DATE: 11/20/2024
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Utilities Department
2024-146
REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBJECT:
CREATION OF A CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT ENTITLED “CORONA LANDFILL SOLAR FARM”
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
This staff report asks the City Council to approve an appropriation for the creation of a new Capital Improvement Project entitled “Corona Landfill Solar Farm” which seeks to create a solar farm on top of the closed Corona Landfill site.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
That the City Council:
a. Approve the creation of a Capital Improvement Project entitled “Corona Landfill Solar Farm.”
b. Appropriate $50,000 from the General Fund 110 to the newly created Capital Improvement Project entitled “Corona Landfill Solar Farm.” BACKGROUND & HISTORY:
The Corona Landfill (Site) is a closed unlined landfill that operated until the mid-1980’s.
Following the landfill operation, the site was used as an electrical-generating facility running a series of combustible engine-powered generators on methane gas produced from the landfill. Today, the site exists as open space with full sun exposure from multiple angles.
ANALYSIS:
The City desires to create a solar farm situated on top of the closed landfill. Preliminary evaluations show this site as a favorable location for solar location; estimates provide site capacity with the 5- to 8-MegaWatt range depending on layout. The City has developed a Scope of Work for the project with the anticipation of advertising a Request For Proposals expeditiously after approval of the recommended actions.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Approval of the recommended actions will result in an appropriation in the amount of $50,000 from the General Fund 110 to the newly created Capital Improvement Project entitled “Corona Landfill Solar Farm.” There is sufficient fund balance for the recommended actions.
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 common sense 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. This action involves funding for the creation of a Capital Improvement Project and there is no possibility this action will have a significant effect on the environment. Therefore, no environmental analysis is required.
PREPARED BY: TOM MOODY, DIRECTOR OF UTILITIES