HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-03-07; City Council; ; Agricultural Conversion Mitigation Fee Grant RequestsCA Review __RK____
Meeting Date: March 7, 2023
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Scott Chadwick, City Manager
Staff Contact: Nicole Piano-Jones, Program Manager
nicole.pianojones@carlsbadca.gov, 442-339-2191
Subject: Agricultural Conversion Mitigation Fee Grant Requests
District: All
Recommended Action
Adopt a resolution allocating funds from the Agricultural Conversion Mitigation Fee Fund to:
Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation for $62,000, Buena Vista Audubon Society for $30,687,
Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch for $50,000, and Carlsbad Aquafarms, Inc. for $230,000;
authorize the City Manager to execute a letter of agreement with each grant recipient; and
authorize the Deputy City Manager of Administrative Services to appropriate $372,687 in the
Agricultural Conversion Mitigation Fee Fund to administer the grants.
Executive Summary
Certain agricultural parcels within the City of Carlsbad’s Coastal Zone can be converted to urban
uses, such as residential or commercial developments, only if the developers pay a fee to the
city intended to mitigate it for the loss of the agricultural land (Carlsbad Municipal Code Section
21.202.060 - Development of coastal agricultural land.) The mitigation fees accumulate in the
Agricultural Conversion Mitigation Fee Fund and are then made available as grants to
organizations proposing coastal-focused improvement and restoration projects.
The City Council is being asked to approve grants from the Agricultural Conversion Mitigation
Fee Fund to four organizations totaling $372,687, as recommended by an advisory committee.
Organization Project Requested
Aqua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation Discovery Center Door Replacement $62,000
Buena Vista Audubon Society Nature Center Improvements $30,687
Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch Recycled Water Trial $50,000
Carlsbad Aquafarms, Inc. Living Shoreline Restoration Project $230,000
Total requested $372,687
The Municipal Code requires all agricultural mitigation fees to be expended based on the
recommendations of an advisory committee and as approved by the City Council.
March 7, 2023 Item #4 Page 1 of 19
Explanation & Analysis
The City Council authorized staff to solicit grant requests for new projects last May (Resolution
No. 2022-104). Applications were accepted for approximately three months; four new grant
project proposals were submitted
Under Municipal Code Section 21.202.060(D)(2), the proceeds of the agricultural conversion
mitigation fees may be used to fund projects meeting one of four eligibility criteria:
• Restoration of the coastal and lagoon environment including but not limited to
acquisition, management and/or restoration involving wildlife habitat or open
space preservation
• Purchase and improvement of agricultural lands for continued agricultural
production, or for the provision of research activities or ancillary uses necessary for
the continued production of agriculture and/or aquaculture in the city’s coastal
zone, including but not limited to farm worker housing
• Restoration of beaches for public use including, but not limited to local and regional
sand replenishment programs, vertical and lateral beach access improvements,
trails and other beach related improvements that enhance accessibility and/or
public use of beaches
• Improvements to existing or proposed nature centers
The Agricultural Conversion Mitigation Fee Citizen’s Advisory Committee meets as needed to
review new grant proposals and make recommendations to the City Council.
The Municipal Code also specifies that the committee may develop policies and procedures for
the review of requests and the allocation of funds. Based upon the approved method of carrying
out the committee’s directive (Exhibit 2), the following list identifies the criteria for proposals
the committee considers.
• New projects (not ongoing programs)
• Projects must benefit the Coastal Zone (located inside or outside the Coastal Zone)
• Projects not yet completed by the date the City Council approves the funding
• Requests must be for at least $2,500
• Extent to which the projects fulfill eligibility criteria
• Benefit to Carlsbad residents
• Honor Carlsbad’s history
• Applicants’ capacity to carry out the projects
• Projects’ feasibility
March 7, 2023 Item #4 Page 2 of 19
Grant proposals
The four new grant applications received or the recent grant solicitation, totaled $372,687. This
amount is less than the fund’s available balance of $569,623.
_______________________________________________________________________________
Organization Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation
Grant title Discovery Center doors and flooring (AGP 22-01)
Requested funds $62,000
Project category Improvements to existing lagoon nature centers
Project description This project will replace the exterior and internal doors, as well as the
interior flooring of the Discovery Center. This project will be implemented
in three phases, with the highest priority items being completed first. The
foundation has secured $15,000 from the County of San Diego to augment
the grant. The total project cost is estimated at $77,000. All three phases
of the project are anticipated to be completed by December 2023.
