Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors, Acting as the Governing Board of County Service Area No. 11 (CSA 11)
From: Ann M. Stillman, Director of Public Works
Subject: Pescadero High School CSA 11 Water Line Extension Project (AR 5912, County Project No. PC027; Project File No. E51040000)
RECOMMENDATION:
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Acting as the Governing Board of County Service Area No. 11, adopt a resolution:
A) Adopting plans and specifications, including conformance with prevailing wage scale requirements, for the Pescadero High School CSA 11 Water Line Extension Project; and
B) Authorizing the Director of Public Works to call for sealed proposals to be received by Wednesday, April 16, 2025 at 2:00 p.m., in the office of the County Executive /Clerk of the Board of Supervisors; and
C) Authorizing the Director of Public Works to extend the call for bids and bid opening up to sixty (60) calendar days beyond the time and date originally set forth by the Board of Supervisors.
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BACKGROUND:
Pescadero Middle/High School (School) serves approximately 170 students in Grades 6 through 12. The School previously relied upon groundwater for its potable water needs. In 2017, the State Water Board Division of Drinking Water cited the School’s well for exceeding maximum allowed nitrate and coliform contaminant levels. The School currently relies on bottled water for human consumption needs. Past attempts to drill new wells have failed due to insufficient water quality and quantity on the property.
On January 16, 2024, the County of San Mateo (County) and the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) entered into an agreement (Agreement No. D2302015) for the funding amount of $4,191,330 from the Expedited Drinking Water Grant (EDWG) Program. Receipt of the
Expedited Drinking Water Grant requires that the County execute a Water Service Agreement with the La Honda-Pescadero Unified School District for the consolidation of the School and County Service Area No. 11 (CSA 11) water systems and complete the Pescadero High School CSA 11 Water Line Extension Project (Project) by March 2026.
On February 28, 2024, the San Mateo County Planning Commission approved the Coastal Development Permit to extend water service from CSA 11 to the School and the future County Fire Station No. 59 to be located adjacent to the School on School property (350-360 Butano Cut Off), in the unincorporated Pescadero area of San Mateo County.
On April 9, 2024, this Board adopted Resolution No. 080280 to execute an agreement with GHD for the provision of final engineering, grant management, and bid and construction phase services for the Project.
On September 18, 2024, the San Mateo Local Agency Formation Commission adopted Resolution Nos. 1326 and 1327 approving the Sphere of Influence amendment for CSA 11 and annexation by CSA 11 of the territory where the School is located at 350-360 Butano Cut Off (APN 087-053-010).
On February 11, 2025, this Board adopted Resolution No. 080911 which authorized the Water Service Agreement with the La Honda-Pescadero Unified School District for the consolidation of the School and CSA 11 water systems.
DISCUSSION:
Funding for planning and construction of the Project to serve the School is from the State Water Board Prop 1 Technical Assistance Funding Program and the Expedited Drinking Water Grant Program (EDWG Program). The EDWG Program is administered by the Division of Financial Assistance Office of Sustainable Water Solutions and utilizes a variety of state funding sources for drinking water infrastructure projects, including Prop 1, Proposition 68, the Safe and Affordable Drinking Water Fund, and the Budget Act of 2021. Location of the replacement Pescadero fire station and water line extension is a joint effort between the County, the La Honda-Pescadero Unified School District, the State Water Board, County Fire, and the Pescadero Community through multiple community meetings and builds upon the efforts of the Pescadero Fire Station Steering Committee.
The Project will extend the water supply pipelines of CSA 11 from their existing terminus on Pescadero Creek Road to the School in order to provide potable water to the School and the proposed County Fire Station No. 59, to be located on the School's property.
County Attorney has reviewed and approved the resolution as to form.
EQUITY IMPACT:
The lack of a reliable and safe drinking water source at the School creates a significant disparity that impacts students, faculty and the surrounding community. The School students are 66.3 percent Hispanic and 30.2 percent White, and 64 percent of students are eligible for free and reduced-price lunches, indicating that a high percentage of the Pescadero residents are people of color and have lower incomes than the County average. Access to safe and clean drinking water is a key necessity and a cornerstone of public health and well-being. Completion of this Project benefits the School, future fire station, and everyone who utilizes these public facilities.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The estimated construction cost of the Project is $2,500,000. Funding for this Project will be from the Expedited Drinking Water Grant Program of the State Water Board. The Project will initially be financed by Non-Departmental funds as the Expedited Drinking Water Grant Program funds are received on a reimbursable basis.
There is no impact on the General Fund.