BOARD AGENDA MEMORANDUM
Government Code § 84308 Applies: Yes ☐ No ☒
(If “YES” Complete Attachment A - Gov. Code § 84308)
SUBJECT: Title
Adopt a Resolution by the Santa Clara Valley Water District Authorizing Representatives to Submit a Formal Grant Application to the United States Environmental Protection Agency for $1,092,000 and, Upon Award, Delegate Authority to the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Financial Officer, to Negotiate and Execute a Grant Agreement and any Amendments Thereto, for the Pure Water Silicon Valley Project, Project No. 91294001 (District 3, San Jose).
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RECOMMENDATION: Recommendation
A. Adopt the Resolution AUTHORIZING SUBMISSION OF A FORMAL GRANT APPLICATION TO THE UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (USEPA) FOR THE COMMUNITY GRANTS PROGRAM FOR $1,092,000 AND, ONCE AWARDED, DELEGATE AUTHORITY TO THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (CEO) OR THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER (CFO), TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE A GRANT AGREEMENT AND ANY AMENDMENTS THERETO, FOR THE PURE WATER SILICON VALLEY PROJECT;
B. Delegate authority to the CEO or CFO to formally apply for grant funds in the amount of $1,092,000 and, once awarded, negotiate and execute a Grant Agreement with the USEPA to support the Pure Water Silicon Valley Project, provided all grant requirements can be met;
C. Delegate authority to the CEO or CFO to sign and submit invoices to the USEPA for grant fund reimbursements to be made pursuant to the Grant Agreement; and
D. Delegate to the CEO or CFO or such other authority as needed, to provide management and support services required for the performance of the work and administration, pursuant to the Grant Agreement, as deemed necessary and appropriate.
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SUMMARY:
Staff recommends that the Board authorize submittal of a formal grant application to the USEPA for its Community Grant Program, for the amount of $1,092,000, as delineated by Congressional Act for the Pure Water Silicon Valley project. This is a non-competitive application at this point, as Valley Water secured this grant via Congressional Appropriation. Formal application submittal and award acceptance are the next steps in this process.
The two components of the Project that are subject to the Grant Agreement are the design of the Pilot Facility Project and the Learning Center Project. During the October 2026 through October 2027 project period, Valley Water will complete the final design for the Pilot Facility Project and the 60 percent design for the Learning Center Project. Valley Water will advance the Learning Center Project to final design in a later phase, currently scheduled for April 2028. USEPA funds will not support construction, ground-disturbing activities, facility operation, validation testing, or public programming. The total estimated project budget between October 2026 to October 2027 is $2,052,534, including $1,092,000 in EPA Community Grant funds, and $960,534 in secured non-federal cost share from Valley Water. These design activities will reduce technical and regulatory uncertainty and position Valley Water for future implementation, subject to separate environmental review and funding approvals.
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE IMPACT:
There are no Environmental Justice Impacts associated with this action.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The total estimated project budget is $2,052,534, including $1,092,000 in EPA Community Grant funds and $960,534 in secured non-federal cost share from Valley Water, which represents approximately 47% of the total project cost.
CEQA:
Valley Water will comply with all State requirements before implementation of the two components of the Project. The Pilot Facility Project qualifies for a Categorical Exemption (CE), Class 6, Section 15306, and the Learning Center Project qualifies for a Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). USEPA’s action on the Project is anticipated to qualify for a Categorical Exclusion (CATEX) under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: Resolution
UNCLASSIFIED MANAGER: Manager
Darin Taylor, 408-630-3068