REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
SITTING AS THE GOVERNING BOARD FOR THE FOLLOWING:
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
BOARD GOVERNED COUNTY SERVICE AREAS
AND RECORD OF ACTION
February 11, 2025
FROM
NOEL CASTILLO, Director, Department of Public Works - Special Districts
LUTHER SNOKE, Chief Executive Officer, County Administrative Office
SUBJECT
Title
Various Actions Regarding the Arrow Route Sewer Main Project in the Fontana Area
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Acting as the governing body of San Bernardino County:
a. Find that the Arrow Route Sewer Main Project is exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines, Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations Section 15303 Class 3 (New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures).
b. Authorize an allocation of $11,363,597 from the Discretionary General Fund for the Arrow Route Sewer Main Project in the unincorporated area of Fontana.
c. Approve Contract between San Bernardino County and County Service Area 70 - Countywide to provide funding in the amount of $11,363,597 for the Arrow Route Sewer Main Project for the period of February 11, 2025, though February 11, 2030.
d. Approve non-financial Memorandum of Understanding with City of Fontana establishing the responsibilities and obligations regarding the Arrow Route Sewer Main Project for a term of 5 years following the date executed by both parties.
e. Approve the Capital Improvement Program - Arrow Route Sewer Main Project in the amount of $11,363,597.
f. Approve plans and specifications for the Arrow Route Sewer Main Project.
g. Authorize the Director of the Department of Public Works - Special Districts to advertise the Arrow Route Sewer Main Project for competitive bids.
h. Direct the Department of Public Works - Special Districts to file and post the Notice of Exemption in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act.
i. Authorize the Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector to post the necessary budget adjustments, as detailed in the Financial Impact Section (Four votes required).
2. Acting as the governing body of the San Bernardino County Board Governed County Service Areas:
a. Approve Contract between San Bernardino County and County Service Area 70 - Countywide to provide funding in the amount of $11,363,597 for the Arrow Route Sewer Main Project for the period of February 11, 2025, though February 11, 2030.
b. Authorize the Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector to post the necessary budget adjustments, as detailed in the Financial Impact Section (Four votes required).
(Presenter: Noel Castillo, Director, 387-7906)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Ensure Development of a Well-Planned, Balanced, and Sustainable County.
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
Pursue County Goals and Objectives by Working with Other Agencies and Stakeholders.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). Funding for the Arrow Route Sewer Main Project (Project) will be allocated from Discretionary General Funding in the amount of $11,363,597 and funded by General Fund Contingencies. The allocation for the Project will fund costs associated with the portion of the future construction and project management of the Project. Sufficient appropriation for the Project will be included in the County Service Area (CSA 70) 70 Countywide Capital Improvement Program’s (CIP) future recommended budgets as needed.
The Memorandum of Understanding is non-financial and does not affect Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost).
The following 2024-25 budget adjustments are requested to proceed with the Project:
|
Fund Center |
Commitment Item |
Description |
Action |
Amount |
|
San Bernardino County General Fund: |
|
1161161000 |
55305030 |
Operating Transfers Out |
Increase |
$ 11,363,597 |
|
1281001000 |
56006000 |
Appropriation Contingencies |
Decrease |
$ 11,363,597 |
|
CSA 70 Countywide CIP |
|
1050003604 |
40909975 |
Operating Transfers In |
Increase |
$ 11,363,597 |
|
1050003604 |
54104010 |
Improvements to Land |
Increase |
$ 11,363,597 |
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Arrow Route is a part of the County Maintained Road System in the unincorporated Fontana Community (Community), which is adjacent to the City of Fontana (City). The surrounding parcels are served by the City’s sewer system. However, the existing Community in the unincorporated area is currently relying on septic systems due to a lack of City sewer infrastructure. The proposed Project is needed to allow for future tie-ins of approximately 270 parcels in the Community into the City’s existing sewer system.
The City will fund and manage the environmental, acquisition and design/engineering of a sewer main with all required manholes, tie-ins and appurtenances along Arrow Route from Ilex Avenue to Beech Ave, Beech Avenue from Arrow Route to Foothill Avenue, and Cherry Avenue from Arrow Route to Foothill Avenue. The new mainline sewer line will enable property owners to transition from septic to sewer in the future. The Project is within the City’s sphere of influence and will be built according to the City’s Sanitary Sewer System Master Plan. The County will fund the Project and the Department of Public Works - Special Districts (Department) will manage the construction of the Project within the available funding as indicated in the Financial Impact section.
City staff reviewed the Project and determined that a categorical exemption in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations, Section 15303 Class 3(d) Categorical Exemption is appropriate. Class 3 exemption allows for water mains, sewage, electrical, gas, and other utility extensions under certain conditions. As evidenced by the Notice of Exemption, Section 15303 provides categorical exemption for the Project as the activities of the proposed project meet the description of a Categorical Exemption Class 3 Section 15303 (d). When the Board of Supervisors (Board) considers the environmental finding, filing and posting a Notice of Exemption is recommended.
Approval of this item will authorize funds for this Project that will be utilized for Project management upon completion of the design phase from the City. This Capital Improvement Program will be managed by the Department. The Memorandum of Understanding with the City is intended to clarify the roles and responsibilities and Project cost-sharing roles for each agency, and provides that upon completion of construction, the City will accept all operations and maintenance of the Project into the City’s sewer system.
The Project’s specifications include an allowance in the amount of $250,000 for unforeseen differing site conditions and utility conflicts.
PROCUREMENT
Upon approval of this item, the Project will be advertised in accordance with Section 22037 of the California Public Contract Code. The Department anticipates returning to the Board in April 2025 for award of the construction contract.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Julie Surber, Principal Assistant County Counsel, and Aaron Gest, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on January 17, 2025; Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector (Charlene Huang, Auditor-Controller Manager, 382-7022) on January 16, 2025; Finance (Amanda Trussell, Principal Administrative Analyst, 387-4773) on January 23, 2025; and County Finance and Administration (Paloma Hernandez-Barker, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on January 27, 2025.