Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 07/21/2020 - RESOLUTION 2020-065 SUPPORTING THE GRANT APPLICATIAgenda Item 14 Item # 14 Page 1 AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY July 21, 2020 City Council STAFF Bernadette Kuhn, Environmental Planner Julia Feder, Environmental Planning Manager Zoe Shark, Interim Natural Areas Director Eric Potyondy, Legal SUBJECT Resolution 2020-065 Supporting the Grant Application by the Natural Areas Department for the Timnath Inlet Fish Passage Project to the United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation’s WaterSMART Drought Resiliency Program and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute Agreements Regarding Such a Grant. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The purpose of this item is to adopt a resolution supporting the Timnath Inlet Fish Passage Project and the City's related grant application to the Bureau of Reclamation's (BOR) WaterSMART Drought Resiliency Program. The Bureau is requesting the resolution from grant applicants to ensure that the applicants are willing and able to financially participate, enter into an agreement, and meet the required deadlines if the grant is awarded. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends adoption of the Resolution. BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION The Timnath Inlet Fish Passage Project includes the construction of a rock ramp fish passage structure on the Timnath Inlet diversion dam on the Cache la Poudre River. The rock ramp will restore connectivity for 12 miles of River for native plains fishes for the first time in over a century (Attachment 1). Presently, the dam blocks fish from moving upstream and improving it has been identified by ecologists as a key opportunity for improving River health. The project will improve habitat for a suite of nine native plains fish species, including three species of greatest concern, as well as introduced trout. Additionally, the project will modernize the diversion structure to include a measuring gauge, bypass flow capacity, and associated structural improvements to support the fish ramp. The project is a collaboration between the Cache la Poudre Reservoir Company (owner of the dam), the City (through the Natural Areas Department), the City of Greeley, the Colorado Water Conservation Board, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife. The Natural Areas Department has taken a lead role in building partnerships with these parties since 2015 to ensure the success of the project. Staff is requesting $354,553 from the WaterSMART Program for the construction phase of this project. The design phase for this project will be completed in fall 2020 and the project is nearly shovel ready. If grant funds are awarded, the currently contemplated construction start date is August 2021. The anticipated completion date is April 2023. Agenda Item 14 Item # 14 Page 2 CITY FINANCIAL IMPACTS Total projected budget is $654,553. Total projected cost to the City will be $100,000 of cash match and $11,145 in in-kind match of Natural Areas staff hours to manage the project. The City of Greeley has committed $100,000. The Colorado Water Conservation Board awarded $100,000 in grant funds for the project in 2018. The City’s portion of the project funding is already appropriated and available for expenditure in the Natural Areas fund. A budget table is provided as an Exhibit to the Resolution. BOARD / COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION At its July 8, 2020 meeting, the Land Conservation and Stewardship Board unanimously approved staff pursuing the WaterSMART grant opportunity. ATTACHMENTS 1. Facility Map (PDF) 2. Land Ownership Map (PDF) 3. Diversion Structure Photo (PDF) 4. LCSB Minutes Excerpt, July 8, 2020 (PDF) C a c h e l a P o u d r e R i v e r B o x e l d er C r e e k L a r i m e r C o unt y Ca n al N o 2 L a k e C a n a l C a c h 3 ÕZYXW CATTAIL CHORUS NATURAL AREA City of Fort Collins SPRINGER NATURAL AREA City of Fort Collins KINGFISHER POINT NATURAL AREA City of Fort Collins E Mulberry St S Lemay Ave S Tim b erli n e R d Ca che la Poudr e River Gadwall Pond GoPldoenndeye ReTsimernvaotihr Inlet Timnath Reservoir Diversion - Property Ownership Map 3 Diversion Structure City of Fort Collins Natural Area Private CityProperty of Fort Collins Streets Dept. City of Fort Collins Natural Areas Dept. I 0 0.75125 0.25 0.5 0. Miles Streets City of Fort Department Collins City Natural of Fort Areas Collins Department Property Private Property Private Property Private Property Private ATTACHMENT 2 Timnath Inlet Diversion Structure on Cache la Poudre River ATTACHMENT 3 Land Conservation & Stewardship Board July 15, 2020 Minutes Excerpt from