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RESOLUTION NO. 2015-192 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA ACCEPTING A GRANT FROM THE SAN DIEGO FOUNDATION - COMMUNITY IMPACT DIVISION AND THE BLOOMBERG AWARD FOR LOCAL SUSTAINABILITY MATCHING FUND, TO DEVELOP A WATER REUSE FRAMEWORK, APPROPRIATING $135,000 TO THE WASTE MANAGEMENT AND RECYCLING FUND, AND AUTHORIZING THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR OR DESIGNEE TO EXECUTE ALL GRANT DOCUMENTS AND IMPLEMENT PROJECTS FUNDED BY THE GRANT (4/5 VOTE REQUIRED)
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommended Action
Council adopt the resolution.
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SUMMARY
The City of Chula Vista has been selected to receive a $67,500 grant from the Community Impact Division at The San Diego Foundation to develop a comprehensive Water Reuse Framework that incorporates public recommendations and input to guide the City of Chula Vista’s expansion of water reuse and conservation efforts.
Additionally, The San Diego Foundation and the City of Chula Vista have been selected to receive matching funds ($67,500) via the Bloomberg Award for Local Sustainability Matching Fund, a project of the Funders’ Network for Smart Growth and Livable Communities. This matching fund is a collaborative matching grant program that connects local government and philanthropy to invest in sustainability projects that promote a healthy environment, a strong economy and well-being for all residents. The matching funds bring the total grant amount to $135,000 via the San Diego Foundation.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The Development Services Director has reviewed the proposed activity, acceptance of a grant from the San Diego Foundation - Community Impact Division and the Bloomberg Award for Local Sustainability Matching Fund, to develop a water reuse framework, and appropriation of said $135,000 for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the activity is not a "Project" as defined under Section 15378(b)(4) of the State CEQA Guidelines because the activity is acceptance and appropriations of funds for the development of a water reuse framework only, therefore, pursuant to Section 15060 (c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines the activity is not subject to CEQA.
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
The Resource Conservation Commission recommends Council accept the grant, appropriate the funds and authorize the Public Works Director or Designee to execute all grant documents and implement projects funded by the grant.
DISCUSSION
According to the San Diego 2050 is Calling How Will We Answer? report released by the San Diego Foundation and Climate Education Partners in 2014, regional water demand from San Diego County is expected to increase 46 percent by 2035 due to our growing population, rising temperatures, longer intervals without rain, and increased evaporation from the soil and water reservoirs. Local water supplies will be under stress from more intense and frequent drought, more evaporation and increasing water demand due to rising temperatures and population. Water availability from both the Sierra Nevada Mountains (via State Water Project) and the Colorado River will also be more stressed from warming temperatures and extended droughts that reduce the amount of snowpack and river flow. But, there is a lot we can do today to manage these changes and prepare for a “new normal”.
Why this project? The City of Chula Vista and the San Diego Foundation chose to partner on a water reuse project for consideration in Round 6 of the Partners for Places grant, Advancing Chula Vista’s Resiliency Through Water Reuse Opportunities. The result of this grant partnership will be a formal Water Reuse Framework to guide the City’s expansion of water reuse and conservation efforts.
The project will build upon the current momentum of statewide action, community desire, city council support and existing work of key agencies to jumpstart the analysis needed to implement successful and sustainable methods of water reuse.
The Framework will include a cost-benefit analysis of short and long-term water reuse strategies (i.e. on-site water harvesting, centralized storm water capture and reuse, wastewater reuse, and graywater) that incorporates public recommendations and input. In addition, the Framework will assist in revealing the best strategies for implementation in Chula Vista, which can be supported through state, federal and/or private funding. Key activities include research and analysis; public presentations and convenings to encourage resident action and maintain the already documented public support for water reuse; and identification of strategies that have the highest likelihood of success.
The City has already started collecting recommendations through the Climate Action Plan update work. City residents and stakeholders will remain engaged by recommending strategies to review and assist the City in prioritizing strategies following the analysis activities in the grant scope of work. Maintaining this stakeholder engagement not only increases community understanding and knowledge about water reuse, it helps ensure that implemented strategies are sustained and supported over time by residents, businesses and agencies.
Intended Outcomes and Impacts
The project’s outcomes and impacts include:
• Assess the City’s reuse short and long-term opportunities for storm water, wastewater, and graywater, to include suggestions from community members
• Create a cost-benefit analysis for prioritized strategies
• Host at least 3 events to engage and educate the public
• Draft the Water Reuse Framework for Resource Conservation Commission and City Council approval
• Initiate design of a water reuse strategy project, to be funded by state, federal, and/or private sources
By developing the Framework and identifying the best strategies to implement, this project leads to more equitable and sustained access to water for all members of the community, including future generations of water users.
Evaluation
Throughout the project’s duration, data will be collected from the water analysis, online comments, and transcribed public workshop discussions. The San Diego Foundation is also committed to share findings with not only project partners and their stakeholders, but also through its Center for Civic Engagement, which hosts public educational programing, and its philanthropic networks such as the FSG Collective Impact Forum and the Council of Foundations. Additionally, as a member of Green Cities California (a regional network of the Urban Sustainability Directors Network), the City of Chula Vista is committed to sharing results of this project with other California cities.
DECISION-MAKER CONFLICT
Staff has reviewed the decision contemplated by this action and has determined that it is not site-specific and consequently, the 500-foot rule found in California Code of Regulations Title 2, section 18705.2(a)(11), is not applicable to this decision for purposes of determining a disqualifying real property-related financial conflict of interest under the Political Reform Act (Cal. Gov't Code § 87100, et seq.).
Staff is not independently aware, and has not been informed by any Council member, of any other fact that may constitute a basis for a decision maker conflict of interest in this matter.
LINK TO STRATEGIC GOALS
The Water Reuse Framework project funded by this grant supports the City’s Strategic Plan goals of Economic Vitality and Healthy Community as an investment into sustainability projects ensures and promotes a healthy environment, a strong economy and well-being for all.
CURRENT YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
The San Diego Foundation grant project will support up to $21,600 of staff time associated with developing a comprehensive Water Reuse Framework, as well as $102,200 of consultant services and $11,200 for community engagement and reports. Additional staff time, including a $4,600 in-kind grant match requirement will be covered by existing departmental budgets.
Approval of the resolution will result in the appropriation of $135,000 to the Waste Management and Recycling Fund; these program expenditures will be offset by grant funding.
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
There is no ongoing fiscal impact. This is approximately a twelve (12) month project culminating May 30, 2016.
ATTACHMENTS
Community Impact Grants Award Letter
Detailed Work Plan
Staff Contact: Lynn France, Environmental Services Manager