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Council briefed on DWR emergency groundwater project and local $1.5M funding gap
Summary
City staff told the council the state-funded emergency groundwater project (total DWR funds $16.7M) is underway but contract awards and bids have produced a roughly $1.5M shortfall for Phase 2c (household connections); staff proposed a mix of DWR reallocation and about $600k–$700k in city funds to complete critical phases.
City staff provided a detailed update on the DWR-funded Emergency Groundwater Resource Project, explaining scope, contracts, and a local funding shortfall that could delay household connections and canal crossings.
Staff described the project as composed of four main phases: Phase 1 (in-city mains and connections, largely completed by public works), Phase 2 (main extensions out into county areas with subsections 2a/2b for mains and 2c for house connections), Phase 3 (new well at Walker Street with 3a complete and 3b pending), and Phase 4 (storage tank under construction). The presentation listed DWR's funding allocation: $16,700,000 total; $3.5M for project administration and design (of which the city receives $1,250,000), $2,250,000 assigned to a preselected DWR design consultant, and $13,200,000 for construction. Contract awards and change orders have raised local construction costs, and staff reported an approximate $1,500,000 deficit to finish Phase 2c and associated items.
Staff noted permit delays for canal crossings (U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and water-user coordination) that have constrained progress on Phase 2a/2b and the critical Phase 2c household-connections activity. The staff recommendation was to use the remaining DWR funds for Phase 2c (about $200,000 remaining) and supplement with roughly $600,000–$700,000 in city water-enterprise funds to complete the work. The water enterprise fund balance cited in the presentation was approximately $4.2M.
Council members asked for clarification on which contract items were included, whether optional items (generators, building work) were part of current awards, and whether staff could accelerate bidding for Phase 2c and 3b to lock prices. Staff said plans for 3b were near-complete and Phase 2c could be advertised soon, once funding sources were secured. Staff also indicated they are pursuing reallocation of other DWR urban and multi-benefit drought-relief funds to cover portions of Phase 3b.
Next steps: staff will return with firm bid numbers for the remaining phases, proposed city funding sources to cover the $1.5M shortfall (including recommended $600k–$700k from the water enterprise fund), and a revised timeline once canal crossing permits and fund reallocations are confirmed.
