Agenda Item Wording:
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Acceptance of Ag Burn Alternatives Grant Program Funds - Accept and authorize the appropriation of funds awarded from the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District under the Ag Burn Alternatives Grant Program in the amount of $37,800 to the Wastewater Fund to chip and spread the material generated by the City’s walnut orchard demolition and removal project.
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Deadline for Action: 2/18/2025
Submitting Department: Public Works
Contact Name and Phone Number: Rehana Cale, Senior Project Manager, Rehana.Cale@visalia.city <mailto:Rehana.Cale@visalia.city> 559-713-4176
Nick Bartsch, Public Works Director, Nick.Bartsch@visalia.city <mailto:Nick.Bartsch@visalia.city> 559-713-4428
Department Recommendation:
Staff recommends that the City Council accept and authorize the appropriation of $37,800 to the Wastewater Fund from the Ag Burn Alternatives Program Grant from the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District to the Walnut Orchard Demolition and Removal project CP0761 (Request for Bids 24-25-18), which was awarded to JFS Enterprises on November 18, 2024.
Background Discussion:
Based on the health and condition of the walnut orchards surrounding the Water Reclamation Facility (WRF), historical and projected crop production, and associated uncertainties related to groundwater sustainability regulations, the City Council directed City staff to stop farming the 130 acres of Walnuts in December 2023. This direction also included the removal of the walnut orchard and the exploration of long-term lease options that would be compatible with the Wastewater Treatment Plant operations.
The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (SJVAPCD) promotes and provides incentives to commercial agricultural operations within the District’s boundaries to utilize an alternative practice for the disposition of agricultural material from orchard/vineyard removals as an alternative to open burning through their Ag Burn Alternatives Grant Program. The program provides for the reimbursement of up to $300/acre for the chipping and spreading of the material generated by an orchard removal.
Staff submitted an application to the SJVAPCD on December 18, 2024, which was approved on January 6, 2025, in the form of a Voucher in the amount of $37,800. The amount is based upon the SJVAPCD's measurement of 126 farmable acres at the rate of $300 per acre. Reimbursement is provided upon successful completion of the removal process and verification by the District that the City met the requirements of the program.
Fiscal Impact:
On November 18, 2024, the City Council awarded a contract to JFS Enterprises pursuant to Request for Bids 24-25-18: Walnut Orchard Demolition & Removal in the amount of $495,000 and appropriated a total of $550,000 from the Wastewater Fund. The orchard removal project scope initially provided for the complete removal of the demolished walnut trees. However, to meet longer-term dust mitigation requirements mandated by the SJVAPCD, the City requested a proposal from JFS Enterprises to uniformly spread this material in lieu of removal. On January 22, 2025, the City’s internal Change Order Committee approved the quoted amount of $28,350 for JFS to uniformly spread the material. The cost of the additional work fell within the current project budget but will also be further offset through the acceptance of the additional $37,800 in grant funds available through the Ag Burn Alternatives Program Grant.
The total project budget, including these Grant Program Funds, will be $587,800. Any remaining City funds at the end of the project will be released back to Wastewater Fund 431. The Ag Burn Alternative Grant Program is on a reimbursement basis.
Prior Council Action:
- November 18, 2024 - City Council entered into a contract with JFS Enterprises for $495,000.00 and appropriated $550,000.00 from the Wastewater Fund (431)
- November 18, 2024 - City Council authorized an agreement with the Greater Kaweah Groundwater Sustainability Agency under the 2024-2025 Pilot Fallowing Program in the amount of $69,455.
Other: Through the previously awarded contract with the Greater Kaweah Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GKGSA), under which the City will be paid $69,455 to fallow the former walnut orchard for a period of 1-year, the City became required to provide a longer-term method for dust mitigation mandated by the SJVAPCD. The spreading of the chipped tree material generated by the orchard removal project is an accepted method.
Alternatives: Not accept grant funds.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
I motion to accept and authorize the appropriation of funds awarded from the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District under the Ag Burn Alternatives Grant Program in the amount of $37,800 to the Wastewater Fund to chip and spread the material generated by the City’s Walnut Orchard Demolition and Removal project CP0761.
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Environmental Assessment Status: Initial inspection of Walnut Orchard was completed by the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District on December 20, 2024, prior to San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District’s acceptance of Staff’s application. Another inspection will be completed once the project has been completed to ensure satisfaction in meeting the Grant’s requirements once the Voucher Claim has been submitted.
CEQA Review: N/A
Attachments:
1. Grant Application
2. Grant Voucher
3. Walnut Orchard Map