the LCSB meeting July 8, 2020 Grant Funding Fish Passage Bernadette Kuhn, NAD Environmental Planner Natural Areas staff are seeking approval to apply for Bureau of Reclamation grant funds for the Timnath Inlet Fish Passage Project. The project will construct a rock ramp fish passage structure on the Timnath Inlet diversion dam on the Cache la Poudre River. The rock ramp will restore connectivity for 12 miles of river for native plains fishes for the first time in over a century. Presently, the dam blocks fish from moving upstream and improving it has been identified by ecologists as a key opportunity for improving river health. The project will improve habitat for a suite of nine native plains fish species, including three Species of Greatest Concern, as well as introduced trout. The project is a collaboration between the Cache la Poudre Reservoir Company (owners of the dam), the City. Total cost for the project will be $665,553., Natural Areas has appropriated $100,000 (“green” funds designated for restoration) for the construction phase of the project. This funding is provided as match for a $100,000 grant from the Colorado Water Conservation Board. The City of Greeley has also committed to providing $100,000 for construction. Alycia Crall made a motion that City Council adopt a resolution supporting the Timnath Inlet Fish Passage Project and the City's related grant application to the Bureau of Reclamation's (BOR) WaterSMART Drought Resiliency Program. Mike Weber seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved. ATTACHMENT 4 -1- RESOLUTION 2020-065 OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS SUPPORTING THE GRANT APPLICATION BY THE NATURAL AREAS DEPARTMENT FOR THE TIMNATH INLET FISH PASSAGE PROJECT TO THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BUREAU OF RECLAMATION’S WATERSMART DROUGHT RESILIENCY PROGRAM AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AGREEMENTS REGARDING SUCH A GRANT WHEREAS, the City, through the Natural Areas Department (“Natural Areas”), is exploring and developing the Timnath Inlet Fish Passage Project (“Project”) with the Cache la Poudre Reservoir Company, the City of Greeley, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and the Colorado Water Conservation Board to, among other things, install a fish / water passage structure and measuring device on the river diversion structure for the Cache la Poudre Reservoir Inlet Ditch (also known as the “Timnath Inlet Ditch”), which is located on the Kingfisher Point Natural Area; and WHEREAS, the United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation (“Reclamation”) has a Water SMART (Sustain and Manage America’s Resources for Tomorrow) Program and has requested applications for grants under the WaterSMART Drought Resiliency Program (“Grant”); and WHEREAS, such a Grant could provide significant funding for the Project, furthering the Project and helping it to proceed; and WHEREAS, the City desires to pursue such a Grant; and WHEREAS, with a such a Grant, the City would be required to share 50% or more of the total costs for the Project; and WHEREAS, Natural Areas is developing the various materials needed to apply for such a Grant, including a SF424 form, abstract of the Project, and budget (“Grant Application Materials”), drafts of which are attached as Exhibit “A”; and WHEREAS, as indicated in the Grant Application Materials, portion of the Project will be funded by the City of Greeley, which will be through a subsequent agreement; and WHEREAS, applications for such Grants require a resolution from the applicant’s governing board verifying: (1) the identity of the official with legal authority to enter into an agreement: (2) the board of directors, governing body, or appropriate official who has reviewed and supports the application submitted; (3) the capability of the applicant to provide the amount of funding and/or in-kind contributions specified in the funding plan; and (4) that the applicant will work with Reclamation to meet established deadlines for entering into a grant or cooperative agreement. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS as follows: -2- Section 1. That the City Council hereby makes and adopts the determinations and findings contained in the recitals above. Section 2. That the City Manager is hereby authorized to execute an agreement related to a Grant consistent with this Resolution, with such terms and conditions as the City Manager, in consultation with the City Attorney, determines to be necessary and appropriate to protect the interests of the City and to effectuate the purposes of this Resolution. Section 3. That the City Council has reviewed the Grant Application Materials and supports the application for such a Grant and desires that the application, once completed and finalized, be submitted. Section 4. That the City Council has the capability to provide the amount of funding and/or in-kind contributions identified in the Grant Application Materials. Section 5. That the City Manager will work with Reclamation to meet established deadlines for entering into a grant or cooperative agreement related to any award of such a Grant. Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Council of the City of Fort Collins this 21st day of July, A.D. 2020. __________________________________ Mayor ATTEST: _____________________________ City Clerk OMB Number: 4040-0004 Expiration Date: 12/31/2022 * 1. Type of Submission: * 2. Type of Application: * 3. Date Received: 4. Applicant Identifier: 5a. Federal Entity Identifier: 5b. Federal Award Identifier: 6. Date Received by State: 7. State Application Identifier: * a. Legal Name: * b. Employer/Taxpayer Identification Number (EIN/TIN): * c. Organizational DUNS: * Street1: Street2: * City: County/Parish: * State: Province: * Country: * Zip / Postal Code: Department Name: Division Name: Prefix: * First Name: Middle Name: * Last Name: Suffix: Title: Organizational Affiliation: * Telephone Number: Fax Number: * Email: * If Revision, select appropriate letter(s): * Other (Specify): State Use Only: 8. APPLICANT INFORMATION: d. Address: e. Organizational Unit: f. Name and contact information of person to be contacted on matters involving this application: Application for Federal Assistance SF-424 Preapplication Application Changed/Corrected Application New Continuation Revision City of Fort Collins 84-6000587 0783625970000 300 LaPorte Ave Fort Collins CO: Colorado USA: UNITED STATES 80521-2719 Natural Areas Community Services Ms. Bernadette Kuhn Environmental Planner, City of Fort Collins NA 970-416-4348 bkuhn@fcgov.com ATTACHMENT A * 9. Type of Applicant 1: Select Applicant Type: Type of Applicant 2: Select Applicant Type: Type of Applicant 3: Select Applicant Type: * Other (specify): * 10. Name of Federal Agency: 11. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: CFDA Title: * 12. Funding Opportunity Number: * Title: 13. Competition Identification Number: Title: 14. Areas Affected by Project (Cities, Counties, States, etc.): * 15. Descriptive Title of Applicant's Project: Attach supporting documents as specified in agency instructions. Application for Federal Assistance SF-424 C: City or Township Government Bureau of Reclamation 15.514 Reclamation States Emergency Drought Relief BOR-DO-20-F002 WaterSMART Drought Response Program: Drought Resiliency Projects for Fiscal Years (FY) 2020 and 2021 Cache la Poudre River Fish Passage Project: Building Drought Resiliency & Restoring Native Fish Habitat Add Attachments Delete Attachments View Attachments Add Attachment Delete Attachment View Attachment * a. Federal * b. Applicant * c. State * d. Local * e. Other * f. Program Income * g. TOTAL . Prefix: * First Name: Middle Name: * Last Name: Suffix: * Title: * Telephone Number: * Email: Fax Number: * Signature of Authorized Representative: * Date Signed: 18. Estimated Funding ($): 21. *By signing this application, I certify (1) to the statements contained in the list of certifications** and (2) that the statements herein are true, complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge. I also provide the required assurances** and agree to comply with any resulting terms if I accept an award. I am aware that any false, fictitious, or fraudulent statements or claims may subject me to criminal, civil, or administrative penalties. (U.S. Code, Title 218, Section 1001) ** The list of certifications and assurances, or an internet site where you may obtain this list, is contained in the announcement or agency specific instructions. Authorized Representative: Application for Federal Assistance SF-424 * a. Applicant Attach an additional list of Program/Project Congressional Districts if needed. * b. Program/Project * a. Start Date: * b. End Date: 16. Congressional Districts Of: 17. Proposed Project: CO-002 CO-002 Add Attachment Delete Attachment View Attachment 08/01/2021 04/30/2023 354,553.00 100,000.00 100,000.00 100,000.00 0.00 654,553.00 a. This application was made available to the State under the Executive Order 12372 Process for review on b. Program is subject to E.O. 12372 but has not been selected by the State for review. c. Program is not covered by E.O. 12372. Yes No Add Attachment Delete Attachment View Attachment ** I AGREE Ms. Zoe Shark Natural Areas Director, City of Fort Collins 970-221-6311 zshark@fcgov.com * 20. Is the Applicant Delinquent On Any Federal Debt? (If "Yes," provide explanation in attachment.) * 19. Is Application Subject