REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF BOARD GOVERNED COUNTY SERVICE AREAS
AND RECORD OF ACTION
May 21, 2024
FROM
NOEL CASTILLO, Director, Department of Public Works - Special Districts
SUBJECT
Title
California Environmental Quality Act Finding, Plans, and Specifications for the CSA 70 F Morongo Valley - Water Tank Replacement Project
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Acting as the governing body of County Service Area 70 F Morongo Valley:
1. Find that the County Service Area 70 F Morongo Valley - Water Tank Replacement Project is exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act, Title 14 of the California Code Regulations Section 15302(c), Class 2, Replacement or Reconstruction.
2. Approve the County Service Area 70 F Morongo Valley - Water Tank Replacement Project as defined in the Notice of Exemption.
3. Approve the plans and specifications for the County Service Area 70 F Morongo Valley - Water Tank Replacement Project.
4. Authorize the Director of the Department of Public Works to advertise the County Service Area 70 Morongo Valley - Water Tank Replacement Project for formal bids.
5. Direct the Department of Public Works - Special Districts to file and post the Notice of Exemption in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act.
(Presenter: Noel Castillo, Director, 387-7906)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Operate in a Fiscally-Responsible and Business-Like Manner.
Ensure Development of a Well-Planned, Balanced, and Sustainable County.
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). San Bernardino County received a direct allocation of $423.50 million under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) - Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (CLFRF) to bolster the County’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic impact. The Board of Supervisors (Board) approved an expenditure plan for the use of these funds, known as the County Local Fiscal Recovery Spending Plan (Spending Plan), on June 8, 2021 (Item No. 121) and amended the plan on August 24, 2021 (Item No. 21).
The County Service Area (CSA) 70 F Morongo Valley - Water Tank Replacement Project (Project), in the amount of $600,000, was approved to proceed with funding from the Third District’s ARPA CLFRF allocation on May 23, 2023 (Item No. 104). The funding consisted of a forgivable loan that must be repaid by CSA 70 F Morongo Valley (District) if the Project is completed before December 31, 2024.
Sufficient appropriation for the Project is included in the District’s 2023-24 budget and will be included in future recommended budgets, as necessary.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The District was established by the Board on September 20, 1971, to provide water services to residents of Morongo Valley. The District provides for the operation and maintenance of 88 water connections, maintains three wells, one booster station, and a water tank that stores approximately 216,000 gallons of water. As part of ongoing maintenance to ensure continuous water system operations, it was determined that replacement of the District’s water tank was necessary due to significant leaks that have occurred since 2019, resulting from heavy interior corrosion. The most recent leak investigation determined that the District’s water tank condition is fragile and at risk of potential failure. The water tank is the only source of potable water available to residents of Morongo Valley, which further necessitates the need for a new tank.
The Project involves removing the existing 216,000-gallon potable water storage tank and associated equipment and replacing it with a new bolted steel water storage tank. The newly installed tank will have an operational volume of 139,112 gallons and be equipped with the necessary appurtenances. The installation process includes three temporary polyethylene tanks, each with a capacity of 7,510 gallons, piping, and valves, excavation and backfilling, erosion and sedimentation control measures, tank foundation construction, removal of protection posts, and reinstalling electrical and transducer systems. This water tank replacement is pursuant to applicable standards, which will help alleviate future maintenance costs and continue to provide safe drinking water to the District’s customers.
Department 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 15302 Class 2 Categorical Exemption is appropriate. Class 2 consist of replacement or reconstruction of an existing structures and facilities where the new structure will be located on the same site as the structure replaced and will have substantially the same purpose and capacity as the structure replaced. When the Board considers the environmental finding, the filing and posting of a Notice of Exemption is recommended.
In addition to the CEQA finding, this item seeks Board approval of the Project’s plans and specifications and authorization to advertise for bids.
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 August 2024 for award of the construction contract.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Aaron Gest, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on April 26, 2024; Finance (Jessica Trillo, Administrative Analyst, 387-4222 and Joon Cho, Chief Administrative Analyst, 387-5428) on May 3, 2024; and County Finance and Administration (Paloma Hernandez-Barker, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on May 6, 2024.