DATE:
February 1, 2022
TO:
Mayor and Council Members
FROM:
Nils Bentsen, City Manager
BY:
Rachel Molina, Assistant City Manager
Jamie Carone, Management Analyst
SUBJECT:
Authorize Submittal of Urban and Multibenefit Drought Relief Funding for the Hesperia Recycled Water Expansion Project
RECOMMENDED ACTION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2022-003 authorizing submittal of an application for the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) 2021 Urban and Multibenefit Drought Relief Funding (UMDRF) for the Hesperia Recycled Water Expansion Project.
BACKGROUND
The California Department of Water Resources offers funding for two Drought Relief Grant Programs that offer financial assistance to address drought impacts through implementation of projects with multiple benefits. These benefits are intended to address the loss or contamination of water supplies due to drought, to address the immediate drought impacts on human health and safety, and to protect fish and wildlife resources along with other public benefits, such as ecosystem improvements. The Urban and Multibenefit Drought Relief Funding Program is one of these two grants.
Funding for the UMDRF Program was authorized by the Legislature pursuant to the Budget Act of 2021 and its Trailer Bill, Assembly Bill 148; DWR was allocated $100 million for Urban Communities and $200 million for Multibenefit projects. The same Budget Act also authorized $200 million for the Small Community Drought Relief Program. The Hesperia Recycled Water Expansion Project qualifies for both the Urban Community Drought Relief Program or the Multibenefit Project Program.
As a requirement of DWR’s grant process, all grant participants must provide certain documentation to submit a complete grant application. This documentation, in the form of a resolution, includes authorization of a City’s governing body to apply for DWR grants. The resolution authorizes the City Manager, or designee, to submit an application for the DWR’s UMDRF grant program.
ISSUES/ANALYSIS
Currently, the City’s only source of water supply is groundwater from the Mojave River Adjudicated Basin. The City has rights to produce 11,500 AFY of water, and water produced beyond this is subject to replenishment assessments which are used to purchase and deliver imported water supplies to the region. Water demands are projected to increase into 2025 and again into 2030. To meet current and future demands, the City would like to use recycled water supplies to the greatest extent possible to reduce dependence on imported water. Expansion of the current recycled water system is necessary to provide recycled water supplies to schools, parks, and landscape areas. The UMDRF grant would provide the City with the funds necessary to construct this project and reduce its demand on the current water supply.
Approval of this resolution will allow the City to apply for funding from the DWR’s Urban and Multibenefit Drought Relief Funding and authorize the City Manager, or designee, to prepare and file the application, execute the funding agreement with DWR and any amendments thereto, and submit any required documents, invoices, and reports required to obtain funding.
FISCAL IMPACT
There are no fiscal impacts identified with this action.
ALTERNATIVE(S)
Provide alternative direction to staff
ATTACHMENT(S)
Resolution No. 2022-003
City of Hesperia STAFF REPORT City of Hesperia STAFF REPORT City of Hesperia
STAFF REPORT
City of Hesperia
STAFF REPORT
Staff Report to the Mayor and Council Members
Authorize Submittal of Application for UMDRF Grant
February 1, 2022