DATE: 10/02/2024
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Public Works Department
2024-59
REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBJECT:
APPROVE THE FUNDING/COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT WITH THE RIVERSIDE
COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT TO FUND THE
DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE CORONA MASTER DRAINAGE PLAN (MDP) LINE 5, STAGE 1 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT NO. ST-2025-03 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
This staff report asks for the City Council to consider executing the Funding/Cooperative Agreement with the Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District (District) for the construction of approximately 2,400 linear feet of the underground storm drain system to collect runoff on Sherman Avenue south of Railroad Street and extend westerly on Railroad Street to Smith Avenue, connecting to an existing City-owned storm drain. This project will provide flood protection to businesses along Railroad Street and Sherman Avenue. The District and City will share operation and maintenance responsibilities based on storm drain sizing.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
That the City Council:
a. Approve the Funding/Cooperative Agreement with the Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District for the design and construction of the Corona MDP Line 5, Stage 1 Capital Improvement Project No. ST-2025-03. b. Authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to execute the Funding/Cooperative Agreement with the Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District to memorialize the mutual understandings by and between the District and City of Corona with respect to funding, design, construction, inspection, ownership, operation, and maintenance of the Corona MDP Line 5, Stage 1 Capital Improvement Project No. ST-2025-03.
c. Authorize an appropriation and an offsetting revenue increase in the amount of $3,510,000 from the Public Works Grants/Agreement Fund 243 for the Corona MDP Line 5, Stage 1 Capital Improvement Project No. ST-2025-03.
BACKGROUND & HISTORY:
The City of Corona (City) originally applied for and was awarded funding from the District for this proposed Master Drainage Plan facility in Fiscal Year 2018-19. The project’s start date was delayed a few years due to low staffing levels and prioritization of other City projects. When the MDP Line 5, Stage 1 project was reprioritized in 2023, staff identified the need to increase funding due to increased labor and material costs. In October of 2023, the City applied for additional funding from the District for fiscal year 2024-2025.
The District awarded the additional and provided a Funding/Cooperative Agreement to fully fund the design and construction of the project.
ANALYSIS:
Approval and execution of the Funding/Cooperative Agreement with the District will allow the City to fund and extend a storm drain section on Sherman Avenue south of Railroad Street and westerly on Railroad Street to Smith Avenue. Completing this project will improve the City’s existing storm drain infrastructure by mitigating flooding and providing a safer roadway path of travel.
Furthermore, the project and staff’s efforts to have the District fully fund the project aligns with the City’s following strategic goals:
Financial Stability: ensure the City has adequate and sustainable funding to deliver high-quality services to residents. Staff worked with the District, and both parties agreed that the District will fund 100% of the project costs. Sound Infrastructure: sustain high-quality service delivery by investing in public infrastructure, including parks, buildings, equipment, roads, and technology. The storm drain project will enhance the roadway system, remove stormwater from the roadway, and minimize excessive ponding of water in the streets, thereby reducing the risk and delay to vehicular traffic flow and allow for pedestrian accessibility. Safe Community: protect our quality of life by ensuring the community is safe and clean. The storm drain system will allow for proper drainage and mitigate flooding and damage to local residences and businesses.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Approval of the recommended actions will result in an appropriation and estimated revenue increase in the amount of $3,510,000 from the Public Works Grants/Agreement Fund 243 for the Corona MDP Line 5, Stage 1 Capital Improvement Project No. ST-2025-
03. Staff recommends that the City Council accept and appropriate $3,510,000 from the District. The District will effectively reimburse the City for all costs, including administrative expenses.
Project Funding
Project Funding Source JL Amount
MDP Line 5, Stage 1 CIP
No. ST-2025-03
Public Works
Grants/Agreements Fund
243
79120 $3,510,000
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS:
This action is exempt pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the Guidelines for the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), which states that a project is exempt from CEQA if the activity is covered by the commonsense exemption that CEQA applies only to projects that have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA. The requested actions are to approve a funding agreement and appropriate those funds for the Project, and there is no possibility that these actions will have a significant effect on the environment. During the design phase and prior to construction, the appropriate CEQA exception will be documented. Since the project involves only minor street improvements, a “Notice of Exemption” from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) will be filed with the County of Riverside.
PREPARED BY: FREDY CASTILLO, SENIOR ENGINEER
REVIEWED BY: SAVAT KHAMPHOU, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Exhibit 1 – Location Map
2. Exhibit 2 - Funding/Cooperative Agreement