HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Resolution 14592 (Tiscornia Marsh East Canal Street)RESOLUTION NO. 14592
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL
APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN A LETTER OF
ENDORSEMENT AND SUPPORT FOR THE MARIN AUDUBON SOCIETY’S
MEASURE AA APPLICATION TO FUND THE TISCORNIA MARSH HABITAT
RESTORATION & SEA LEVEL RISE ADAPTATION PROJECT (CANAL ST.)
WHEREAS, in 2016, the voters of the nine Bay Area counties approved Measure AA, a
parcel tax measure. The purpose of Measure AA is to generate $500 million over a 20-year period
to fund critical marsh restoration projects around the San Francisco Bay; and
WHEREAS, Marin Audubon Society owns the Tiscornia Marsh, which is a 20-acre tidal
marsh and bay lands located north of East Canal Street, and east of the Albert J Boro Community
Center and Pickleweed Park. Over the past 30 years, Tiscornia Marsh has experienced
considerable erosion along the bayward edge; and
WHEREAS, in 2017, Marin Audubon Society received a grant from Marin Community
Foundation to develop a nature-based design concept to address sea level rise at the Tiscornia
Marsh site; and
WHEREAS, on behalf of Marin Audubon Society, Environmental Science Associates (ESA),
environmental consultants developed and assessed several conceptual design alternatives. The
preferred conceptual design presents a restoration of Tiscornia Marsh and raising the shoreline
levee and path. Included in the preferred conceptual plan is the City-owned, four-acre diked salt
marsh located north of the Pickelweed Park playfields; and
WHEREAS, the preferred conceptual design plan would be; a) consistent with the policies
and programs of the San Rafael General 2040 that support the protection and enhancement of
open space; b) implement sea level rise adaptation supported by the City’s Climate Change Action
Plan, Marin BayWAVE, and the City’s Sea Level Rise White Paper; and
WHEREAS, on September 20, 2018, the Park & Recreation Commission reviewed the
preferred conceptual design plan and Measure AA application. On a 5-0-2 vote, the Commission
recommended to the City Council support for this conceptual design plan and application; and
WHEREAS, at a regular City Council meeting held on October 1, 2018, the Tiscornia Marsh
restoration and adaptation project and Measure AA application was presented, public comment was
accepted, and the City Council discussed the report findings and recommendations.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council hereby authorizes the Mayor
to sign, on behalf of the City Council, a letter of endorsement and support for Marin Audubon
Society’s Measure AA application to the Measure AA application to fund the Tiscornia Marsh Habitat
Restoration and Sea Level Rise Adaptation Project.
I, Lindsay Lara, Clerk of the City of San Rafael, hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution
was duly and regularly introduced and adopted at a regular meeting of the San Rafael City Council
held on the 1st day of October 2018 by the following vote to wit:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
Councilmembers: Bushey, Colin, Gamblin, McCullough & Mayor Phillips
Councilmembers: None
Councilmembers: None
_____________________________
LINDSAY LARA, City Clerk