CITY OF SIMI VALLEY
MEMORANDUM
S
eptember 15, 2025
T
O: Board of Directors, Ventura County Waterworks District No. 8 F
ROM: Department of Public Works
S
UBJECT: AUTHORIZATION TO APPLY FOR THE CAL OES HAZARD MITIGATION GRANT PROGRAM DR-4856 FOR THE BOX CANYON PUMP STATIONS
EMERGENCY GENERATORS PROJECT
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
I
t is recommended that the Board of Directors:
1. A
uthorize the District Manager, or designee, to submit a grant sub-application and associated documents to the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) DR -4856 for $4,069,000 to support the Box Canyon Pump Stations Emergency Generators Project; and,
2. D
irect staff to return to the Board of Directors after the grant application has been submitted and a funding award has been announced, for consideration of a resolution authorizing grant processing and administration, including approval of the District’s share of the required local match.
BACKGROUND AND OVERVIEW
Th
e Waterworks Facilities Assessment Study, conducted by Carollo Engineers in 2015, recommended rehabilitation of the Box Canyon Pump Stations 1, 2, and 3. The pump rehabilitation projects are included in the District’ s 5-year Capital Improvement Project.
Staff is currently in the process of finalizing the 60% design phase of the project, which consists of two phases. Phase 1 is the pump station ’s rehabilitation, and Phase 2 is the installation of two permanent backup generators, one each at Box Canyon Pump Station (BCPS) 1 and BCPS 2. The HMGP grant sub-application is for Phase 2 only.
T
he proposed project is located in rugged terrain and in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone. Currently, neither BCPS 1 nor BCPS 2 has reliable emergency backup power in the case of power outages. In the event of a power outage, the District is required to mobilize backup generators to BCPS 1 and BCPS 2 to avoid water service disruption in the District’s service area.
T
he District is planning to install permanent backup generators at BCPS 1 and BCPS 2, as a reliable secondary source of power to enable continued operation. The generators would each be equipped with an automatic transfer switch, which would automatically turn on the generators to power the pump stations in the event of a utility power outage, AGENDA ITEM NO.
Consent (3)
thereby enabling continued, reliable water deliveries to the pressure zones served by the BCPS. The generators will be diesel-powered with a capacity of 500 kW at BCPS 1 and 1,000 kW at BCPS 2. The project also includes the construction of new concrete pads , where the generators will be installed, the installation of related electrical equipment, and integration with the existing Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCA DA) system.
A Notice of Interes t (NOI) application was submitted to Cal OE S on May 01, 2025 (see Attachment A, page 4). Cal OE S approved the NOI on May 14, 2025.
Following NOI approval, Cal OES conducted initial review meetings with Staff, after which the project was deemed eligible to advance to the sub-a pplication stage for submission to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for consideration. The final HMGP sub-application is due to Cal OES on September 15, 2025. If awarded, the District will propose entering into a grant agreement with Cal OES in FY 2027-28, followed by final design, procurement, and installation. Project completion is expected within 48 months of agreement execution, in accordance with HMGP requirements.
FINDINGS AND ALTERNATIVES
If awarded, federal funding will cover 75% of eligible project costs, with the remaining 25% provided by a loc al match. The program is r eimbursement-based, requiring the jurisdiction to incur costs up front and receive reimbursement after eligible expenses are verified.
The total estimated project cost is $4,069,000, with a federal funding request of $3,051,750 and a required non-f ederal cost share of $1,017,250. The District’s FY 2025-2 6 approved budget includes $6,465,780 allocated for the Box Canyon Pump Stations Rehabilitation Project (CP76300024, CP76300025, and CP76300046). If awarded, staff will return to the Board to accept the funds, but no additional funds will be needed to cover the local match.
The following options are available to the Board of Directors:
1. Authorize the District Manager, or her designee, to submit a grant sub-application and associated documents to the Cal OES HMGP DR-4 856 for $4,069,000 to support the Box Canyon Pump Stations Emergency Gener ators Project;
2. If the grant is approved and the funding award has been announced, direct Staff to return to the Board of Dir ectors a resolution authorizing grant processing and administration, including approval of the District’s share of the required local match;
3. Do not authorize the District Manager, or designee, to submit a grant sub-application and associated documents to the Cal OES HMGP; or
4. Provide staff with other direction.
Staff recommends Option Nos. 1 and 2.
2 SUGGESTED BOARD OF DIRECTORS MOTION
I move that the Board of Directors authorize the District Manager , or her designee, to submit a $4,069,000 grant sub-application to Cal OES Hazard Mitigation Grant Program and associated documents to support the Box Canyon Pump Stations Emergency Generators Project; and direct S taff to return to the Board a resolution authorizing grant processing and administration.
SUMMARY
The District is planning to install permanent backup generators at BCPS 1 and BCPS 2 as part of the BCPS Rehabilitation Project. The backup generators are required as a reliable secondary source of power to enable continued operation. The generators will be diesel-powered with a capacity of 500 kW at BCPS 1 and 1,000 kW at BCPS 2. This action authorizes submittal of the HMGP grant sub-application. Approval of the sub- application allows the District to potentially secure federal funding for critical infrastructure that will strengthen emergency response capabilities and improve community resilience during disaster-related power outages.
