Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutAuthorize City Manager to Sign Letter of Commitment for Loca (2) \ ING7 2000 Main Street, °oF� D„a„X�?�L i Huntington Beach,CA City of Huntington Beach 9264$ /Yl'p�a✓&-D 7 O 09UNTi File #: 23-122 MEETING DATE: 2/21/2023 REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members SUBMITTED BY: Al Zelinka, City Manager VIA: Sean Crumby, Director of Public Works PREPARED BY: Alvin Papa, Deputy Director of Public Works-Utilities Subject: Authorize the City Manager to Sign a Letter of Commitment for the Local Groundwater Supply Improvement Project ("Local SiP") Application for Grant Funds from the U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation WaterSMART Program and Authorize Grant Matching Funds in the Amount of $25,000 Statement of Issue: It is requested that the City Council authorize the City Manager to sign and submit a Letter of Commitment (Attachment 1) to Mesa Water District for the Local SiP application for grant funds from the U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation WaterSMART Program and authorize grant matching funds in the amount of $25,000. Financial Impact: Funding in the amount of $25,000 is included in the Fiscal Year 2022/23 approved budget in Water Fund Account 50685801.69365. Per the Letter of Commitment, funds should be delivered to Mesa Water no later than October 31, 2023. Recommended Action: Authorize the City Manager to sign and submit the Letter of Commitment (Attachment 1) to Mesa Water District for the Local SiP application for grant funds from the U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation WaterSMART Program and authorize grant matching funds in the amount of $25,000. Alternative Action(s): Authorize the City Manager to sign and submit a Letter of Support for the Local SiP application for grant funds from the U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation WaterSMART Program. Please note that submittal of a Letter of Support without an identified matching source of funds weakens the City's position as a partner and reduces the potential opportunity to secure additional water supply; or City of Huntington Beach Page 1 of 3 Printed on 2/16/2023 powered LegistarTM File #: 23-122 MEETING DATE: 2/21/2023 Do not approve the recommended action. Not supporting the grant application will likely result in the failure of the application and the loss of an opportunity to secure additional water supply. Analysis: The City of Huntington Beach has an annual average water demand of approximately 26,000 acre- feet (AF). In 2023, approximately 85% of this amount is pumped from groundwater sources and 15% is purchased import water. California is currently in its third consecutive year of drought, which has greatly stressed import water supplies. Extended periods of drought makes import water a potentially unreliable resource in the long-term and it is important that the City investigate alternate water supply sources. Brackish groundwater present in our region is high in chlorides and is not suitable for potable water consumption; however, brackish groundwater desalination treatment technologies exist that can convert brackish water into water suitable for public use. The Bureau of Reclamation WaterSMART Program leverages Federal and non-federal funding to work cooperatively with States, Tribes, and local entities to plan and implement actions to increase water supply sustainability through investments in existing infrastructure. Brackish groundwater desalination projects can supplement municipal and irrigation water supplies through the treatment of ocean or brackish water, thereby providing a local supply, providing flexibility during water shortages, and diversifying the water supply portfolio. Feasibility studies, planning activities, preliminary design and environmental compliance activities for the development of water recycling and desalination projects that will supplement existing fresh water supplies are eligible for funding under this program. Mesa Water District proposes to act as lead agency to submit a joint grant application, with OCWD, the City of Newport Beach, and the City of Huntington Beach as partners, to develop a feasibility study that explores the benefits of desalinating brackish groundwater to improve local and regional water supply reliability within the Orange County Groundwater Basin in our region. It is important to note that this is not an ocean desalination project or affiliated with any previous proposals. The goal of this project is to treat brackish groundwater that is currently unusable and increase its quality to drinking water levels appropriate for daily use and consumption by the public. The Local SiP will evaluate treatment alternatives for a 5 to 8 