PREPARED BY: AMANDA BOOTH DATE OF MEETING: 02/17/2026
SUBJECT:
TITLE
CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO (1) AUTHORIZING SUBMISSION OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO’S GRANT APPLICATION TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA) SAN FRANCISCO BAY RESTORATION GRANT FOR THE SAN PABLO GREEN STORMWATER MONITORING AND MAINTENANCE PROJECT FOR APPROXIMATELY $1.4 million; AND (2) AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE GRANT APPLICATION AND TO TAKE OTHER NECESSARY ACTIONS TO RECEIVE SUCH GRANT FUNDING
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA.
Label
CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Adopt Resolution
Body
Compliance statements
FY 2025-2027 Council Priority Workplan Compliance Statements:
Item 202: Identify and Implement Long-Term Environmental Stewardship Goals is an adopted policy item under the FY 2025-27 Council Priority Workplan, effective April 7, 2025.
BACKGROUND
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is currently accepting applications for the Water Quality Restoration Grant Program within the San Francisco Bay Program. This competitive funding opportunity supports projects that improve water quality and make measurable progress toward restoring San Francisco Bay and its watersheds.
In 2025, the City of San Pablo completed the Sutter Avenue Urban Greening Project, which installed a series of green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) treatment facilities designed to manage stormwater runoff from five drainage management areas. Due to significant site constraints, including utilities, driveways, and limited right-of-way, some of the treatment facilities were undersized for the amount of water flowing to the facility. This resulted in facilities unable to meet full National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) sizing requirements to receive compliance credit (C.3.j) from the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB).
City staff engaged in extensive coordination with RWQCB to explore alternative compliance pathways, where RWQCB staff indicated that C.3.j acres could be granted for undersized facilities if the City conducted monitoring of high-flow media to demonstrate pollutant removal performance consistent with permit requirements. Upon successful monitoring, the City would be eligible to sell the City’s excess compliance acres through the Regional Alternative Compliance System. The City presented a recommended monitoring plan that was approved by the RWQCB in June 2024.
To obtain the compliance acres from the Sutter Ave Green Street Project and to supplement maintenance funding for the City, staff recommends applying for the EPA San Francisco Bay Program grant to perform the following tasks:
• Sutter Ave Monitoring - Perform the requested water quality monitoring for monitoring twelve (12) events over four (4) years to meet regional NPDES permit requirements and receive C.3.j acres.
• Green Stormwater Infrastructure Maintenance - The City has installed over 40 bioswales along Rumrill Blvd and Sutter Ave. Operations and maintenance are an eligible expense under this grant program and can pay for the replacement of plant materials, testing alternative planting configurations, and other maintenance activities.
• Staff Time - City staff time to conduct program management, grant administration, and community outreach to increase awareness and participation in bioswale stewardship.
The total project amount is estimated to be $1.4 million. The grant has a 25% match requirement. Match is anticipated to come from staff time (e.g., salaries) and previously secured funding for maintenance activities. The project has the potential to generate long-term revenue through the sale of treated acres under the Regional Alternative Compliance Program while improving compliance with NPDES permit requirements and addressing deferred maintenance needs for critical green stormwater infrastructure.
FISCAL IMPACT
Staff seeks City Council authorization to apply for the U.S. EPA San Francisco Bay Restoration Grant Program. The total proposed project cost is approximately $1.4 million, with a potential match of $350,000 that will come from staff salaries and previously secured maintenance funding. If awarded, staff will return to Council to accept and appropriate the grant and match funds in CIP Fund 320.
ATTACHMENTS:
Att A - Resolution