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HomeMy WebLinkAbout13227 RESOLUTION NO. 13227 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PAYMENT FROM THE COUNCIL CONTINGENCIES ACCOUNT IN THE 2015 GENERAL FUND BUDGET TO GOLD BELT TOUR SCENIC AND HISTORIC BYWAY IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,000 FOR SPONSORSHIP OF MATCHING FUNDS FOR A FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION GRANT APPLICATION BY THE COLORADO SCENIC BYWAY CONSERVATION COALITION BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF PUEBLO, that: SECTION 1. Payment in the amount of $1,000 from the Council Contingencies Account in the 2015 General Fund Budget is authorized to be paid to Gold Belt Tour Scenic & Historic Byway to sponsor a grant from the Federal Highway Administration. SECTION 2. The officers and staff of the City are directed and authorized to perform any and all acts consistent with the intent of this Resolution to effectuate the policies and procedures described herein. SECTION 3. This Resolution shall become effective upon passage and approval. INTRODUCED: _ May 11, 2015 BY: Ed Brown City Clerk’s Office Item # M-6 Background Paper for Proposed RESOLUTION COUNCIL MEETING DATE: May 11, 2015 TO: Members of City Council CC: Sam Azad, City Manager VIA: Gina Dutcher, City Clerk FROM: Council President Stephen G. Nawrocki SUBJECT: A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PAYMENT FROM THE COUNCIL CONTINGENCIES ACCOUNT IN THE 2015 GENERAL FUND BUDGET TO GOLD BELT TOUR SCENIC AND HISTORIC BYWAY IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,000 FOR SPONSORSHIP OF MATCHING FUNDS FOR A FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION GRANT APPLICATION BY THE COLORADO SCENIC BYWAY CONSERVATION COALITION SUMMARY: Attached for consideration is a request from Frontier Pathways Scenic Byways for support with matching funds for a Federal Highway Administration grant that will benefit tourism/economic development planning for Pueblo and Custer Counties. PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION: None. BACKGROUND: Frontier Pathways Scenic Byways is working with the Colorado Scenic Byway Conservation Coalition to obtain a grant from the Federal Highway to establish economic development plans for three Colorado byways that model how sustainable economic growth can both contribute to and benefit from natural resource protection on the byway. The grant was secured through the efforts of the Colorado Scenic Byway Conservation Coalition, (CSBCC), which consists of thirteen byways and five conservation organizations. U.S. byways are designated as such for their scenic and historic value, which draw travelers to smaller communities. Pueblo is the beginning and end-point of the Frontier Pathways Byway loop that includes Westcliffe, San Isabel National Forest, Rye, and Colorado City. The CSBCC, which includes Frontier Pathways, has already received a million-dollar grant for conservation planning that is underway. The two planning grants are supportive of the other since protecting open lands underlie Colorado’s economic strength. Studies commissioned by the Colorado Tourism Office underscore this point: unspoiled natural landscapes are visitors’ most valued attribute. Pueblo uses the Pueblo chile to brand and promote its farming heritage and the Chile and Frijole Festival. We have a rich and diverse community that can support many cottage industries and farm-to-table tours. As a result, we have many job-creation possibilities in addition to the RTA, but they must be identified as a first step. Since The San Juan Skyway Byway pulled out of this grant due to a lack of matching funds Frontier Pathways Scenic Byway has seized the opportunity for our byway communities. The Federal Highway Administration has already funded this economic development grant. The consulting team, Progressive Urban Management Associates, is ready to work with our community starting in April. The planning done now, combined with active land and water resource protection efforts, will guarantee that, years from now, visitors and residents can still experience our natural, cultural, farming and ranching landscapes. The Colorado Scenic Byways Conservation Coalition (CSBCC) is an alliance of byway associations and conservation organizations. The mission of the CSBCC is to protect land and water resources on Colorado’s Scenic and Historic Byways in ways that save majestic landscapes, sustain healthy ecosystems, and promote cultural and economic vibrancy. This grant will establish economic development plans for three Colorado byways that model how sustainable economic growth can both contribute to and benefit from natural resource protection on the byway. The project budget allocates $20,000 in consulting fees for each byway and $4,000 is required for coordination fees. Plans will be developed for the Gold Belt Tour, Collegiate Peaks, and Frontier Pathways. These byways possess significant potential to develop new farm and ranch-based industries, new public recreation opportunities, and new commercial ventures that will serve both resident populations and visitors. Funding will support contractors to coordinate services for byways without paid staff as well as contacted services with conservation organizations on each byway. Byways will develop an inventory of potential conservation projects with economic or public access potential; byway and conservation representatives will meet with landowners and stake holders around potential projects; and conservation organization will pursue, negotiate, fundraise for and execute visitor- ready projects with high conservation values and strong economic potential. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: Funds in the amount of $1000 would be paid from the Council Contingencies Account in the 2015 General Fund Budget to Gold Belt Tour Scenic and Historic Byway. BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION: Not Applicable. STAKEHOLDER PROCESS: Not Applicable. ALTERNATIVES: The Council could choose not to sponsor this activity. RECOMMENDATION: This Resolution is at the request of Council President Stephen G. Nawrocki. Attachments: Attached is a request for funding assistance and a grant summary. DATE BALANCE IN 2015 CONTINGENCIES ACCOUNT DEBIT CREDIT BALANCE Beginning Balance $ 16,250.00 1/26/2015 Boys&Girls Clubs of Pueblo County $ 1,000.00 $ 15,250.00 2/23/2015 Latino Chamber 36th Annual Dinner/Dance Celebration $ 680.00 $ 14,570.00 3/23/2015 Adopt A Highway Maintenance Corporation $ 6,600.00 $ 7,970.00 3/23/2015 El Pueblo Pavilion Master Plan Project $ 5,000.00 $ 2,970.00 4/13/2015 Southern Colorado Soap Box Derby, Inc. $ 500.00 $ 2,470.00 4/13/2015 Juneteenth Organization of Pueblo, Inc. $ 1,000.00 $ 1,470.00 4/13/2015 LULAC Scholarship $ 470.00 $ 1,000.00 5/11/2015 FHWA Grant sponsorship-Gold Belt Tour Scenic& Historic Byway $ 1,000.00 $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - Introduction: Thank you very much for reviewing this grant summary and considering a fortunate opportunity that requires quick action. This is a request for support of our efforts to raise $4,000 in matching funds for a grant that will benefit tourism/economic development planning for Pueblo and Custer Counties. The grant was secured through the efforts of the Colorado Scenic Byway Conservation Coalition, (CSBCC), which consists of thirteen byways and five conservation organizations. U.S. byways are designated as such for their scenic and historic value, which draw travelers to smaller communities. Pueblo is the beginning and end-point of the Frontier Pathways Byway loop that includes Westcliffe, San Isabel National Forest, Rye, and Colorado City. The CSBCC, which includes Frontier Pathways, has already received a million-dollar grant for conservation planning that is underway. Land conservation is vital to Colorado's natural landscapes, which has a tremendous impact upon Colorado's two largest industry sectors, agriculture and tourism. The two planning grants are supportive of the other since protecting open lands underlie Colorado's economic strength. Studies commissioned by the Colorado Tourism Office underscore this point: unspoiled natural landscapes are visitors' most valued attribute. For example, Pueblo has identified itself with the chile brand and promotes its farming heritage with the Chile and Frijole Festival., We have a rich and diverse community that can support many cottage industries and farm-to-table tours. As a result we have many job-creation possibilities in addition to the RTA, but they must be identified as a first step. Since The San Juan Skyway Byway pulled out of this grant due to a lack of matching fees The Frontier Pathways Scenic Byway has seized the opportunity for our byway communities. Our board of directors is therefore, seeking the matching funds. This economic development grant has already been funded by the Federal Highway Administration and the consulting team, PROGRESSIVE URBAN MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATES is ready to work with our community starting in April. The planning done now, combined with active land and water resource protection efforts, will guarantee that, years from now, visitors and residents can still experience our natural, cultural, farming and ranching landscapes. Overview: The Colorado Scenic Byways Conservation Coalition (CSBCC) is an alliance of byway associations and conservation organizations. The mission of the CSBCC is to protect land and water resources on Colorado's Scenic and Historic Byways in ways that: (1) save majestic landscapes, (2) sustain healthy ecosystems, and (3)promote cultural and economic vibrancy. This grant will establish economic development plans for three Colorado byways that model how sustainable economic growth can both contribute to and benefit from natural resource protection on the byway. The project budget allocates $20,000 in consulting fees for each byway and $4,000 is needed for coordination fees. Plans will be developed for the Gold Belt Tour, Collegiate Peaks, and Frontier Pathways. These byways possess significant potential to develop: o new farm and ranch-based industries, ® new public recreation opportunities, and o new commercial ventures that will serve both resident populations and visitors. Examples: South Park, opportunities to fish waters on private, protected ranches are drawing local, national, and international fly fishermen to rural communities. Their access fees provide additional income to ranchers to pay for habitat restoration, and support marketing of the program. o Delta County, established opportunities for travelers to directly access small farm and ranch operations, local artist studios, and traditional cottage industry sites. Travelers not only learn about different heritage industries, they also purchase products directly from the producer—contributing to long-term cultural landscape sustainability ® Landowners are offering fee and guided tours to wildlife and heritage sites. and offer bed and breakfast stays in historic accommodations Thank you for taking the time to consider our request for matching funds. We know these types of projects are often complex, time-consuming, and costly,yet the public benefit and economic impact can be significant and long lasting. Executing these projects will require resources for planning, outreach, negotiation and fundraising. The project budget allocates, on average $16,625 per by byway,per year, over a two-year period, to launch planning and implementation efforts for these types of projects. Funding will support: contractors to coordinate services for byways without paid staff as well as contacted services with conservation organizations on each byway. Byways will develop an inventory of potential conservation projects with economic or public access potential; byway and conservation representatives will meet with landowners and stake holders around potential projects; and conservation organization will pursue, negotiate, fundraise for and execute visitor-ready projects with high conservation values and strong economic potential. Thank you for taking the time to consider our request. Deborah Espinosa President, Frontier Pathways Scenic Byways 719 369- 4108 Colorado Scenic Byways Conservation Coalition 7417e,1 9144 I. Overview The Colorado Scenic Byways Conservation Coalition(CSBCC) is an alliance of byway associations and conservation organizations. The mission of the CSBCC is to protect land and water resources on Colorado's Scenic and Historic Byways in ways that(1)save majestic landscapes,(2)sustain healthy ecosystems,and(3)promote cultural and economic vibrancy. The vision of the CSBCC is to ensure that"one hundred years from now,visitors can experience the spectacular natural and cultural landscapes that earned Colorado's Scenic Byways their designation." The CSBCC was established by nine inaugural members---five byway associations and four conservation organizations—in early 2011. Individually,these groups had already achieved significant conservation success along several byways in southern Colorado. In a fifteen-year period between 1995 and 2010.they permanently protected 90 byway properties encompassing 33,422 acres of spectacular open lands.Through landowner donations and the support of private, local,state,and national funders,they leveraged over$114 million in support of these efforts. Their goal in forming the CSBCC was to accelerate the pace of conservation in the face of rising threats to land and water resources on Colorado's byways. Following the formation of the Coalition, the CSBCC applied for and secured a$1.7 million National Scenic Byways Program(NSBP)grant from the Federal Highway Administration(FHWA)and raised an additional$2.I million in matching contributions from other funders. The grant secured funds for the Coalition to(a)establish a statewide conservation plan and conservation toolkit for all Colorado byways;(b)address critical needs for effective planning,outreach,and implementation for the five byways that were members of the CSBCC at that time,and(c)permanently protect six at-risk landscapes along those five byways through conservation easement purchases. Now,the CSBCC is applying for a second NSBP grant through FHWA. Recognizing that resource protection is just one element in a critical amalgam that ensures byway sustainability,the focus of this CSBCC grant is much broader. Building off the last award,this grant will:(a)establish economic development plans for three Colorado byways that model how sustainable economic growth can both contribute to and benefit from natural resource protection on the byway;(b)expand land and water conservation efforts on five byways to support new public access,recreational, and commercial opportunities on protected lands;(c)provide new conservation outreach,planning,and implementation resources to eight byways and share economic modeling and conservation tools with those byways; and(d)develop interpretive and educational materials that showcase the relationship between byways,land conservation,and economic development. The CSBCC has grown to eighteen Coalition members- thirteen byways and five conservation organizations. All thirteen byways will benefit from this grant in various ways. The economic development plans will be created for the Gold Belt Tour,Collegiate Peaks,and San Juan Skyway. Planning resources to support new public access, recreational,and commercial opportunities through land protection will target those three byways.as well as Trail of the Ancients and Unaweep Tabeguache. New conservation efforts will be launched across eight new CSBCC member byways: Frontier Pathways,Highway of Legends, Santa Fe Trail. Top of the Rockies.Alpine Loop,Grand Mesa, West Elk Loop,and Dinosaur Diamond. Conservation plans for those byways, funded through the previous CSBCC FHWA grant, will be implemented,and toolkits and economic models developed through this grant will be shared. Interpretive and educational materials that showcase the relationship between byways, land conservation, and economic development will be developed for four byways where conservation projects funded through the last FHWA grant are taking place:Gold Belt Tour,Collegiate Peaks,San Juan Skyway, and Unaweep Tabeguache. These materials will be developed with the assistance of the Trust for Public Land,the newest conservation organization in the CSBCC. Other CSBCC conservation members include Palmer Land Trust, Land Trust of the Upper Arkansas. Montezuma Land Conservancy,and Mesa Land Trust. H. Vision The landscapes around Colorado's byways are rapidly changing. Colorado loses approximately 90,000 acres of open land each year,and the average large farm and ranch shrinks by 80 acres annually—a loss four times greater than that experienced in any other state. This has a tremendous impact upon Colorado's two largest industry sectors, agriculture and tourism, which are highly dependent upon the state's spectacular open lands. Studies commissioned by the Colorado Tourism Office underscore this point: unspoiled natural landscapes are visitors' most valued attribute. Protecting the open lands that underlie Colorado's economic strength is imperative. Nowhere is this more important than along Colorado's twenty-five scenic and historic byways. These byways are significant economic drivers for the state. This CSBCC proposal provides a robust opportunity to establish new commercial ventures around a growing protected land base. These opportunities are authentic,steeped in western tradition.and take place on some of Colorado's most beautiful protected landscapes. New farm-and ranch-based industries, new public recreation opportunities,and new commercial ventures in rural communities will be established through this grant. These activities,combined with active land and water resource protection efforts,will guarantee that,one hundred years from now, visitors can experience the spectacular natural and cultural landscapes that earned Colorado's Scenic Byways their designation. W. Project Components A. Executing Economic Development Planning. This grant will establish economic development plans for three Colorado byways that model how sustainable economic growth can both contribute to and benefit from natural resource protection on the byway. Plans will be developed for the Gold Belt Tour,Collegiate Peaks,and San Juan Skyway. These byways possess significant potential to develop new farm-and ranch-based industries,new public recreation opportunities, and new commercial ventures that will serve both resident populations and visitors. The economic development plans will draw upon some of Colorado's best"value-added"economic development models. For example. in South Park,Colorado,opportunities to fish gold-medal waters on private,protected ranches are drawing local, national,and international tly fishermen to rural communities. Their access fees provide additional income to ranchers,pay for habitat restoration,and support marketing of the program. In southeastern Colorado, where a public-private partnership launched the Colorado Birding Trail, visitors join fifth and sixth generation ranchers on protected lands for birding tours. Here, 85%of the land is in private ownership and more than half of the birding sights are on private lands. Landowners are offering fee-based access,bed and breakfast stays in historic accommodations.and guided tours to wildlife and heritage sites. In Delta County,a tourism program that won the Governor's Advancing Colorado Award established opportunities for travelers to directly access small farm and ranch operations, local artist studios,and traditional cottage industry sites. Travelers not only learn about different heritage industries,they also purchase products directly from the producer—contributing to long-term cultural landscape sustainability. In towns like Silverton and Leadville,where mine closures have threatened local economies,historic preservation and heritage tourism have provided a significant new economic base and resulted in the designation of Colorado's newest national historic landmark sites. These economic development initiatives provide a vision for a sustainable Colorado. Creating a plan for each byway will require a detailed analysis of natural and cultural assets in the byway corridor, and it will entail significant work with both the public and private sectors. In particular,private landowner partners—farmers,ranchers, and other individuals interested in entrepreneurial,value-added economic development activities—will have to be identified. The objective of the plans will be to strengthen traditional economies on each byway,create greater tourism revenue for the communities along each byway,generate income for individual landowners offering services on their property, preserve the rural and agricultural identity of the areas,enhance local food security,and build bridges among landowners,the tourism industry,and conservation stakeholders. Each byway will hire a consultant to develop its plan. Consultants will be selected through a competitive bid process and must submit a separate bid for each byway project,although multiple submissions from consulting firms will be encouraged,given the potential for information sharing. The project budget allocates 525,000 in consulting fees for each byway and$7,500 in coordination tees. Because of the size of the San Juan Skyway, planning will focus on the western portion of the byway,where greater economic need exists. Plans for the Gold Belt Tour and Collegiate Peaks will focus on the entire byway. The result will be a plan for each byway to implement with the support of public and private partners, conservation organizations,and the CSBCC. The plans will serve as models for future economic development initiatives on other Colorado byways. B. Deepening Conservation Efforts that will Create New Visitor Experiences and Promote New Commercial Activity. The CSBCC proposes to expand conservation efforts on the three byways where economic development planning will take place,as well as on two adjacent byways—Trail of the Ancients and Unaweep Tabeguache. Funding for this portion of the project will be used to advance conservation projects with public access components,as public access is integral to the development of new economic opportunities. Examples of public access potentials include: creation of new public recreational areas,establishment of legal access to existing public lands,and protection of private lands that can support limited public access or value-added commercial activities. One objective of the economic development plans described in Part A of this grant proposal is to identify projects of this type. These new projects,as well as projects already identified,will be advanced through this portion of the grant. Examples of projects already identified are numerous. On the Gold Belt Tour, significant opportunities exist to create new fishing leases through private ranch conservation. The purchase of a reservoir owned by a private ditch company can create public access for fishing, boating,picnicking,and hiking—as well as increase grazing pastures for local ranchers. Acquisition of an historic adobe schoolhouse can protect the building and the land it sits on, increase pastureland,and establish a new public park. Along the Collegiate Peaks there is potential for additional recreational access to the Arkansas River. A water storage project with the Upper Arkansas Water Conservancy District would preserve the byways view corridor and provide river access for fishing,birding, picnicking,and a vehicle-accessible put-in and take-out for whitewater rafting and kayaking. The San Juan Skyway also has opportunities for increased public boating and fishing access points. One such project, which has the support of multiple stakeholder groups, would protect a key property on the Dolores River and provide fishing access on a mile of river frontage. On the Trail of the Ancients,opportunities to preserve access to archaeological sites are significant. Byways partners have already protected key properties that line the entrances to public sites such as Lowery Pueblo. Along the Unaweep Tabeguache,acquiring legal public access across a private ranch would enable travelers to reach the foot of the spectacular Fall Creek Falls, which each spring roars with snowmelt as it descends hundreds of feet from the Unaweep Canyon rim. Common to all five byways is an opportunity to execute farm and ranch protection projects that connect both travelers and area merchants with locally grown and raised food products. These types of projects are often complex,time-consuming,and costly,yet the public benefit and economic impact can be significant and long lasting. Executing these projects will require resources for planning,outreach, negotiation,and fundraising. The project budget allocates,on average,$16,625 per byway, per year,over a two- year period,to launch planning and implementation efforts for these types of projects. Funding will support:(a) contractors to coordinate services for byways without paid staff,(b)coordination efforts for byways with paid staff. and(c)contracted services with conservation organizations on each byway. Byways will develop an inventory of potential conservation projects with economic or public access potential;byway and conservation representatives will meet with landowners and stakeholders around potential projects;and conservation organizations will pursue, negotiate, fundraise for,and execute visitor-ready projects with high conservation values and strong economic potential. C. Providing Planning Resources and Sharing Economic Models with Eight New Byways. To increase the pace of conservation efforts on byways across the state,the CSBCC intends to provide conservation services to eight new byway partners: Dinosaur Diamond,Grand Mesa,Top of the Rockies, Highway of Legends, Frontier Pathways, Santa Fe Trail, West Elk Loop,and Alpine Loop. On-the-ground outreach and coordination is the key to strengthening conservation efforts along byways with limited capacity for land and water resource protection. The 201 I CSBCC grant award provided funding to establish a baseline conservation plan for all byways in the state using existing GIS conservation data from Colorado Division of Wildlife.The Nature Conservancy,Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and other sources. It also provided funding for the creation of a"conservation toolkit" for use on all byways. This project budget allocates$20,000 for CSBCC conservation partners(including Palmer Land Trust, Land Trust of the Upper Arkansas, Montezuma Land Conservancy. Mesa Land Trust,and The Trust for Public Land)to initiate a formal, full-day training session with each byway. The training will provide information on CSBCC conservation efforts,the GIS plan developed for that byway.various conservation tools(such as conservation easements and how they work),and conservation funding mechanisms. Depending on the interests and makeup of the byway,training can be for the byway board,elected officials, landowners,other groups,or some combination thereof. The funding will also support the sharing of economic models with byway association boards and education sessions at two state conferences:the Colorado Scenic and Historic Byways annual conference(held last year in conjunction with the state tourism conference)and the Colorado Coalition of Land Trusts annual conference. Following these initial outreach activities,the project allocates,on average,just over$13,800 per byway, per year, to launch conservation implementation efforts on these byways. Funding will support: (a)contractors to coordinate services for byways without paid staff, (b)coordination efforts for byways with paid staff, (c)parcel prioritization by conservation organizations,(d)outreach to and negotiations with landowners and other stakeholder groups by conservation organizations,and(e)execution of conservation projects(including fundraising efforts)that protect the visual,ecological,cultural,and economic integrity of the byway. D. Developing Interpretive and Educational Materials that Showcase the Relationship Between Byways, Land Conservation,and Economic Development. To educate both visitors and residents and develop a strong conservation stewardship ethic among these groups,this project will develop educational and interpretive materials for four byways: Gold Belt Tour,Collegiate Peaks, San Juan Skyway,and Unaweep Tabeguache. The Trust for Public Land(TPL),the newest conservation member of the CSBCC,will assist with this effort. TPL is a national nonprofit that conserves land for people to enjoy as parks, gardens,historic sites,rural lands,and other natural places. The organization works from the inner city to the wilderness in order to ensure livable communities for generations to come. In 2009,TPL issued a study entitled"A Return on Investment: The Economic Value of Colorado's Conservation Easements."The study showed that investments in conservation easements provided a return of$6 for every S I invested(for a total of$3.51 billion in public benefits during the time period assessed). Some measurable benefits the study identified that result from protection of privately-owned lands include: water supply protection, scenic views,flood control, fish and wildlife habitat,recreation,carbon sequestration,erosion control.and agricultural crop production. TPL will develop educational materials for three byways—Gold Belt Tour, Collegiate Peaks, and San Juan Skyway—highlighting the economic benefits of scenic byways to local and state economies and the economic importance of conservation efforts on those byways. These materials will illustrate the inherent relationship between protecting the places people love and supporting tourism and economic development. Materials will be produced in color and distributed in key locations along each byway as well as to key stakeholder groups. $7,500 per byway is allocated to this effort. En addition,these three byways and the Unaweep Tabeguache have completed (or.through the previous FHWA grant,are in the process of completing)several signature conservation efforts. This project allocates$25,000 to develop ten interpretive signs(between two and three signs on each byway)that describe the conservation efforts and emphasize the relationship between byways,economic development,and land conservation.