TO:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THROUGH:
Talyn Mirzakhanian, City Manager
FROM:
Erick Lee, Public Works Director
Katherine Doherty, City Engineer
Eduardo Pech, Senior Civil Engineer
SUBJECT:Title
Consideration of Resolution Approving the Funding Agreement Between the California State Water Resources Control Board and the City for Directed Assistance Grant Funds for the El Porto Water Infrastructure Project in the Amount of $3,500,000 (Public Works Director Lee).
ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 24-0135
Body
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RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 24-0135:
1. Approving a Directed Assistance Grant Funding Agreement between the California State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) and the City for $3,500,000 to fund planning, design, and construction of the El Porto Water Infrastructure Project (Project); and
2. Authorizing the City Manager and/or his or her designee to execute the funding agreement and all necessary documents related to the administration of the grant.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
The total project is estimated to cost $4,500,000. The project was included in the current CIP Plan with a budget of $3,500,000 in the Grants Fund, along with matching revenues. An additional $1,100,000 is scheduled in the Water Fund for Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 to complete the project. Due to the timeline indicated in the grant agreement, staff is requesting to move up the planned $1,100,000 in the Water Fund to FY 2026. If approved, staff will update the project budget during the FY 2026 through 2030 Capital Improvement Program Plan discussions.
BACKGROUND:
The current water distribution system in the El Porto area of the City experiences water quality and age-related issues that require additional maintenance. After analysis and evaluation, staff has determined that the El Porto area requires an upgrade to the existing water distribution system, and as an initial step, the available distribution to the area should be increased. The Project will install a 4,400-foot parallel 12-inch pipeline in addition to the existing 8-inch pipeline on Rosecrans Avenue from Laurel Avenue to Highland Avenue, and along Highland Avenue to 38th Street. This will significantly improve the water distribution to the El Porto area by increasing the frequency of water circulation, improving the water quality, increasing the distribution capacity, and enhancing the reliability and resiliency of the water distribution system.
On June 27, 2024, the State Water Board approved $3,500,000 in funding for this important infrastructure project. Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi sponsored this request and ensured it was included as part of Assembly Bill 102 (Budget Act of 2023). The funds are intended to assist in the Project’s planning, design, and construction.
DISCUSSION:
To accept and utilize the grant funds, the City Council must adopt a resolution designating a representative of the City who is authorized to enter into a Funding Agreement with the State Water Board and administer the grant. The attached Resolution authorizes the City Manager and/or his or her designee to execute the Funding Agreement and all necessary documents related to the administration of the grant.
The project is anticipated to begin the planning and design phase in early 2025. Construction will begin in 2026.
PUBLIC OUTREACH:
After analysis, staff determined that public outreach was not required for this issue. However, once the project progresses to design and construction, outreach will include community notifications and meetings, presentations to the Parking and Public Improvements Commission (PPIC) and consideration by City Council.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
The City has reviewed the proposed project and determined that it is a “Project” pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Appropriate review of the Project pursuant to CEQA will occur as part of the design phase of the project. No further environmental review is necessary for the purposes of executing the grant funding agreement.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney has reviewed this report and determined that no additional legal analysis is necessary.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution No. 24-0135
2. Agreement - State Water Board
3. Location Map