ITEM 6: APPROVAL OF A SMALL COMMUNITIES GRANT (SCG) FOR THE CITY OF WEED (CITY), TREATMENT PLANT UPGRADE/EXPANSION AND COLLECTION SYSTEM REPLACEMENT, PROJECT NO. SCG 664

DISCUSSION: In accordance with the State Water Resources Control Board's (SWRCB) Implementation Policy for the Small Communities Grant Program (Policy), adopted on January 23, 1997, and amended on April 30 and May 14, 1997, projects on the adopted priority list need SWRCB approval to receive a SCG for construction. Construction grants can be approved by the SWRCB after the Division of Clean Water Programs (Division) has approved the facilities plan and the 90 percent design submittal. The Division approved the final plans and specifications on April 30, 1998, and the City agreed with the Division on April 30, 1998.

The estimated total cost per household is $3,309. Therefore, the proposed project is not considered a high cost project as defined by the Policy.

The City of Weed is located about 76 miles north of the City of Redding and 50 miles south of the Oregon border, at the junction of Interstate 5 and Highway 97. The City serves a population of 3226 and the 1996 median household income is $18,807. Based on the Policy's funding formula, the City qualifies for a SCG for 97.5 percent of the eligible costs.

The City currently operates two treatment facilities, the Weed Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) and the Shastina Wastewater Treatment Plant (SWTP), and maintains the collection system. The majority of the collection system is at least 60 years old and is in disrepair. The system experiences a large amount of infiltration and inflow during wet weather. Overflows have occurred in the collection system and at the treatment plants which led to the Regional Water Quality Control Board's (RWQCB) adoption of Resolution No. 97-82 which accepts a declaration by the City there is a potential pollution problem in the community. Resolution No. 97-82 enforces the need for the proposed project. The proposed project includes upgrade/expansion of both WWTP and SWTP pump stations, modifications to the WWTP, and partial replacement of collection system sewer lines.

The estimated project cost is $4,270,000, and the estimated grant eligible cost is $3,000,000. The City has already received a Planning Grant of $103,530 and a design grant of $153,152. Therefore, the Construction Grant requested is $2,743,318.

The City prepared a Mitigated Negative Declaration and supporting Initial Study which were distributed to the public and circulated through the State Clearinghouse (SCH# 97102118) for review from October 31, 1997, to December 1, 1997. During the review period, the City received comments from the California Department of Transportation, the RWQCB, the City of Weed Police Department, and the SWRCB. The City responded by incorporating new and revised mitigation measures into the project. The City also prepared an addendum on January 22, 1998, to include the citywide replacement of collection lines, interceptors, manholes, rod holes, and laterals for which a notice of exemption had previously been prepared. The City Council adopted the Mitigated Negative Declaration and Addendum on January 22, 1998, and filed a Notice of Determination with the Siskiyou County Clerk and the State Office of Planning and Research on January 26, 1998.

The City requests the SWRCB approve a SCG Construction Grant of $2,743,318 for this project.

POLICY ISSUE: Should the SWRCB approve a construction grant for the proposed project?

RWQCB IMPACT: None

FISCAL IMPACT: Availability of SCG funds for this project depends on other SCG proposals being considered and to be approved by the SWRCB in June 1998.

Current SCG fund balance as of May 1998: $14.2 million

Project approvals under consideration by the SWRCB in June 1998:

Chester Public Utility District SCG 611 $765,211

Clearlake Oaks County Water District SCG 614 $2,719,584

City of Portola SCG 644 $2,742,895

City of Weed SCG 664 $2,743,318

New SCG fund balance, if all the

June 1998 proposals are approved by the SWRCB: $5,228,992

STAFF RECOMMENDATION: That the SWRCB adopt a resolution approving a construction grant for the proposed project.

DRAFT May 22, 1998

WHEREAS:

1. The State Water Resources Control Board, on January 23, 1997, adopted the "Implementation Policy for the Small Communities Grant Program," and revised it on April 30 and May 14, 1997;

2. The State Water Resources Control Board, on May 14, 1997, adopted the Small Communities Grant Program Priority List which included the Treatment Plant Upgrade/Expansion and Collection System Replacement project for the City of Weed in Priority Class B;

3. The Division of Clean Water Programs approved the project report, environmental documents, and draft revenue program, on April 30, 1998, for the City of Weed project;

4. The Division of Clean Water Programs approved the plans and specifications, on April 30, 1998, and the City of Weed submitted a written agreement to the Division's decisions on April 30, 1998;

5. The City adopted a Negative Declaration and Addendum (State Clearinghouse No. 97102118) prepared for the project, which has been reviewed and considered and it has been determined that the project will not result in any significant impacts.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

The State Water Resources Control Board approves a Small Communities Grant of $2,743,318 to the City of Weed for construction of the Treatment Plant Upgrade/Expansion and Collection System Replacement project.

The undersigned, Administrative Assistant to the Board, does hereby certify that the foregoing is a full, true, and correct copy of a resolution duly and regularly adopted at a meeting of the State Water Resources Control Board held on June 18, 1998.

Maureen Marché

Administrative Assistant to the Board