HomeMy WebLinkAboutID2414-Storm-Water-Grant-Application-1-30-12City of Palo Alto (ID # 2414)
City Council Staff Report
Report Type: Consent Calendar Meeting Date: 1/30/2012
January 30, 2012 Page 1 of 3
(ID # 2414)
Council Priority: Environmental Sustainability
Summary Title: Approval to Submit Storm Water Grant Application
Title: Approval to Submit Application to the State Water Resources Control
Board for Grant Funding from the Proposition 84 Storm Water Grant Program
for the Southgate Neighborhood Storm Drain Improvements and Green Street
Project
From:City Manager
Lead Department: Public Works
Recommendation
Staff recommends that Council authorize the City Manager to submit an application to
the State Water Resources Control Board for grant funding from the Proposition 84
Storm Water Grant Program for the City’s Southgate Neighborhood Storm Drain
Improvements and Green Street Project.
Background
The State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) has issued a solicitation
seeking concept proposal applications for the Proposition 84 Storm Water Grant
Program (SWGP). During this solicitation round, approximately $42 million is available
Statewide in SWGP grants for projects that will reduce and prevent storm water
contamination of rivers, lakes, and streams. Eligible project types include
implementation of Low Impact Development (LID) measures that seek to maintain
predevelopment hydrology for existing and new development by infiltrating, filtering,
storing, evaporating, or retaining storm runoff in close proximity to the source of water.
Eligible applicants are restricted to local public agencies (cities, counties, districts, etc.).
Individual SWGP grant awards will be between $250,000 and $3 million and will require
a minimum local match of 20%. The SWGP application process is a two-step process.
In the first step, applicants submit concept proposals to the State Water Board by
January 31, 2012. Applicants with the highest-ranking concept proposals will be invited
to submit a full proposal during summer 2012. After a thorough review of all full
proposals, a final list of grant recipients will be adopted by the State Water Board in
early 2013.
January 30, 2012 Page 2 of 3
(ID # 2414)
On November 21, 2011, Council approved a contract with RBF Consulting, Inc. for the
design of the Southgate Neighborhood Storm Drain Improvements and Green Street
Project, Capital Improvement Program Project SD-10101. The key objective of the
project is to eliminate street ponding through the use of innovative techniques that
minimize storm runoff, improve storm water quality, and reduce potable water usage
within the Southgate neighborhood. The Consultant will perform a feasibility study to
identify and analyze the optimum design features and specific locations for the drainage
improvements. Staff has tentatively identified several drainage/"green street" elements
for consideration, including permeable pavement, rain gardens in the planter strips, and
underground infiltration galleries. The scope and objectives of the proposed
improvements are consistent with the goals of the SWGP. Funding of $860,000 for
construction of the drainage improvements has been proposed in the FY2012-2016
Storm Drainage Fund Capital Improvement Program budget.
Discussion
Staff is requesting Council approval to apply for a SWGP grant for the Southgate
Neighborhood Storm Drain Improvements and Green Street Project in order to secure
supplemental funding that would leverage the local funds currently allocated for the
project. Staff would like to take advantage of the potential SWGP grant funding to
increase the construction budget for the proposed storm drain improvements and green
street measures for the Southgate neighborhood to $1.5 million. The increased funding
would allow for the implementation of additional rain gardens, permeable pavement,
and infiltration galleries throughout the neighborhood. If the grant proposal were
approved, the funding breakdown would be $1.2 million grant funds matched by
$300,000 in City funds. In this scenario, the remaining $560,000 originally earmarked
for Capital Improvement Program Project SD-10101 could be redirected to another
Storm Drainage Fund capital project.
Timeline
Upon Council approval, staff is prepared to submit a SWGP concept proposal to the
State Water Board by the January 31, 2012 deadline. Applicants with the highest-
ranking concept proposals will be invited to submit a full proposal during summer 2012.
Grant awards will be announced by the State Water Board in early 2013.
Resource Impact
Matching funds for a potential SWGP grant would be available in the Storm Drainage
Fund FY2013 budget. If a grant is awarded to the City, a Budget Amendment
Ordinance would be required to add the grant funds to the approved budget. The
grant requires the City to expend its own funds prior to seeking reimbursement by the
State. Staff will administer the grant and submit for reimbursements periodically during
the project as required by the grant conditions.
Policy Implications
The scope of work for the Southgate Neighborhood Storm Drain Improvements and
January 30, 2012 Page 3 of 3
(ID # 2414)
Green Street Project is consistent with the Council’s Environmental Sustainability Top 5
priority. Application for outside grant funding is consistent with the Council’s Top 5
priority to improve the state of City finances.
Environmental Review
Receipt of grant funding under the Proposition 84 Storm Water Grant Program is
conditioned upon later California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review of the
underlying project. Staff will conduct an environmental assessment in compliance with
CEQA once the scope and locations of the Southgate Neighborhood Storm Drain
Improvements and Green Street Project are identified.
Prepared By:Joe Teresi, Senior Engineer
Department Head:J. Michael Sartor, Director
City Manager Approval: ____________________________________
James Keene, City Manager