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a. Approve a resolution authorizing the County Administrative Officer or his designee to file an application for grant funds through the Habitat Conservation Fund (HCF) program under the California Wildlife Protection Act of 1990;
b. Authorize the County Administrative Officer or his designee to certify that Monterey County Parks will have the required match and sufficient funds to complete the project and will have sufficient funds to operate and maintain the project;
c. Authorize the County Administrative Officer or his designee to certify that Monterey County Parks has reviewed, understands and agrees to the provisions contained in the contract shown in the grants administration guide; and
d. Appoint the County Administrative Officer or his designee as agent to conduct all negotiations, execute and submit all documents, including but not limited to applications, agreements, amendments and payment requests, which may be necessary for the completion of the project.
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RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve a resolution authorizing the County Administrative Officer or his designee to file an application for grant funds through the Habitat Conservation Fund (HCF) program under the California Wildlife Protection Act of 1990;
b. Authorize the County Administrative Officer or his designee to certify that Monterey County Parks will have the required match and sufficient funds to complete the project and will have sufficient funds to operate and maintain the project;
c. Authorize the County Administrative Officer or his designee to certify that Monterey County Parks has reviewed, understands and agrees to the provisions contained in the contract shown in the grants administration guide; and
d. Appoint the County Administrative Officer or his designee as agent to conduct all negotiations, execute and submit all documents, including but not limited to applications, agreements, amendments and payment requests, which may be necessary for the completion of the project.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The Monterey County Parks Department has worked in collaboration with the Big Sur Land Trust (BSLT) to acquire 724 acres of the Marks Ranch property adjacent to Toro Park. The Habitat Conservation Fund (HCF) grant will provide funds to construct a public access trail from the existing Buckeye Picnic Area in Toro Park to the Andrew Marks House, located on former Marks Ranch property that has been acquired by the County, future site of a nature interpretive center.
Authorization to proceed with the Habitat Conservation Fund grant application will facilitate the construction of the trail and afford the first public access to the newly acquired parklands that were part of the former Marks Ranch property.
The people of California voted to enact the California Wildlife Protection Act of 1990 in order to provide grant funds to local agencies to acquire, enhance, restore or develop facilities for public recreation and fish and wildlife habitat protection purposes. The HCF program provides funds on a competitive basis, to eligible cities and counties. The submittal of an application does not insure funding for the request. The requested action authorizes the County to submit all necessary documentation in order to process the application; if the County is successful with this application process the final grant acceptance documents will be submitted to the Board for approval at that time.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Big Sur Land Trust has reviewed the grant application and concurs with the project plans to construct the Buckeye Trail. County Counsel has reviewed this request and approves it as to form.
FINANCING:
The HCF Grant Program requires a one-for-one match. The Parks Department is requesting $33,100 of grant funds which will be matched by a combination of donated cash, in-kind labor, and existing Parks Department funds. There is no effect to Parks General Fund Contribution as a result of this action.
Prepared by: Meg Clovis, Cultural Affairs Manager, Extension 4913
Approved by: Stella Sandoval, Finance Manager, Extension 4910
Attachments:
Proposed HCF Resolution
Application Form, Cost Estimate, and Narrative