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CC 2017-04-25_09j Letter of Support_Redundancy Project MEMORANDUM TO: CITY COUNCIL FROM: GEOFF ENGLISH, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION OF SUBMISSION OF A LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR THE SOUTH SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY SANITATION DISTRICT’S REDUNDANCY PROJECT DATE: APRIL 25, 2017 RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended the City Council authorize the Mayor to sign a letter of support for the South San Luis Obispo County Sanitation District's Redundancy Project. IMPACT ON FINANCIAL AND PERSONNEL RESOURCES: No immediate financial impact. Approximately one (1) hour of staff time was necessary to prepare this report and letter of support. BACKGROUND: The South San Luis Obispo County Sanitation District (SSLOCSD) owns and operates a wastewater treatment facility (WWTF) that is permitted through the State of California to treat wastewater flows from the communities of Arroyo Grande, Grover Beach and Oceano. The WWTF treats the wastewater flows with primary and secondary treatment to meet State discharge requirements for the current ocean discharge system. The secondary treatment process is completed through a disinfection process to treat wastewater through the use of a system of mechanical screens, primary clarifiers, fixed film reactor (FFR), one secondary clarifier, and chlorination. A “redundant” secondary treatment process is necessary at the WWTF to ensure that any effluent discharged through the current ocean outfall continues to meet the State mandated treatment requirements. An additional secondary treatment process is currently in the permitting and preliminary design development stage. This proposed project, referred to as the “Redundancy Project,” will provide additional secondary treatment processes. According to a postcard from the SSLOCSD, the District has evaluated the need for a project since 2005 that would construct and operate additional or redundant secondary treatment processes at the District WWTP. In 2010, the Board of Directors (Board) for the SSLOCSD held a public hearing and adopted a Resolution and Mitigated Negative Declaration allowing the Redundancy Project to move forward. In 2016, the Board approved a rate increase to support funding for the project as well as initiated the Item 9.j. - Page 1 CITY COUNCIL CONSIDERATION OF SUBMISSION OF A LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR THE SOUTH SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY SANITATION DISTRICT’S REDUNDANCY PROJECT APRIL 25, 2017 PAGE 2 process for permitting and design. In September of 2016, the Board adopted a Resolution approving an Addendum to the Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Redundancy Project. The SSLOCSD has applied to the California Coastal Commission for a Coastal Development Permit that would allow the Redundancy Project to move forward and has requested letters of support from the local communities served by the WWTF. ANALYSIS OF ISSUES: Below is a portion of the description for the Redundancy Project provided by the SSLOCSD: Redundancy Project Description: The existing treatment plant cannot meet required effluent limits at the permitted design flow if the FFR or the secondary clarifier is out of service because there is no back-up, or redundant, unit for either process. Permit R3-2009-0046 anticipated the addition of redundancy infrastructure to be installed at this WTTF, and thus the primary feature of this overall project is to install this redundancy system so that major wastewater facility components can be removed from service for routine maintenance or repairs, or be shut down in case of mechanical failure or emergency, without risking violation of effluent permit limits. The addition of redundancy infrastructure does not add capacity to handle higher flows than currently permitted, and no additional treatment capacity is intended to be pursued by the District based on current plans and policies adopted by the member agencies and within the service area. The redundancy infrastructure includes the following:  Installation of two new activated sludge (AS) aeration basins, one new secondary clarifier, one new fixed film reactor (FFR) effluent pump station, one new waste activated sludge (WAS) thickening centrifuge, and modifications to the existing dewatering platform to accommodate the new centrifuge.  Installation of a new motor control center (MCC) building, which includes a new blower and electrical equipment.  Installation of associated development, including yard piping, instrumentation, power and control panels, electrical ducts, and control and power conduits. A copy of a January 2017 post card mailer about the project is attached to this staff report (Attachment 1). Below is the tentative project schedule: ESTIMATED SCHEDULE Mid-2017 Project Permitting Complete 2018 Project Design Complete 2019/20 Project Construction Complete Item 9.j. - Page 2 CITY COUNCIL CONSIDERATION OF SUBMISSION OF A LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR THE SOUTH SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY SANITATION DISTRICT’S REDUNDANCY PROJECT APRIL 25, 2017 PAGE 3 A copy of a letter of support for the Redundancy Project to the California Coastal Commission from the City of Arroyo Grande is included with this staff report. It is recommended that the City Council authorize the Mayor to sign the letter of support for the South San Luis Obispo County Sanitation District's Redundancy Project. ADVANTAGES: Letters of support from stakeholder groups and interested parties may assist in the project permitting and approval process through the California Coastal Commission. DISADVANTAGES: No disadvantages for this proposed action have been identified. ALTERNATIVES: The following alternatives are provided for the Council’s consideration: 1. Authorize the Mayor to sign the letter of support as drafted; 2. Direct modifications to the language of the letter of support and authorize the Mayor to sign; 3. Do not approve staff’s recommendation; or 4. Provide direction to staff. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW: No environmental review is required for this item. PUBLIC NOTIFICATION AND COMMENTS: The Agenda was posted at City Hall and on the City’s website in accordance with Government Code Section 54954.2. ATTACHMENTS: 1. Project Postcard Mailer Item 9.j. - Page 3 Item 9.j. - Page 4 Item 9.j. - Page 5 South SLO County Sanitation District ENSURING TREATMENT EFFICIENCY District Wastewater Redundancy Project Analysis In early 2016 the Board authorized the District to obtain consulting ser- vices to further analyze Project needs. During this time the District submitted California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) documentation and it was determined that the Project would have no significant impact on the environment. Board approval of the September Resolution declared that no further review for the Project was required. See schedule on the reverse side. Board Action Since 2005 the District has evaluated the need for a project that would construct and operate additional or redundant secondary treatment processes at the District WWTP. In 2010 the Board held a public hearing and adopted a Resolution for such a project. During 2015 and 2016 the Board pursued and approved funding for the project as well as initi- ated the process for permitting and design. In September the Board adopted a Resolution approving the District Long Range Secondary Treatment Process Redundancy Project. What is it? The District operates a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) that serves the communities of Arroyo Grande, Grover Beach, and Oceano. Currently the plant is permitted to treat and discharge 5 million gallons (dry weather), and 9 million gallons (peak wet weather) of domestic wastewater per day. Regulatory and industry standards, increased influent loading, and lack of redundant secondary treatment processes require the plant to upgrade its facilities so that existing secondary units can be removed from service when maintenance is required. For more information: www.sslocsd.org | info@sslocsd.us January 2017 South SLO County Sanitation District ENSURING TREATMENT EFFICIENCY District Wastewater Redundancy Project Analysis In early 2016 the Board authorized the District to obtain consulting ser- vices to further analyze Project needs. During this time the District submitted California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) documentation and it was determined that the Project would have no significant impact on the environment. Board approval of the September Resolution declared that no further review for the Project was required. See schedule on the reverse side. Board Action Since 2005 the District has evaluated the need for a project that would construct and operate additional or redundant secondary treatment processes at the District WWTP. In 2010 the Board held a public hearing and adopted a Resolution for such a project. During 2015 and 2016 the Board pursued and approved funding for the project as well as initi- ated the process for permitting and design. In September the Board adopted a Resolution approving the District Long Range Secondary Treatment Process Redundancy Project. What is it? The District operates a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) that serves the communities of Arroyo Grande, Grover Beach, and Oceano. Currently the plant is permitted to treat and discharge 5 million gallons (dry weather), and 9 million gallons (peak wet weather) of domestic wastewater per day. Regulatory and industry standards, increased influent loading, and lack of redundant secondary treatment processes require the plant to upgrade its facilities so that existing secondary units can be removed from service when maintenance is required. For more information: www.sslocsd.org | info@sslocsd.us January 2017 ATTACHMENT 1 Item 9.j. - Page 6 ESTIMATED SCHEDULE Mid-2017 Project Permitting Complete 2017 Project Design Complete 2018 Project Construction Complete More information on the other side. South SLO County Sanitation District 1600 Aloha Place, Oceano, CA 93445 805 489-6666 | info@sslocsd.net www.sslocsd.org Presorted Standard US Postage Paid 1600 Aloha Place Oceano, CA 93445 South SLO County Sanitation District ENSURING TREATMENT EFFICIENCY District Wastewater Redundancy Project ESTIMATED SCHEDULE Mid-2017 Project Permitting Complete 2017 Project Design Complete 2018 Project Construction Complete More information on the other side. South SLO County Sanitation District 1600 Aloha Place, Oceano, CA 93445 805 489-6666 | info@sslocsd.net www.sslocsd.org Presorted Standard US Postage Paid 1600 Aloha Place Oceano, CA 93445 South SLO County Sanitation District ENSURING TREATMENT EFFICIENCY District Wastewater Redundancy Project To hear or learn more on how you can participate in future discussions and decisions on this Project please contact us at: To hear or learn more on how you can participate in future discussions and decisions on this Project please contact us at: Item 9.j. - Page 7 THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK