REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration and a Mitigation Monitoring Reporting Program for Animal Assisted Happiness at Baylands Park, Approve the Conceptual Plan and Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Sublease Agreement between the City and Animal Assisted Happiness (AAH)
Report
SUMMARY OF COMMISSION ACTION
The Parks and Recreation Commission (PRC) and Sustainability Commission considered this item on March 8, 2017 and March 20, 2017, respectively.
The PRC voted to approve Alternative 1: Recommend Council adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration and a Mitigation Monitoring Reporting Program for Animal Assisted Happiness at Baylands Park, approve the conceptual plans and authorize the City Manager to execute a sublease agreement between the City and Animal Assisted Happiness. The vote was 4-0, with Commissioner Pochowski absent (Attachment 10 - Excerpt of Draft PRC meeting minutes).
The Sustainability Commission also voted to approve Alternative 1. The vote was 4-0, with Commissioner Srivastava and Commissioner Kisyova absent (Attachment 11 - Excerpt of Draft Sustainability Commission meeting minutes).
Staff presented a report to both Commissions (17-0090 and 17-0251) and provided information on the final Mitigated Negative Declaration and the AAH move to Baylands Park, as well as, vocational activities the program will provide. Staff responded to PRC questions related to parking fees, City subsidies and flood safety. Staff advised that parking will be paid by visitors and no revenue from the program will go to the City as well as the City will not provide subsidies to the AAH.
Staff responded to questions from the Sustainability Commission related to potential health risks posed by the animals, safety concerns, potential impacts on burrowing owl habitat and methods to dispose of animal waste.
The President of AAH was also present at each meeting to provide information and answer questions as needed.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City's official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall, at the Sunnyvale Senior Center, Community Center and Department of Public Safety; and by making the agenda and report available at the Sunnyvale Public Library, the Office of the City Clerk and on the City's website.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Make the findings required by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) in Attachment 12, Adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration and a Mitigation Monitoring Reporting Program for Animal Assisted Happiness at Baylands Park, approve the conceptual plans and authorize the City Manager to execute a sublease agreement between the City and Animal Assisted Happiness.
2. Do not make the findings required by CEQA, do not adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration and a Mitigation Monitoring Reporting Program for Animal Assisted Happiness at Baylands Park, do not approve the conceptual plans and do not authorize the City Manager to execute a sublease agreement between the City and Animal Assisted Happiness.
3. Provide other direction to staff.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Alternative 1: Make the findings required by the California Environmental Quality Act in Attachment 12 to the Report, Adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration and a Mitigation Monitoring Reporting Program for Animal Assisted Happiness at Baylands Park, approve the conceptual plans and authorize the City Manager to execute a sublease agreement between the City and Animal Assisted Happiness.
Staff
Prepared by: Craig Mobeck, Assistant Director of Public Works
Reviewed by: Manuel Pineda, Director of Public Works
Reviewed by: Kent Steffens, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Deanna J. Santana, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Report to Parks and Recreation Commission No. 17-0090, March 8, 2017; and, Report to Sustainability Commission No. 17-0251, March 20, 2017 (without attachments)
2. Study Issue DPW 13-13
3. RTC No. 13-311
4. Biological Constraints and Opportunities Analysis
5. RTC No. 14-0034
6. Final MND, Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program, and Response to Comments
7. Aerial of Baylands Park AAH Proposed Location
8. Conceptual Plan for Animal Assisted Happiness
9. Draft Agreement between the City and AAH
Additional Attachments for Report to Council
10. Excerpt of Draft Minutes of the Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting of March 8, 2017
11. Excerpt of Draft Minutes of the Sustainability Commission Meeting of March 20, 2017
12. CEQA Findings for Mitigated Negative Declaration