HomeMy Public PortalAbout52 Truckee Donner Land Trust Funding Request TOWN OF TRUCKEE
California
RESOLUTION 2019- 52
A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF TRUCKEE
SUPPORTING AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN TOWN OF TRUCKEE AND TRUCKEE
DONNER LAND TRUST TO SUPPORT OPEN SPACE ACQISITION AND TRAIL
INFRASTRUCTURE ON THE TRUCKEE RIVER
WHEREAS; Truckee's 2025 General Plan includes Conservation and Open Space
Element includes guiding principles that call for increasing the amount of protected, connected,
and publicly accessible open space; preserving the Truckee River corridor and associated
riparian habitat to enhance their role as open space and as a biological and scenic resource; and
increasing public access to the river; and
WHEREAS; Truckee's Downtown Specific Plan includes policies for identifying
mechanisms to create a park/ open space area with a trail along the Truckee River, and
implementing a pedestrian bridge over the river from the 26-acre parcel of open space along the
Truckee River commonly known as the Bight Property to the Mill Street location; and
WHEREAS; Truckee's Downtown River Revitalization Strategy goals include protecting
the natural habitat while improving public access, and increasing restoration and beautification
opportunities of the river corridor; and
WHEREAS; the Town is currently planning a riverfront park and river-oriented
redevelopment on the West River Site(Old County Corporation Yard), directly across the Truckee
River from the 26-acre parcel of open space commonly known as the Bright Property, with the
long-term goal of connecting the two areas by a pedestrian bridge; and
WHEREAS; the Town is in the design process for the Truckee River Legacy Trail Phase
4, which will provide a multi-use trail connection from the Hilltop area to Highway 89 South,
including trail alignment through the Bright Property; and
WHEREAS; the Bright Property was previously slated for a development project known
as Truckee Springs; and
WHEREAS; the Truckee Donner Land Trust, a nonprofit with the mission "To preserve
and protect scenic, historic and recreational lands with high natural resource values in the
Truckee Donner region and manage recreational activities on these lands in a sustainable
manner," is now under contract and in escrow to acquire the Bright Property to preserve the land
as open space; and
WHEREAS; in 2016 the Town Council budgeted a $500,000 Open Space Acquisition
designation to support priority open space projects; and
WHEREAS; the Truckee Donner Land Trust is seeking funding to complete this
acquisition and submitted a request to the Town for $500,000 funding from the Open Space
Acquisition designation to support the acquisition of the Bright Property; and
WHEREAS; provision of such Town funds would providwthe following public benefits:
preserving this critical open space property along the Truckee River in perpetuity; optimizing the
Truckee River Legacy Trail alignment through the property; enhancing opportunities for trailhead
parking and improved trail access on the property; and facilitating the development of a
pedestrian bridge from the property to Mill Street, connecting the property to the Town's West
River Site park; and
WHEREAS; the Land Trust and Town staff have begun productive discussions and
planning regarding possible trail, pedestrian bridge, and trailhead improvements on the property,
and the Land Trust has expressed a willingness to provide the Town the easements that may be
necessary for completion of such trail infrastructure in exchange for such Town funding.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF TRUCKEE DOES
RESOLVE, DETERMINE, AND ORDER AS FOLLOWS:
1. The Town intends to collaborate with the Truckee Donner Land Trust to further the design of
trail, trailhead, and pedestrian bridge improvements on the Property.
2. Once easements have been mutually agreed to, the Town Manager, or designee, is
authorized to negotiate specific terms and execute an agreement with the Truckee Donner
Land Trust. This agreement will specify that Town funding is contingent upon Land Trust
raising the additional funds necessary to complete property acquisition by the close of escrow.
3. The Town Manager is authorized to send a letter to the Truckee Donner Land Trust
memorializing the Town's intent to partner with the trust to provide $500,000 in Town funds
in exchange for all easements that may be necessary for trail infrastructure and pedestrian
bridge development on the property.
The foregoing resolution was introduced by Council Member Klovstad, seconded by
Council Member Abrams, at a regular meeting of the Truckee Town Council, held on the
24th day of September, 2019 and adopted by the following vote:
AYES: Council Member Klovstad, Council Member Abrams, Vice Mayor
Polivy, and Mayor Tirman.
NOES: none.
ABSENT: Council Member Commendatore.
David Tirman, Mayor
ATTEST:
Judy rice, M , Town Clerk