The foundation has been awarded $793,750 in Agricultural Conversion Mitigation Fee grant
funds for four projects since the program began awarding grants in 2006.
_______________________________________________________________________________
Organization CB Ranch, doing business as The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch,
Grant title Recycled water trial (AGP 22-02)
Requested funds $50,000
Project category Purchase and improvement of agricultural land
Project description This project proposes to test the viability of recycled water for flower
production. The trial project would blend potable water with recycled
water in a controlled area to determine if the salinity from recycled water
can be reduced. The total project cost is estimated at $105,000; CB Ranch
is requesting $50,000 from the Agricultural Conversion Mitigation Fund
and will pay the remaining $55,000. The project is anticipated to take
approximately 18-24 months.
Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch has previously been awarded $2,457,4401 in grants funds for
nine projects through this program.
_______________________________________________________________________________
March 7, 2023 Item #4 Page 3 of 19
_______________________________________________________________________________
Organization Buena Vista Audubon Society
Grant title Nature Center improvements (AGP 22-03)
Requested funds $30,687
Project category Improvements to existing lagoon nature centers
Project description This project will make several improvements to increase the center’s
energy efficiency and improve its overall comfort and aesthetics. These
improvements are to replace lighting in the exhibit room and auditorium,
install a door between rooms, install a hearing, ventilation and air
conditioning system, and painting the exhibit room and auditorium. The
project is intended to save on expenses, improve the visitor experience
and make the center more sustainable. The project will cost an estimated
$30,687, all of which is being requested to be funded from the Agricultural
Conversion Mitigation Fee funds. The project is expected to be complete
by November 2023.
Buena Vista Audubon Society has been awarded $352,500 in previous Agricultural Conversion
Mitigation Fee grants for six projects.
_______________________________________________________________________________
Organization Carlsbad Aquafarms
Grant title Living Shoreline Restoration (AGP 22-04)
Requested funds $230,000
Project category Restoration of the coastal and lagoon environment
Project description This project proposes to restore and preserve approximately 3,500 square
meters of Aqua Hedionda Lagoon shoreline. Specifically, the project
proposes a community-stakeholder supported living shoreline restoration
project, in which native Olympia oyster reefs and Eelgrass meadows are
installed and monitored. The total project cost is estimated at
$265,132.50, of which $230,000 is being requested and $33,407.50 is
being provided through other sources. The project timeline is delineated
into three categories, project planning, restoration, and post-restoration
monitoring. All total, the estimated project timeline is approximately three
years, through 2025.
This is Carlsbad Aquafarm’s first application for a grant from this program.
_______________________________________________________________________________
Committee’s recommendation
The Agricultural Conversion Mitigation Fee Citizen’s Advisory Committee met and reviewed the
four new funding proposals on December 14, 2022. After some questions and discussion, the
committee adopted a resolution (Exhibit 3) recommending that the City Council approve staff’s
funding recommendations.
March 7, 2023 Item #4 Page 4 of 19
Fiscal Analysis
The Agricultural Conversion Mitigation Fee program is fully funded through mitigation fees and
there is no fiscal impact on the city’s General Fund. The grant program operates on a
reimbursement basis, grant recipients expend funds first and then submit reimbursement
requests to the city. The four grants that have been requested total $372,687, which is within
the available balance of the Agricultural Conversion Mitigation Fee Fund.
Options
The City Council may approve the grant awards as presented or decline to do so. Approving
them allows the available funding to be used for the improvement and enhancement of the
city’s natural resources. The city did not receive any other grant requests. If these grants are not
awarded to support these projects, the fees that have been collected will continue to accrue
interest and increase the fund’s balance.
Next Steps
Staff will draft agreements, in consultation with the City Attorney’s office for each of the four
grantees. The agreements will itemize the agreed-upon project milestones and associated timing
of the release of funds. The Agricultural Conversion Mitigation Fee Citizen’s Advisory Committee
will review options for the balance of the remaining Agricultural Conversion Mitigation Fee funds
at a future meeting.
