I. RECOMMENDATION:
That City Council approve Resolution No. 3962 approving filing an application to the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) for the sanitary sewer collection system and wastewater treatment plant improvements.
II. BACKGROUND:
The Federal Clean Water Act established the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) program to finance the protection and improvement of water quality. The CWSRF program has protected and promoted the health, safety, and welfare of Californians since 1989. Many of the projects funded by the CWSRF program address wastewater discharge violations or enforcement orders issued by the Regional Water Boards. Every project is directly related to protecting or improving public health, water quality, or both.
The City of Coalinga owns and operates a citywide sewer collection system and wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). The overall condition of the sewer collection system is unknown, and older areas of the system are believed to be in poor condition and in need of substantial repairs. The City’s maintenance staff regularly respond to problems with the collection system as back-ups and overflows/spills. The City would like to apply for a CWSRF Planning Grant to conduct a condition assessment of the sewer collection system and WWTP.
III. DISCUSSION:
The SWRCB CWSRF Program offers planning and construction grants to Disadvantaged Communities (DACs). According to the August 2019 Income Survey Report prepared by Self-Help Enterprises, the City’s Median Household Income (MHI) is $ 47,570, which is less than the State’s MHI of $75,277. As a DAC, the City is eligible to receive up to $500,000 in eligible planning grant funds.
In order to receive grant funds to conduct a condition assessment of the sewer collection system and WWTP, the City would like to submit a CWSRF Planning Grant application to the SWRCB. Deficiencies identified during the planning process can be included in a subsequent CWSRF construction application.
The CWSRF Planning Grant application requires the adoption of an Authorizing Resolution by the applicant’s governing body. If adopted, the City will prepare and submit the planning application to the SWRCB.
The SWRCB is taking between 9 and 12 months to process the planning grant applications. Planning grants are not competitive grants. They are awarded on a first come first serve basis. The SWRCB has indicated that there are still funds available to conduct this Planning Study.
IV. ALTERNATIVES:
None – this action is required by the SWRCB in order to utilize CWSRF planning grant funds.
V. FISCAL IMPACT:
The adoption of this Resolution has no fiscal impact. |