Staff recommends that the Board of Directors a uthorize the District Manager, or her designee, to submit a grant sub-application and associated documents to Cal OES HMGP DR-4856 for $4,069,000 to support the B ox Canyon Pump Stations Emergency Generators Project.
____________________________________
Ronald K. Fuchiwaki
Public Works Director
Prepared by: Michel Kadah, Principal Engineer
INDEX PAGE
Attachment A – Notice of Interest (NOI)…..………………………………………..4
3 4/24/25, 2:29 PM
_({§).
HMGP NOTICE OF INTEREST
GENERAL INFORMATION
First Name of Person Completing NOi
Michel
Subapplicant Name (Entity)
Simi Valley, City of
Street Address
2929 Tapo Canyon Road
Zip
93063
State
CA
Unique Entity Identifier (UEI #)
pntgtkkj37gl
Request Form
Notice of Interests (NOi). (/hma/s/ore-
21212lication/Pre A1212lication dDefault).
Suba1212lication (/hma/s/a1212lication/A1212lication dDefault).
Last Name of Person Completing NOi
Kadah
Subapplicant Type
City
City
Simi Valley
County
Ventura
Federal Information Processing Number (FIPS #)
111-72016
https://caloes.my.site.com/hma/s/hma-noi- request?id =a0Eeq0000016X5ZEAU¤tStage =Preview 0 1/7
ATTACHMENT A
4 4/24/25, 2:29 PM
SUBAPPLICATION INFORMATION
Subapplication Type
Project
Hazard
Fire
PROJECT/ PLAN INFORMATION
Activity Title/Name
Ventura County Waterworks District No. 8, Box Canyon Pump Stations Emergency Generators Project
Brief Summary
This Emergency Generator project will prevent the disruption of drinking water service to approximately 3,541 people within the Ventura County Waterworks District No. 8, Ventura County Waterworks District No.17 and Las Virgenes Municipal Water District service areas by enabling the Box Canyon Pump Stations to continue operating during power outages. The Pump Stations and pressure zones they serve are located in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones, making this area vulnerable to wildfires. A disruption of water service would be particularly costly during a wildfire event as fire flows would be unavailable thereby increasing the risk of damage to homes and property and public safety impacts. This project would reduce risks of losing water service, including for firefighting purposes.
Is the project located in a Special Flood Hazard Area?
No
https://caloes.my.site.com/hma/s/hma -noi-request?id=a0Eeq0000016X5ZEAU¤tStage=Preview Request Form
Project Type
Generator(s)/Other Power Source(s)
Activity Location
34.261689, -118.647602
Project Duration (in Months)
48 2/7
5 4/24/25, 2:29 PM Request Form
PREVIOUS SUBAPPLICATION INFORMATION
Has a full subapplication for this project been submitted to OES previously? No
POTENTIAL FOR DUPLICATION OF PROGRAMS
Does another Federal entity have primary funding authority for this project? No
WORK STARTED/AUTHORITY
Has physical project work already started?
No
FEASIBILITY
Is this an independent mitigation activity?
Yes
If yes, what is available?
A preliminary design report (PDR) is available related to upgrades of the Box Canyon pump stations, which identifies the need for backup generators at pump stations 1 and 2.
If yes, what is available?
50% design documents are in progress. The PDR, preliminary hydraulic analysis, and geotechnical report are also available.
Is the subapplicant responsible for the operations and maintenance of this infrastructure?
Yes
Do you have planning studies or feasibility reports?
Yes
Do you have design documents for this project?
Yes
Is the project related to repair, replacement, rehabilitation, or maintenance of an asset?
No
https://caloes.my.site.com/hma/s/hma-noi -request?id =a0Eeq0000016X5ZEAU¤tStage=Preview 3/7 6 4/24/25, 2:29 PM Request Form
PROBLEM STATEMENT
Describe the problem to be mitigated
The Ventura County Waterworks District No. 8 (District) currently serves approximately 68 percent of the developed portion of the City of Simi Valley (City) as well as some unincorporated areas of Ventura County adjacent to the City, thereby serving approximately 86,737 people. Among the District's critical water infrastructure are the Box Canyon Pump Stations (BCPS) 1 and 2 which pump in series to the 2 million gallons (MG) Box Canyon Tank, 0.13 MG Lilac Tank, and 0.13 MG Thompson Tank. These tanks supply drinking water to approximately 1,395 customers within the District service area. Water is also outsourced to two agencies per contractual agreements with the District, which include Ventura County Waterworks District No.17 (District 17) and Las Virgenes Municipal Water District (Las Virgenes). The BCPS serve approximately 1,946 customers in District 17 service area through 720 service connections. Currently, the only source of water to District 17 is a single water supply line from Box Canyon Tank. As such any loss of water from Box Canyon Pump Stations will disrupt water service to the entire District 17. In addition, the BCPS supply drinking water to approximately 200 people through approximately 60 service connections in the Las Virgenes service area. In total, these tanks and pump stations supply potable water to 3,541 residents in the Box Canyon area. Currently, neither BCPS 1 nor 2 have a permanent backup generator. In the event of a power outage, without emergency backup generators, the BCPS would be unable to pump water from the local storage tanks and water deliveries would be interrupted until power could be re-established and pump stations became operational again. The BCPS and pressure zones that they serve are located in rugged terrain with elevations ranging between 985 to 2,127 feet and within Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones based on Cal Fire maps. This area is therefore vulnerable to wildfire hazards which, on the one hand, require reliable water supply for firefighting and on the other hand could result in power outages in the area. If a power outage occurred during a wildfire, water supply would be unavailable to maintain fire flows which would have potentially catastrophic impacts, including increased risk of infrastructure damage and risk to public safety. For these reasons, reliable backup power is critical to enable continued operation of the BCPS and maintain water deliveries even if utility power is not available.
