DATE: November 28, 2023
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Steven E. White, Director
Department of Public Works and Planning
SUBJECT: Agreement with the Biola Community Services District for the Biola Groundwater Recharge (CDBG 21032)
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve and authorize Chairman to execute Agreement with the Biola Community Services District for the Biola Groundwater Recharge, Community Development Block Grant Project No. 21032, effective upon execution through February 18, 2025, and authorize the Director of Public Works and Planning to evaluate and grant timeline extensions for completion of the Project, total Community Development Block Grant funding amount not to exceed $300,000.
REPORT
Approval of the recommended action will provide Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding for the Biola Groundwater Recharge Project (Project), included in the County’s 2021-22 Annual Action Plan approved by the Board on May 11, 2021. This item pertains to a location in District 1.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Your Board may reject the recommended action, and direct staff to identify another project for consideration. However, a different project would require an amendment to the Annual Action Plan and may impact the County’s ability to meet its CDBG expenditure timelines, set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. The total estimated Project cost is $300,000 from the County’s unincorporated area allocation is included in the Department of Public Works and Planning - CDBG Org 7205 FY 2023-24 Adopted Budget. The County provides the funds on a reimbursement basis. The District shall provide any and all local financial contribution in excess of the CDBG funds that may be necessary to complete the Project.
DISCUSSION:
On May 11, 2021, the Board approved the 2021-22 Unincorporated Area Projects list as part of the 2021-22 Annual Action Plan. The Project was included on the Back-Up list for Unincorporated Area Public Facility and Infrastructure Improvement Projects and would be funded should funding become available. Due to year-end cost savings from other CDBG activities, there are now sufficient funds available for this Project.
The Project consists of a three-acre expansion of an existing two-acre storm drainage basin for a five-acre total groundwater recharge basin, and installation of a six-foot chain link fence around the enlarged drainage basin. The existing drainage basin will be improved and expanded to accommodate additional water storage and infiltration. The project is located south of the Gettysburg Avenue alignment, approximately between the 3rd Avenue and 4th Avenue alignments, on property owned by the District.
The 2021-22 Annual Action Plan listed the Project with an estimated project cost of $250,000. The current estimated project cost of $300,000 is due to increases in estimated construction costs. The District has requested additional CDBG funds for the Project based on the increased project cost. This request was presented to the County’s Housing and Community Development Citizens Advisory Committee at its meeting on October 18, 2023, and the CAC recommended approval an increase in CDBG funding to $300,000.
In addition to providing local funds in excess of the CDBG funds should it be necessary for the Project, the recommended agreement requires the District to prepare design plans and specifications that conform to Federal and State regulations governing Federally-assisted projects. The District will also be responsible for advertising and awarding of the Project to the lowest responsible bidder, and completion of the necessary construction engineering. The County agrees to review and approve the plans and specifications for compliance with Federal and State regulations prior to the District advertising the Project for bid. The District agrees to maintain the Project after project completion.
The Project is expected to be completed by February 18, 2025. In the event the District requires additional time to complete the Project for a reason beyond the control of either party to the agreement, your Board’s approval of the agreement authorizes the Director of the Department of Public Works and Planning to grant such an extension.
A Mitigated Negative Declaration was completed by the District for the Project under the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), State Clearinghouse Number 2019049087. A Notice of Determination was filed with the Fresno County Clerk on June 7, 2019.
Environmental Assessment No. CD21032 was completed under the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Based on the environmental review, A Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) per 24 CFR Section 58.36 of the HUD NEPA Guidelines was made for the project, and a Combined Notice of Finding of No Significant Impact and Intent to Request Release of Funds was published on September 8, 2023.
OTHER REVIEWING AGENCIES:
The recommended increase in CDBG funding was reviewed and approved by the County's Housing & Community Development Citizens Advisory Committee at its meeting on October 18, 2023.
The Biola Community Services District has reviewed and approved the recommended agreement.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #8, May 11, 2021
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
Location Map
On file with Clerk - Agreement with Biola Community Services District
CAO ANALYST:
Salvador Espino