Environmental Evaluation
This action does not constitute a project within the meaning of the California Environmental
Quality Act under Public Resources Code section 21065. It has no potential to cause either a
direct physical change in the environment or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change
in the environment and therefore does not require environmental review.
Exhibits
1. City Council resolution
2. Agricultural Conversion Mitigation Fee Citizen’s Advisory Committee’s method
3. Agricultural Conversion Mitigation Fee Citizen’s Advisory Committee Resolution 2022-002
March 7, 2023 Item #4 Page 5 of 19
RESOLUTION NO. 2023-068
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARLSBAD,
CALIFORNIA APPROVING THE APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS FROM THE
AGRICULTURAL CONVERSION MITIGATION FEE FUND TO: AGUA HEDIONDA
LAGOON FOUNDATION FOR $62,000, BUENA VISTA AUDUBON SOCIETY FOR
$30,687, FLOWER FIELDS AT CARLSBAD RANCH FOR $50,000, AND
CARLSBAD AQUAFARMS, INC. FOR $230,000; AND AUTHORIZE THE CITY
MANAGER TO EXECUTE A LETTER OF AGREEMENT WITH EACH GRANT
RECIPIENT
WHEREAS, the Carlsbad Municipal Code Section 21.202.060 establishes an Agricultural
Conversion Mitigation Fee and the allowable uses; and
WHEREAS, on August 2, 2005, the Carlsbad City Council created the Agricultural Conversion
Mitigation Fee Ad Hoc Citizens Advisory Committee {Committee); and
WHEREAS, the principal charge of the Committee is to make recommendations to the City
Council for proposed expenditure from the Agricultural Conversion Mitigation Fee (ACMF) Fund in
keeping with the directives approved by the City Council; and
WHEREAS, on November 17, 2021, the Committee considered and recommended that the City
Council approve the solicitation and evaluation of new grant applications; and
WHEREAS, on May 10, 2022, the City Council authorized staff to solicit for new proposals for
ACMF funding consideration based on the available fund balance; and
WHEREAS, ACMF grant applications were accepted for approximately three months and four
grant applications were submitted; and
WHEREAS, after some discussion, the Committee recommended that the City Council fund the
four grant applications in full; and
WHEREAS, the Committee adopted Resolution No. 2022-02, recommending that the City
Council approve the grant funding requests; and
WHEREAS, Aqua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation requests $62,000 (AGP 22-01) to make needed
improvements to their Discovery Center; and
WHEREAS, the Buena Vista Audubon Society requests $30,687 {AGP 22-02) to make needed
improvements to their Nature Center; and
WHEREAS, the Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch requests $50,000 (AGP 22-03) to conduct a
trial to determine if recycled water can used for horticultural operations; and
Exhibit 1
March 7, 2023 Item #4 Page 6 of 19
WHEREAS, the Carlsbad Aquafarms, Inc., requests $230,000 (AGP 22-04} to implement a
multi-phased living shoreline restoration project within the Aqua Hedionda lagoon; and
WHEREAS, all four grant proposals are compliant with the Coastal Agricultural Overlay Zone,
Section 21.202.060(0)(2) of the Carlsbad Municipal Code, which states the allowable uses for the
fund.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Carlsbad, California, as
follows:
l.That the above recitations are true and correct.
2.That the City Council herby approves the allocation and appropriation of grants from
the ACMF fund to the: Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation in the amount of $62,000
(AGP 2022-01), Buena Vista Audubon Society in the amount of $30,687 (AGP 2022-02),
Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch in the amount of $50,000 (AGP 2022-03) and Carlsbad
Aquafarms, Inc. in the amount of $230,000 (AGP 2022-04).
3.That the City Manager, or designee, is hereby authorized to execute a funding
agreement with each grant recipient, approved as to form by the City Attorney,
itemizing the agreed upon milestones and timing of the release of funds.
4.That the Deputy City Manager of Administrative Services is hereby authorized to
appropriate and disburse, on a reimbursement basis, said funds according to the terms
of the approved funding agreements.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of
Carlsbad on the 7th day of March, 2023, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
Blackburn, Bhat-Patel, Acosta, Burkholder.
None.
Luna.
None.
