TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to apply for an estimated amount of $11.2 million in grant funds through the Economic Development Administration, accept the grant funds, if awarded, and execute all documents necessary to implement the grant for the City’s Flood Control Resiliency Improvement Project. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The Economic Development Administration (EDA) promotes federal economic development through innovation and competitiveness, and supports regions for growth. This includes making investments in areas experiencing economic distress or other economic harm resulting from natural disasters. EDA is currently accepting applications to award competitive grant funds to assist with upgrading and constructing infrastructure that will mitigate natural disaster impacts.
The storm that occurred in January 2017 identified vulnerable flood sites. The Public Works Department has compiled a Flood Control Resiliency Improvement Project (Project) that has three main components: Lew Davis Street Improvements, Citywide Storm Drain Improvements, and Pump Station Improvements. The grant application will include an estimated $14 million in project costs with an 80 percent / 20 percent allocation; $11.2 million is the requested EDA grant amount and $2.8 million is the City’s proposed share amount. The grant requires funds to be spent within two years of award. The primary goal of the Project is to improve storm drain capacity and overhaul pump stations to provide flood preparedness and mitigation. Public Works is working with the Departments of Economic Development and Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Communications to submit the EDA grant application.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Linda T. Vu and by Budget Analysis Officer Julissa José-Murray on June 28, 2018.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on July 17, 2018, to ensure the City submits the grant application in a competitive timeframe.
FISCAL IMPACT
The maximum EDA competitive grant allocation that may be awarded is 80 percent of the $14 million estimated total Project cost, totaling $11.2 million. The required 20 percent City share would be $2.8 million, of which $1.55 million in Measure A funds has been previously approved for this purpose. The additional City share will be requested as part of the FY 19 Proposed Budget process.
No additional appropriation is requested at this time. Should the grant application be successful, the City would be reimbursed for up to $11.2 million in costs associated for the Project. Upon a grant award, Public Works will return to the City Council to request an appropriation increase. There is no local job impact associated with this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
CRAIG A. BECK
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER