REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
SUBMITTED BY: Al Zelinka, City Manager
VIA: Ursula Luna-Reynosa, Director of Community Development
PREPARED BY: Ricky Ramos, Principal Planner
Subject:
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Adopt Resolution No. 2023-20 authorizing submittal of an application for a California Coastal Commission Local Coastal Program Planning Grant; and, approve and authorize execution of an amendment to a Professional Services Contract between the City and Michael Baker International, Inc. for a Comprehensive Local Coastal Program update
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Statement of Issue:
This Request for Council Action seeks authorization for staff to submit a grant application for up to $500,000 to fund an ongoing comprehensive update to the City’s Local Coastal Program (LCP) for certification by the California Coastal Commission (CCC). In addition, transmitted for your consideration, is a request to amend a Professional Services Contract between the City and Michael Baker International, Inc. for a Comprehensive LCP update by extending the term an additional year to May 17, 2024.
Financial Impact:
Adopting the Resolution authorizing submittal of the grant application does not result in a fiscal impact at this time. If the City Council authorizes the grant application and the City successfully procures the funds, then there will be a positive fiscal impact. The contract amendment will not require new appropriation at this time as it merely extends the term of the contract for one additional year.
Recommended Action:
recommendation
A) Adopt Resolution No. 2023-20, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach Authorizing Submittal of an Application for a California Coastal Commission LCP Planning Grant” (Attachment No. 1); and,
B) Approve and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute “Amendment No. 1 to Agreement between the City of Huntington Beach and Michael Baker International, Inc. for a Comprehensive Local Coastal Program Update” as prepared by the City Attorney (Attachment No. 2).
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Alternative Action(s):
The City Council may make the following alternative motions:
A. Do not adopt the Resolution, deny Amendment No. 1, and direct staff accordingly.
B. Continue the item and direct staff accordingly.
Analysis:
An LCP is a local government’s land use plan, zoning ordinances, zoning maps, and other implementing actions, which taken together meet the requirements of and implement the provisions and policies of the California Coastal Act at the local level. The City’s LCP was initially certified by the CCC in 1985 and was last comprehensively updated in 2001 following the 1996 General Plan update. It requires updating again as a follow up to the 2017 General Plan update to incorporate updated policies, land use changes, and coastal hazards such as flooding, lower cost visitor accommodations, etc. Having a certified LCP grants local jurisdictions the authority to issue coastal development permits for development within its coastal zone in lieu of the CCC.
The Budget Act of 2021 provided up to $31 million for CCC grants to local governments to support LCP planning efforts that promote coastal resiliency and adaptation to coastal hazards. The CCC under the authority of the California Coastal Act may provide financial assistance to support local coastal planning and has approved a grant program.
In 2019, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2019-56, which authorized staff to apply for a CCC grant to fund a comprehensive update to the LCP. In 2020, the CCC approved a $200,000 grant and the City hired Michael Baker International (consultant) to begin an update to the LCP. Since then the City has completed an updated Vulnerability study, which has been approved by CCC staff. The initial CCC grant expired at the end of April 2023 and a new grant of up to $500,000 (no match requirement) is needed to fund the remaining phases of the LCP update, which include additional public outreach and updates to the Coastal Resiliency Plan, Coastal Element, and flood ordinance.
If the City were to stop working on the current LCP update, it could delay other future amendments that the City may be interested in completing such as, certification of the Sunset Beach Specific Plan, an update to the Downtown Specific Plan, or other General Plan and zoning code amendments applicable in the coastal zone.
As such, staff requests the City Council authorize the application for additional grant funds so staff can continue to study coastal hazards and plan for solutions to protect private and public improvements that are currently, and may be in the future, subject to flooding and other adverse events. If staff is successful in procuring additional grant funds, staff will return to the City Council with Amendment No. 2 to the agreement between the City and consultant to increase the amount of the contract. The only change contemplated with Amendment No. 1 (subject of this Request for Council Action) is to extend the term for one year from May 17, 2023 to May 17, 2024.
Environmental Status:
Pursuant to Section 15265 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines, CEQA does not apply to activities and approvals by local governments necessary for the preparation and adoption of an LCP.
Strategic Plan Goal:
Financial Sustainability, Public Safety or Other
Attachment(s):
1. Resolution No. 2023-20
2. Amendment No. 1 to Agreement between the City of Huntington Beach and Michael Baker International, Inc. for a Comprehensive Local Coastal Program Update
3. Original Professional Services Contract between the City of Huntington Beach and Michael Baker International, Inc. for a Comprehensive Local Coastal Program Update
4. Insurance Certificate
5. PowerPoint