Report Prepared by: Ken F. Elwin, PE, Director of Public Works
Title
SUBJECT: Wastewater Collection System Master Plan (WCSMP)
REPORT IN BRIEF
Seeks Council direction on finalizing the draft Wastewater Collection Master Plan.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Provide direction to staff on finalization of the draft Wastewater Collection Master Plan, provide direction to begin the CEQA environmental process.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommended by staff; or,
2. Approve, subject to conditions other than recommended by staff (identify specific findings and/or conditions amended to be addressed in the motion); or,
3. Deny; or,
4. Refer to staff for reconsideration of specific items (specific items to be addressed in the motion); or,
5. Continue to a future meeting (date and time to be specified in the motion).
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Section 200 et seq.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
Addresses Council priority of infrastructure planning via the Wastewater Collection Master Plan.
DISCUSSION
Staff is seeking direction and input from Council on the updated draft Wastewater Collection Master Plan as presented in order finalize the draft Wastewater Collection Master Plan. Once the draft is finalized the City can then move forward with the CEQA environmental process can begin.
History and Past Actions
The Wastewater Collection System (Sewer) Master Plan is designed to evaluate and help the City plan and expand its wastewater collection sewer system to meet the needs of its growing population.
As part of a prior contract, Stantec Consulting Services, Inc., previously known as ECO:LOGIC, was hired to update the North Merced Sewer Master Plan. Later, amendments to the contract added work for the South Merced Sewer Master Plan, and subsequently to develop a comprehensive Merced Sewer Master Plan based on the existing 2015 SUDP/SOI.
During 2006-2007, new development boundaries were being proposed as part of the General Plan Update. As a result of the uncertainty of the SUDP/SOI boundary during the General Plan evolution, it was decided to postpone the finalization of Sewer Master Plan since it was directly tied to the City's overall growth boundary. Subsequently, a 2007 Draft Sewer Master Plan was prepared by the Consultant based on the wastewater system analysis up to that point. It was the intent that once the Merced Vision 2030 General Plan was adopted, the Draft Sewer Master Plan would be finalized and submitted for formal adoption by the City Council.
With the adoption of the City's Merced Vision 2030 General Plan, it was decided that the 2007 Draft Sewer Master Plan needed to be finalized based on the new 2030 Specific Urban Development Plan/Sphere of Influence (SUDP/SOI).
The Sewer Master Plan is designed to evaluate and help the City plan and expand its wastewater collection sewer system to meet the needs of its growing population in accordance with the 2030 General Plan.
Stantec Consulting was hired in 2013 to update the wastewater collection system model and continue with updates to the 2007 draft Sewer Master Plan. Multiple amendments to the contract were executed to provide additional service options, increased stakeholder outreach, as well as the exploration of financing options for future construction.
Staff has held multiple stakeholder meetings throughout the Sewer Master Plan development process. In addition, Stantec prepared a draft Assessment District Formation document to help assist with investigating financing options to implement the draft Sewer Master Plan. A separate stakeholder meeting was held March 30, 2017, to discuss financing options, including the potential formation of a sewer assessment district. A final stakeholder meeting was held on November 13, 2017; stakeholder input has been received and appropriate changes have been incorporated in the revised draft plan.
On November 1, 2021, the Council approved a contract amendment which included updates to the Wastewater Collection Hydraulic Model, flow monitoring analysis, and the preparation of the updated Draft Wastewater Collection System Master Plan.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
No appropriation of funds is needed.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Wastewater Collection System Master Plan