COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Department of Public Works

DATE:

February 20, 2008

BOARD MEETING DATE:

March 11, 2008

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

James C. Porter, Director of Public Works

SUBJECT:

Amended Grant Agreement with the State Water Resources Control Board in the Amount up to $137,355 to Conduct a Preliminary Feasibility Study for the Planning, Design and Construction of Sewers in Pescadero

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a resolution:

(1)

designating the Department of Public Works as the lead agency in connection with a State Water Resources Control Board Grant in an amount up to $137,355 to conduct a preliminary feasibility study for the planning, design and construction of sewers in Pescadero.

(2)

authorizing the Director of Public Works to make the necessary certifications and to sign the necessary documents in connection with said grant.

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitment: “Ensure basic health and safety for all.”

Goal 7: “Maintain and enhance the public safety of all residents and visitors.”

The recommended action furthers the aforementioned commitment and goal by evaluating the feasibility of constructing a sewer system in the community of Pescadero that would replace on-site means of sewage disposal.

BACKGROUND:

Your Board previously approved Resolution No. 068624 on March 27, 2007, with an incorrectly stated grant amount of $140,207. The State Water Resources Control Board has requested an amended resolution with the corrected amount of $137,355 prior to processing of grant.

The San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board has adopted Resolution No. 04-R2-0088, requiring the Community of Pescadero to establish a wastewater treatment improvement project for the community by July 1, 2009.

To finance the preliminary stages of the project, the State Water Resources Control Board has offered the County of San Mateo a Small Community Wastewater Grant Program grant in an amount up to $137,355, which will be used to conduct a preliminary feasibility study for the planning, design and construction of sewers in Pescadero, and has authorized the County to proceed with incurring costs associated with the planning activities for the Pescadero Sewer Project. The feasibility study will be performed by a qualified consultant hired by the County through a formal consultant selection process. The consultant recruitment/feasibility study process is anticipated to take six months to complete. The grant program requires that the feasibility study be completed by no later than
September 2008.

The grant application process additionally requires the designation of a lead agency for the project, which agency will be authorized to negotiate and execute the grant agreement and any amendments and/or change orders thereto, to certify grant disbursements on behalf of the County of San Mateo, and to certify that the County will comply with all applicable state and federal regulatory requirements related to any federal and state grants received.

DISCUSSION:

The Department of Public Works is able to serve as the representative and lead agency on behalf of the County of San Mateo in connection with the grant.

The grant requires certification that the County of San Mateo has and will comply with all applicable state and federal statutory and regulatory requirements related to and federal and state grants received in connection with said project. It also requires the designation of a County representative to negotiate and execute a grant agreement and any amendments and change orders thereto, and to certify loan disbursements on behalf of the County of San Mateo in connection with said project.

It is recommended that the Director of Public Works be authorized to execute the necessary documents and to make the necessary certifications.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The County, acting as the grant applicant, is required to provide a ten percent (10%) funding match, which will be funded from the General Fund.

The Department of Public Works will submit an ATR to the County Manager’s office upon approval of the grant.

Total project costs are estimated to be $151,090 and are to be financed as follows:

State Water Resources Control Board grant funds:

$137,355.00

General Fund (10% match)

$ 13,735.00

Total Estimate

$151,090.00

The Resolution has been approved as to form by County Counsel.