Report Prepared by: Sarah Knoester, Management Analyst
Title
SUBJECT: Approval of a Memorandum of Understanding Between the County of Merced and the City of Merced for the Black Rascal Creek Flood Control Project and Approval of a Supplemental Appropriation, in the Amount of $1,061,510, from the Unreserved, Unencumbered Fund Balance of Fund 6000 - Wastewater System Operation (Storm Drain Division) to Support the Overall Project
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers approving a Memorandum of Understanding Between the County of Merced and the City of Merced for the Black Rascal Creek Flood Control Project and approve a supplemental appropriation in the Amount of $1,061,510 from the unreserved, unencumbered fund balance of Fund 6000 - Wastewater System Operation (Storm Drain Division) to support the overall project.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion:
A. Approving a Memorandum of Understanding Between the County of Merced and the City of Merced for the Black Rascal Creek Flood Control Project; and,
B. Approving a supplemental appropriation, in the amount of $1,061,510, from the unreserved, unencumbered fund balance of Fund 6000 - Wastewater System Operation (Storm Drain Division) to support the overall project; and,
C. Authorizing the Finance Officer to make the necessary budget adjustments; and,
D. Authorizing the City Manager or the Deputy City Manager to execute the necessary documents.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommend by Staff; or,
2. Approve, subject to other than recommended by Staff; or,
3. Deny; or,
4. Refer to Staff for reconsideration of specific items; or,
5. Continue to a future meeting.
AUTHORITY
City of Merced Charter, Section 200
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
As provided for in the FY 2023/24 Council Goals & Priorities, Quality of Life
DISCUSSION
Flooding issues due to uncontrolled and unpredictable storm runoff flows from the Black Rascal Creek watershed into Bear Creek have caused flooding and legal damages to the Streams Group that includes County, City, and Merced Irrigation District (MID), most recently in 1997 and 2006. The parties of the Merced Streams Group acted after the 2006 storm by authorizing a feasibility study which, in 2009, provided a “preferred alternative” project location site to stem flows from the Black Rascal Creek Watershed into Bear Creek.
With the County of Merced taking lead, the agencies of the Merced Streams Group worked tirelessly procuring grants towards this project.
• In 2014 State of California awarded $1,000,000 to complete the California and Federal environmental documents.
• In 2017 Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) awarded $10,000,000, for design and construction.
• In 2021 State Department of Water Resources awarded $9,708,638, for permitting, consultation, and land acquisition.
Since Black Rascal has the potential to negatively impact the City of Merced, the city would like to partner with Merced County to complete this project. The Black Rascal Creek Flood Control Project Memorandum of Understanding is an agreement between Merced County and the City of Merced to contribute staff time, expertise, knowledge, and fifty percent of the cost to finalize the project’s design for final approval and all federal and state permits. The total cost is $2,123,020, with the 50% cost share for each entity being $1,061,510.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
A supplemental appropriation, in the amount of $1,061,510, from the unreserved, unencumbered fund balance of Fund 6000 - Wastewater System Operation (Storm Drain Division) is requested to support the Black Rascal Creek Flood Control Project.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Black Rascal Creek Flood Control Project Memorandum of Understanding