Title
Receive a report on the implementation of water and sewer infrastructure projects funded with American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds and managed by the Department of Public Works, Facilities and Parks (PWFP).
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended the Budget Committee receive a report on the implementation of water and sewer infrastructure projects funded with American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds and managed by the Department of Public Works, Facilities and Parks (PWFP).
SUMMARY:
On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA), which provided funding to help address the impact of COVID-19 on the economy, public health, state and local governments, businesses and individuals. Among other programs, ARPA provided direct funding aid to counties, and the County of Monterey was allocated approximately $84.3 million. The adopted Fiscal Year (FY) 2021-22 budget contemplated using the County’s allocation over several fiscal years in the following major categories: Economic Recovery, Pandemic Response, Revenue Loss Revenue Backfill, and Water, Sewer, and Broadband Infrastructure Projects. Approximately $15.9 million was allocated toward the completion of a number of water and sewer infrastructure projects which are being managed by the Public Works, Facilities and Parks Department (PWFP). This report provides an update on implementing these water and sewer infrastructure projects.
DISCUSSION:
Per the FY 2021-22 budget process and the Board-adopted ARPA spending plan, ARPA funding was allocated for repair and improvement of water and sewer infrastructure at the following facilities:
• Lake San Antonio (South Shore)
• Lake Nacimiento
• Day Use Parks (Toro, Jack’s Peak, Manzanita and Royal Oaks)
• Pajaro and Boronda County Sanitation Districts (CSDs) - to include water system improvements in San Jerardo
• Chualar Wastewater County Service Area (CSA) No. 75
• Laguna Seca Wastewater
• Laguna Seca Drinking Water
As shown in Attachment A, approximately $15.9 million was initially allocated over three fiscal years to support the implementation of water and sewer infrastructure projects at the facilities listed above. Most of this funding (approximately $13.7 million) was initially budgeted in FY 2021-22, with the remaining allocations for Laguna Seca Drinking Water Project and Project Contingency intended for FY 2022-23 and FY 2023-24.
There are approximately 70 water and sewer infrastructure projects dispersed throughout the facility categories listed above. These projects are listed in Attachment B, along with the estimated project budget, assigned staff project manager, and notes on current project status as of the end of December 2022. Key activity since the last update to the Budget Committee in November 2022 include:
Royal Oaks Park
• Construction of new power line for Volunteer Sites and Restroom System is complete.
• Construction of a new dedicated fill line to the water storage tank (along with an upgraded chlorine treatment System) is complete.
• Design and permitting of new septic system for Volunteer Sites and Restroom System is complete. Construction will begin in early 2023.
Manzanita Park
• Notice to Proceed issued in November for well upgrade work. Target completion is end of February 2023.
• Repair and upgrade of chlorine treatment system complete.
Toro Park
• PG&E design of upgraded electrical service for lift pumps at Volunteers Site completed and construction agreement finalized.
• Design of improvements to existing water system, including well upgrade, new irrigation feed line, telemetry system, and chlorine treatment system still in progress.
• New irrigation line requires CEQA determination - Initial study complete and being circulated (will come to Board for decision in spring 2023).
• Well recasing pending (scheduled for completion in first quarter of 2023).
• Construction of new irrigation system now planned for fall of 2023, to avoid impacting spring and summer busy season at the park.
Jack’s Peak Park
• Project substantially complete (i.e. upgrades to existing water tank and pump station).
• Minor fencing work and clearing of area around storage tank still pending.
Lake San Antonio (South Shore)
• Sewage treatment systems work actively progressing at various locations (including new septic tanks, lift stations and upgrades at central plant). Completion of projects expected by summer 2023.
• Construction of new/upgraded water system has been divided into 3 phases: Intake; Treatment; and Storage. Permitting approvals received in December and Job Order contracts are now underway for both Intake and Storage. The Treatment System is still in design; however, a JOC Contractor has been selected and will be asked to submit a proposal when complete (start date for that phase is expected in Spring of 2023).
Lake Nacimiento
• Sewage treatment systems work actively progressing at various locations (primarily lift stations). Completion expected in Spring of 2023.
• Emergency upgrades to intake watermain complete.
• JOC orders have been issued for other improvements to water system (including main river intake pump and storage tanks). Construction in Spring of 2023.
Laguna Seca Water and Wastewater Projects
• Water valve upgrades and replacement work (Phase 1) complete.
• Feasibility evaluation underway for optimal Potable Drinking water system.
• Temporary wastewater holding tank in place. Design of permanent new tank replacement complete. JOC proposal for construction pending - expect Notice to Proceed in January.
• Improvements to restroom at Firing Range complete.
Boronda CSD, including San Jerardo Water System
• Equipment needed to upgrade San Jerardo System (pumps and control panel), has now been ordered. Two booster pumps have been installed. Delivery of balance of equipment expected in Spring with completion of work in summer of 2023.
• Intertie work to allow back-up from Foothills Water system has been started. Additional work needed and is currently being scoped with the assistance of an On-Call consulting engineering firm.
• Additional work on Boronda Lift Stations on hold pending possible request for additional ARPA funds through FY 2023-24 Budget process.
Pajaro Sanitation District
• Installation of new sewer line in vicinity of 85 Las Lomas Drive complete. Geotechnical evaluation of adjacent Las Lomas landslide area in progress (finish in summer 2023).
• Critical (6 most vulnerable) sewer manholes in Pajaro have been replaced or reconstructed.
• Emergency Spot repair of broken sewerline in downtown Pajaro (202 Salinas Rd) has been completed.
• Additional work on Pajaro Lift Stations on hold pending possible request for additional ARPA funds through FY 2023-24 Budget process.
Chualar CSA Wastewater System
• JOC construction project to upgrade various elements of existing wastewater collection, pumping, and treatment system now complete.
• Chualar Wastewater Master Plan report complete.
• Application to State Water Board for grant to support potential consolidation of Chualar system (i.e. eliminate treatment system and connect to existing regional wastewater treatment system) has been filed and review is in progress. Expect decision in early Spring 2023.
• Additional desirable improvements to treatment system on hold pending possible request for additional ARPA funds through FY 2023-24 Budget process.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
This report will also be presented at the Capital Improvement Committee in February 2023.
FINANCING:
A total of approximately $15.9 million in ARPA infrastructure funds has been allocated to repair and improve water and sewer infrastructure at various County facilities. This funding has been allocated over three fiscal years, as shown in Attachment A. As shown in Attachment C, ARPA water and sewer infrastructure expenditures/encumbrances through December 31, 2022, are approximately $9.9 million.
PWFP will continue to implement and complete as much water and sewer infrastructure work as existing ARPA allocations allow. However, PWFP intends to request consideration for additional ARPA funding via the annual FY 2023-24 Budget process. On November 30, PWFP submitted a report to the Budget Committee regarding the financial status of the program (refer to Attachment D). That report outlined a need for an additional $5 million for water and sewer infrastructure repairs should ARPA or other funds become available.
Prepared by: Benny J. Young, Management Specialist
Reviewed by: Tom Bonigut, PE
Assistant Director of Public Works, Facilities and Parks, ext. 4831
Reviewed by: Jessica Cordiero-Martinez, Finance Manager III
Public Works, Facilities and Parks
Approved by: Randell Ishii, MS, PE, TE, PTOE
Director of Public Works, Facilities and Parks
Attachments:
Attachment A - Funding Summary
Attachment B - Project Descriptions and Status Summary
Attachment C - Expenditure Summary
Attachment D - November 30 Report to Budget Committee