to Review By State Under Executive Order 12372 Process? If "Yes", provide explanation and attach Timnath Inlet Fish Passage Project WaterSMART Abstract The City of Fort Collins (CFC), along with its partners, is seeking WaterSMART funding to restore habitat connectivity for native plains fishes by installing a fish passage structure on the Timnath Inlet diversion in urban Fort Collins. The structure will restore 12.43 miles of upstream passage for a suite of nine native plains fish species, including three Species of Greatest Concern, as well as introduced trout. Reversing habitat fragmentation is a key conservation action for native plains fishes that continue to decline in the Cache la Poudre River, particularly in its urban reaches. This project builds on a wave of fish passage projects on the Poudre River upstream and downstream of the Inlet. This project will construct a fish passage structure on the Timnath Inlet, a major barrier to fish movements in an urban reach of the Cache la Poudre River. The focal native plains fish species that will benefit from increased habitat connectivity through the implementation of this project are Creek Chub, Fathead Minnow, Johnny Darter, Longnose Dace, Longnose Sucker, White Sucker, along with three Colorado Parks & Wildlife Species of Greatest Conservation Concern: Iowa Darter (Tier 2), Plains Topminnow (Tier 1) and Orangespotted Sunfish (Tier 1). The CFC has made substantial progress in the planning and design phases of the project including partnering with the Cache la Poudre Reservoir Company (structure owners) and investing in a conceptual design with partners Onefish Engineering and Colorado Parks & Wildlife (CPW). Design is anticipated to be complete in August 2020. If awarded, WaterSMART grant funds will be used to support the funding gap for construction costs and a post-implementation monitoring study. Activities include constructing the fish ladder, modernizing the structure with bypass flow capacity, installing a flow gauge, and incorporating necessary structural improvements to support the fish ladder. The CFC and its partners will begin construction in fall 2020 with completion in spring 2021, leveraging $211,145 of committed matching funds from the CFC and the City of Greeley. Following construction, the Larval Fish Laboratory will conduct a two-year study to determine passage effectiveness. 1 Timnath Inlet Fish Passage Project Budget The Timnath Inlet Fish Passage Project has secured partial funding for the construction phase of this project ($300,000) and is dedicating a project manager to the project as in-kind match. The CFC is requesting funds $354,553 from the WaterSMART Program (Table 1) for the construction and monitoring phase of the project. Table 1. Budget and match for Timnath Inlet Fish Passage project. Source Amount/Resource Type Status 100City of Fort Collins Natural Areas $100,000 Match for Grant Committed as match for WaterSMART grant Colorado Water Conservation Board $100,000 Awarded, Match for Grant Watershed Restoration Grant City of Greeley $100,000 Match for Grant Committed for Construction Phase Total Project Cost $654,553 WaterSMART Funding Requested $354,553 Total Match (87% of funds requested) $300,000 The CFC will leverage resources for this project including staff time from partners providing technical input and a $48,800 investment in design (Table 2). Table 2. Leveraged resources for the Timnath Inlet Fish Passage Project. Source Amount/Resource Type Status City of Fort Collins Natural Areas $48,800 Leverage Invested in design phase City of Fort Collins Natural Areas $11,145, Staff Time Managing Project Leverage Will be provided for construction phase Cache la Poudre Reservoir Company Staff Time Providing Input Leverage Invested in Design Phase and Committed for Implementation & Monitoring Phase Colorado Parks & Wildlife Staff Time Providing Input & Expertise Leverage Invested in Design Phase, Committed to Providing Feedback for Implementation & Monitoring Phase Total Leverage $59,945 e la P o u d r e Re s e r vo ir I n l e t Larimer a n d Weld Canal S p r i n g C re e k Sh e r w o o d Lat eral L a k e C a n a l 3 3 3 ³I ÕZYXW S College Ave E Mulberry St N Shields St N Colleg e Ave S Shields St S Timberline Rd E Prospe c t Rd S Lemay Ave N L em a y A ve N Timberline Rd Lindenmeier Rd W Mulberry St W Prospect Rd E Vine Dr ReTsimernvaotihr Inlet Lake DitchCanal DBiotcxhelder Poudre River Diversions 3 Diversion Structure Cache la Poudre River City of Fort Collins Natural Area City of Fort Collins Park I 0 0.5 1 2 3 Miles Mile 18.71 Mile 21.14 Mile 15.91 TS470 ¤£40 ¤£34 ¦¨§25 ¦¨§80 ¦¨§76 ¦¨§70 DDeennvveerr FortCollins Fort Collins CChheeyyeennnnee CCOOLLOORRAADDOO WWYYOOMMIINNGG ATTACHMENT 1