REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Scott L. MOzier, PE, Director
Public Works Department
BY: jill m. Gormley, TE, Assistant Director
Public Works Department, Traffic & Engineering Services Division
JOSEF E. HAND, LSIT, Engineer II
Public Works Department, Engineering Services Division
SUBJECT
Title
The actions pertaining to the dedication of that portion of City-owned property for a public street easement on the east side of North Armstrong Avenue, between East McKinley Avenue and East Clinton Avenue: (Council District 7)
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption per staff determination, pursuant to Section 15301/Class 1 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, Wellhead Treatment and Site Improvements at Pump Station 347;
2. RESOLUTION - Dedicating that portion of City-owned property for a public street easement on the east side of North Armstrong Avenue, between East McKinley Avenue and East Clinton Avenue.
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that Council Adopt a Categorical Exemption for Wellhead Treatment and Site Improvements at Pump Station 347 and Council Adopt a Resolution dedicating a portion of City-owned property for a public street easement on the east side of North Armstrong Avenue, between East McKinley Avenue and East Clinton Avenue.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City of Fresno Department of Public Utilities is implementing a wellhead treatment improvement project at the existing Pump Station 347, located at 2220 N. Armstrong Avenue, to address elevated manganese concentrations in the groundwater. Recent testing has shown that manganese levels in the raw water exceed the Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level (SMCL) for drinking water. To ensure the continued operation of this well, a treatment system must be installed. In addition to the treatment system, several on-site and public right-of-way improvements are required to support the filter installation. The proposed work in the right-of-way will include replacement of the existing driveway approach, installation of new sidewalk, and construction of a backwash pipeline connecting the site to an existing manhole in the street.
While the City owns the parcel where the pump station is located, a portion of the work extends into the public right-of-way, necessitating the formal dedication of the parcel. City staff recommends a public street easement dedication of that portion of City-owned property (APN 574-222-19T) on the east side of North Armstrong Avenue, between East McKinley Avenue and East Clinton Avenue to accommodate the improvements for Pump Station Number 347. The proposed public street easement dedication is described and shown in Exhibits “A” and “B” of the attached resolution.
BACKGROUND
PS 347 was originally constructed in October 2006 to serve the nearby residential, commercial, and industrial developments. However, the well has not been regularly operated since November 2016 because manganese concentration began to exceed the SMCL for drinking water of 50 μg/L. While the manganese concentrations are not a risk to public health, the exceedance of a SMCL indicates that the water may impart an undesirable taste for nearby consumers. As such, the Department of Public Utilities - Water Division removed the well from service.
It is critical to bring PS 347 back into service to support the local pressure zone, provide drinking water to nearby communities, and support fire suppression facilities. This project will deliver the design documents necessary for bidding and construction of a manganese treatment system to ensure that the water from PS 347 meets the necessary quality standards.
The PS 347 project’s professional services contract was previously advertised and awarded to Michael K. Nunley and Associates Inc., (MKN) for Well Site Improvement and Wellhead Treatment Design. The design phase is complete.
To enable the required street improvements and utility connections, a dedication of a portion of the City-owned parcel is necessary.
In February 2009, a Grant Deed to the City of Fresno transferred the parcel of land needed for Pump Station Number 347.
In April 2021, Council approved Resolution Number 2021-139, which allowed dedications adjacent to the City-owned parcel (APN 574-222-19T) on the east side of North Armstrong Avenue, between East McKinley Avenue and East Clinton Avenue in association with Tract Number 6285.
A dedication of that portion of City-owned parcel (APN 574-222-19T) is required to allow the City to construct street improvements, conforming with Tract Number 6285, on the east side of North Armstrong Avenue, between East McKinley Avenue and East Clinton Avenue. Public Works staff has determined the required dedication area necessary for the construction of the improvements to Pump Station Number 347 as shown in the Resolution’s Exhibits “A” and “B”. Adopting the Resolution authorizes the Public Works Director, or designee, to complete the dedication process.
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved the attached Resolution as to form.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
The Project is exempt under Section 15301/Class 1 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines.
Under Section 15301/Class 1, projects are exempt from CEQA requirements when they consist of the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of existing or former use. This exemption includes work on existing facilities of both investor and publicly owned utilities used to provide electric power, natural gas, sewerage, or other public utility services.
The Project described herein represents the minor alteration of the already existing Pump Station 347 (PS 347). To address elevated manganese concentrations in the well water that exceed the secondary Maximum Contaminant Level (sMCL) and for the purposes of site improvement, the Project includes:
1. Installation of:
a. Concrete slab (24 ft x 8 ft x 16 inches thick).
b. Filtration package (eight vessels).
c. Backwash sump (2 ft x 2 ft x 8 ft deep).
d. 8-inch backwash pipeline connecting the sump to an existing sewer manhole approximately 10 feet deep in the street.
e. New sidewalk along site’s existing frontage to the ROW, which will require a permanent easement dedication.
2. Replacement of:
a. Existing chemical and electrical conduits.
b. Existing drive approach to align with new proposed sidewalk.
c. Replacement of front CMU wall with a wrought iron fence.
3. Landscaping improvements within the site and along the frontage.
All work will occur within the existing and publicly owned drinking water well site. The Project will not expand the use of the existing facility, nor will it relocate any existing facilities or structures. As noted above, the Project is merely to add the water filtration package, construct existing pipe and appurtenances, and site improvements which involves negligible or no expansion of existing or former use. Once the wellhead treatment system and site improvements are complete, the City will be able to use the site as originally intended.
None of the exceptions to Categorical Exemptions set forth in the CEQA Guidelines, Section 15300.2, apply:
(a) Location The Project is not located in a sensitive environment or an environmental resource of hazardous or critical concern as designated by federal, state, or local agencies. The work is entirely located in an existing well site.
(b) Cumulative Impact The Project will not have a cumulative negative impact over time that is significant. The Project merely entails adding to existing facilities.
(c) Significant Effect The Project will not have a significant effect on the environment due to unusual circumstances. All work will be limited to the existing well site.
(d) Scenic Highways The Project will not result in damage to scenic resources, including but not limited to, trees, historic buildings, rock outcroppings, or similar resources, within a highway officially designated as a state scenic highway. The Project is not located near scenic highways.
(e) Hazardous Waste Sites The Project is not located on a hazardous waste site which is included on any list compiled pursuant to Section 65962.5 of the Government Code.
(f) Historical Resources The Project will not cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource. The well site where the filter package is being added is not considered historical resources.
Furthermore, the proposed project is not expected to have a significant effect on the environment. Accordingly, a categorical exemption, as noted above, has been prepared for the project.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference does not apply because the dedication of a public street easement does not involve bidding or contracting.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Pump Station Number 347 project is located in Council District 7. There is no new fiscal impact to the General Fund. Funds for this project are included in the Water Division Enterprise Fund 4000-4001. This project is located within Council District 7.
Attachments:
WC00020 PUMP STATION 347 Environmental Assessment
WC00020 PUMP STATION 347 Dedication Resolution
WC00020 PUMP STATION 347 Dedication Vicinity Map