CITY OF POMONA
COUNCIL REPORT
October 3, 2022
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: James W. Makshanoff, City Manager
Submitted by: Chris Diggs, Water Resources Director
SUBJECT: ADOPT RESOLUTION TO RECEIVE AND APPROPRIATE METROPOLITAN WATER DISTRICT GRANT FUNDS FOR THE MUNICIPAL LEAK DETECTION AND REPAIR PROJECT; RESIDENTIAL LANDSCAPE AUDIT; AND, COMMUNITY PARTNERING PROGRAM RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council take the following action:
Adopt the following resolution (Attachment No. 1):
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-172 – A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF POMONA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING THE FY 2022-23 WATER ENTERPRISE FUND BUDGET TO INCREASE REVENUE ESTIMATES AND APPROPRIATIONS BY $100,000 FOR THE MUNICIPAL LEAK DETECTION AND REPAIR PROJECT; $5,000 FOR THE RESIDENTIAL LANDSCAPE AUDIT; AND, $2,000 FOR THE COMMUNITY PARTNERING PROGRAM
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The recommended actions will allow for the receipt of, and to appropriate up-to $107,000 of reimbursable grant funding from Metropolitan Water District (MWD) through Three Valleys Water District (TVMWD) into the Water Fund, to complete a Municipal Leak Detection and Repair project; Residential Landscape Audit, and the Community Partnering Program.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The fiscal impact of the proposed actions is to increase revenue estimate and appropriations by $107,000 in the Water Enterprise Fund (571-8110-40380-51355 and 571-8110-5xxxx-51353). The grant funding for the projects are reimbursable, meaning the City will need to complete the work, and seek reimbursement after-the-fact.
PREVIOUS RELATED ACTION:
None
DISCUSSION:
In August, Water Resources Department (WRD) staff submitted a grant application for the MWD Municipal Leak Detection and Repair grant project through TVMWD. Staff recently received notice that the City was successful in the grant application and has been awarded the grant.
Currently, the vast majority of leaks are reported to the City via phone calls from individuals who notice wet spots or see water coming from beneath the street. These leaks are typically repaired within the week they are reported. However, there are leaks that never surface as the leaked water moves deeper into the soil. To locate these leaks, leak detection equipment is utilized. Given the complexities of determining the exact location of a leak, it is not easy to pinpoint where to start an excavation. This can lead to costly pavement repairs and hours searching for the location of a leak that has not actually been observed.
This project involves funding for upgrades to the City’s leak detection equipment, which should allow staff more quickly and accurately identify the location of underground leaks. Additionally, this grant can be used to partially fund repairs within the City’s water distribution system, which is especially beneficial now as the drought continues to persist, and there is information that there is no end in sight.
In addition to the leak repair grant, MWD approved the Residential Landscape Audit and Sprinkler Tune-Up Pilot project. ConServ will perform the audits and evaluate the customer’s landscape, make sprinkler repairs, update timers, and provide a report to the resident. As this is a pilot program it will fund only 12 audits. Staff will track customer interest and may seek to continue the program if there is sufficient interest from customers.
Lastly, staff is applying for the Community Partnering Program through MWD for up to $2,000. If awarded, the grant funds will assist with the Splash Cash Program. The program is offered to Pomona Unified School District teachers for water conservation related projects.
COUNCIL PRIORITIES AND GOALS:
This item supports City Council Priority 1: Fiscal and Operational Responsibility – Goal C: Obtain additional grant funding and other revenues to help achieve City goals.
Prepared by:
Julie Carver
Environmental Compliance Supervisor
ATTACHMENT:
Attachment No. 1 – Resolution No. 2022-172
Adopt Resolution to Receive and Appropriate MWD Grant Funds