ITEM 8: APPROVAL OF A SMALL COMMUNITIES GRANT (SCG) FOR THE CITY OF PORTOLA, 1997 WASTEWATER REHABILITATION PROJECT, PROJECT NO. SCG-644

DISCUSSION: In accordance with the State Water Resources Control Board's (SWRCB) Implementation Policy for the Small Communities Grant Program (Policy), adopted on January 23, 1997, and amended on April 30 and May 14, 1997, projects on the adopted priority list need SWRCB approval to receive a SCG for construction. Construction grants can be approved by the SWRCB after the Division of Clean Water Programs (Division) has approved the facilities plan and the final plans and specifications. The Division issued Final Plans and Specifications Approval on May 1, 1998.

The estimated total project cost per household is $3,789. Therefore, the proposed project is not a high cost project, as defined by the Policy.

The City is located in eastern Plumas County along Highway 70, approximately 25 miles west of Highway 395. The City serves a population of 2,430 and the 1996 median household income is $21,785. Based on the Policy's funding formula, the City qualifies for a SCG for 90.44 percent of the eligible costs.

The City's sewer collection system is antiquated and experiences excessive inflow and infiltration. Excessive flows and sewer blockages cause overflows in the collection system, which violate the City's waste discharge requirements. Cease and Desist Order (CDO) No. 93-068 was issued by the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board on May 21, 1993. The CDO requires the City to identify and correct excessive inflow and infiltration to the collection system and to eliminate raw sewage discharges. The project is included in Priority Class B on the SCG Statewide Priority List adopted on May 14, 1997, by the SWRCB.

The purpose of the proposed project is to:

• eliminate sewage backups into residences;
• eliminate sewer manhole overflows;
• eliminate discharge of raw sewage to Middle Fork of Feather River; and
• provide flexibility in operation of wastewater treatment facility.

The project consists of two phases:

Phase I

• Correction of 14 primary leaks in the sewage collection system;
• inflow corrections to 55 sewer manholes;
• rehabilitation of the Northside and Southside Pump Stations; and
• installation of inter-pond piping at the wastewater treatment facility.

Phase II

• Inflow corrections to 89 sewer manholes;
• point repair of the collection system at approximately 34 locations;
• reconstruction of approximately 25,334 linear feet of collection system;
• fold and form liner repair of approximately 12,925 linear feet of collection system; and
• pipe bursting repair of approximately 5,950 linear feet of collection system.

The estimated total project cost is $3,637,635. This estimate includes construction, contingencies, engineering, and administration. The estimated eligible SCG amount is $3 million. The City is funding the construction of Phase I and other local share project costs with a State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan. The SWRCB approved a SRF loan of $980,000 for Phase I on August 22, 1996 (SWRCB Resolution No. 96-056). The construction of Phase I was completed on December 31, 1997. The City has already received a Planning Grant of $90,993 and a Design Grant of $166,112.

The City prepared a Negative Declaration for the 1995 Wastewater Facility Rehabilitation Project which was distributed to the public and circulated through the State Clearinghouse (State Clearinghouse No. 96012008) for review on January 4, 1996. During the review period, comments were received from the SWRCB's Division of Clean Water Programs. The City provided adequate response to the comments, approved the project, and adopted the Negative Declaration on January 18, 1996. The City filed a Notice of Determination with the County Clerk and the Governor's Office of Planning and Research on February 2, 1996.

The City approved an Addendum on December 3, 1997, to include the 1997 Wastewater Facility Rehabilitation Project, for which a Notice of Exemption had previously been prepared.

The City requests the SWRCB approve a construction grant of $2,742,895 for this project.

POLICY ISSUE: Should the SWRCB approve a construction grant for the proposed project?

RWQCB IMPACT: None

FISCAL IMPACT: Availability of SCG funds for this project depends on other SCG proposals being considered and to be approved by the SWRCB in June 1998.

Current SCG fund balance as of May 1998: $12.1 million

Project approvals under consideration by the SWRCB in June 1998:

Chester Public Utility District SCG-611 $765,211

Clearlake Oaks County Water District SCG-614 $2,719,584

City of Portola SCG-644 $2,742,895

City of Weed SCG-664 $2,743,318

New SCG fund balance, if all the

June 1998 proposals are approved by the SWRCB: $3,128,992

STAFF RECOMMENDATION: That the SWRCB adopt a resolution approving a construction grant for the proposed project.

DRAFT May 22, 1998

WHEREAS:

1. The Implementation Policy for the Small Communities Grant Program was adopted by the State Water Resources Control Board on January 23, 1997, and amended on April 30 and May 14, 1997;

2. The State Water Resources Control Board, on May 14, 1997, adopted the Small Communities Grant Program Priority List which included the City of Portola, 1997 Wastewater Facilities Rehabilitation Project in Priority Class B;

3. The Division of Clean Water Programs approved the Facilities Plan, which includes the project report, environmental documents, and draft revenue program, on January 8, 1998, for the City of Portola, 1997 Wastewater Facilities Rehabilitation Project;

4. The Division of Clean Water Programs issued Final Plans and Specifications Approval on May 1, 1998; and

5. The City of Portola adopted a Negative Declaration and approved an Addendum (State Clearinghouse No. 96012008) which have been reviewed and considered, and it has been determined that the proposed project will not result in significant environmental impacts.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

The State Water Resources Control Board approves a Small Communities Grant of $2,742,895 to the City of Portola for construction of the 1997 Wastewater Facilities Rehabilitation Project.

The undersigned, Administrative Assistant to the Board, does hereby certify that the foregoing is a full, true, and correct copy of a resolution duly and regularly adopted at a meeting of the State Water Resources Control Board held on June 18, 1998.

Maureen Marché

Administrative Assistant to the Board