SOLUTION DESCRIPTION
What is the mitigation action?
The District proposes to install two stationary emergency backup generators, 1 each, at Box Canyon Pump Stations 1 and 2. Preliminary estimates anticipate installation of a 500 kW generator at Pump Station 1 and a 1,000 kW generator at Pump Station 2. These generators would be able to power the pump stations during a power outage thereby enabling continued reliable water deliveries to the pressure zones that they serve.
How will this action provide protection from Mure natural hazards? With the installation of the proposed emergency backup generators, the Box Canyon Pump Stations would be able to continue delivering water even during a power outage. The project would thereby reduce the risk of water supply disruptions to the connections served by the Box Canyon Pump Stations and would be critical for ensuring fireflows during a wildfire event to reduce the risks of wildfire damages and threats to public safety.
What is the implementation plan for this mitigation effort? https://caloes.my.site.com/hma/s/hma-noi-request?id =aOEeq0000016X5ZEAU¤tStage=Preview 4/7 7 4/24/25, 2:29 PM Request Form
Project implementation will occur as a coordinated effort between the District project management team, and third-party project consultants and contractors. The District's Associate Engineer will be the lead project manager overseeing the project activities, including design, bidding and contracting, and project construction. The District' Principal Engineer will oversee the overall project activities. The District Administration and Fiscal staff will manage the project finances. The District Operations and Maintenance staff will monitor the daily construction activities.
PHASE DETERMINATION
Have all specific sites where project work will be conducted been identified? Yes
What is the percentage level of design?
60 Is this project phased?
No
BENEFIT COST ANALYSIS
Does the proposed project area have a documented history of significant damages, loss of service/function, or other loss/disruption? Yes
Do you have data and/or studies documenting the extent, severity, and/or current risk of the hazard?
If yes, what is available?
The proposed project is located in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) as defined by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). Due to this, Southern California Edison (SCE) performs Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS), which temporarily shuts off power to this area during dangerous weather conditions to prevent the SCE electric system from becoming a source of ignition.
During these PSPS, the District is required to mobilize backup generators to Box Canyon Pump Stations 1 and 2 to avoid water service disruption in the District's service area as well as Las Virgenes and District 17 customers. Most recently, during January 2025 Los Angeles wildfires, this area experienced multiple days of power disruption. Documentation on generator mobilization during that event is available.
If yes.what is available?
https://caloes.my.site.com/hma/s/hma-n oi-request?id =a0Eeq0000016X5ZEAU¤tStage=Preview 5/7 8 4/24/25, 2:29 PM
Yes
ACTIVITY COST
Total Activity Cost
$4,069,000.00
Federal Share Request($)
$3,051,750.00
Percentage of Federal Request Share
75 Request Form
Data on wildfire risks/frequency for the area are available, including Cal Fire fire hazard severity zones maps, wildfire frequency maps, and SCE's Public Safety Power Shutoff data.
Non-Federal Cost Share ($)
$1,017,250.00
Percentage of Non-Federal Cost Share
25 Source of Non-Federal Cost Share
The non-federal cost share will be covered by the District's Waterworks Replacement Reserve, Fund 763.
LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN INFORMATION
Does your entity have an active LHMP?
Yes
LHMP Development Status
Adopted
CONTACT INFORMATION
First Name Last Name Entity Entity ID
Michel Kadah
Samantha Argabrite
Simi Valley,... 111
Simi Valley, ... 111
LHMP Approval Date
2022-08-16
Is this activity addressed in your Local Hazard Mitigation Plan? Yes
Email Phone
mkadah@si... (805) 583-.. .
sargabrite@... (805) 583-.. .
Alt Phone Role Type
Primary Co... Primary
Responsible... Primary
https://caloes.my.site.com/hma/s/hma-noi-request?id =a0Eeq0000016X5ZEAU¤tStage =Preview 6/7 9 4/24/25, 2:29 PM
First Name Last Name
Luis Garibay
Previous
Entity Entity ID
Simi Valley, ... 111
Email
Request Form
Phone
lgaribay@si... (805) 583-...
Copyright 2025 State of California
https://caloes.my.site.com/hma/s/hma-noi-request?id =a0Eeq0000016X5ZEAU¤tStage =Preview Alt Phone Role Type
Primary Co... Alternate
Submit
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