Agenda Item Wording:
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Adopt Resolution 2022-06 authorizing the Greater Kaweah Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GKGSA) to submit grant application on behalf of the City of Visalia to the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) for the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) Call for Projects.
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Deadline for Action: 2/18/2022 Applications due to DWR
Submitting Department: Administration - CIP Engineering
Contact Name and Phone Number:
Cody McLaughlin, Assistant Engineer, cody.mclaughlin@visalia.city, 713-4595
Chantha Chap, Civil Engineer, chantha.chap@visalia.city, 713-4418
Dolores Verduzco, Financial Analyst, dolores.verduzco@visalia.city, 713-4540
Frank Senteno, City Engineer, frank.senteno@visalia.city, 713-4331
Nick Mascia, Assistant City Manager, nick.mascia@visalia.city, 713-4323
Department Recommendation:
Staff recommends that the Visalia City Council adopt Resolution 2022-06 authorizing the GKGSA to submit grant application on behalf of the City of Visalia to the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) Call for Projects to include the following water recharge projects:
1. Cameron Creek Check Structure ($1,104,000 - Design, Environmental, Const., & ROW)
2. Northern Cameron Creek Recharge Basin ($2,097,025 - Design, Environmental, Const., & ROW)
3. Southern Cameron Creek Recharge Basin ($4,237,325 - Design, Environmental, Const., & ROW)
Background Discussion:
The Department of Water Resources (DWR) is administering the Sustainable Groundwater Management (SGM) Grant Program SGMA Implementation grant solicitations using funds authorized by the California Budget Act of 2021 and Proposition 68 for projects that encourage sustainable management of groundwater resources that support SGMA and/or invest in groundwater recharge projects with surface water, stormwater, recycled water, and other conjunctive use projects.
Eligible applicants for the SGM Grant Program are Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs), member agencies of GSAs, and an entity that represents a GSA. The City of Visalia is a member agency of the Mid-Kaweah GSA along with the Tulare Irrigation District (TID) and the City of Tulare. There are three GSAs within the Kaweah Subbasin, the East Kaweah GSA, the Mid-Kaweah GSA, and the Greater Kaweah GSA. Each GSA includes multiple member agencies.
The SGM Grant Program does not allow individual GSA members to submit grant applications directly to DWR, instead one designated GSA must submit project applications on behalf of other GSAs and GSA member agencies. For the Kaweah Subbasin, the Greater Kaweah GSA will be point of contact with DWR and will be submitting the grant applications.
Approximately $7.6 million in SMG Grant funds are available through the call for projects and will be distributed based on a scoring system as described below. The deadline to submit applications to DWR is Friday, February 18, 2022 at noon.
Received application will be reviewed and award projects in accordance with the following scoring criteria:
• General project description and background (4 points)
• Project Implementation and benefits (4 points)
• Project planning (4 points)
• Project outreach and engagement (3 points)
• Project location/map (2 points)
• Project community benefit (3 points)
• Project groundwater management/sustainability benefit (3 points)
• Project address of Human Right to Water Act (4 points)
• Scope of Work (3 points)
• Project Budget (3 points)
• Project Schedule (1 point)
Total Possible Points: 30
Projects will be awarded in the order of the scores received (highest to lowest) until all available funding is utilized.
In order to give the City the best chance and be competitive in this call for projects, staff recommends submitting three projects that focus on ground water recharge. Staff recommends the City submit the following three projects that meet the SGM Grant requirements, see projects below:
1. Cameron Creek Check Structure ($1,104,000 - Design, Environmental, & Const.):
This project includes the construction of check structures along Cameron Creek to convey water to future basins for groundwater recharge. This project also includes performing geotechnical, in-situ seepage, and flow measurement tests to verify the percolation rates within the creek channels. By installing check structures at strategic locations along Cameron Creek, pools can be developed to temporary store water and to allow it to percolate into the aquifer.
2. Northern Cameron Creek Recharge Basin ($2,097,025 - Design, Environmental, Const., & ROW):
This project includes the installation of a recharge basin located in the southeast quadrant of the City nearby Cameron Creek. The intent of this basin will be to satisfy ground water recharge needs. The basin will have the ability to recharge ground water by utilizing water pumped from Cameron Creek. Preliminary engineering will be required to determine if the basin footprint and design. Geotechnical testing will be required to determine soil infiltration characteristics for ground water recharge purposes and eligibility for ground water recharge. This project could greatly assist with the management of our limited water resources
3. Southern Cameron Creek Recharge Basin ($4,237,325 - Design, Environmental, Const., & ROW):
This project includes the installation of a recharge basin located in the southeast quadrant of the City north of Caldwell Avenue nearby Cameron Creek. The intent of this basin will be to satisfy ground water recharge needs. The basin will have the ability to recharge ground water by utilizing water pumped from Cameron Creek. Preliminary engineering will be required to determine the basin footprint and design. Geotechnical testing will be required to determine soil infiltration characteristics for ground water recharge purposes and eligibility for ground water recharge. This project could greatly assist with the management of our limited water resources
Fiscal Impact:
The estimated cost for each project is as follows:
1. Cameron Creek Check Structure
Design & Staff Time $178,000
Environmental $40,000
ROW $50,000
Construction & Con Admin. $733,000
Construction Contingency $103,000
Total Project Cost $1,104,000
Request from Grant $1,104,000
2. Northern Cameron Creek Recharge Basin
Design & Staff Time $145,000
Environmental $30,000
ROW $315,000
Construction & Con Admin. $1,950,000
Construction Contingency $215,025
Total Project Cost $2,655,025
Local Match: $358,000
Request from Grant $2,297,025
3. Southern Cameron Creek Recharge Basin
Design & Staff Time $211,100
Environmental $50,000
ROW $390,000
Construction & Con Admin. $3,300,000
Construction Contingency $486,225
Total Project Cost $4,437,325
Request from Grant $4,437,325
Please note: Per the grant guidelines, a local match is not required however, a local match of 5% is necessary to obtain the full points in the category of Budget. One point will be awarded based on a minimum 5% local match contribution.
The Northern Cameron Creek Recharge Basin project is proposed in the upcoming Capital Improvement Budget Cycle and therefore project funds will contribute towards the local match as needed. The Cameron Creek Check Structures and Southern Cameron Creek Recharge Basin projects do not have appropriated funding in the upcoming Capital Improvement Budget Cycle.
Staff will return at a future Council meeting to request authorization for the appropriation of grant funds, contingent upon grant award.
Prior Council Action:
None
Alternatives:
None recommended
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
I move to adopt Resolution 2022-06 authorizing the Greater Kaweah Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GKGSA) to submit grant application on the City’s behalf to the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) for the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) Call for Projects.
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Environmental Assessment Status:
To be determined during preliminary engineering phase.
CEQA Review:
To be determined during preliminary engineering phase.
Attachments:
1. Resolution 2022-06