DATE: August 24, 2021
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Steven E. White, Director
Department of Public Works and Planning
SUBJECT: Agreement with Caruthers Community Services District
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute an Agreement with the Caruthers Community Services District for the Caruthers Wastewater Treatment Plant Sludge Drying Bed, Community Development Block Grant Project No. 20111, effective upon execution through March 14, 2023, total not to exceed $250,000.
REPORT
Approval of the recommended action will provide Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding for the Caruthers Wastewater Treatment Plant Sludge Drying Bed (Project), included in the County’s 2020-21 Action Plan approved by your Board on April 28, 2020. The Project consists of the construction of a new sludge drying bed at the Caruthers Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) in the community of Caruthers. The new sludge bed will improve treatment efficiency and provide system redundancy; plant capacity will not be increased. The County will provide $250,000 in CDBG funds for the Project. If necessary to complete the Project by March 14, 2023, the Caruthers Community Services District (District) will provide a local financial contribution for project costs in excess of the CDBG funds. This item pertains to a location in District 4.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Your Board may reject the recommended action, and direct Department of Public Works and Planning staff to identify a project from the 2020-21 Back-Up list for consideration. 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 Project’s total estimated cost is $250,000, which includes construction, design and construction engineering, and contingency and permits. CDBG funds in the amount of $250,000 are included in the Department of Public Works and Planning - Community Development Block Grant Org 7205, FY 2021-22 Recommended Budget. The funds are provided on a reimbursement basis. If necessary to complete the Project by March 14, 2023, the District will provide a local financial contribution for project costs in excess of the CDBG funds.
DISCUSSION:
On April 28, 2020, your Board approved the 2020-21 Unincorporated Area Projects list as part of the Annual Action Plan, which included the Project on the Back-Up list 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 new sludge drying bed at the Caruthers Wastewater Treatment Plant located on the Clemenceau alignment west of Marks Avenue in the community of Caruthers. The new sludge bed will improve treatment efficiency and provide system redundancy; plant capacity will not be increased. The Project is expected to be completed by March 14, 2023.
If necessary, in addition to providing local funds in excess of the CDBG funds 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 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 regulations prior to the District advertising the Project for bid. The District agrees to maintain the Project after project completion.
Environmental Assessment No. 7925 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 CEQA Guidelines under Section 15301, Class 1(b) - Existing Facilities. Under Section 15301, a Class 1(b) exemption consists of the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of existing or former use. 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 $250,000 will be made to the Caruthers Community Services District for the Caruthers Wastewater Treatment Plant Sludge Drying Bed, which was listed on the Back-Up list of the County’s 2020-21 Action Plan.
OTHER REVIEWING AGENCIES:
The Caruthers Community Services District has reviewed and approved the recommended agreement.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #5, April 28, 2020
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
Location Map
On file with Clerk - Agreement Caruthers Community Services District
CAO ANALYST:
Ron Alexander