The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2009/10/20 Item 14 From: Shari Watson Sent: Tuesday, October 13, 2009 12:53 PM To: Jennifer Quijano Cc: Rudy Ramirez Subject: Councilman Ramirez's selection for the Mobilehome Rent Review Commission Commissioner vacancy Importance: High Hello Jennifer, Councilman Ramirez has selected Rudy Gonzalez as his appointee to the Mobilehome Rent Review Commission. Councilman Ramirez will notify Mr. Gonzalez of this appointment, and will communicate to him that a staff member will be in contact soon with additional details regarding the ratification of the appointment at an upcoming City Council meeting. Kind Regards, Shari Watson Aide to Councilman Ramirez City of Chula Vista 619-585-5717 \ C'/I's /0,\ _ Vlv. ~\.e.~ cJ.aes I'o\:- c-uvve.I'-\-''i/ ..---'2. Sl210e. 0,", 0\"'1 C\\\A\G>, \ji7..to... :iSo~voy- LC,""~ ';;'i.' c~. - . /L/I) r fldJ;-HoNJ~r ~ l:kvn I~ 13 (~o.sfanec1a) IO/zo!oC) Community Garden Policy City of Chllla Vista l'URI'OSE The City of Chula Vista recognizes community gardcns as a valuable rccreation activity that can provide community members access to li-esh, nutritious produce and 10w- intensity physical activity. Community gardens an can also foster environmental awareness, positive social interaction, and community education, all while bringing added food security to the community through the development of local food sources. This policy details the procedure for the establishment of gardens on City-owneu property in the hope that the creation of these gardens will devclop the organizational infrastructure for the establishment of future gardcns on private propcrty by community non-profit groups. RESTRICTIONS/G UI [)I~L1NES A community garden must be operated by a non-profit agency or civic association and will include the following features: . A piece of land wi]] be utilized by a prequalified, organized, and recognized group to produce food and nowcrs for the use of group members, Chula Vista Parks & Recreation, or other non-profit agencies. . A community garuen should promotc environmental education, and encourage the involvcmcnt of schools, youth groups and citizens who do not have a privately-owncd (residential) plot for gardening activities. City of Chula Vista Support The City of Chula Vista wi]] support the development of community gardens within the City limits through the following n1eans: . Providing access to information on tbe development and opcration of community gardens. . Providing staff expertise anu time for the design and development of the community garden. . Assist interested groups in determining ifthe proposcd City-owned land is suitable for the development of a community garden. This will include a review of any pertinent environmental history of the site to ensure that gardens wlll be established only on uncontaminated property. . Assist interested groups with the development of user agreements between City of Chula Vista and the recognized group. Organization Responsibilities [f City-owned land is determined to be suitable for a community garden site, the following conditions will apply: 1. Prior to Development a. Recognized group must hold a community consultation process that will indicate neighborhood support for the garden. b. A community garden must have a garden site plan drawn up that will include the layout of the plots and indicate any proposed structures or fences. 1. All community garden designs must be approved by the City of Chula Vista. 11. No structures or barriers to general public access can be erected, excepting fences (see b.iii below), raised! accessible planting beds, plant supports, and trellises, public art, rain barrels al1d benches. Structures must be mobile, or will require lease agreements that structures be disassembled and removed by the community group managing the site at the termination of the lease. 111. Fences shall not exceed 3 It in height and should be constructed of wood, chain link, or ornamental metal. No fence shall be installed without review. c. The recognized group must agree to develop and operate the gardens according to a user agreement which will specify the tcrm of use, management responsibilities, user fees (if any) and access procedures including the following specific terms: i. The term of the user agreement will not exceed five years. ]. If 5-year contract is not fu]filled, the recognized group will assist City of Chu]a Vista with returning the sitc to the preexisting condition. 11. Allotments of space must be made from a waiting list on a first come, first serve basis. 111. Membership in the recognized organization, and the opportul1lty to be allotted a plot, must bc open to any resident of the community. IV. Only organic cultivation is to be allowcd on City-owned community garden sites. No jJcsticides or chemical fertilizers are to be used. v. Each garden will be required to have a shared composting area, which will avoid a build up ofwastc and to enhance soil fertility in future seasons. VI. City of Chu]a Vista must approve any allotment fecs charged. 1. Allotment fees may cover the ycarly watering, maintenance and site improvement costs, unless otherwise determined hy City ofChula Vista 2. Allotment fees shall not exceed the amount neccssary to cover the norma] operati ng costs of the garden. 3. Records of allotment fces and expenses will be kept and forwarded to City ofChula Vista to ensme correct use offees. VII. Thc recognized organization must adhere to maintenance standards set forth by City of Chu]a Vista. V111. ]n order to receive a plot, each gardener will be required to Sigll a "ho]d harmless" agreement. This document statcs that should an accident/injury occur due to ncgligence on lhc property, the City will not be sued or held liable. 2. First season ,^ a. The garden will be devcloped at no cost to the City of Chub Vista other then staff time to assist the group in completing items outlined under 2 (h). b. City of Chula Vista will assist the recognized group in the preparation of the garden site by the following: i. Removing grass 11. Turning the soil Ul. Adding compost iv. Adjustiug irrigation systems. 3. Subsequent seasons a. Recognized group will be responsible for all garden activities including: I. Collecting allotment fees hom plot users. II. Paying utility costs such as water or electrical bills. Ill. Keeping record of all revenues and expenses incurred by the community garden to be forwarded to City of Chub Vista Finance Department. IV. Spring preparation of community garden. v. Winterization of gmden. VI. Installation and maintenance of all community garden facilities. VII. Maintain garden's cleanliness and tend to weeds, which are prevalent f-i'om January to Mmeh. Although located on City-owned property with prior approval from the City of Chula Vista, all community gardens WIll be developed and maintained at no cost to the City, have a minimal amount of impact on City stafftime, aml will be uperated by volunteers from the community. Extending Community (;anlens beyond City Property \Vhile this policy addresses the procedure f'or establishing Community gardens on City property, potential actions the City may take in the future to promote the establishment of Community Gardens on private property include: Undertaking a planning process to identify oppurtunities 10 update the City zoning code llJ define and allow community gardens in appropriate zones on public and private property. Entering into joint user agreements with local schools with pre-existing community garden infrastructllre tu open these gardens to broader community lIse after school hours and during the summer months.