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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-11-13; City Council; Resolution 2018-192RESOLUTION NO. 2018-192 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING A NEW CITY COUNCIL POLICY TO ESTABLISH THE CARLSBAD FLOWER FIELDS GRANT PROGRAM, AND AUTHORIZING THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES DIRECTOR TO APPROPRIATE AND DISBURSE MONIES FOR GRANTS FROM THE FLOWER FIELDS FUND AS APPROVED BY THE COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR OR DESIGNEE FOR PROJECTS MEETING THE CRITERIA SET FORTH IN THE NEW CITY COUNCIL POLICY. WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Carlsbad, California entered into a twenty-year agreement with the California Coastal Conservancy on June 30, 1997 to administer an endowment fund to support floriculture research for the preservation of the Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch; and, WHEREAS, for 20 years city staff administered annual grants to the Flower Fields using the accrued interest from $935,000 that had been placed into the endowment (the Flower Fields Fund), per the agreement; and, WHEREAS, the agreement between the City of Carlsbad and the California Coastal Conservancy expired on June 30, 2017; and, WHEREAS, the City of Carlsbad fulfilled its obligation under the agreement and staff submitted a final report that was accepted by the California Coastal Conservancy and a determination was subsequently made by the California Coastal Conservancy that the city is not required to return the $935,000 in original endowment funds and may continue to administer a floriculture grant fund without any required oversight by the California Coastal Conservancy. 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 approves the new City Council Policy -Attachment A establishing the Carlsbad Flower Fields Grant Program and authorizing the Community & Economic Development Director or designee to approve grants for projects meeting the criteria set forth in the approved City Council Policy. 3. That the Administrative Services Director is authorized to appropriate $50,000 for fiscal year 2018-19 grants from the Flower Field Fund. November 13, 2018 Item #7 Page 5 of 12 PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Carlsbad on the 13th day of November, 2018, by the following vote, to wit: AYES: M. Hall, K. Blackburn, M. Schumacher, C. Schumacher. NOES: None. ABSENT: M. Packard. MATT HALL, Mayor {SEAL) November 13, 2018 Item #7 Page 6 of 12 {city of Policy No. 85 Date Issued: 11-13-2018 Carlsbad Effective Date: 11-13-2018 Resolution No: 2018-192 Cancellation Date: N/A Supersedes No. N/A Council Policy Statement Category: Specific Subject: PURPOSE: Carlsbad Flower Fields Fund Grant Program Guidelines for the establishment and management of the Flower Fields Fund Grant Program The purpose of this policy is to: • Establish criteria for the approval of grants from the Flower Fields Fund Grant Program. • Ensure that the Flower Fields Grant Program provides public benefit for the City of Carlsbad and its residents. • Authorize the Community & Economic Development Director or designee to administer the grant program and approve grants with existing funds from the city's Flower Fields Fund in an amount not to exceed $50,000 per year until such time that all funds are depleted from the Flower Fields Fund. BACKGROUND: On June 25, 1996 the City Council of the City of Carlsbad approved Resolution 96-231 expressing support for the creation of an independent non-profit Carlsbad Flower Fields Foundation "dedicated to ensuring the long-term production of the Flower Fields." 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 at Carlsbad Ranch. For 20 years city staff administered grants to Carlsbad Ranch using the accrued interest from $935,000 that was placed into a Flower Fields Fund. On June 30, 2017 the agreement between the California State Coastal Conservancy and the City of Carlsbad expired; city staff submitted a final report which was accepted by the Coastal Conservancy and a determination was made by the Coastal Conservancy that the $935,000 in funds may remain with the city and the city may continue to approve floriculture research grants with no further oversight required from the Coastal Conservancy if it desired to do so . The city desires to continue to administer a grant program to support the preservation and enhancement of the Carlsbad Flower Fields, and desires to continue the set-aside of $935,000 and any accrued interest for the purpose of approving floriculture research grants. Because there is no longer an agreement with the California Coastal Conservancy for administration of the grant program, this City Council Policy is required to set forth the policies and grant criteria for the subject grant program. Page 1 of 2 November 13, 2018 Item #7 Page 7 of 12 POLICY: It is the policy of the City Council of the City of Carlsbad to fund research and development projects related to preserving and/or improving the commercial viability of local flowering crops, and to enhance the public experience in and around the Flower Fields. This policy is an appropriate measure to assist in ensuring the long-term productivity of the Flower Fields and the appropriate use of the $935,000 and accrued interest set-aside by the City Council for the purpose of floriculture research to preserve and/or enhance the commercial viability ofthe Carlsbad Flower Fields. Activities undertaken through this grant program shall demonstrate that they support the City Council's purpose to support floriculture research and more specifically the preservation, enhancement and commercial viability of the Carlsbad Flower Fields. The minimum grant to be provided under this program is $5,000, and the maximum grant funds to be disbursed per fiscal year shall be $50,000. An annual report to Council on the grants approved under this program shall be provided at the end of each fiscal year, until such time as all funds (including interest) are depleted. Once the full amount of $935,000 and accrued interest has been fully expended, this policy shall automatically expire and the Flower Fields Grant Program will be discontinued, unless the policy is extended by City Council with an additional appropriation of funding. Grant Criteria and Process: 1. Grant request to be submitted on city provided application form and must be submitted by an authorized agent of the flower fields operations or administrative team. 2. The grant application may be submitted January -March, and the grant request shall be for no less than $5,000 and no more than $50,000 per fiscal year (July 1 to June 30). 3. The grant application must demonstrate that the proposed project or program meets the public purpose of preserving, enhancing or ensuring the ongoing commercial viability of the Carlsbad Flower Fields. 4. The application will be reviewed and evaluated by Community & Economic Development (CED) staff, and a recommendation then made to the CED Director or designee for approval. The CED Director or designee has final approval authority of all grants under this program. If the CED Director or designee denies a grant under this program for any reason, the applicant may appeal directly to the City Council. 5. An annual report will be submitted to the City Council on all grants made during the fiscal year from this fund. Page 2 of 2 November 13, 2018 Item #7 Page 8 of 12