L SHERRY FREISINGER, City Clerk 1V -(SEAL)
March 7, 2023 Item #4 Page 7 of 19
Rev: 1/20/09
CITY OF CARLSBAD
AGRICULTURAL CONVERSION MITIGATION FEE
AD HOC CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Approved Method of Carrying out the
Committee’s Directive
Exhibit 2
March 7, 2023 Item #4 Page 8 of 19
CCIITTYY OOFF CCAARRLLSSBBAADD
AAGGRRIICCUULLTTUURRAALL CCOONNVVEERRSSIIOONN MMIITTIIGGAATTIIOONN FFEEEE
AADD HHOOCC CCIITTIIZZEENNSS AADDVVIISSOORRYY CCOOMMMMIITTTTEEEE
ROAD MAP
Principal Charge of Committee: To make recommendations to the City Council for proposed expenditures
from the [Agricultural Conversion Mitigation Fee] Fund in keeping with the mandates established by Municipal Code Section 21.202.060.
Committee Responsibilities to City Council during first year: To report to the City Council at least twice during its first year.
FIRST REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL: A detailed proposal of how the Committee would operate
to carry out its directive (established by Resolution 2005-242). Report should discuss how the Committee
proposes to solicit expenditure/grant proposals; how it would operate to make recommendations to the Council, including proposed project/grant selection criteria and voting procedures; and how it proposes to
draw down on the Fund balances in the first and subsequent years. Tasks to complete First Council Report:
Determine how Committee will operate.
Determine how decisions will be made.
Elect a Chairperson and Vice-Chair.
Establish a meeting schedule.
Agree upon role of Committee members.
Establish criteria by which project proposals will be evaluated.
Create project application, information, and evaluation forms.
Perform test run of forms.
Determine how funds will be drawn down.
Determine how project proposals will be solicited.
Identify how project proposals will be presented to Committee.
Identify how Committee will operate to make recommendations on individual projects.
Prepare draft Council report.
Review and comment on draft report.
Finalize report.
Schedule report for City Council meeting.
SECOND REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL: Shall carry the Ad Hoc Committee’s recommendations
for initial expenditures from the Fund. Tasks to complete Second Council Report:
Solicit project proposals.
Schedule/Hold workshops (2) for applicants (if needed).
Evaluate forms after first set of projects.
Evaluate project proposals.
Recommend projects for initial expenditures from the Fund.
Prepare draft of report.
Review and comment on draft report.
Finalize report.
March 7, 2023 Item #4 Page 9 of 19
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Agricultural Conversion Mitigation Fee Citizens Ad Hoc Advisory Committee
Road Map (cont.)
Rev: 1/20/09
Schedule report for City Council meeting.
SUBSEQUENT REPORTS TO CITY COUNCIL: Additional reports shall be provided to the
City Council as necessary to complete and implement the Committee’s directive. Such reports may include:
Recommendations on changes to awarded grants.
Recommendations to modify the approved method for carrying out the Committee’s directive.
Recommendations for Council authorization to solicit additional grant proposals.
Request(s) for authorization to solicit additional applications for grant requests.
Request(s) to extend the Committee’s life.
March 7, 2023 Item #4 Page 10 of 19
•
•
•
• •
•
Rev: 1/20/09
CITY OF CARLSBAD
AGRICULTURAL CONVERSION MITIGATION FEE
AD HOC CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
KEY DECISIONS
PROJECT ELIGIBILITY – COASTAL/NON-COASTAL LOCATIONS
It is not required that proposed projects be located within the Coastal Zone; projects
proposed to be located outside of the Coastal Zone will be considered; however, all
projects (inside or outside of the Coastal Zone) must benefit the Coastal Zone.
“EQUITABLE” DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS
The Committee will promote the equitable distribution of the grant funds available by
ensuring that all potential applicants have a fair and equal opportunity to apply for the
funds. This does not mean that the total funds available will be divided equally among
the four categories of eligible projects. However, the Committee intends to award funds
to projects in each of the four categories if at all possible.
DRAW-DOWN OF FUNDS
The Committee will not specifically “hold back” funds for future awards, nor will it
target a specific amount of funds to be spent in the first year. The Committee will draw
down funds based solely upon the merit of the projects proposed. All project proposals
will be evaluated on their own merits and funds will be spent as merited by proposed
projects. The Committee believes that sufficient eligible and meritorious project
proposals will be received to justify expenditure of all available funds before the
Committee sunsets (four years from August 2, 2005), if not sooner.
