Title
Consider recommending that the Board of Directors authorize the General Manager to execute an Agreement for Services (“Agreement”) with Balance Hydrologics for a total contract amount not to exceed $142,300 to complete hydraulic modeling for the Carmel River Flooding Impacts Study; and authorize the General Manager to execute up to two no-cost amendments to the Agreement. (Staff Presenting: Amy Woodrow)
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Finance Committee:
a. Recommend that the Board of Directors authorize the General Manager to execute an Agreement for Services (“Agreement”) with Balance Hydrologics for a total contract amount not to exceed $142,300 to complete hydraulic modeling for the Carmel River Flooding Impacts Study; and
b. Authorize the General Manager to execute up to two no-cost amendments to the Agreement.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
In March 2023, the Monterey County Water Resources Agency (“Agency”) coordinated with Senator John Laird’s office to develop a proposal for a study to identify potential mitigation for flooding along the Carmel River near Dampierre Park and Paso Hondo in Carmel Valley. With Senator Laird’s leadership, the July 2023 Assembly Bill 102 designated $230,000 in funding for the Agency to conduct the Carmel River Flooding Impacts Study (“Study”).
In September 2024, the Agency Board of Supervisors authorized the Agency to receive funds to complete the Study (Attachment 1). In December 2024, the Agency entered into funding agreement number 4600015952 (“Funding Agreement”) with the Department of Water Resources of the State of California (“DWR”) to provide $230,000 for the Study (Attachment 2).
The Study work plan described in the Funding Agreement includes tasks to refine the existing hydraulic model of the Carmel River; identify project alternatives that can be conceptually scoped to minimize flood risk and hazards to developed portions of the Study area; and complete flow simulations to evaluate comparative outcomes of the simulated projects. Balance Hydrologics has been identified as the consultant who will complete these tasks related to hydraulic modeling in the Study work plan. The components of the Study that Balance Hydrologics will be working on are expected to be completed between March 2025 and December 2025 (Attachment 3).
There is also an element of public outreach and engagement for the Study, which will be coordinated with other County departments, local agencies, and stakeholder groups.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Hydraulic model refinements and project simulations will be developed in consultation with County of Monterey Housing and Community Development and the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District. Stakeholder outreach is being coordinated with District 5 - Office of Supervisor Kate Daniels. Funding for the Study is administered through the Department of Water Resources.
FINANCING:
Funding to complete the work described in the Agreement was designated in July 2023 Assembly Bill 102 and is being provided to the Agency through funding agreement number 4600015952 with the Department of Water Resources of the State of California (Attachment 2).
Prepared by: Amy Woodrow, Senior Water Resources Hydrologist, (831) 755-4860
Approved by: Ara Azhderian, General Manager, (831)755-4860
Attachments:
1. Resolution No. 24-311
2. Funding Agreement Number 4600015952
3. Agreement for Services with Balance Hydrologics