Item #09
Date: February 20, 2024
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Kathy Pease, Contract Planner
Jim Schaad, City Manager
Subject: Acceptance of SACOG Green Means Go Funding Grant for Sewer and Storm Drain Infrastructure Analysis
Recommendation:
Pass a Motion to 1) authorize the City Manager, or designee, to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG) to secure in funding in the amount of $293,000, through the SACOG Green Means Go program to conduct a sewer and storm drain capacity analysis, 2) direct the City Manager, or designee, to execute related contract documents, and 3) approve a supplemental appropriation of $100,000 in Sewer Enterprise Fund to support the project.
Rationale for Recommendation:
The City has been awarded $293,000 to conduct infrastructure plans and studies, such as for upgrading sewer and storm drain analysis that would support infill development. Should acceptance of this grant be approved, it would allow the City to conduct sewer and storm drain infrastructure analysis to verify if system condition and capacity will allow additional, higher density development in the green zone areas with or without modification. The study will help determine where investment is needed in the City’s infrastructure to support future development and will produce vital information for improving infrastructure and furthering economic development.
Background:
This grant is being awarded through SACOG’s Planning category (Category B) of the 2022 Green Means Go funding round provided through the State Housing and Community Development Department.
Category B will fund planning activities in locally adopted Green Zones. One of the eligible activities is conducting infrastructure plans and studies, such as for upgrading sewer, water, and dry utility systems in Green Zones that would support residential development that improves housing affordability.
The City’s Green Zone was established on November 17, 2020, and updated by SACOG on April 23, 2023.
The zone focuses primarily on the downtown areas and is depicted in Attachment 1.
Item #09
The City submitted a proposal to SACOG on October 17, 2022 and received a preliminary confirmation of award approved by the SACOG Board March 17, 2023. The award is contingent upon execution of an MOU between the City and SACOG (Attachment 2). As part of its proposal, the City offered a match of $100,000 from its Sewer Enterprise Fund.
Discussion and Analysis:
No recent studies have been completed on the capacity and condition of City sewer or storm drain facilities. This information related to City infrastructure is critical in order to maintain/upgrade the systems to meet the City’s ongoing and future needs. This study will help determine where investment is needed to support future development/economic growth. Capacity analyses would complement the Downtown Specific Plan currently underway. The City would use these grant funds in conjunction with sewer enterprise funds to support activities such as video camera inspections, infiltration/inflow studies and hydraulic modeling. The study would determine if there is an existing capacity to support higher density housing and infill opportunities. It would also determine if there are defects/deficiencies in the condition of the system. If deficiencies are identified, it will help the City to determine what actions are needed in order to facilitate development.
This funding only covers the portion of the city within the Green Zone. City staff and consultants are pursuing other funding opportunities that would allow the City to perform studies city-wide in conjunction with this grant.
It is important that the City secure the funding by signing a MOU with SACOG as soon as possible, as the funding is at risk of being reduced and/or eliminated due to the state of California’s recent budget shortfall.
Environmental Review:
This action falls under Section 15262 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines which identifies that feasibility and planning studies are exempt from CEQA.
Fiscal Analysis:
This action would secure $293,000 in Green Means Go grant funding and approve a supplemental appropriation of $100,000 in Sewer Enterprise funds. There would be no impact on the City’s General Fund.
Attachments:
1) Map of current City designated Green Zone
2) Draft SACOG REAP MOU