Title
Consider receiving a report regarding funding options for expedited replacement of ALERT gages possibly affected by the Soberanes Fire in preparation for winter weather; and providing direction to Staff.
Consider:
a. Authorizing the purchase and installation of six of the 11 ALERT gages to replace those gages damaged by the Soberanes Fire at a cost not to exceed $56,000 from Fund No. 113 - Countywide;
b. Authorizing the Auditor-Controller to amend the Monterey County Water Resources Agency FY 2016-17 Adopted Budget for Fund 113 - Countywide, WRA 003 to increase appropriations by $56,000 financed by Fund 113, WRA 003 unassigned fund balance (4/5th vote required);
c. Authorizing the General Manager to execute a standard agreement for the purchase and installation of the gages and ancillary equipment, goods, services and software to effectuate the installation of the gages; and
d. Finding that the purchase of the gages is necessary in response to the Soberanes Fire, and an expenditure falling within the scope of County Emergency Proclamation, Resolution No. xxx dated xxx by the County Board of Supervisors. (REVISED VIA SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA)
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Monterey County Water Resources Agency Board of Directors:
Receive a report regarding funding options for expedited replacement of ALERT gages possibly affected by the Soberanes Fire in preparation for winter weather; and provide direction to Staff.
a. Authorize the purchase and installation of six of the 11 ALERT gages to replace those gages damaged by the Soberanes Fire at a cost not to exceed $56,000 from Fund No. 113 - Countywide;
b. Authorize the Auditor-Controller to amend the Monterey County Water Resources Agency FY 2016-17 Adopted Budget for Fund 113 - Countywide, WRA 003 to increase appropriations by $56,000 financed by Fund 113, WRA 003 unassigned fund balance (4/5th vote required);
c. Authorize the General Manager to execute a standard agreement for the purchase and installation of the gages and ancillary equipment, goods, services and software to effectuate the installation of the gages; and
d. Find that the purchase of the gages is necessary in response to the Soberanes Fire, and an expenditure falling within the scope of County Emergency Proclamation, Resolution No. xxx dated xxx by the County Board of Supervisors.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The Soberanes Fire is now the costliest fire to contain in US history, over $206 million as of September 20, 2016 (information from County Office of Emergency Services (OES) website). The County’s emergency response efforts (as of the September 20, 2016 report) alone have exceeded $1 million while damage to public infrastructure could exceed $5 million. For the Monterey County Water Resources Agency (Agency), the fire has potentially damaged 10 11 ALERT (Automated Level Evaluation in Real Time) system gages and repeaters. Six of the 11 gages to be replaced are addressed with this action.
The Agency has already received requests from the public in mid-September to begin replacing gages in the burn area (even while the fire still was burning fire was 100% contained in early October). The public’s concerns are the same as the 2008/09 Basin Complex fire concerns, basically what is the rainfall and rainfall intensities within specific portions of the burn area, and will the rainfall and or the intensity of the rainfall cause debris flows and / or landslides as a result of the area being burned?
The Agency’s ALERT gages are a critical piece of storm monitoring infrastructure. The estimate to fully replace all 10 11 of the Agency’s ALERT gages and repeaters is approximately $100,000 $120,000. The Agency budget does not have funds to reallocate to the gage replacement effort. If emergency disaster funds become available from either State or Federal entities, the funds could come too late for gage replacement efforts if early winter rains hit the Central Coast.
To prepare for expedited replacement of the ALERT gages and repeaters, the Board of Directors (Board) could authorize the use of other monies. For discussion purposes, below are some options for funding the replacement effort:
• Utilization of reserves,
• Utilization of unassigned fund balance, or
• Asking the County to provide the funds.
With these options, as well as others that may arise from the discussion, it is expected that the funding source would be reimbursed or paid back when emergency disaster funds become available.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The County of Monterey County Administrative Office, the Monterey County Office of Emergency Services and Monterey County Resources Management Agency have has been involved with emergency response activities related to the Soberanes Fire event. The County Emergency Proclamation will go before the County Board of Supervisors on October 25.
FINANCING:
Financing options will be presented at the meeting. The purchase and installation of six ALERT gages damaged by the Soberanes Fire will be at a cost not to exceed $56,000 from Fund No. 113-Countywide unassigned fund balance.
Prepared by: Robert Johnson, Deputy General Manager, (831) 755-4860
Approved by:
David E. Chardavoyne, General Manager, (831) 755-4860
Attachment:
1. Board Order