Item #04
Date: March 3, 2026
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Jim Schaad, City Manager
Jeramy Chapdelaine, Public Works Director/Chief Building Official Subject: Acceptance of Yuba Water Agency Community Impact Grant - Marysville Ring Levee FEMA Accreditation and ULDC 200-Year Certification Program ($923,713) Recommendation:
Adopt a Resolution to 1) Adopt a Resolution formally accepting grant funding for the Marysville Ring Levee Accreditation and Certification Program; 2) Authorize the City Manager to execute a Professional Services Agreement with MBK Engineers, as Prime Consultant, for comprehensive FEMA and ULDC certification services in an amount not to exceed $923,713; and 3) Authorize the City Manager to execute all documents necessary to implement the FEMA 44 CFR 65.10 and Urban Levee Design Criteria (ULDC) certification program.
Background:
The Marysville Ring Levee protects more than 12,000 residents, the historic downtown core, critical infrastructure, and key transportation corridors including State Route 70/20. Significant levee improvements have been constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Caltrans; however, regulatory certification remains necessary to maintain FEMA accreditation and achieve Urban Levee Design Criteria (ULDC) compliance.
On January 6, 2026, the Yuba County Water Agency Board of Directors authorized entry into a Grant Agreement with the City of Marysville. The executed Grant Agreement, dated January 22, 2026, provides reimbursement funding not to exceed $923,713 for completion of the Marysville Ring Levee Accreditation and Certification Program. The term of the Agreement extends through June 30, 2031.
Discussion & Analysis:
The funded project includes professional engineering and program management services necessary to:
• Maintain FEMA levee accreditation under 44 CFR 65.10; • Prepare and submit a FEMA Letter of Map Revision (LOMR); • Complete hydrologic and hydraulic modeling updates;
• Conduct geotechnical evaluation and documentation review; Item #04
• Prepare ULDC Engineer’s Reports for 200-year certification; • Coordinate Independent Panel of Experts (IPE) review; • Support coordination with FEMA and State agencies.
The Agreement provides reimbursement of eligible expenses up to $923,713 and requires quarterly reporting, record retention, and compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.
Acceptance of this grant ensures continued eligibility for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), avoidance of adverse FEMA floodplain remapping, protection of property values and insurability, and continued progress toward a formal Urban Level of Flood Protection (ULOP) finding under SB 5.
Environmental Impact:
The proposed action consists solely of professional engineering evaluation, modeling, reporting, and certification of existing infrastructure.
This action qualifies as exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15306 (Information Collection) and Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption). No physical construction is authorized by this action.
Legal Review:
The agreement has been executed by the City Manager and approved as to form by the City Attorney.
Alignment with City Council Goal(s):
This action directly supports City Council goals related to:
• Goal #4 – Enhance Public Safety: Maintains certified flood protection standards and safeguards life and property.
• Goal #3 – Improve Infrastructure: Ensures long-term levee system integrity and compliance with FEMA and State standards.
• Goal #1 – Increase Fiscal Sustainability: Leverages external grant funding and protects FEMA accreditation, preventing increased insurance costs and economic impacts. • Goal #2 – Expand Economic Development: Preserves flood insurance availability and supports continued residential and commercial investment within the City.
Maintaining levee accreditation safeguards residents, businesses, and critical infrastructure while preserving flood insurance availability citywide.
Fiscal Analysis:
Grant Revenue: $923,713 (Yuba Water Agency Community Impact Grant).
The grant provides reimbursement funding for eligible expenses through June 30, 2031. No local cash match is required. The City will provide in-kind staff time for project oversight, floodplain coordination, and grant administration.
Item #04
Approval of this agreement authorizes expenditures not to exceed $923,713 under a single Professional Services Agreement with MBK Engineers.
Attachment(s):
1) Grant Agreement - Yuba County Water Agency (Agency Grant FRR-MSVL-004) 2) MBK Engineers Proposal - Marysville Ring Levee Accreditation and Certification Program 3) Resolution 2026-XX Accepting Grant