REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
October 23, 2014
FROM: THOMAS C. ESQUEDA, Director
Department of Public Utilities
THROUGH: MARTIN A. QUERIN, PE, Assistant Director
Department of Public Utilities - Water Division
BROCK D. BUCHE, PE, PLS, Supervising Professional Engineer
Department of Public Utilities - Water Division
BY: LITO G. BUCU, Supervising Engineering Technician
Department of Public Utilities - Water Division
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to the acquisition of 1488 N. Weber Avenue (Council District 3)
1. Adopt finding of Categorical Exemption, pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections 15301 (Existing Facilities) and 15332 (In-fill Development projects) for expansion of existing City well lot at 1488 N. Weber Avenue
2. Approve the fee simple acquisition of 1488 N. Weber Avenue for $90,000 from Sellers: Karen L Wong, Trudy E. Marean, Sheila Chan, and Marlene R. Alvarado for the expansion of existing City well lot
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends that the City Council:
3. Adopt a finding that the proposed project herein is categorically exempt from the preparation of environmental documents pursuant to Article 19 of the CEQA Guidelines Sections 15301 (Existing Facilities) and 15332 (In-fill Development projects) for expansion of an existing City well lot.
4. Approve the fee simple acquisition of one parcel (See Exhibit A), for the expansion of an existing City well lot at 1488 North Webber Avenue from property owners Karen L Wong, Trudy E. Marean, Sheila Chan and Marlene R. Alvarado (APN 450-073-09, see Exhibit B) for the amount of $90,000.
5. Authorize the Public Works Director, or his designee, to sign all documents on behalf of the City.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Water Division maintains a network of some 275 plus municipal water supply wells that provides 88% of the City's potable water. Some of these wells are located in very small lots thereby making them very difficult to access, maintain and operate. The proposed property acquisition will expand one of those well lots for better access and provide sufficient room for maintenance. The additional space will also allow drilling of a new well in the future when the existing well is no longer productive and needs to be replaced.
BACKGROUND
The subject parcel was identified as a suitable well site due to its size and proximity to an existing City well site known as Pump Station 54 (PS 54). Staff has negotiated with the property owners to purchase the subject parcel for the amount of $90,000, which is based on appraised values. Owners of the parcel have agreed to the amount of compensation offered by the City and signed the Agreement for purchase and sale and the Grant Deed. With Council approval, payment will be made to the owners and the Grant Deed will be recorded.
The acquisition of this parcel will expand PS 54 parcel from approximately 670 to 16,000 square feet in area. The expansion will allow Water Division staff to perform required maintenance in a safer and more efficient manner. The additional space will also provide enough room for the drilling of a new well in the future when the existing well becomes unproductive and needs to be taken out of service.
A Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment was completed and no environmental hazards were found at this location. To confirm that no hazardous contamination is present at the site, which previous was a gasoline service station, a Phase 2 Soils Investigation was also performed.
The documents signed by the property owners have been approved as to form by the City Attorney's Office.
Following acquisition of the property, the perimeter fence will be reconfigured to secure the expanded site.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Staff has performed a preliminary environmental assessment of this project and has determined that it falls within the Categorical Exemptions as set forth in California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines sections 15301 (Existing Facilities) and 15332 (In-fill Development Projects) for expansion of PS 54 well site and drilling of a replacement water well in the future.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not considered because this action does not involve a bid or award of a construction or services contract.
FISCAL IMPACT
The project, which is located in District 3, will not have any impact to the General Fund. Funds for the site acquisition are included in Water Division's FY 2015 Capital Improvement Program budget within the Water Enterprise Fund (40101).
Attachments: Exhibit A: Vicinity Map
Exhibit B: Assessor's Parcel Map