Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors, Acting as the Governing Board of the San Mateo County Flood Control District
From: James C. Porter, Director of Public Works
Subject: Financial Contribution to the San Francisquito Creek Joint Powers Authority for the 2018-19 Fiscal Year - South Bayside Area
RECOMMENDATION:
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Acting as the Governing Board of the San Mateo County Flood Control District, adopt a resolution authorizing a contribution of $185,000 to the San Francisquito Creek Joint Powers Authority from the San Francisquito Creek Flood Control Zone 2, which represents the San Mateo County Flood Control District’s contribution to support the Joint Powers Authority’s Operating Budget for FY 2018-19.
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BACKGROUND:
The Joint Powers Authority (JPA) was created in the wake of major flooding in February of 1998, when San Francisquito Creek (Creek) overtopped its banks; and provides a vehicle for coordinating the efforts of the multiple agencies whose constituents are affected by Creek flooding. The organization has been studying a variety of flood management and watershed protection programs in the Creek’s watershed.
In connection with this work, construction of the JPA managed capital improvement project between the San Francisco Bay and Highway 101 (Project) began during the summer of 2016. The JPA anticipates completing the Project in 2018. Construction of the Project has taken longer than originally anticipated and although construction funding was secured in June 2014 there have been unanticipated costs, which have not been finalized yet. Additionally, the JPA is continuing to pursue a project upstream of Highway 101 to alleviate upstream flooding conditions.
Your Board authorized execution of a Joint Powers Agreement in May 1999, between the San Mateo County Flood Control District, the Santa Clara Valley Water District, and the Cities of East Palo Alto, Menlo Park, and Palo Alto for the purpose of managing the joint contribution of services and providing policy direction on issues relating to the Creek.
Your Board has approved similar contributions to the JPA for each fiscal year since its formation.
DISCUSSION:
The five member agencies traditionally share equally in funding the JPA’s Operating Budget. The JPA Board of Directors approved the FY 2018-19 Operating Budget at their March 22, 2018 meeting, with the contribution from each agency being increased from $152,000 to $185,000, an increase of $33,000. The member agency contributions were last increased for FY 2015-16.
The San Francisquito Creek Flood Control Zone 2 (Zone) receives approximately $300,000 in property tax revenue annually from properties within the watershed. The revenue also funds staff time in connection with the JPA projects and the remaining funds are credited to the Zone’s fund balance. The Zone’s fund balance has been dedicated to fund JPA efforts for the Project including the environmental documents, design, and a portion of the construction costs. At the JPA Board of Directors meeting on March 22, 2018, the JPA Executive Director indicated that the increase in member agencies’ contributions is primarily due to increasing its operating reserve to 25% of its annual Operating Expenses and salary adjustments. Because the Zone’s revenue is limited, the Zone’s ability to fund additional JPA efforts and member agency contribution increases will also be limited.
County Counsel has reviewed and approved the resolution as to form.
Approval of this action contributes to the Shared Vision 2025 outcome of a Collaborative Community by ensuring that the JPA can continue their efforts to work collaboratively with their member agencies and residents on regional solutions to flooding associated with San Francisquito Creek.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The JPA’s FY 2018-19 Operating Budget is financed with contributions from the member agencies. The contribution by San Mateo County Flood Control District will be from the San Francisquito Creek Flood Control Zone 2 fund in the amount of $185,000.
There is no impact to the General Fund.