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Home My WebLink AboutS24 - OCTA Measure M - Potential Banning Ranch PurchaseCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT Agenda Item No. s24 April 14, 2009 TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: City Manager's Office Homer Bludau, City Manager 9491644 -3000 or hbludau @city.newport- beach.ca.us SUBJECT: City Council Letter of Support for OCTA Measure "M" Environmental Mitigation Funding Request from Banning Ranch Conservancy Regarding Potential Banning Ranch Purchase ISSUE: Does the City Council want to provide Conservancy's request to OCTA for Measure towards the purchase of Banning Ranch? RECOMMENDATION: letter of support for the Banning Ranch "M" environmental mitigation funding to apply The City Manager recommends the draft letter of support for the Banning Ranch Conservancy's request be provided. DISCUSSION: Background: One of the 13 City Council established priorities for 2009 is to: "continue with the process to determine eventual land use for the Banning Ranch property, pursuing both open space and development options outlined in the General Plan." This priority follows a 2008 Council priority which sought to conduct an appraisal of the Banning Ranch property and assess the funding available for the purchase of the property for open space. The City hired an appraiser and has received the general appraisal report, which shows the Banning Ranch property to be valued at approximately $138 -158 million, without the cost of site cleanup being applied. The City also retained an open space acquisition funding consultant, who is researching funding opportunities, and whom the City Council has made available as a resource to the Banning Ranch Conservancy. OCTA has $240 million in Measure "M" funds set aside for environmental acquisition and restoration purposes. On April 15, 2009, OCTA will allow groups to propose projects for this funding. The Banning Ranch Conservancy intends to make a presentation requesting City Council Letterof Support for OCTA Measure -M- Environmental Mitigation Funding Request from Banning Ranch Conservancy Regarding Potential Banning Ranch Purchase April 14, 2009 Page 2 funding for the acquisition and restoration of Banning Ranch. The Conservancy has requested a letter of support from the City. The City Council has already authorized the City Manager to ask OCTA for funding for Banning Ranch acquisition and /or habitat improvement, in an action taken on January 27, 2009. It is clear that the City Council is committed to assisting in researching funding opportunities for the acquisition of Banning Ranch by some responsible party, and a letter of support for the Conservancy's efforts would be appropriate and consistent with the Council's previous action. The City and the Banning Ranch Conservancy both believe that, in the current economic slowdown and State budget environment, finding a single source of funding for the acquisition of the entire Banning Ranch is unlikely, but OCTA's Measure M funds present a good opportunity to obtain a substantial amount to go towards this purpose. The proposed draft letter is attached. Environmental Review: The City Council's approval of this Agenda Item does not require environmental review. Public Notice: This agenda item has been noticed according to the Brown Act (72 hours in advance of the meeting at which the Council considers the item). Submitted by HOMER L. BLU •AU City Manager Attachment Mayor Edward D. Selich Mayor Pro Tem Keith D. Curry Council Members Leslie J. Daigle Nancy Gardner Michael F. Henn Mr. Peter Buffa Chairman, OCTA 550 South Main Street Orange, CA 92863 -1584 Dear Chairman Buffa: CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH OFFICE OF THE MAYOR Steven Rosansky The Newport Beach City Council has embarked on an effort to determine if Don Webb there is sufficient funding from various sources to acquire the 400 acre site known as the Banning Ranch. This site lies partially in Newport Beach and partially in the County's jurisdiction, north of Pacific Coast Highway adjacent to the Santa Ana River. The Newport Beach City Council authorized the City to request Measure "M" environmental mitigation funding for this project, in addition to three others, on January 27, 2009; and that request was submitted to OCTA. I want to make it clear that the City is not in any way in competition with the Banning Ranch Conservancy for these funds. The City supports the acquisition of Banning Ranch for open space by any party capable of purchasing, protecting and maintaining it, and we support the request being made by the Banning Ranch Conservancy as being consistent with our own request. The Banning Ranch property has significant wetlands and wildlife value, and deserves to be preserved for the enjoyment of all County and State residents. The City Council believes the acquisition of Banning Ranch by the Conservancy, the City or some other capable party meets the full intent of the Measure M funding set aside for acquisition and restoration purposes, and would be a great legacy for these Measure M funds. We strongly support Measure M funding for Banning Ranch and will continue our work to identify any additional funding needed. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, EDWARD D. SELICH Mayor City Hall • 3300 Newport Boulevard • Post Office Box 1768 Newport Beach California 92658 -8915 • www.city.newport- beach.ca.us (949) 644 -3004 Mayor Edward D. Selich Mayor Pro Tem Keith D. Curry Council Members Leslie J. Daigle Nancy Gardner Michael F. Henn Steven Rosansky Don Webb CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH OFFICE OF THE MAYOR April 15, 2009 Mr. Peter Buffa Chairman, OCTA 550 South Main Street Orange, CA 92863 -1584 Dear Chairman Buffa: The Newport Beach City Council has embarked on an effort to determine if there is sufficient funding from various sources to acquire the 400 acre site known as the Banning Ranch. This site lies partially in Newport Beach and partially in the County's jurisdiction, north of Pacific Coast Highway adjacent to the Santa Ana River. The Newport Beach City Council authorized the City to request Measure "M" environmental mitigation funding for this project, in addition to three others, on January 27, 2009; and that request was submitted to OCTA. I want to make it clear that the City is not in any way in competition with the Banning Ranch Conservancy for these funds. The City supports the acquisition of Banning Ranch for open space by any party capable of purchasing, protecting and maintaining it, and we support the request being made by the Banning Ranch Conservancy as being consistent with our own request. The Banning Ranch property has significant wetlands and wildlife value, and deserves to be preserved for the enjoyment of all County and State residents. The City Council believes the acquisition of Banning Ranch by the Conservancy, the City or some other capable party meets the full intent of the Measure M funding set aside for acquisition and restoration purposes, and would be a great legacy for these Measure M funds. We strongly support Measure M funding for Banning Ranch and will continue our work to identify any additional funding needed. Thank you for your consideration. Sincere_�ly__,gg P) EDWARD D. SELICH Mayor City Hall • 3300 Newport Boulevard • Post Office Box 1768 Newport Beach Califomia 92658 -8915 • www.city.newport- beach.ca.us (949) 644 -3004