million gallons per day (MGD) regional brackish groundwater desalter, proposed locations for production wells, needed conveyance pipelines, and cost estimates. The Local SiP will also review potential groundwater and environmental impacts. Applications for this funding opportunity are due on February 28, 2023 and require 50% matching funds. The Intergovernmental Relations Committee (IRC) reviewed this grant opportunity and approved 3-0 to recommend the City Council provide a support letter for the grant and support the City of Huntington Beach provide $25,000 in grant matching funds. The estimated cost of the feasibility study is approximately $400,000-$500,000. The City of Newport Beach will contribute $25,000 in grant match funds. Staff recommends that the City of Huntington Beach similarly contribute $25,000 in grant match funds to secure a stake in this water supply opportunity. Mesa Water and OCWD will cover the remaining, grant matching fund balance. Environmental Status: City of Huntington Beach Page 2 of 3 Printed on 2/16/2023 powered/LegistarTM File #: 23-122 MEETING DATE: 2/21/2023 Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5), administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment do not constitute a project. Should the feasibility study identify a potential water supply project in Huntington Beach as part of it findings, the project will be brought forth to the City Council for consideration and an environmental assessment will be conducted at that time. Strategic Plan Goal: Infrastructure & Parks Attachment(s): 1. Attachment 1 - Letter of Commitment for the Local SiP Application for the U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation WaterSMART Program 2. Powerpoint Presentation City of Huntington Beach Page 3 of 3 Printed on 2/16/2023 powere324 LegistarTM CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH , Public Works Department . "1� Sean Crumby, PE � `'��� Director of Public Works February 22, 2023 Paul E. Shoenberger, P.E. General Manager Mesa Water District 1965 Placentia Avenue Costa Mesa, CA 92627 RE: Funding Commitment for the Local groundwater Supply Improvement Project ("Local SIP") Dear Mr. Shoenberger, The City of Huntington Beach (City) has prepared this letter of funding commitment in support of Mesa Water Districts Local groundwater Supply Improvement Project("Local SiP")—to explore the benefits of desalinating brackish groundwater to improve local and regional water supply reliability within the Orange County Groundwater Basin, which provides water for over 2.5 million people in North and Central Orange County, including Huntington Beach. To support execution of the Local SiP, the City will provide$25,000 to Mesa Water District(Mesa Water®). This funding will be available to Mesa Water no later than October 31, 2023. Developed through a collaborative process involving the City of Huntington Beach, City of Newport Beach, Orange County Water District(which manages the Orange County Groundwater Basin), and Mesa Water, the Local SiP would study a multi-agency undertaking to secure--for our current population, including disadvantaged residents and underserved communities, and future generations--a new source of water supply that is: abundant, affordable, environmentally-sensitive, high-quality, local, reliable, sustainable, and resilient to climate change, drought, and other potential disruptions to water supplies. With the objective of providing Mesa Water and its partnering agencies with the framework for selecting a proposed project alternative to move into design and construction, the Local SiP will evaluate treatment alternatives for a 5 to 8 million gallons per day (MGD) regional brackish groundwater desalter, proposed locations for production wells, needed conveyance, and cost estimates. The Local SiP will also review potential groundwater and environmental impacts. We appreciate the opportunity to partner with Mesa Water on this collaborative project and understand the important water reliability benefits that this project could provide--such as climate change adaption, local water supply diversification, flexibility and improvement, and alleviation of current and future drought impacts to our City and the region. Please contact Alvin Papa, Deputy Director of Public Works-Utilities at(714) 536-5503 or Alvin.Papal surfcity-hb.orq should you have any questions or need additional information. Sincerely, Al Zelinka City Manager, City of Huntington Beach 2000 Main Street, California 92648• Phone 714-536-5431 • www.huntingtonbeachca.gov February 22, 2023 Paul E. Shoenberger, P.E. General Manager Mesa Water District 1965 Placentia Avenue Costa Mesa, CA 92627 RE: Funding Commitment for the Local groundwater Supply Improvement Project ("Local SiP") Dear