DATE: June 20, 2023
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Steven E. White, Director
Department of Public Works and Planning
SUBJECT: Agreement with the Tranquillity Public Utility District for Tranquillity Wastewater Treatment Plant Headworks
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute Agreement with the Tranquillity Public Utility District for the Tranquillity Wastewater Treatment Plant Headworks, Community Development Block Grant Project No. 21711, effective upon execution through September 19, 2024, total not to exceed $241,500.
REPORT
Approval of the recommended action will provide Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding for the Tranquillity Wastewater Treatment Plant Headworks, Project No. 21711, (Project), included in the County’s 2021-2022 Action Plan approved by the Board on May 11, 2021. The Project cost is estimated at $241,500. If additional funding is necessary to complete the Project, the Tranquillity Public Utility District (District) will provide a local financial contribution. This item pertains to a location in District 1.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
The Board may reject the Project, and amend the 2021-2022 Action Plan to modify or delete the Project. However, deletion 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 of $241,500 from the County’s unincorporated area allocation is included in the FY 2022-2023 Department of Public Works and Planning - CDBG Org 7205 Adopted Budget. CDBG funds are provided on a reimbursement basis. The District will provide a local financial contribution in excess of the CDBG funds that may be necessary to complete the Project by September 19, 2024.
DISCUSSION:
On May 11, 2021, the Board approved the 2021-2022 Unincorporated Area Public Facility and Infrastructure Improvement Projects list as part of the 2021-2022 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 the installation of a package headworks at the existing Tranquillity Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) located on the east side of Levee Road, between James Road and Morton Avenue alignment in the unincorporated community of Tranquillity. The headworks will include screens to remove inorganic material, wipes, and other materials that do not decompose, or decompose very slowly, and prevent their discharge into the existing treatment ponds. The project will not expand plant treatment capacity. The Project is expected to be completed by September 19, 2024.
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.
Initial Study/Environmental Review No. 8209 was completed for the Project under the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Based on the environmental review, the project is categorically exempt from the provisions of the CEQA Guidelines under Section 15301, Class 1 - Existing Facilities. Under Section 15301, a Class 1(c) exemption consists of the operation, repair, maintenance or minor alteration of existing public facilities involving negligible or no expansion of use, including existing highways, streets, and sidewalks). It has also been determined that the project is exempt per Section 58.34 (a)(12) of the NEPA Guidelines because the project meets the requirements for a categorical exclusion under Section 58.35(a)(1).
With your Board’s approval, the recommended CDBG allocation of $241,500 will be made to the Tranquillity Public Utility District for the Tranquillity Wastewater Treatment Plant Headworks Project, which was listed on the Back-Up list of the County’s 2021-2022 Annual Action Plan.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #8, May 11, 2021
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
Location Map
On file with Clerk - Agreement with Tranquillity Public Utility District
CAO ANALYST:
Salvador Espino