March 7, 2023 Item #4 Page 11 of 19
Rev: 1/20/09
CCIITTYY OOFF CCAARRLLSSBBAADD
AAGGRRIICCUULLTTUURRAALL CCOONNVVEERRSSIIOONN MMIITTIIGGAATTIIOONN FFEEEE
AADD HHOOCC CCIITTIIZZEENNSS AADDVVIISSOORRYY CCOOMMMMIITTTTEEEE
COMMITTEE OPERATING PROCEDURES & AGREEMENTS
Ground Rules
Remember that the Committee’s work is a public process
Be present
Respect one another’s opinions
Listen actively
Ask questions when you have them
Participate
Practice Skillful Conversation
Speak your mind
We will disclose our “special interests” to one another as appropriate to topics under
discussion.
All member requests for information from staff not rendered during the meeting will be routed through the chairperson
Speak up in order to be heard
Speak up (or signal) if you did not hear clearly something that was said.
Committee Procedures
Chair leads the meeting; facilitator leads discussions
Minutes and Charted Notes are kept as part of the Committee’s records
Annual reevaluation of process
Committee members will not participate in project proposal presentations and will
abstain from voting on projects for which they have a conflict of interest pursuant to
Chapter 1.14 of the Carlsbad Municipal Code.
Decision-making Process
Plan A: Consensus (Preferred)
Plan B: If consensus cannot be achieved after an earnest effort has been made, the
question will be decided by simple majority vote with the minority opinion noted and
reported.
Guidelines for Public Comment
In general, members of the public wishing to present comments for the Committee’s consideration will be given an opportunity to do so at the end of meetings.
Public comments will be limited to three minutes for each person, and 15 minutes for
each topic
These guidelines will be adjusted as appropriate for different meeting purposes (e.g. grant proposal presentations)
The public comment time limitation of three minutes per speaker may be extended at the
discretion of the chairperson.
March 7, 2023 Item #4 Page 12 of 19
•
•
•
•
•
• •
•
•
•
•
•
• •
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
CCIITTYY OOFF CCAARRLLSSBBAADD
AAGGRRIICCUULLTTUURRAALL CCOONNVVEERRSSIIOONN MMIITTIIGGAATTIIOONN FFEEEE
AADD HHOOCC CCIITTIIZZEENNSS AADDVVIISSOORRYY CCOOMMMMIITTTTEEEE
PROPOSAL SOLICITATION STRATEGY
Objective: To ensure that availability of grant funds is known throughout the community and among those
organizations and individuals who might wish to apply.
Methods may include:
Editorial Boards
Press Releases
Solicit feature coverage in newspapers
OpEd (i.e., a letter from the Mayor on behalf of the City Council)
Posters in public facilities (e.g., libraries; City Hall; Faraday building; other?)
Posting on City’s web page with grant program info and staff contact info o Electronic links to informational flyer; press release and dedicated webpage.
o Electronic distribution via electronic subscription service
o Electronic distribution via City E-News
Mailings to those known to be interested o List of individuals with potential interest (list must be updated)
o List of organizations with potential interest (list must be updated)
o Other public agencies
o Downtown Merchants Assn.o Chamber of CommerceoCarlsbad Convention and Visitors Bureau
Newspaper advertisements
o North County TimesoUnion-Tribune – North County editionoCoast News
o Chamber of Commerce Newsletter
Other?
Insert notification in water bills
Factors to Consider
Time constraints
Budget/Costs
Timetable of 2006 Grant Solicitation/Review/Award Allocation
Council Approval of Committee Procedures, Criteria, etc. May 16, 2006
Public Notification Process July 2006 Deadline for Proposal Submittal September 29, 2006 Committee Review Process October 2006 – June 2007
March 7, 2023 Item #4 Page 13 of 19
•
•
•
• •
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Agricultural Conversion Mitigation Fee Citizens Ad Hoc Advisory Committee
Proposal Solicitation Strategy (cont.)
