Agenda Item #13.10
For Council Meeting of: July 14, 2026
CITY OF SANTA ROSA
CITY COUNCIL
TO: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: JENNIFER BURKE, DIRECTOR, SANTA ROSA WATER
SUBJECT: BUREAU OF RECLAMATION GRANT FUNDING AND
DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY TO ACCEPT AND EXECUTE
GRANT DOCUMENTS
AGENDA ACTION: RESOLUTION
RECOMMENDATION
Santa Rosa Water recommends that the Council, by resolution: 1) authorize the City Manager or designee to submit a grant application on behalf of Santa Rosa Water to the U.S Bureau of Reclamation for the WaterSMART Drought Response Program funding for the reconstruction of Carley Well in the amount of $1,500,000 with a local matching requirement in the amount of $3,868,250 ; 2) authorize the City Manager or designee to accept the grant and execute any and all Grant Agreements and amendments thereto, and all other agreements or documents necessary to carry out the application for or acceptance of the grant, subject to approval by the City Attorney; and 3) authorize the Chief Financial Officer to increase appropriations by the approved grant award amount.
This item has no impact on current fiscal year budget.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation's WaterSMART Drought Response Program (R26AS00016) provides federal funding to states, tribes, and other eligible entities to plan for and implement actions that increase water supply reliability and drought resilience.
Santa Rosa Water has prepared an application for $1,500,000 of this funding opportunity to rehabilitate Carley Well to develop it into a source of water supply. The grant application is due July 28, 2026.
Consistent with Council Policy 000 -62 Grant Application and Administration, Council approval is required for grant applications exceeding $500,000 or requiring cost match.
GOAL
This item relates to Council Goal #2 - Invest in the Development and Maintenance of the City's Infrastructure and enhances the resiliency and sustainability of Santa Rosa’s water system.
BUREAU OF RECLAMATION GRANT FUNDING AND DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY
TO ACCEPT AND EXECUTE GRANT DOCUMENTS
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BACKGROUND/PRIOR COUNCIL REVIEW
Not applicable.
ANALYSIS
Given the reality of future droughts , the Santa Rosa City Council accepted the Water Supply Alternatives Plan (WSAP) on October 24, 2023, to enhance Santa Rosa’s water supply resiliency and reduce dependency on Sonoma Water. The WSAP analyzed potential water supply options to diversify Santa Rosa’s water supply portfolio and production capacity, including increasing groundwater supply from wells such as Carley Well.
Carley and Peter Springs Wells, built in 1949 and 1923 respectively, are owned and operated by Santa Rosa Water and located at the intersection of Carley Street and Idaho Drive. Peter Springs Well currently provides irrigation for Peter Springs Park. Carley Well is used to fill Lake Ralphine as needed in the summer. Carley Well requires rehabilitation or replacement to serve the future needs of Santa Rosa Water’s customers as a source of supply.
Santa Rosa Water is in the design phase of addressing operational deficiencies with Carley Well and Peter Springs Wells. Peter Springs Well will continue to serve irrigation of Peter Springs Park and the filling of Lake Ralphine, while Carley Well will be rehabilitated and utilized as a dedicated municipal water supply. This funding opportunity from the Bureau of Reclamation will allow Santa Rosa Water to partially fund construction of a new Carley Well.
Per Council Policy 000 -62, Council approval is required prior to submitting a grant application.
The proposed WaterSMART Drought Response Program funding opportunity contains certain unfavorable conditions for the City including terms concerning diversity, equity, and inclusion, and affirmation of compliance with all Executive Orders.
FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of this action has no impact on the current fiscal year budget or the General Fund. If the grant is awarded, grant proceeds will be appropriated in accordance with this resolution, and the required local match will be funded through previously planned Water Enterprise Fund capital improvements for the Carley Well Rehabilitation Project.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378, the recommended action is not a “project”
BUREAU OF RECLAMATION GRANT FUNDING AND DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY
TO ACCEPT AND EXECUTE GRANT DOCUMENTS
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subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because it does not have the potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. In the alternative, the recommended action is exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the recommended action may have a significant effect on the environment.
BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Not applicable.
NOTIFICATION
Not applicable.
ATTACHMENTS
Resolution
PRESENTER(S)
Claire Nordlie, Senior Water Resources Planner