55A - RESO - ENVIRONMENTAL ENHANCEMENT AND MITIGATION PROG GRANT

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REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: FEBRUARY 4, 2013 TITLE: RESOLUTION - ENVIRONMENTAL ENHANCEMENT AND MITIGATION PROGRAM GRANT APPLICATION t CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDED ACTION CLERK OF COUNCIL USE ONLY: APPROVED ? As Recommended ? As Amended ? Ordinance on 1s' Reading ? Ordinance on 2`' Reading ? Implementing Resolution ? Set Public Hearing For_ CONTINUED TO FILE NUMBER Adopt a resolution authorizing the Executive Director of the Public Works Agency to submit applications for funding consideration under the Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Program through the Natural Resources Agency of the State of California. DISCUSSION The Transportation Blueprint Legislation of 1989 authorized the California State Legislature to allocate $10 million annually for grants to local, state, and federal governmental agencies and to nonprofit organizations. Funds are dispersed by the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) through the Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Program. Eligible grants can be in one of four categories: highway landscaping and urban forestry projects, resource lands projects, roadside recreation projects, and mitigation projects beyond the scope of the lead agency. Staff has identified a project for grant funding that is eligible under the fourth category, since it mitigates the loss of prior pedestrian and bicycle access at the now closed at-grade railroad crossing at Fairhaven and Lincoln Avenues (see Exhibit 1). In 2007, the Orange County Transportation Authority constructed a second railroad track on the Southern California Regional Rail Authority railroad that runs parallel and east of Lincoln Avenue between the Park Santiago and Fairhaven Neighborhoods. After completion of this project, truck safety issues arose leading to the full closure, as directed by the California Public Utilities Commission. This work was completed in 2011. As a result of the permanent closure, pedestrians and bicyclists are now required to travel an extra mile and they no longer have the same access to Santiago Park, its regional trail, or to/from Fairhaven and Lincoln Avenues. The Lincoln Avenue Safety Pathway - Park Lane to Santiago Park project will reconnect pedestrians and bicyclists via a new pathway shown in Exhibit 1. The total funding request is for $920,000 to restore this connection and no city matching funds are required. Adjacent property owner support has been identified and the project design and environmental phase of this work is funded in the City's FY 12/13 CIP. 55A-1