CITY OF POMONA
COUNCIL REPORT
May 15, 2023
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 APPROVING AND ADOPTING MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION AND MITIGATION MONITORING PROGRAM IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT FOR PEDLEY SPREADING GROUNDS - POND ENHANCEMENTS PROJECT RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council adopt the following resolution:
RESOLUTION NO. 2023-74 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF POMONA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING AND ADOPTING MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION (SCH #2023030023) AND MITIGATION MONITORING REPORTING PROGRAM IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT FOR “PEDLEY SPREADING GROUNDS – POND ENHANCEMENTS,” PROJECT NO. 428-2590-XXXXX-81058 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The recommended actions will result in the approval and adoption of the final Mitigated Negative Declaration dated February 2023 and the approval of Resolution No. 2023-74 (Attachment No. 1) for the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP) dated April 2023 (Attachment No. 5) for the “Pedley Spreading Grounds - Pond Enhancements,” Project No. 428-2590-XXXXX-81058.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.
PUBLIC NOTICING REQUIREMENTS:
A public notice was published in the San Gabriel Valley Tribune on February 28, 2023 and mailed to residents and property owners within 500 feet of the subject site on February 27, 2023, (Attachment No. 2); the notice was also posted on the City’s website on February 28, 2023.
PREVIOUS RELATED ACTION:
On January 4, 2021, City Council approved execution of Transfer Agreement with Los Angeles County Flood Control District; and amended FY 2020-21 Operating and CIP Budgets. On October 4, 2021, City Council approved Contract with Stantec Consulting Services for design of project. On January 23, 2023, City Council approved amendment to FY 2022-23 CIP budget to increase revenues and appropriate $1,330,180 of Safe Clean Water Program (SCWP) funds.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT:
Pursuant to the provisions of the CEQA, an Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) was prepared consistent with CEQA Section 15070 to assess the potential effects of this project on the environment. On February 28, 2023, staff released a Notice of Intent (NOI) to adopt the MND, followed by a 30 day public review period for the IS/MND, which began on March 1, 2023 and ended on March 31, 2023.
In accordance with Senate Bill 18 and Assembly Bill 52, staff contacted the California Native American Heritage Commission for a list of Tribes with ancestral lands in Pomona and offered consultation on the proposed project. The City received a request for consultation from one tribe: the Gabrieleño Band of Mission Indians - Kizh Nation. Based on the consultation, mitigation measures have been incorporated into the IS/MND and MMRP to address cultural resources.
The IS/MND determined that all potential environmental effects could be reduced to less than significant levels with the incorporation of appropriate mitigation measures. Therefore, a IS/MND was prepared and recommended for certification. The proposed mitigation measures address the topics listed below. All other topics were determined to have a less than significant impact, and are listed below.
Biological Resources (Initial Study, pages 2-14 to 2-25) Cultural Resources (Initial Study, pages 2-26 to 2-29)
Geology and Soils (Initial Study, 2-32 to 2-36)
Hazards and Hazardous Materials (Initial Study, pages 2-40 to 2-44) Hydrology and Water Quality (Initial Study, pages 2-45 to 2-51) Noise (Initial Study, pages 2-55 to 2-59)
Transportation (Initial Study, pages 2-63 to 2-66)
Tribal Cultural Resources (Initial Study pages 2-67 to 2-71) Utilities and Service Systems (Initial Study, pages 2-72 to 2-73) Mandatory Findings of Significance (Initial Study, pages 2-76 to 2-77) Public comments were received during the public review period. The City also received a request for consultation from the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District. While the City as lead agency is not statutorily obligated to respond to public comments, responses have been prepared and are included as Attachment 4 to the staff report.
DISCUSSION:
The City has prepared this Initial Study to address the impacts of implementing the Pedley Spreading Grounds - Pond Enhancements. The Pedley Spreading Grounds consists of three basins and is currently configured to receive flows from the adjacent (to the north) neighborhood through 42-inch and 18-inch storm drains, as well as process water from the adjacent Pedley Filtration Plant. Located in the City of Claremont, the Pedley Spreading Grounds are owned and operated by the City of Pomona. In compliance with CEQA Section 15051(a), the City of Pomona, Water Resources Department, is the lead agency of the project although the facility is located in the City of Claremont.
The project is a collaborative effort between the Cities of Pomona and Claremont to capture, treat, and infiltrate local urban runoff into the existing Pedley Spreading Grounds to increase water supply through stormwater recharge and to decrease non-point source pollutants. Funding to implement the project is being funded by Safe Clean Water Program, to increase local water supply, improve water quality, and invest in making communities greener and more livable.
Given the objectives of the Water Resources Department to protect and manage groundwater resources for the people of the City of Pomona and to provide the cleanest water possible to residents and businesses, the project includes: grading of the existing Pedley Spreading Grounds basins to enhance percolation, modifications to an existing stormwater junction diversion structure, construction of a new control vault to improve stormwater conveyance to the basins, new water quality pretreatment structure, inlet storm drain extensions, energy dissipater and riprap pads, stilling basin and equalizer structures, spillways, access ramps and roadway improvements, and Pedley Filtration Plant outlet interconnect piping and controls. Additionally, the project includes implementation of improvements (pathway, plantings, educational signage, a viewing area with benches, fencing, and a bike rack) at the Chaparral Park north of the spreading grounds.
Prepared by:
Julie Carver
Julie Carver, Environmental Compliance Supervisor
Jorge Anaya
Jorge Anaya, Senior Water Resources Engineer
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment No. 1 - Resolution No. 2023-74
Attachment No. 2 - Public Notice NOI
Attachment No. 3 - Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration Attachment No. 4 - Responses to Comments
Attachment No. 5 - MMRP
Approve Resolution 2023-74 and Adopt CEQA MND and MMRP for the Pedley Spreading Grounds - Pond Enhancements Project