10/15/2024
Tonight's meeting in Redlands
AGENDA ITEM NO. K.1.
City Council Meeting
Meeting Date: 10/15/2024
SUBJECT:
Consideration of a Memorandum of Understanding Regarding Planning and Funding of the Santa Ana Wash Wildland Trails between the City of Highland, City of Redlands and the San Bernardino Valley Water Conservation District (Development Services Director Desatnik)
MOTION(S):
If the City Council determines that staff’s recommendation is appropriate, the following motion is provided:
I move that the City Council approve and authorize the Mayor to execute the MOU Regarding Planning and Funding of the Santa Ana Wash Wildland Trails.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council approve and authorize the Mayor to execute the MOU Regarding Planning and Funding of the Santa Ana Wash Wildland Trails between the City of Highland, the City of Redlands and the San Bernardino Valley Water Conservation District.
DISCUSSION:
The Wash Plan Habitat Conservation Plan (Wash Plan HCP) is a regional land use concept that permits and relocates a series of sand and gravel mining lease areas to locations adjacent to existing mining, and creates a habitat preserve per the requirement of these permits for a number of regional land use projects, called "Covered Activities." The Wash Plan HCP has received federal approval and is in the process of obtaining permits from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The San Bernardino Valley Water Conservation District (Conservation District) is implementing the Wash Plan HCP to allow the development, expansion, and maintenance of facilities for both municipal and commercial entities within the Wash Plan HCP area, including those of the City, while providing protected habitat for multiple Federal and State protected species that are found within the Wash Plan HCP area.
The Trails MOU focuses on wildland trails that fall on Conservation District property, is proposed with a twenty (20) year term, and defines the respective parties' roles in permitting and allowing public access to the wildland trails over time. It designates the Conservation District as the lead agency for any environmental review or permitting that may be required apart from that already completed for the Wash Plan HCP, as well as the lead implementing and operating agency for the wildland trails.
In November 2016, the Conservation District approved the Wash Plan Trails Master Plan (Trails Plan), which describes a network of expanded trails and recreational opportunities, including approximately twenty-three (23) miles of trails joining the existing trail networks in Highland and Redlands. The 4,500- acre Santa Ana River Wash provides a large, unique open space area supporting both natural habitat and recreational opportunities for residents of the area. One of the activities of the Wash Plan HCP is the development of a trail system for pedestrians and cyclists within the Wash Plan Preserve, located north of the Santa Ana River, on land primarily owned by the Conservation District in the cities of Highland and Redlands. (Exhibits A & B of MOU)
The Conservation District's implementation of the Wash Plan HCP is now proceeding to a point where trail development can begin. The City of Highland has already adopted this MOU and the Conservation District has informed Robertson’s Ready Mix, and Cemex Materials Pacific, LLC (jointly referred to as the "Miners") of the pending MOU adoption by the city. The MOU specifies funding contributions, including a one-third share contribution from the Conservation District and each Miner will contribute a one-third share from fees collected by the city or, unless otherwise mutually agreed upon, the Conservation District will directly invoice the Miners.
The MOU also creates a three-member Trails Oversight Committee consisting of one representative from each of the parties to guide maintenance and operations issues and to assist with coordination of potential future integration of trails with other regional public recreational facilities in the future.
ALTERNATIVES:
City Council may elect not to approve the action and provide alternative direction to staff.
STRATEGIC PLAN:
Not applicable.
SUBMITTED BY:
Brian Desatnik, Development Services Director
RECOMMENDED BY:
Charles M. Duggan Jr., City Manager
REVIEWED BY:
Yvette M. Abich Garcia, City Attorney
Janice McConnell, Assistant City Manager
Christopher Boatman, Assistant City Manager
Danielle Garcia, Management Services/Finance Director
PREPARED BY:
Tricia Munoz, Development Services/Management Analyst
Fiscal Impact
Discussion:
There is no impact on the General Fund for the construction or operations of trails within the Upper Santa Ana River Wash Plan. The subject MOU specifies funding contributions from the San Bernardino Valley Water Conservation District and from the mining operators through their respective Conditional Use Permits (CUP) for areas permitted for mining under the CUP 948 - Silt Pond Quarry: RRM, Condition No. E.32 (MMP REC-01, REC-02 and REC-3); CUP 949 - East Quarry South: RRM, Condition No. E.32 (MMP REC-01, REC-02, and REC-3); CUP 950 - East Quarry North: Cemex, Condition No. E.32 (MMP REC-01, REC-02, and REC-3); CUP 951 - West Quarry: Cemex, Condition No. E.32 (MMP REC-01, REC-02, and REC-3); CUP 952 - Alabama Street Quarry: Cemex, Condition No. E.32 (MMP REC-01, REC-02, and REC-3); and CUP 964 - Plunge Creek Quarry: RRM, Condition No. E.32 (MMP REC-01, REC-02 and REC-3). The trails infrastructure improvement costs are estimated to be $200,000, and the annual operating and maintenance costs are estimated to be $84,000.
Attachments
Santa Ana Wash Wildland Trails MOU
