TO:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THROUGH:
Bruce Moe, City Manager
FROM:
Anne McIntosh, Community Development Director
Dana Murray, Environmental Programs Manager
SUBJECT:Title
Resolution No. 18-0139 Increasing the City’s Request for Grant Funds to Participate in the California Coastal Commission Local Coastal Program (LCP) Planning Grant Program (Community Development Director McIntosh).
ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 18-0139
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RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that City Council adopt Resolution No. 18-0139 authorizing an increase in the amount of the City’s request for grant application funding from $150,000 to $300,000 in connection with the California Coastal Commission (“Commission”) LCP Planning Grant Program.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
A total of $750,000 is available for awards through this competitive grant program. Based on past years, applications range in amount from $50,000 to $300,000, and the Commission expects the number and total dollar amount of the applications to exceed the available funds. Awards may be offered for less than the applicant’s request.
The Manhattan Beach Fiscal Year 2018-2019 Adopted Budget and Fiscal Year 2019-2020 Approved Budget each include $150,000 for the development of a climate change and sea level rise vulnerability assessment as well as a climate action and adaptation plan to be adopted into the City’s Hazard Mitigation Plan, General Plan, and LCP. Grant funds from the Commission’s LCP Planning Grant Program could supplement these costs.
BACKGROUND:
The City Council adopted Resolution No. 18-0129 on September 4, 2018 authorizing staff to apply for a $150,000 LCP Planning Grant from the Commission. In accordance with such direction, staff completed and submitted the grant application. However, Commission staff informed the City that it could amend the request to seek more grant funds. Staff recommends that the Council authorize staff to increase the application request to $300,000. If approved, staff will make all necessary adjustments required by the Coastal Commission staff.
DISCUSSION:
The purpose of these grants is to support local governments in developing new or amending existing LCPs to plan for and adapt to the impacts of climate change in a manner fully consistent with the policies of the California Coastal Act. Grant funding will support LCP projects that facilitate reductions to greenhouse gas emissions and address impacts of climate change among others. Staff has reviewed the grant requirements and determined that the City’s priority to analyze sea level rise vulnerabilities and create a Climate Action and Adaptation Plan to plan for sea level rise falls under LCP grant guidelines.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
The City has reviewed the proposed program, and it is exempt from CEQA pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines per Section 15061 (b)(3), the "General Rule" that CEQA only applies to projects that may have an effect on the environment.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney has reviewed this report and determined that no additional legal analysis is necessary.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution No. 18-0139
2. Grant Announcement