COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Department of Public Works

DATE:

February 7, 2003

BOARD MEETING DATE:

February 25, 2003

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Neil R. Cullen, Director of Public Works

SUBJECT:

Polhemus Road Sanitary Sewer Replacement Project - San Mateo Area (Project No. SC101, F-36 [275B])

Recommendation

Acting as the governing Board for the Crystal Springs County Sanitation District, adopt a resolution adopting plans and specifications, determining prevailing wage scales, and calling for sealed proposals for the replacement and rehabilitation of a portion of the sewer main in Polhemus Road.

Previous Board Action

1.

Entered into a Sanitary Sewage Agreement between the Town of Hillsborough, the City of San Mateo, the Crystal Springs County Sanitation District and the County of San Mateo on July 18, 1989, which provides for the conveyance and treatment of sewage from service areas of the respective agencies.

2.

Authorized an inflow and infiltration (I&I) study of the sewer collection system of the Crystal Springs County Sanitation District (District).

Key Facts

1.

The Environmental Protection Agency is preparing to adopt regulations pertaining to sewer systems that will prohibit all sewer overflows. This will require rehabilitation of sewer systems to ensure that they have the capacity to handle wet weather flows.

2.

Portions of the existing sewer main in Polhemus Road were identified as the first priority in the District for rehabilitation and replacement.

Discussion

The proposed project, totaling approximately 1.05 miles in length, consists of the replacement or rehabilitation of a portion of the District's existing sanitary sewer main in Polhemus Road, and the rerouting of the connection point to the Town of Hillsborough sewer main near the intersection of Polhemus Road and Crystal Springs Road. This sewer transports sewage from the District as well as from an area within the City of San Mateo and the County's facilities located at Tower Road.

The proposed improvements will increase overall flow capacity for the system and reduce both inflow and infiltration into the sewer main.

The San Mateo County Planning Department has determined that this project is exempt from the requirements for preparation of an EIR under Section 15301, Class 1, of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and we have filed a Notice of Exemption with the County Clerk.

A Notice of Intent letter was filed with the California Regional Water Quality Control Board, and we received no comments during the required 30-day review period.

We were working with the City and County of San Francisco at the writing of this report to secure the necessary permit to cross their property to provide for the alternate connection into the Town of Hillsborough's trunk sewer main. We will delete this work from the project if we cannot obtain the necessary permit, and will continue to use the existing sewer connection until such time as the permit can be negotiated.

Vision Alignment

We believe our recommendation is consistent with the Shared Commitment to "ensure basic health and safety for all" and Goal Number 7, "maintain and enhance public safety of all residents and visitors," as it will improve the conditions of the sewer system for the benefit of the public.

Fiscal Impact

The estimated cost of construction is $700,000 and will be initially financed with District funds that have been allocated for this work. The District will be reimbursed for a portion of the cost from the City of San Mateo and the County based on these entities' relative use of the sewer main (i.e., Crystal Springs County Sanitation District [77% or $539,000]; City of San Mateo [17% or $119,000]; and the County's Tower Road Facilities [6% or $42,000]).

We will present an Appropriation Transfer Request to your Board recommending the transfer of the County's share of costs for the Tower Road Facilities from Contingencies in the Facilities Maintenance Budget, after the bids are open and the low bid amount is known.

There is no additional impact to the General Fund.

A form of resolution has been approved by County Counsel.