February 21, 2023
Public Works
DATE: February 21, 2023
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Daniel Chavarria, PE, Public Works Director
Mary Phelps Project Manager
Subject:
Private Sewer Lateral Grants for Brickyard Cove
Homeowner’s Association Number Two
FINANCIAL IMPACT: Private sewer lateral grants are funded by the City’s Wastewater Enterprise and do not impact the City’s
General Fund. The cost to the Wastewater Enterprise for its contribution to private lateral replacements at
Brickyard Cove Association Number Two is estimated to
total $16,200, based on the number of sewer laterals
being replaced. This grant program is budgeted from the Wastewater Enterprise Funds annually (40322631-
400525).
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
N/A
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
The Brickyard Cove Association Number Two is
responsible for the maintenance and replacement of the
private sewer lateral pipelines serving multiple buildings and dwelling units within their respective communities.
Brickyard Cove Association Number Two is requesting to
participate in the City’s Private Sewer Lateral Grant
Program.
AGENDA
REPORT
February 21, 2023
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
ADOPT a resolution authorizing participation by the
Brickyard Cove Association Number 2 in the City’s
private sewer lateral grant program and approval of
the private sewer lateral grant award to this
development, in the amount of $16,200, for the
replacement of multiple laterals that is consistent with the current grant program guidelines – Public Works
Department (Daniel Chavarria 510-620-5478/Mary
Phelps 510-621-1269).
DISCUSSION:
Failing private sewer laterals are a leading cause of sanitary sewer overflows due to obstructions and blockages from roots or offsets. These failures of private sewer laterals can lead to public health concerns due to exposure to sewage or create unsanitary conditions within homes and businesses. Failing sewer laterals also allow significant amounts of groundwater infiltration into the public sewer system. During wet weather, the public sewer system becomes overwhelmed with groundwater resulting in inadequate capacity and capacity related sewer overflows into streets and the San Francisco Bay.
As a result of numerous sewer system failures, the City was sued by Baykeeper. In the City’s settlement with Baykeeper, the City agreed to develop and implement a sewer lateral grant program to assist property owners by providing some of the resources necessary to replace failing private sewer laterals. This requirement was one of many that were intended to address inadequate capacity within the City’s publicly owned sewer system. Other requirements include capital improvements to repair and upsize publicly owned sewer lines, as well as the construction of storage for peak wet weather flows. This multi-faceted approach has allowed the City to identify the most cost- effective approach to addressing capacity related sewer overflows.
The City’s private sewer lateral grant program has been extremely successful in upgrading sewer system infrastructure. The program has historically been available only to owner-occupied single family residential properties or non-profit enterprises. Due to the interest and success of this program, City Council, in 2015, approved Atchison Village and Villa Mira Vista Homeowner Associations to apply for the grant.
City staff recommends that the City Council authorize Brickyard Cove Association Number Two to participate in the City’s private sewer lateral grant program in a manner that is consistent with the current grant program guidelines. Current guidelines specify awarding grants in an amount not to exceed $1,800 for each sewer lateral replacement.
Nine (9) units within the Brickyard Cove Association Number Two had their sewer lateral replaced. Water Resource Recovery is requesting the City Council approve their application to the sewer lateral grant program in the amount of $16,200.
February 21, 2023
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Resolution – Brickyard Cove HOA #2 Lateral Grant Approval Attachment 2 – Lateral Grant Application – Brickyard Cove HOA #2