Purpose

This staff report requests authorization for the General Manager of Burbank Water and Power (BWP) or his designee to apply for and accept a Water Recycling Funding Program (WRFP) planning grant for the City of Burbank Recycled Water System Expansion Facilities Planning Study and from the California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB).

Background

The City of Burbank Water and Power will continue to expand the existing reclaimed water distribution system.  The ultimate goal is to maximize the use of reclaimed water in the City.  To guide the development and implementation of expansion projects, BWP is pursuing a grant to update and refine the existing reclaimed water master plan, considering opportunities such as landscape irrigation, commercial/industrial use, fire suppression, groundwater recharge and regional system interconnections.

To achieve this goal, the City is working on or considering the following projects:

• Increasing Burbank Water Reclamation Plant (BWRP) Effluent Pump Station Capacity � This project consists of adding two pumps (one 1100-gpm pump and one 275-gpm pump) to the existing BWRP effluent pump station.  This project is currently under construction.

• Adding Flow Equalization at the Burbank Water Reclamation Plant � This Public Works project would consist of constructing a 1.5 to 2 million-gallon tank on the influent side of the BWRP.  This project would help the City increase the potential reclaimed water yield and improve wastewater recycling plant (WWRP) system operations at BWRP.  The capital cost associated with this project is currently estimated at around $8 to $9 million.  Only a portion of the funds is budgeted and the City is looking at securing the remaining necessary funds by submitting WRFP planning grant application and obtaining the approval of California SWRCB to fulfill the California SWRCB requirements to apply for a potential next round of reclaimed water Construction grant funding.

• Bringing Additional Customers On Line � The City is planning to expand the existing reclaimed water distribution system by maximizing the construction projects of reclaimed water main extensions to connect additional customers including the Valhalla Cemetery, Wildwood Canyon Park, Bud Ovrum Park, S. San Fernando Streetscape Project, Izay Park, Johnny Carson Park, and many other high end users throughout the City.

BWP is interested in pursuing a WRFP planning grant administered by the California SWRCB to (1) fund part of the planning studies associated with the projects listed above, and (2) fulfill the California SWRCB requirements to apply for a potential next round of reclaimed water Construction grant funding for Public Works Flow Equalization Project and other BWP reclaimed water main expansion projects throughout the City.  The grant would cover 50 percent of eligible costs up to a maximum reimbursement of $75,000 to prepare the Recycled Water System Expansion Facilities Planning Study.

Analysis

The preparation of a facilities planning study will cost between $80,000 to $150,000, which will include updating and refining the existing reclaimed water master plan to meet the necessary format and content that fulfills the California SWRCB requirements to apply for a potential next round of reclaimed water construction grant funding.  For relatively small cost, this will position us to compete for reclaimed water construction grants.

Fiscal Impact Statement

The application has no immediate cost with the exception of staff time to assist in preparing the grant application.  Budgeted funds for reclaimed water projects will be reprogrammed to provide funds to match the 50 percent California SWRCB funds. 

Authorization to Accept Grant and Conduct Planning Study

In order to minimize any further burden on the time of the staff and the Council, the proposed resolution also authorize the General Manager to execute any documents necessary to accept any grant funds awarded to the City and to conduct the contemplated planning study.  It further authorizes and directs the Financial Services Director to make any necessary budget adjustments to account for the amount of any grant awarded to the City.

Recommendation

Staff recommends the City Council adopt the proposed resolution entitled:

A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BURBANK AUTHORIZING THE GENERAL MANAGER OF BURBANK WATER AND POWER OR HIS DESIGNEE TO APPLY FOR AND ACCEPT A WATER RECYCLING FUNDING PROGRAM GRANT FROM THE CALIFORNIA STATE WATER RESOURCES CONTROL BOARD.

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