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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-02-27; City Council; Resolution 2018-025RESOLUTION NO. 2018-025 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING AN AMENDMENT TO THE AGRICULTURAL CONVERSION MITIGATION FEE (ACMF) GRANT AGREEMENT FOR THE FLORAL TRADE CENTER IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT (AGP 13-04), TO ALLOW THE GRANT FUNDING OF $162,833.53 TO BE USED FOR FARMING IMPROVEMENTS. CASE NAME: CASE NO.: FLORAL TRADE CENTER IMPROVEMENTS AGP 13-04(A) WHEREAS, Carlsbad Ranch Company, the original grantee and a subsidiary of Carltas Company, originally submitted AGP 13-04 in 2013 to purchase coolers and display and supporting equipment required for the operation of the floral wholesalers who will be located in the proposed Floral Trade Center (now called North 40 Urban Farm); and WHEREAS, the grant was awarded in 2013 in the amount of $162,833.53; however, the grantee reports that construction of the Floral Trade Center (now called North 40 Urban Farm) has been delayed for various reasons, including working on aligning the right mix of tenants to support the costs of infrastructure and operations; and WHEREAS, given the extended delay and uncertainty with the proposed Floral Trade Center, the Carltas Company has requested in a letter dated October 5, 2017, that the awarded funds be reallocated to support physical improvements to current farming operations, as follows: 1) installation of an automatic, sensor-controlled irrigation network and micro-sprinklers to more effectively irrigate and reduce overall water usage for the field crops; 2) installation of an adjustable synthetic shade covering to reduce impacts from extreme heat for the floral crops; and 3) the acquisition of a generator and retrofit of two coolers for cut flowers and harvest food crops to provide adequate cooler capacity during harvest periods; and WHEREAS, ACMF funds are restricted to four categories of allowable uses, one of which is to fund " ... ancillary uses necessary for the continued production of agriculture and/or aquaculture in the city's coastal zone ... " (Carlsbad Municipal Code Section 21.202.060(D)(2)(b); and WHEREAS, the Agricultural Conversion Mitigation Fee Ad Hoc Citizen's Advisory Committee (Committee) met on October 26, 2017 to discuss Carltas' request, found that the proposed use of the grant is consistent with the "ancillary uses" purpose of the fund, and recommended that the City Council authorize amendment of the Agricultural Conversion Mitigation Fee (ACMF} grant agreement for the Floral Trade Center Improvements Project (AGP 13-04), to allow the grant funding of $162,833.53 to be used for farming improvements. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Carlsbad, California, as follows: 1. That the above recitations are true and correct. 2. That the City Council hereby authorizes an amendment to the Floral Trade Center Project grant agreement AGP 13-04 to allow the grant funds to be used for farming improvements as requested by the grantee and recommended by the Committee. 3. That the City Council authorizes the Mayor to execute with the grantee an amended funding agreement, approved as to form by the City Attorney, itemizing the agreed- upon uses, milestones and timing of the release of funds. PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Carlsbad on the 27th day of February, 2018, by the following vote, to wit: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: M. Hall, K. Blackburn, M. Schumacher, C. Schumacher, M. Packard. None. None. {SEAL)