MEETING DATE:
September 23, 2014
SUBJECT:
Title
RESOLUTION NO. 2014-7981 - ACCEPT PROPOSITION 50 INTEGRATED REGIONAL WATER MANAGEMENT GRANT FUNDS AND AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE GRANT AGREEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE CITY
Body
Recommendation
Recommendation
Staff recommends the City Council adopt a resolution to accept Proposition 50 Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) Implementation grant funds and authorize the City Manager to execute the grant agreement on behalf of the City.
Body
Board or Commission Action
Not Applicable
Relevant Council Strategic Theme (If not applicable, please state not applicable below)
Good Governance
Relevant Department Goal
Not Applicable
Introduction
In November 2002, California voters passed Proposition 50, the Water Security, Clean Drinking Water, Coastal and Beach Protection Act of 2002, which provided $500 million to fund competitive grants for projects consistent with an adopted Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) program.
The IRWM program is aimed at developing long-term water supply reliability, improving water quality, and protecting natural resources. The Statewide IRWM Program is supported by bond funding provided by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) to fund competitive grants for projects that improve water resources management.
Discussion
In January 2008, the San Diego County Water Authority (SDCWA) applied and was awarded $25 million in grant funds through the Proposition 50, Chapter 8 IRWM Implementation Grant Program.
In 2010, the City of Encinitas obtained grant funds through the SDCWA for their Work Item #3: Over-Irrigation/Bacteria Load Reduction project. The proposed project was designed to protect and enhance water quality by reducing irrigation runoff through improved water use efficiency at eight pilot sites located within the Carlsbad Watershed.
The City of Encinitas was unable to complete their role in the program and solicited another program sponsor/agency in the Carlsbad Watershed area that could support the goals and objectives of the original project. The City of San Marcos learned of the opportunity and requested reallocation of the grant funds from the City of Encinitas.
The City of San Marcos coordinated with the City of Encinitas and submitted a formal contract amendment request to the SDCWA that revised the original grant project description with the new proposed project, the 'Civic Center Landscape Renovation, Conservation, and Pollutant Load Reduction' project. The scope of the project consists of the removal of the grass turf along the Civic Center landscape frontage and renovating the area with water efficient landscaping and improved irrigation technology.
The scope of the new proposed project preserves the goals and objectives of the original project by:
• Protecting and enhancing water quality through irrigation runoff reduction which can be achieved by improved water use efficiency,
• Providing measureable water conservation and/or use efficiency and water quality benefits,
• Demonstrating the link between over irrigation/irrigation runoff reductions and associated reductions in pollutant concentrations and loading,
• Assessing the effective use of irrigation runoff as a Best Management Practice (BMP) for reducing bacteria and nutrient loads,
• Measuring effectiveness through monitoring water quality and quantity,
• Directing flow measurements and water quality testing, and
• Estimating of pollutant load and load reductions calculating flow monitoring and chemical test data.
On December 23, 2013, the City of San Marcos finalized the project amendment request and submitted it to the SDCWA. On January 21, 2014, the SDCWA submitted a request to the DWR to amend the project and local project sponsor. Subsequently, on August 8, 2014, the City was notified that the DWR accepted the project amendment request and executed an agreement with the SDCWA. The proposed project must be completed by April 2016 and design has progressed to the 30% complete level.
Fiscal Impact
The grant amount awarded to the City of San Marcos is $225,000 with a local match of $90,495 for a total project budget of $315,495. The local match has already been met through eligible cost expenditures from the Upper San Marcos Creek Watershed Monitoring project ($70,000) and the General Plan Update/Environmental Impact Report (EIR) - Conservation Element- Watershed Analysis Portion ($20,495). It is anticipated that maintenance costs for the Civic Center landscape frontage area will lower as a result of this project.
Attachment(s)
Resolution: 2014-
Project Location Map
Prepared by: Reed Thornberry, Stormwater Program Manager
Submitted by: Matt Little, P.E., Deputy City Engineer
Reviewed by: Mike Edwards, P.E. City Engineer/Public Works Director
Approved by: Jack Griffin, City Manager