To: Board of Supervisors
From: Supervisor Williams
Meeting Date: January 26, 2021
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Department Contact: |
Supervisor Williams |
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4441 |
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Item Type: Consent Agenda |
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Time Allocated for Item: N/A |
Agenda Title:
title
Authorize Staff to Coordinate Anderson Valley Community Services District’s Access to Perform Preliminary Tests at County Owned Fairgrounds in Boonville for Purpose of Determining Wastewater Alternative Project Location Feasibility
(Sponsor: Supervisor Williams)
Recommended Action/Motion:
recommendation
Authorize staff to coordinate Anderson Valley Community Service District’s access and request for consideration of the County Fairgrounds parcel to be an alternate wastewater treatment and disposal site; coordinate and execute the necessary transactions to allow site investigations and initial studies to be performed for the planning phase of such activity; based on the results of any investigation and study, allow the proposed site to be included as an alternative project location in the AVCSD’s environmental analysis; notify AVCSD of no commitment by county to execute an easement agreement at this time, but willingness to consider mutually agreed upon terms and compensation at a later date.
End
Previous Board/Board Committee Actions:
None.
Summary of Request:
Boonville is a Severely Disadvantaged Community (SDAC) according to the American Community Survey. Anderson Valley Community Services District (AVCSD) is pursuing a municipal Clean Water (Sewer) system for Boonville, the principal town in our district.
Boonville has never had municipal water or sewer systems; since its inception in the 1870’s, the property owners have provided their own septic systems and wells. In 1974, a sanitary survey by Mendocino County Health was done on 146 of the town’s parcels and found problems with sewage effluent on the ground due to the high water table, and problems with close siting of wells and septic systems, resulting in contaminated well water. At that time, the study advised that these problems could only be addressed with a municipal sewer system.
In the 1980s, when most communities who did not already have municipal systems were provided with sewer systems, Boonville again, for whatever reason, opted out. This left Boonville as the only community of its size in Mendocino County without a municipal system.
As the parcels in the Boonville corridor tend to be small, problems have continued with siting septic systems and wells. Most of the 50’ frontage parcels are out of compliance (developed before lot size ordinances) and have no space to remedy failing septic systems. In 2016, the District did a blind study of 24 wells in the most densely populated parcels and found alarming results of E Coli and nitrates contamination. Installing both municipal systems, Drinking Water and Clean Water, will alleviate the contamination issues and will also allow better use of parcels for providing housing.
In 2015, AVCSD approached the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) Financing Division, and were able to secure two $500,000 planning grants for both systems: Drinking Water and Clean Water. We have been provisionally approved for construction grants of $19 million for the Drinking Water and $16 million for the Clean Water projects. AVCSD hired Brelje & Race Engineers for the planning process. At this time, AVCSD are continuing efforts to identify feasible sites for the wastewater treatment plant and disposal. Once the sites are identified and the District is provided access, special studies will be conducted and the District will be able to complete its environmental analysis under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). After completion of CEQA, the District can identify its preferred alternative site and develop our Rate Studies and activate our Drinking Water and Clean Water district powers. The District anticipates having the Proposition 218 votes in the coming year. If the systems are approved by the District voters, AVCSD is hoping to start the two-year construction process.
This infrastructure is a necessary foundation for meeting the County’s Housing Element.
Alternative Action/Motion:
No action.
Supervisorial District: District 5
vote requirement: Majority
Supplemental Information Available Online At: N/A
Fiscal Details:
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source of funding: N/A |
budgeted in current f/y: N/A |
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current f/y cost: N/A |
if no, please describe: |
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annual recurring cost: N/A |
revenue agreement: N/A |
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budget clarification: N/A |
Agreement/Resolution/Ordinance Approved by County Counsel: N/A
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CEO Liaison: Executive Office |
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CEO Review: Yes |
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CEO Comments:
FOR COB USE ONLY
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Executed By: Atlas Pearson, Deputy Clerk I |
Final Status:Approved |
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Date: January 27, 2021 |
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