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Committee approves release of WISIP reserves for habitat program and Tesla water-treatment project
Summary
Following a WISIP progress update, the committee approved the budget analyst's recommendation to release approximately $41.09 million for the bioregional habitat restoration program and $670,000 for the Tesla treatment facility while continuing a related update to the call of the chair.
The Budget and Finance Committee considered quarterly updates on the Water System Improvement Program (WISIP) and approved the budget analyst's recommendation to release reserves for two projects.
Julie Labonte, WISIP director, reported program status: construction is active on many regional projects, 54 projects are complete, and total program construction exceeds $2.5 billion; program forecasting shows accumulated savings of $144.5 million placed on reserve. WISIP staff described advances on the Sutro Reservoir, Irvington Tunnel (ground conditions requiring additional shoring and groundwater management), Calaveras Dam mobilization, and the Harry Tracy plant rehabilitation.
WISIP asked for the release of $41.1 million from a previously appropriated $90 million bioregional habitat restoration program and $670,000 from the program management reserve for the Tesla treatment facility, which is in a one-year commissioning period after reaching substantial completion in mid-2011. The budget analyst recommended approving release of $41,090,007.64 (slightly less than the department's request) and the $670,000 reallocation, and recommended reallocating any remaining difference back to the WISIP reserve. Committee members asked about ground conditions and project risks; WISIP described groundwater intrusion and crumbling ground near Irvington that require shoring.
A public commenter urged that communities benefit from WISIP investments. The committee moved to continue the broader WISIP update (Item 6) to the call of the chair while accepting the budget analyst's recommendations for the reserve release (Item 7); the motions carried without objection.
Next steps: Release funds per analyst recommendation, continue monitoring construction risks (including ground conditions), and schedule a future WISIP briefing as requested by the chair.