Preparation of Agenda Bill (Grant Awards Recommendations) January 2007 and January
2008
Presentation to Council February 2007 and February
2008
Estimated Timetable for 2009 Grant Solicitation/Review/Award Allocation
Council Approval of Revised Procedures, Criteria, Etc. Early February 2009
Public Notification Late February 2009
Optional Proposal Preparation Workshop(s) March 2009
Closure of Application Submittal Period Late April 2009
Committee Review of Submitted Grant Applications May – June 2009
Committee Recommendations Formulated Early July 2009
Presentation of Committee’s Recommendations to Council August 2009
March 7, 2023 Item #4 Page 14 of 19
Rev: 1/20/09
CCIITTYY OOFF CCAARRLLSSBBAADD
AAGGRRIICCUULLTTUURRAALL CCOONNVVEERRSSIIOONN MMIITTIIGGAATTIIOONN FFEEEE
AADD HHOOCC CCIITTIIZZEENNSS AADDVVIISSOORRYY CCOOMMMMIITTTTEEEE
PROPOSAL CONSIDERATION & PROCESS SUMMARY
PROPOSALS THE COMMITTEE WILL CONSIDER
Projects (i.e., not on-going programs)
Projects which have not been completed by the date that City Council approves the Committee’s procedures and application consideration process (i.e., no reimbursement
for previously completed projects)
Proposals from all types of organizations and individuals
Grants – outright and/or matching – but not loans
Requests for a minimum of $2,500.00 (nothing less than $2,500.00)
EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS
The Committee will promote the equitable distribution of the grant funds available by ensuring that all potential applicants have a fair and equal opportunity to apply for the funds. This does not mean that the total funds available will be divided equally among the four categories of
eligible projects. However, the Committee intends to award funds to projects in each of the four
categories if at all possible.
DRAW DOWN OF FUNDS The Committee will not specifically “hold back” funds for future awards, nor will it target a
specific amount of funds to be spent in the first year. The Committee will draw down funds
based solely upon the merit of the projects proposed. All project proposals will be evaluated on
their own merits and funds will be spent as merited by proposed projects. The Committee believes that sufficient eligible and meritorious project proposals will be received to justify expenditure of all available funds before the Committee sunsets (four years from August 2,
2005), if not sooner.
PROCESS
Proposal review: paper process and possible presentation opportunities (at request of
Committee)
Establish City staff contact(s) for applicant info/assistance and application form
Opportunity for applicants’ feedback on process, forms, etc.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENT
Applications must implement the Charge of the Committee (i.e. involve one of the four eligible
types of uses) in order to be eligible for funding. Should there be disagreement regarding whether a proposal is eligible for funding (i.e., whether the project implements one of the four
categories of projects), the Committee will first seek consensus and, if that fails, will vote on the
matter.
March 7, 2023 Item #4 Page 15 of 19
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Rev: 1/20/09
CCIITTYY OOFF CCAARRLLSSBBAADD
AAGGRRIICCUULLTTUURRAALL CCOONNVVEERRSSIIOONN MMIITTIIGGAATTIIOONN FFEEEE
AADD HHOOCC CCIITTIIZZEENNSS AADDVVIISSOORRYY CCOOMMMMIITTTTEEEE
PROPOSAL EVALUATION CRITERIA
Project Criteria Project Criteria
Extent to which proposal fulfills eligibility category
Line-of-sight relationship with concrete outcome(s)
Benefit to Carlsbad residents
Honors the history of Carlsbad
Employs creativity (of project or process)
Multiple or long-lasting or wide-spread benefits
Project Feasibility and Planning Criteria Project Feasibility and Planning Criteria
Feasibility of project achievement (i.e., Can project be accomplished?) o Can permits/approvals be obtained?
Implementation plan o Measurable milestones/Identification of tracking measures
o Reasonable time frameoResponsible parties identified
Applicant Criteria Applicant Criteria
Ability of project applicant to do what is proposed
o Applicant’s experience implementing other projects
o Applicant’s previous experience obtaining and using funding (for other projects)
Financial Resources/Budget Criteria Financial Resources/Budget Criteria
Fiscal resources to do what is proposed
o Project budget
o How requested funding will be usedoOther/Additional funding already secured for project (if any)o Other potential funding sources for project (potential matching funds)o Applicant’s experience obtaining and using funding (for this project)o Financial condition of organization (if applicable). After a grant has been awarded and
prior to distribution of grant funds, the financial condition of an agency/organization shall
be evaluated through submittal of either an audited financial statement(encouraged/preferred); a reviewed financial statement; or, an IRS-990 tax return. Note:
applicants are encouraged to submit documentation of their financial condition at the time
of grant application submittal if possible.
