid«
I
CB Ranch Enterprises
Cc: Michael Mellano