Mr. Shoenberger, The City of Huntington Beach (City) has prepared this letter of funding commitment in support of Mesa Water District's Local groundwater Supply Improvement Project ("Local SiP")—to explore the benefits of desalinating brackish groundwater to improve local and regional water supply reliability within the Orange County Groundwater Basin, which provides water for over 2.5 million people in North and Central Orange County, including Huntington Beach. To support execution of the Local SiP, the City will provide $25,000 to Mesa Water District (Mesa Watere). This funding will be available to Mesa Water no later than October 31, 2023. Developed through a collaborative process involving the City of Huntington Beach, City of Newport Beach, Orange County Water District (which manages the Orange County Groundwater Basin), and Mesa Water, the Local SiP would study a multi-agency undertaking to secure --for our current population, including disadvantaged residents and underserved communities, and future generations -- a new source of water supply that is: abundant, affordable, environmentally-sensitive, high-quality, local, reliable, sustainable, and resilient to climate change, drought, and other potential disruptions to water supplies. With the objective of providing Mesa Water and its partnering agencies with the framework for selecting a proposed project alternative to move into design and construction, the Local SiP will evaluate treatment alternatives for a 5 to 8 million gallons per day (MGD) regional brackish groundwater desalter, proposed locations for production wells, needed conveyance, and cost estimates. The Local SiP will also review potential groundwater and environmental impacts. We appreciate the opportunity to partner with Mesa Water on this collaborative project and understand the important water reliability benefits that this project could provide -- such as climate change adaption, local water supply diversification, flexibility and improvement, and alleviation of current and future drought impacts to our City and the region. Please contact Alvin Papa, Deputy Director of Public Works-Utilities at (714) 536-5503 or Alvin.Papa@surfcity-hb.orq should you have any questions or need additional information. Sincerely, Al Zelinka City Manager, City of Huntington Beach 323 L. 0 N M ‘1111. CD CU C EmHP > ca EEEQo o 0 00m J c\J V " C� C ZENO -v N O v >1 .~ c L. O — v O co" W J 0al, ,a U D - 0) o > 15 (1). _a #,T, et" h— ILLa) 11* 1 i kti #1 ictiot n i/I% le. IR) ,. 0 l vi- •• I � •• sr lit tik .0 • % 0 cz, .-• ,Iii ,,: _• iii ! ! ,-- ,1 ) ) • ••• 4 ‘ ky /****- 14‹, , r -e----111,11i iv i 1 ,I. .•• c„.1 cr., , i..... 1 1 .,‘ %...zz,.. litiliiii) - ). ,„-- •• N il 7 t % 11-- : `, ; I ' - � 1 V ": 1 i Z. cam.., 1I 1 \ t 0110h a % #/ i '' iliti il'1 i i 1 ., ..(t<7.4f C ) t O._ I 1\\ ,,,,, ,1111 1 i ... ca) 0 I 1 .. a / re"OrIiI gAk �� ��........... ... by \ s' . l ' \ ,•�•O••?. \ • I L—s' z pp� 7• Y id , f- k 4 M " .- . : % LIm C) =4.0 J pi�,/CD N N a) Co CUE -O NO - cO L Co 00 y-0O O O (.9 L_ L_ 0- C\I = a) 92 ... 0E- 'H = Igli ft O C Q cn 0 O 0 2 � 0 � � O 0 p 0 O — Ca UL- L. +� 0 © - imil a) CD co 0) CD = co N 2 al Ca(i) Co — U 0 0 O 3 Co . C C .� O a) O Co CO a• -A=D 0 L. _ S. CC§- c)O 40) a) co o .�' �� � _co m2 CL< co 0 c U 0 c o o .-. cp c O CZ 0 CLI a) -0 LI- .(51 = = NI c) .� = U 0- L P .� z N O Ca 0_ Cn Co N ea = a) E U) ..n a) _ CU Co 73 O co U co C.) = 0 0 0s- -0 U) Qa) o co o_ L _J a. w CO J i�PCN b/N i /�44 V '' y,> . , .. ;, ,, ,13 o_. a- � r- :o j 1 •� ;''; 1 .,;: O A r . c, IML U =_41/3 O%;ii, ,� ^ O o c o C Uo "'' op ct a� CU Cl), cr o V = a) > o_ c += 0 L L = c (n -F-1 E 0_ D -0 Q co E � CD _ C iii— o U • O C > 0)c�CO C O .0 ._0 O • � U 0 4-11 • ..._ a) ,r, CU c\I -15 f�9• N t -1-1 .4-4, •a t� 4- o t .� O — O O - MEIN cri CO a O a Om > C O >, CI01 Om o a) += = Q 0_ a) 2 co 0. a) • C o Cin a) cm - i c,,,, tco al a) a) Eoo CU— E c E 2 -ci o O -> v a) ..c '> c.) o 0 0CD 0 0 J g9 , 4"qy� 9a'4ge t � ► °, ,. ')r.S{ �... _y �"'*f icy" `' [{ is { _ I y f b c g$}} 4 1k‘ • c■ (111) O ■ mlme a) �� ��NTINGT0 � . City of Huntington Beach .- : 2000 Main Street ♦ Huntington Beach, CA 9 648 % - (714) 536-5227 • www.huntingtonbeachca.gov °ONTY CP 01 Office of the City Clerk �/ Robin Estanislau, City Clerk February 22, 2023 Paul E. Shoenberger General Manager Mesa Water District 1965 Placentia Avenue Costa Mesa, CA 92627 Mr. Shoenberger: Please find the enclosed Letter of Commitment for the Local Groundwater Supply Improvement Project ("Local SiP') - Application for Grant Funds from the U.S. Department of Interior's Bureau of Reclamation WaterSMART Program, approved by City Council on February 21, 2023. Sincerely, ed/-4/Ud.444) Robin Estanislau, CMC City Clerk RE:ds Enclosure Sister City: Anjo, Japan