HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-03-07; City Council; Resolution 2023-068RESOLUTION 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
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 1 V -(SEAL)