DATE: April 16, 2024
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Director of Public Works
SUBJECT: Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Funding Agreement, Accept $600,000 in Environmental Protection Agency San Francisco Water Quality Improvement Fund Grant Funds, and Appropriate $600,000 to the Nature-Based Solution Feasibility Study Project No. 07809 in Fund 612 Sewer Improvement Fund
RECOMMENDATION
That Council adopts a resolution (Attachment II) authorizing the City Manager to 1) execute a funding agreement with the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) to accept $600,000 in grant funding from United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) for the study of nature based solutions at the Water Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF); and 2) appropriate $600,000 to the Nature-Based Solution Feasibility Study Project No. 07809 in Fund 612 Sewer Improvement Fund.
SUMMARY
The City, in partnership with ABAG, applied for and received a grant to further study and begin preliminary design of a horizontal levee and constructed wetland at the western end of the WRRF, in the amount of $600,000. Staff requests that the City Manager be authorized to accept this funding, authorize execution of a funding agreement, and appropriate the funds to the Nature-Based Solution Feasibility Study Project No. 07809 in Fund 612 Sewer Improvement Fund.
BACKGROUND
The City owns and operates the WRRF (formerly Water Pollution Control Facility, WPCF), which treats an average flow of approximately eleven million gallons per day (MGD) of wastewater from the City. For much of the WRRF’s history, a portion of the treatment consisted of oxidation ponds at the west end of the City’s WRRF property. While these ponds are no longer an active part of the treatment process, they are occasionally used to hold excess flows, primarily during wet weather events.
The City is a member of the Hayward Area Shoreline Planning Agency (HASPA), a joint powers agency consisting of representatives from the City of Hayward, East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD), and Hayward Area Recreation and Park District (HARD). In February 2021, HASPA completed the Hayward Regional Shoreline Adaptation Master Plan (HRSAMP), which developed multi-benefit strategies for the shoreline, its existing infrastructure, and the surrounding natural habitat in order to adapt to sea level rise. The HRSAMP identified the site of the former oxidation ponds at the WRRF as a potential location for a freshwater treatment wetland, and its western perimeter as an ideal location for a horizontal levee to protect the WRRF and other local infrastructure from sea level rise. Treatment wetlands and horizontal levees are both examples of Nature Based Solutions (NBS). NBS, in general, refers to restoring natural or modified ecosystems to address societal challenges such as adapting to climate change while also enhancing biodiversity.
In 2020, the East Bay Dischargers Authority (EBDA) entered into a contract with Environmental Science Associates (ESA) to design a horizontal levee at Oro Loma Marsh, and, as part of that effort, commissioned a study to further investigate the feasibility of implementing NBS at the WRRF site. In addition, as part of the WRRF Improvements - Phase II Project, a technical memorandum was prepared by Brown and Caldwell to further evaluate and confirm the feasibility of constructing a horizontal levee, constructed wetland, or both, at the WRRF former oxidation pond site. The studies also recommended potential next steps to making NBS a reality.
DISCUSSION
In 2022, ABAG applied for a grant from the USEPA’s San Francisco Water Quality Improvement Funds for implementing and monitoring NBS at several bay area locations, including the WRRF’s former oxidation ponds. ABAG was awarded this grant in 2023, which includes $600,000 for the City to prepare an Operations & Maintenance (O&M) study, permitting study, alternatives analysis, and preliminary design services. This work would be performed by consultants and overseen by City staff, with costs reimbursed by USEPA.
NBS potentially provide numerous benefits to the community and the environment. A horizontal levee could protect nearby facilities from future sea level rise, provide an opportunity to expand and protect the bay trail, provide for wildlife refugia, and provide polishing treatment to a portion of the City’s wastewater flow prior to discharge to the Bay. Constructed wetlands would provide additional ecological enhancements while also providing polishing treatment for a more significant portion of wastewater flow. This additional treatment could further reduce nutrient loadings to the bay beyond what is already projected to be achieved by the Phase II Improvements project, which may become necessary if the Regional Water Quality Control Board further tightens regulations.
FISCAL IMPACT
Staff was awarded a total of $600,000 in USEPA grant funds. Staff is requesting an appropriation of $600,000 to the Sewer Improvement Fund (Fund 612) for the Nature-Based Solution Feasibility Study Project No. 07809. Upon proof of expenditure, all costs up to $600,000 will be reimbursed through the grant.
This grant requires a City match of $600,000, and this requirement has been completed by the expenses already incurred from the City’s WRRF Phase II Improvements Project No. 07760 in Fund 612 Sewer Improvement Fund. There is no net long-term impact to the City or to the General Fund.
ECONOMIC IMPACT AND SUSTANABILITY FEATURES
This item does not provide a direct economic impact to the City, but a horizontal levee, if ultimately implemented in concert with other projects recommended by HASPA, could protect various facilities in Hayward from sea level rise. Facilities likely protected by a horizontal levee at this project site would include the WRRF, and various nearby industrial businesses in the area.
The project overall would be a study of implementing sustainable, nature-based infrastructure.
STRATEGIC ROADMAP
This agenda item supports the Strategic Roadmap Priorities to Confront Climate Crisis & Champion Environmental Justice and Invest in Infrastructure.
Confront Climate Crisis & Champion Environmental Justice Mitigate climate crisis impacts through resilient design and community engagement.
Invest in Infrastructure
Invest in Water Supplies, Sanitation Infrastructure & Storm Sewers – This project would be an investment in enhancing the City’s wastewater treatment process.
PUBLIC CONTACT
The project includes a web page that is hosted on the City’s website that contains periodic updates. Additionally, a key component of this work will be engaging local stakeholders such as Hayward Area Recreation District, East Bay Regional Parks, Alameda County Mosquito Abatement District, and other local community groups.
NEXT STEPS
If Council approves accepting the grant funding, staff will enter into a funding agreement with ABAG and prepare a request for proposals to hire a consulting firm with expertise in nature-based solutions to perform the work. The work is expected to take approximately two years. The grant expires in December 2026.
Prepared by: Kyle Carbert, Senior Utilities Engineer
Reviewed by: Suzan England, Utilities Engineering Manager Recommended by: Alex Ameri, Director of Public Works Approved by:
____________________________________
Kelly McAdoo, City Manager