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
Action pertaining to acquisition of 2421 E. Sussex Way (Council District 7)
1. Adopt a finding of conformity prepared for EA 14-021; and
2. Approve acquisition of one parcel located at 2421 E. Sussex Way for the amount of $99,000 from Sellers: Michael W. Copeland and Teresa Copeland to construct a new water
supply well
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of conformity prepared for EA 14-021 for the proposed construction of a new water supply well.
2. Approve the fee simple acquisition of one parcel (See Exhibit A), which is necessary for the construction of a new water supply well at 2421 East Sussex Way from property owners: Michael W. Copeland and Teresa Copeland (APN 436-112-26, see Exhibit B) for the amount of $99,000.
3. 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. New wells are required to meet new demands, replace wells that have reached the end of their useful life, or assist in remediating water quality issues. The proposed property acquisition will provide a new water well site to augment lost production when the older outdated well in the area will be decommissioned.
BACKGROUND
The subject parcel was identified as a suitable well site due to its size and location. Staff has negotiated with the property owners to purchase the subject parcel for the amount of $99,000, 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 owner and the Grant Deed will be recorded.
The acquisition of this parcel will allow the Water Division to replace an old well known as Pump Station 51, which needs to be taken out of service, because it is nearing the end of its useful life and needs to be decommissioned per State requirements. Exploratory drilling was performed and confirmed the feasibility of drilling a water production well at the new site.
A Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment was also completed and no environmental hazards were found at this location.
The documents signed by the property owners have been approved as to form by the City Attorney's Office.
Following acquisition of the property, plans and specifications will be prepared for the drilling of the production well, bids will be solicited and a well drilling contract will be presented to the Council for award. The last phase of the project is the construction of the well site improvements which includes: structures, piping and equipment necessary for operation of the well; and perimeter improvements such as, landscaping, masonry block wall, and street work. This phase of the project will also be bid separately and award for the construction will be presented to the Council for approval.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
An initial study was prepared for the above described project, which has been determined to be a subsequent project fully within the scope of the Master Environmental Impact Report No. 10130 (MEIR) prepared for the 2025 Fresno General Plan (SCH # 2001071097) and Mitigated Negative Declaration prepared for Plan Amendment No. A-09-02 (SCH # 2009051016) (Air Quality MND). With the mitigation imposed, there is no substantial evidence in the record that this project may have additional significant, direct, indirect or cumulative effects on the environment that are significant and that were not identified and analyzed in the MEIR or Air Quality MND. After conducting a review of the adequacy of the MEIR and Air Quality MND pursuant to Public Resources Code, Section 21157.6(b)(1), staff has determined there are no substantial changes that have occurred with respect to the circumstances under which the MEIR was certified and the Air Quality MND was adopted and that no new information, which was not known and could not have been known at the time that the MEIR was certified as complete and the Air Quality MND was adopted, has become available. The project is not located on a site which is included on any of the lists enumerated under Section 65962.5 of the Government Code including, but not limited to, lists of hazardous waste facilities, land designated as hazardous waste property, hazardous waste disposal sites and others, and the information in the Hazardous Waste and Substances Statement required under subdivision (f) of that Section. Therefore, any necessary environmental review required by CEQA has been completed for the project.
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 7, 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