BOARD AGENDA MEMORANDUM
Government Code § 84308 Applies: Yes ☐ No ☒
(If “YES” Complete Attachment A - Gov. Code § 84308)
SUBJECT: Title
Authorize Executive-Level Discussion of the San Francisquito Creek Flood Protection Project Funding Guiding Principles.
End
RECOMMENDATION: Recommendation
Authorize the Chief Executive Officer, or their designee, to discuss guiding principles for funding the San Francisquito Creek Flood Protection Project with executive staff from the San Francisquito Creek Joint Powers Authority Member Agencies.
Body
SUMMARY:
At the December 6, 2024, Board Policy and Monitoring Committee (Committee) Meeting, Staff provided an update on San Francisquito Creek Flood Protection Project (Project) status, and issues related to Valley Water’s participation in the San Francisquito Creek Joint Powers Authority (SFCJPA). The Committee discussed the issues and provided feedback to staff. The Committee Agenda Memo is included as Attachment 1.
The Committee discussion focused on the concern of the Project not meeting the Safe, Clean Water Program KPI for the Project to provide 70-year flood protection, and the need for additional funding to construct the Project. Following flooding on San Francisquito Creek in 2022, it became evident that the Project as designed would no longer provide 70-year flood protection. Therefore, the SFCJPA is re-evaluating the Project and determining an updated level of protection. Funding needs are uncertain until a new level of protection and Project are defined, however additional funding is needed.
The Committee provided feedback that the Project needs to be defined, Project beneficiaries need to be determined, and that a plan for Project implementation, including funding, needs to be developed. Identifying funding for the Project should include negotiating principles for how to fund the Project based on benefits received and would be similar to Valley Waters’ participation in large storage projects which often have master funding agreements. As a first step, the committee specifically provided feedback to staff to bring forward a recommendation to the full Board’s consideration for Valley Water executive staff to begin discussing guiding principles for funding the Project with executive staff from the other four SFCJPA agencies (City of Palo Alto, City of East Palo Alto, City of Menlo Park, and One Shoreline). Should the Board approve this item, Valley Water executive staff will begin negotiating funding principles for the Project with executive staff from SFCJPA member agencies listed above.
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND EQUITY IMPACT:
There are no environmental justice and equity impacts associated with this item. This action will not result in adverse impacts and is not associated with an equity opportunity.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no financial impact associated with this item.
CEQA:
The recommended action does not constitute a project under CEQA because it does not have a potential for resulting in direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: Item 4.1, BPMC
*Handout 5.3-A: San Francisquito Creek Joint Powers Authority
*Handout 5.3-B: Hitchings
*Handout 5.3-C: Hitchings
*Handout 5.3-D: Licardo
*Handout 5.3-E: Abe-Koga
UNCLASSIFIED MANAGER: Manager
Bhavani Yerrapotu, 408-630-2735