DATE: 12/03/2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Public Works Department
2025-459
REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBJECT:
APPROVE THE FUNDING AGREEMENT WITH THE RIVERSIDE COUNTY FLOOD
CONTROL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT TO FUND THE DESIGN AND
CONSTRUCTION OF THE CORONA DOWNTOWN STORM DRAIN IMPROVEMENTS
PHASE II PROJECT
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
This staff report asks City Council to approve the Funding Agreement with the Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District (District) to support the design and construction of the Corona Downtown Storm Drain Improvements. Approval of this agreement will allow the District to fund the project and enable the City to proceed with project delivery. The agreement will formalize the mutual responsibilities of both agencies regarding project implementation, compliance, and funding.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
That the City Council:
a. Approve the Funding Agreement with the Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District for the design and construction of the Corona Downtown Storm Drain Improvements Phase II Project.
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 funding, design, construction, inspection, ownership, operation, and maintenance of the Corona Downtown Storm Drain Improvements Phase II Project.
c. Authorize the creation of a new capital improvement project titled Corona Downtown Storm Drain Improvements Phase II.
d. Authorize an appropriation and an offsetting revenue increase in the amount of $10,328,000 from the Public Works Grants/Agreement Fund (243) to the newly created project titled Corona Downtown Storm Drain Improvements Phase II.
BACKGROUND & HISTORY:
The City of Corona and the Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District have a strong partnership focused on flood control and stormwater management.
Their collaboration aims to protect public safety, property, and infrastructure from flooding and drainage issues. The agreement establishes the terms under which the District will provide financial contributions to the City for the project, which is intended to address flooding and drainage deficiencies in the downtown area by upgrading and expanding storm drain infrastructure along key corridors.
ANALYSIS:
Through technical studies and planning efforts, these upgrades integrate local improvements with the regional flood control network. The project scope was refined through detailed assessments to meet both immediate and long-term needs, in alignment with the future Sixth Street Beautification and other Downtown Revitalization projects.
Approving the agreement will allow City staff to advance these improvements, which support the City’s goals of reducing flooding and replacing aging infrastructure. The project aligns with broader goals related to public safety, and community sustainability, as outlined in the City’s General Plan and capital improvement programming.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Approval of the recommended actions will result in an appropriation, and an offsetting estimated revenue increase in the amount $10,328,000 from the Public Works Grants/Agreement Fund (243) to the newly created Capital Improvement Project titled Corona Downtown Storm Drain Improvements Phase II Project. Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District is reimbursing the City effectively for 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. 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 Agreement