Title
Consider adopting a Resolution to:
a. Find the activity is not subject to CEQA pursuant to Sections 15061(b)(3) and 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines;
b. Approve the City of Marina as the recipient of $10,000 through the Dover-Kohl Grant program; and
c. Authorize the Director of the Economic Development Department to execute contracts and any related documents associated with providing the grant to the City of Marina.
(Referral - REF150107/Dover-Kohl Grant Award, City of Marina)
Body
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors adopt a resolution:
a. Finding the activity is not subject to CEQA pursuant to Sections 15601(b)(3) and 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines;
b. Approving the City of Marina as the recipient of $10,000 through the Dover-Kohl Grant program; and
c. Authorizing the Director of the Economic Development Department to execute contracts and any related documents associated with providing the grant to the City of Marina.
SUMMARY:
On December 16, 2014, the Board of Supervisors approved and established a grant program (“Dover-Kohl Grant”) to provide Monterey County cities with the planning services of Dover, Kohl & Partners (Dover-Kohl) for the purposes of enhancing and/or creating economically and vibrant downtown centers. Cities applying for the grant must satisfy one or more of the following selection criteria: 1) improve traffic circulation; 2) improve job opportunities; 3) improve neighborhood trail, bus and road connections; or 4) create “vibrancy” for the community.
In August 2015, the City of Marina initiated proceedings for filing an application for the Dover-Kohl Grant program. The city has conferred with Dover-Kohl and submitted to Economic Development a scope of work and draft agreement between the city and Dover-Kohl. Economic Development recognizes the City of Marina as an appropriate recipient of the Dover-Kohl Grant funds as their proposal for the creation of an illustrative revitalization plan is consistent with the grant selection criteria; it includes circulation improvement of a major intersection (Del Monte Boulevard and Reservation Road), improves automobile and pedestrian connectivity between downtown and the adjacent neighborhoods and creates vibrant downtown areas for the community.
The City of Marina, incorporated November 13, 1975, lies within the boundaries of Monterey County, north of the California State University, Monterey Bay campus and south ofunincorporated County lands. Marina had a long history as a bedroom community for the Former Fort Ord military base, as a large portion of the city’s housing stock provided off-post housing for military members and their families, many of which remained residents of the city post-retirement. However, over the years Marina has slowly transformed from a small residential community to a growing city with new and unique residential developments, large retail services and a rising hospitality industry. Despite the drastic changes over the last 20 years, Marina has been fortunate to keep its small town charm intact as many of the local businesses have remained and flourished and civic events and recreational opportunities continued. Although the city is growing towards the future, the core downtown area is not and must compete with newer development in the former Fort Ord. Therefore the city recognizes a need for downtown revitalization in order to keep up the demands of the growth and sees opportunity for furthering its goals of downtown vibrancy with the services offered by Dover-Kohl.
The Economic Development Department recommends that the Board of Supervisors approve the City of Marina as a recipient for the Dover-Kohl Grant.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Economic Development Department has reviewed the Dover-Kohl Grant information, the City of Marina’s proposal and supporting documents, this report and its attachments.
FINANCING:
There is no impact to the General Fund as a result of this action. There are sufficient appropriations in the FY2015-2016 Adopted Budget for the Monterey County Economic Development Department, Fund 001, Department 1070, Appropriation Unit DEO001-8221 to fund the one-time-only Dover Kohl Grant. On August 25, 2015 the Board of Supervisors approved $200,000 to the Economic Development Department for implementation of their Strategic Plan which included this grant program.
Prepared by: Anna V. Quenga, Associate Planner, ext. 7517
Approved by: Mike Novo, Director, RMA-Planning, ext. 5192
David Spaur, Director, Economic Development, ext. 5387
Carl P. Holm, Director Resource Management Agency, ext. 5103
This report was prepared with assistance by Jacqueline R. Onciano, RMA Services Manager and reviewed by Mike Novo, RMA-Planning Director.
All attachments are on file with The Clerk of the Board:
Attachment A Draft Board Resolution approving the City of Marina as the recipient of $10,000 through the Dover-Kohl Grant program
Exhibit 1. Dover, Kohl & Partners Scope of Work
Exhibit 2. Draft City of Marina Agreement for Consulting Services Related to Creation of a Defined Planning Area
cc: Front Counter Copy; California Coastal Commission (if applicable); Jacqueline R. Onciano, RMA Services Manager; David Spaur, Economic Development Director; Mike Novo, RMA-Planning Director; Layne Long, City Manager for City of Marina; Jason King, Dover, Kohl & Partners; Project File REF150107