PREPARED BY: AMANDA BOOTH DATE OF MEETING: 02/18/20
SUBJECT:
TITLE
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO APPROVING THE APPLICATION FOR GRANT FUNDS FROM THE URBAN FLOOD PROTECTION GRANT PROGRAM
Label
CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Adopt Resolution
Body
Compliance statements
Enhance Community Resilience - 202. Develop Long-Term Environmental Stewardship Goals is an adopted policy item contained in the FY 2019-21 City Council Priority Workplan, effective March 1, 2019.
CEQA Compliance Statement
Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061 (b)(3), the adoption of the subject resolution authorizing Public Works to submit a grant application is exempt from CEQA requirements. Under Guidelines section 15378, “project” does not include the creation of government funding mechanisms or other government fiscal activities, which do not involve any commitment to any specific project which may result in a potentially significant physical impact on the environment. The project this grant would help fund (the Sutter Avenue Flood Reduction Project) may require further CEQA review, which will be completed as part of the proposed project.
BACKGROUND
California voters passed the California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection, and Outdoor Access for All Act of 2018 (Proposition 68) on June 5, 2018, which authorizes a competitive grant program for the purpose of multi-benefit projects in urbanized areas to address flooding. The City of San Pablo’s proposed submission for this funding is the “Sutter Avenue Urban Flood Reduction Project” that would reduce localized urban flooding, calm traffic, encourage active modes of transportation, improve water quality, increase infiltration, sequester carbon and provide urban greening. The main two components of the project would re-direct a stormdrain pipe on Rumrill Boulevard and install various Low Impact Design (LID) elements on Sutter Avenue.
The LID on Sutter Avenue would be designed as chicanes and bulb-outs which have bioswales that will treat stormwater and encourage infiltration. The chicanes and bulb-outs will also slow traffic and improve neighborhood walkability.
Redirecting the storm drain pipe at the intersection of Rumrill Boulevard and Sutter Avenue will divert stormwater from the undersized storm drain main line on Rumrill Boulevard to an area with sufficient capacity, thereby improving drainage in the Sutter Avenue and Rumrill Boulevard areas.
Staff is requesting approval to apply for up to $4 million in Proposition 68 grant funding from the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) through the Urban Flood Protection Grant Program. Grant applications are due by March 25, 2020.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact at this time as this item is to request authority to apply for grant funds. There is no match required for this grant for disadvantaged communities; however, additional points are awarded for providing matching funds. If an Urban Flood Protection Grant is awarded, staff will return to City Council to accept, appropriate and, if required, request any matching funds.