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ITEM 5: CONSIDER RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE UNITED STATES BUREAU OF RECLAMATION FOR THE WATERSMART GRANTS: SMALL-SCALE WATER EFFICIENCY PROJECTS
RESPONSIBLE/LEAD STAFF MEMBER(S):
Water Use Efficiency & Grants Manager, Justin Haessly RECOMMENDATION:
Staff requests the Planning and Administration Committee (Committee) recommend the Board of Directors (Board) review and adopt a resolution supporting Rancho California Water District’s (Rancho Water/District) Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) Upgrade Project. Adoption of the resolution authorizes the submission of a grant application to the United States Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) requesting funding for the project, and approving the execution of a Cooperative Agreement with Reclamation for securing grant funding for the project.
DISCUSSION:
Earlier this year, Reclamation announced the availability of funding through its WaterSMART Grants: Small-Scale Water Efficiency Projects for Fiscal Year 2021. Funding available through this program is intended to assist agencies in the implementation of projects related to improving water management and water use efficiency. In response to the WaterSMART Grant Program announcement, the District is preparing to request grant funding from Reclamation for implementation of a SCADA Upgrade Project (Project).
The grant request will be for up to $75,000, which will help pay for the installation of four SCADA radio antenna towers at critical radio repeater sites to enhance communications, increase data throughput, and ensure data availability. Implementation of the project will provide a solution to occasional missed data reads and slow SCADA data traffic. Sites where the towers will be installed include Calveras Reservoir, El Chimisal Reservoir, Buck mesa Reservoir, and General Kearney Reservoir.
March 18, 2021
Item 5 Page 2 of 2
A requirement for securing the grant awards includes Rancho Water’s Board adopting an official resolution supporting the Project, authorizing the submission of a grant application to Reclamation requesting funding for the Project, and approving the execution of a Cooperative Agreement with Reclamation for securing grant funding for the Project.
ALTERNATIVES:
Staff’s analysis includes the following potential alternative:
Do not recommend to the Board adopt the subject resolution.
FISCAL ANALYSIS:
Adoption of the subject resolution authorizes acceptance of up $75,000 in grant funding from the Reclamation for implementation of the SCADA Upgrade Project. There is a 1:1 match requirement for this grant program, which means the District has to come up with $75,000 in matching funds. The match will be met using a combination of Rancho Water staff time and funds proposed for the Fiscal Year 2021-2022 budget for upgrading SCADA equipment.
ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS: Not applicable
EXHIBITS/ATTACHMENTS: A. Draft Resolution
RESOLUTION NO. 2021-4-DRAFT
RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE RANCHO CALIFORNIA WATER DISTRICT, RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA, IN SUPPORT OF THE SCADA UPGRADE PROJECT, AUTHORIZING THE DISTRICT’S APPLICATION, AND APPROVING NEGOTIATION AND EXECUTION OF A COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT WITH THE UNITED STATES BUREAU OF RECLAMATION FOR WATERSMART: SMALL SCALE WATER EFFICIENCY PROJECTS (FUNDING OPPORTUNITY NO. R21AS00300)
WHEREAS, the Rancho California Water District (RCWD/District) is organized and operates under authority of the California Water District Law, Division 13, commencing with Section 34000 of the California Water Code; and
WHEREAS, the United States Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation provides monetary grants to states, tribes, or local governments, and other entities such as water districts; and
WHEREAS, the United States Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation is making funding available through the WaterSMART: Small Scale Water Efficiency Projects (FOA No. R21AS00300) to fund small-scale water efficiency projects.
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the District approves of the application for the SCADA Upgrade Project through the Department of the Interior’s Policy and Administration, Bureau of Reclamation WaterSMART: Small Scale Water Efficiency Projects (FOA No. R21AS00300); and
WHEREAS, the District agrees to the administration and cost sharing requirements of the WaterSMART: Small Scale Water Efficiency Projects funding program.
NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved, determined and ordered by the Board of Directors of the Rancho California Water District, as follows:
Section 1. Authorizes RCWD to apply for a grant through the United States Bureau of Reclamation WaterSMART: Small Scale Water Efficiency Projects funding program for its SCADA Upgrade Project.
Section 2. That, if recommended for funding by the United States Bureau of Reclamation, RCWD’s Board of Directors authorizes the District to accept a grant of up to $75,000.
Section 3. That, if recommended for funding by the United States Bureau of Reclamation, RCWD’s Board of Directors authorizes and ensures the capability of
RCWD to provide matching funds in the form of cash and in-kind contributions in the amount specific in the application Funding Plan.
Section 4. That, if recommended for funding by the United States Bureau of Reclamation, RCWD will work with the United States Bureau of Reclamation to meet established deadlines for entering into a grant agreement.
Section 5. This resolution officially becomes a component part of the District's grant application.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the General Manager and/or his designee is hereby authorized and empowered to execute in the name of Rancho California Water District all necessary documents to implement and carry out the purpose of this resolution, and to undertake and complete the proposed project.
ADOPTED, SIGNED, and APPROVED this 8th day of April 2021.
Carol Lee Gonzales-Brady, President of the Board of Directors of the
Rancho California Water District ATTEST:
Kelli E. Garcia, Secretary of the Board of Directors of the
Rancho California Water District