Proposal Evaluation Form Proposal Evaluation Form
The Committee’s use of a quantitative Proposal Evaluation Form during the proposal evaluation
process shall serve as a tool/method to evaluate individual merits of projects; however, the
individual project scores (generated through use of the form) alone are not intended to guarantee or preclude the Committee’s decision to recommend funding of specific grant requests.
March 7, 2023 Item #4 Page 16 of 19
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
March 7, 2023 Item #4 Page 17 of 19
AGIUCULTURAL CONVERSION lVIITIGATION FEE GRANT
PROPOSAL EVALUATION FORl'W
PROJECT NO: ________________ _
PROJECT NAME: ______________ _
Rating Scale:
Not Applicable= 0 Poor= 1 Acceptable= 2 Good= 3 Strong= 4 Exceptional= 5
Is proposed project eligible for funding? Yes ___ No ___ _
Eligibility Category: ______________________ _
Project Score
Project/Program Criteria:
Implementation of eligibility category
Concrete outcome( s)
Benefit to Carlsbad residents
Honor history of Carlsbad
Creativity ( of project or process)
Multiple, or long-lasting, or wide-spread benefits
Feasability/Planning Criteria:
Feasibility of project achievement: Permits/Approvals obtainable?
Implementation Plan: Measurable Milestones? Tracking Measures?
Implementation Plan: Time Frame? ..
Responsible parties identified?
Applicant Criteria;
Ability to do project? Experience with other projects? ..
Ability to do project? Experience with using fundin'g for other projects?
Fiscal/Budget Criteria:
Project budget
Use of requested funds
Other funding? (if any) ,
Other potential funding?
Fiscal stability of org'n (if applicable)
TOTAL SCORE
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-002
A RESOLUTION OF THE AGRICULTIRAL CONVERSION MITIGATION FEE CITIZEN’S
ADVISORY COMMITTEE OF THE CITY OF CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA,
RECOMMENDING THAT THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVE AGRICULTURAL
CONVERSION MITIGATION FEE GRANT FUNDING AS RECOMMENDED HEREIN
WHEREAS, the Agricultural Conversion Mitigation Fee Citizen’s Advisory Committee of the City of
Carlsbad, California held a noticed public meeting to obtain public input and review and consider
applications for Agricultural Conversion Mitigation Fee funds; and,
WHEREAS, on Nov. 17, 2021, the Agricultural Conversion Mitigation Fee Citizen’s Ad Hoc Advisory
Committee met and recommended that the City Council authorize the solicitation of proposals not to
exceed the available balance of the Agricultural Conversion Mitigation Fee fund; and,
WHEREAS, on May 10, 2022, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2022-104, authorizing staff
to solicit proposals of new projects, not to exceed the available balance of the Agricultural Conversion
Mitigation Fee Fund; and,
WHEREAS, applications were accepted for a period of approximately two months; and,
WHEREAS, four applications were received for a total request of $372,687, which is within the
available amount available; and,
WHEREAS, the Agricultural Conversion Mitigation Fee Citizen’s Advisory Committee has taken all
testimony into account.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Agricultural Conversion Mitigation Fee Citizen’s
Advisory Committee of the City of Carlsbad, California, as follows:
1.That the above recitations are true and correct.
2.That the City Council approve the allocation of Agricultural Conversion Mitigation Fee grant
funds for the following projects:
Applicant Project Amount
Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation Discovery Center Improvements $62,000
Buena Vista Audubon Society Nature Center Improvements $30,687
Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch Recycled Water Trial $50,000
Carlsbad Aquafarms, Inc. Living Shoreline Restoration Project $230,000
Exhibit 3
March 7, 2023 Item #4 Page 18 of 19
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a Regular Meeting of the Agricultural Conversion
Mitigation Fee Citizen's Advisory Committee of the City of Carlsbad on the 14th day of Dec., 2022,
by the following vote, to wit:
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
Chairperson
ABSTAIN:
Brisbois, Lichten, Hedayet, Householder, Lash, Alkire.
None.
Merz.
None.
March 7, 2023 Item #4 Page 19 of 19