DATE: 03/05/2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Public Works Department
2025-90
REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBJECT:
APPROVE THE FUNDING AGREEMENT WITH THE RIVERSIDE COUNTY FLOOD
CONTROL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT AND CREATE A NEW CAPITAL
IMPROVEMENT PROJECT FOR THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE
CORONA STORM DRAIN CATCH BASIN RETROFIT PROGRAM
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
This staff report asks for the City Council to execute the Funding Agreement with the Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District (District) for the installation of approximately 1,200 trash capture devices inside existing catch basins. This project will help the City comply with the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board's Trash Provisions to address the impacts of trash on surface waters. The City will be responsible for the operation and maintenance of the devices.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
That the City Council:
a. Approve the Funding Agreement with the Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District for the construction, operation, and maintenance of Corona Storm Drain Catch Basin Retrofit.
b. Authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to execute the Funding 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 construction, ownership, operation, and maintenance of Corona Storm Drain Catch Basin Retrofit and the payment of construction contribution.
c. Authorize an estimated revenue increase in the amount of $1,000,000 in the Public Works Grants/Agreement Fund 243 for the Citywide Storm Drain Catch Basin Filters Capital Improvement Project No. ST-2023-06.
BACKGROUND & HISTORY:
To comply with recent Trash Provisions enacted by the State Waterboard, the City has selected to install, operate, and maintain full capture systems for about 1,200 storm drains that capture runoff from Priority Land Uses in its jurisdiction. To help fund this mandate, the City applied for funding from the Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District during their annual call for projects. Subsequently, as part of the first phase of its goal to achieve compliance, the City identified 220 locations for installation of these devices and solicited bids from qualified contractors. Since then, the City has been awarded up to $1,000,000 in funding (or up to 50%) of the cost associated with installation for all 1,200 of these devices by the District. After some discussion and negotiation, the District has agreed to incorporate the first phase of installing these devices into their funding agreement with the City. The first phase for the installation of 220 devices was previously awarded by Council at its December 18, 2024, meeting. The remaining devices will be installed in phases over the next several years. The Funding Agreement with the District expires in FY 2028.
The agreement for the District to fund up to 50% (or up to $1,000,000) of the construction of multiple phases of the project has been finalized and is being presented to the Council for acceptance. Completing the project will help the City meet the Strategic Plan goals for Sound Infrastructure by making necessary improvements to sustain high-quality service delivery by investing in public infrastructure while also meeting the State’s unfunded mandate.
ANALYSIS:
Approval and execution of the cooperative agreement with the District will allow the City to fund 50% of the installation of approximately 1,200 trash capture devices inside existing catch basins throughout the City. Furthermore, the project and staff’s efforts to have the District fund 50% of 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 negotiated and worked with the District, which agreed to fund 50% 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 and 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 pedestrian accessibility.
Safe Community: protect our quality of life by ensuring the community is safe and clean. Installing these devices will help address the impacts of trash on surface waters.
As discussed previously, Phase I of the Project was approved by the City Council on December 18, 2024. Each subsequent phase will be individually bid, awarded, and brought forward to the City Council for approval. The budget for future phases for the City’s share will be recommended through the annual budget process beginning FY 2026.
Phase II will be included in the Proposed FY 2026 Budget within the NPDES Fund 245.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Approval of the recommended actions will result in an estimated revenue increase in the amount of $1,000,000 from the Public Works Grants/Agreement Fund 243 to the Citywide Storm Drain Catch Basin Filters Capital Improvement Project No. ST-2023-06.
The Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District are reimbursing the City effectively for 50% of all costs, including the City’s administrative expenses.
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. When 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 – Project Location
2. Exhibit 2 - Funding Agreement