Title
Consider approval of Monterey County’s Community Project Funding (CPF) requests for submission to the County’s federal legislative delegation for consideration of funding in the Fiscal Year 2024 appropriations process.
Report
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors consider approval of Monterey County’s Community Project Funding (CPF) requests for submission to the County’s federal legislative delegation for consideration of funding in the Fiscal Year 2024 appropriations process.
SUMMARY
It was recently announced that members of the U.S. Senate would have the opportunity to submit Community Project Funding (CPF) requests as part of the fiscal year 2024 appropriations process. Community Project Funding (CPF) is a source of grant funding for public projects whose recipients and purposes are specifically identified by Congress in an appropriations act, the annual process of funding programs and projects. Community Project Funding (CPF), also known as Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) or “earmarks”, could bring critical federal funding to Monterey County for priority projects submitted to the County’s federal legislative delegation.
In the 2023 appropriations bill Monterey County was awarded $900,000 for the Castroville Seawater Intrusion Project (CSIP) for a supplemental well rehabilitation/replacement project; and $275,000 for the South County Family Justice Center (FJC).
Project nominations for 2024 federal appropriations funding are due March 3, 2023, to U.S. Senator Alex Padilla and March 13, 2023, to U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein. As of the writing of this report, no deadlines have been announced for the U.S. House of Representatives. The House and Senate Appropriations Committees typically prioritize projects that are “shovel ready” and need a one-time infusion of funding to help get over the finish line.
Staff seeks the Board’s direction and approval of projects to submit to the County’s federal legislative delegation.
DISCUSSION
The County’s federal legislative advocate, Brent Heberlee of Ballard Spahr LLP, recently notified County staff of the deadlines to nominate projects for CPF in the fiscal year 2024 federal appropriations bill. Mr. Heberlee advises that there are several important factors to consider when selecting a project to maximize the County’s chance of success:
• Requested amounts should be in the range of $200,00 - $3,000,000 (the amounts will vary depending on the type of project and corresponding agency account).
• Most earmarks require matching funds, so having a local or state funding component to the project is often necessary.
• Earmarks are more likely to be granted to projects that are close to completion rather than just getting started, and where the funding can be put to use immediately.
• Monterey County now has two representatives in the House, Rep. Panetta and Rep. Lofgren, so earmark requests should be targeted to each member based on the project location and interests of the member.
Based on Mr. Heberlee’s advice and the short timeline to submit these requests, staff recommends the following projects which were submitted in 2023 be resubmitted.
1. Family Justice Center (FJC) - $500,000
The mission of a Family Justice Center is to provide one place for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, elder abuse, and human trafficking to receive the services currently available in their community from both non-profit and governmental agencies. Family Justice Centers co-locate, coordinate, and integrate services so that victims and their children travel to fewer places and tell their stories fewer times. The South County Victim’s Unit has been identified as the Center where the County will begin a Family Justice Center. If received, the funds will be used to improve the County’s current building in order to be able to perform sexual assault forensic examinations and domestic violence medical examinations for adult and child victims pursuant to medical standards and National Standards of Accreditation for Children’s Advocacy Centers. The building is close to public transportation to provide easy access for clients.
2. Porter Vallejo Mansion (Pajaro Library) - $400,000
The Porter-Vallejo Mansion hosts a branch of the Monterey County Free Libraries, visits from Social Services of the County of Monterey, and other community agencies to meet the needs of the community of Pajaro. This project will undertake critical infrastructure and building improvements, adding safety features such as a rear emergency exit, and enabling more of the structure to be used by the public.
3. Trail Access/Amenities - Salinas Skate Park and BMX Pump Track (855 E. Laurel Dr., Salinas) - $500,000
The project includes a trail crossing at Veterans Way, a critical connection point to the facility which did not qualify under the terms of a previous grant application (Prop 68) and restroom facilities. The trail enhancement and restroom amenities will benefit the surrounding recreational features at the campus (Salinas Skate Park/BMX Pump Track, Veterans Memorial Park, and the Salinas Soccer Complex).
4. Supplemental Well Rehabilitation/Replacement - Castroville Seawater Intrusion Project (CSIP) - $3,000,000
This project consists of two phased efforts to rehabilitate and replace wells that are part of CSIP, a conjunctive use system providing water for irrigation of 12,000 acres in a critically overdrafted portion of Northern Monterey County. The current capacity of existing CSIP supplemental wells is 17,700 gallons per minute (GPM), which is a decrease from the 63,690 GPM that was available from wells at the startup of the project in 1998. Rehabilitation and replacement of supplemental wells will augment the amount of water available to CSIP, increase the reliability of water deliveries, update the well infrastructure, and provide CSIP with greater resilience during extended drought periods.
5. Blight Removal - Former Ft. Ord - $350,000
The area of blight served by this project on the former Ft. Ord is adjacent the East Garrison Community and the former Ft. Ord open spaces. The decaying structure, surrounded with chain-link fencing, creates physical disorder that impacts the overall health of a community. Removal of the structures will contribute to naturalization and habitat restoration and create safe access for public use and enjoyment to all members of the community.
Additionally, Public Works, Facilities and Parks has requested that the Board consider submitting CPF requests for the projects listed below. Staff is currently working to confirm that these projects are eligible for submission and will provide additional detail at the Board of Supervisors meeting on February 28th during the presentation of this item.
1. Pajaro Park Artificial Turf Replacement - $500,000 to $1 million
Pajaro Sunny Mesa Community Services District (PSMCSD) maintains Pajaro Park. The artificial turf at the park needs replacement. This request would address a funding gap for this disadvantaged community who frequently uses the park.
2. Pajaro County Sanitation District (PCSD) Sewer System Improvements - $1.5 million
PSCD has an immediate need of $1.5 million to provide sanitary sewer improvements. PCSD is going through a Prop. 218 rate study, which is recommending new rates for PCSD constituents. The number and cost of improvements performed will affect service rates. This is a disadvantaged community with limited means and there is concern that the recommended rate increases will be beyond the limited income means of these constituents.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVMENT:
The County Administrative Office - Intergovernmental & Legislative Affairs Division (CAO-IGLA) prepared this report with the assistance of the County’s federal legislative advocate, Brent Heberlee of Ballard Spahr LLP, and the following departments: Public Works, Facilities and Parks (PWFP); Water Resources Agency (WRA); Library; and District Attorney’s Office.
FINANCING:
Monterey County’s Legislative Program is funded in County Administrative Office-Department 1050, Intergovernmental & Legislative Affairs Division-Unit 8054. Approval of this recommendation will not result in additional general fund contributions.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
Mark a check to the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives
þ Economic Development
o Administration
þ Health & Human Services
þ Infrastructure
þ Public Safety
Prepared by: Annette D’Adamo, Legislative Coordinator (MAIII)
Approved by: Nicholas E. Chiulos, Assistant CAO
Date: February 23, 2023