2013 Los Angeles County Competitive Trails Grant

Sunnyside Ridge Trail Segment Improvement Project

September 3, 20131

Recommendations

Adopt Two Resolutions:1. Addendum No. 1 to the 2007 Negative

Declaration for project; and 2. Approve submitting grant application for

project

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Competitive Trails Grant

L.A. County 4th Supervisorial District Excess Funds Competitive Trails Grant Grant notification sent June 13, 2013 Eligible projects: acquisition, development improvement and rehabilitation of trails and public access points Maximum grant per applicant: $300,000No matching funds required Submittal by September 16, 2013

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Grant Award CriteriaCreate trails and public access points to

existing trails, Identify user/beneficiary groupsDescribe importance/value of project

(possible repercussions, if not funded)

Employ At-Risk Youth & Cooperate with other agencies/nonprofits (where feasible)

Discuss prior experience w/similar projectsProvide future maintenance of project

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Project SelectionTrail segment identified in City’s Conceptual

Trails Plan (CTP)Connects to PV Loop TrailCity-owned easement for trail connectivityEquestrian Community continued request for trail

segment connectionThis item presented to City Council and residents in

2007State grant application for trail in 2007 not successful Current lack of adequate funding and other priorities.

On FY 13-14 CIP unfunded projects list 5

Competitive Trails Grant-History

City was recipient of previous LA County competitive grants:Competitive Trails grant- Point Vicente Neighborhood Trail

Competitive Parks grant- Eastview Park Improvements

Proposed project meets the County grant award criteriaTrail and public access point, beneficiary groups, linkage to regional trails, Conservation Corp, maintenance

Cost estimates requested but not identified as scoring criteria 6

Project Goals Create a trail connection between

Sunnyside Ridge Rd and PVDE/PV Loop TrailCreate regional connectivity/linkage for

equestrian and pedestrian trail usersRemoves trail users off of busy thoroughfare

(PVDE)More convenient and tranquil natural trailEasier connection with neighboring cities

Utilize grant funds for a project in need of funds7

Topographic Site View

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Project Scope (proposed)

Trail area preparation (i.e. brush removal)Site gradingConstruction of retaining wall & Screening

elements at the two neighboring propertiesPlacement of Decomposed Granite (DG) at

the entrance portion Installation of railroad ties & turnaround

areasConstruction of a bridge over ravine

Note: Utilize conservation corp youth where possible9

Proposed Project (Location & Scope )

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Project Challenges 10-foot wide easement between two developed

propertiesSteep slope/difficult topography requires:Constructing a retaining wall for slope stabilityCreating a flat surface at the entrance Installing screening for privacy of two adjacent

neighborsNatural trail requires:Brush clearing, grading, installing railroad ties to

support trails, creating turnaround areas, constructing bridge over ravine

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10-foot Easement (Between Two Properties)

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2477

2443

Slope sloughing

Slope and View from 2443 Sunnyside Ridge

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Easement Slope

2443

2477

Easement

Slope and View (from 2443 Sunnyside)

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wall

2477

2443wall

Slope Sloughing

Easement

Back Slope (2477 Sunnyside)

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City Easement

Private property

Proposed Trail area

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Ravine (Proposed Bridge Area)

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Public Outreach Notified interested equestrian community

(7/31/13)Notices mailed to residents within 500-foot

radius (8/21/13)Informative/interactive on-Site meeting with

interested neighborhood, equestrian and trail users (8/27/13) and discussed:Proposed scope of work & Project challengesAdjacent neighbors’ privacy and aesthetic concerns

Current scope similar to 2007 grant scope 18

Project Cost (est.)Estimated total project cost: $465,000* Includes: Design, engineering, inspection Structural Eng.; Geotechnical Eng.; Civil Eng.

(Drainage); Surveying; Landscape Architect Construction Project Contingency

Maximum Grant: $300,000 (match not required)

Anticipated City cost: $165,000 * Exact cost determined after bid opening

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Public Comments Staff addressing concerns:

Proposed project closely meets grant criteriaStaff has familiarity and success with this

type of grant Staff contacted County grant manager

regarding scoring criteriaGrant based on the “merits” of the project, not cost

Project design conceptual only (not final) If grant awarded, additional input will be

solicited before design finalization 20

Environmental Impact

2007 Council adopted Negative Declaration for construction of project (no impact)2013 Addendum No. 1: Proposed 2013 grant project is similar to 2007

proposed grant project;2007 environmental review still applies, thus

no further environmental review is necessary

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Future Steps/ConclusionApprove application for grant and resolutionsFirst step in making this project a reality If the grant is awarded by the County:Further outreach to obtain input from interested parties

& neighbors during design developmentStaff returns to Council for:

Approval of detailed scope of work, plans and specificationsand award of project for construction

Budget authorization/appropriation for grant (~$300,000) and City’s share (~$165,000 estimated), if needed

Estimated Time -from design to construction completion ~ 18 months

Thank you.22