Title
Approval of a Resolution Authorizing a Grant Application for the Mitigating Coastal Flood Risks to Storm and Wastewater Systems Project
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve a Resolution authorizing a grant application for the Mitigating Coastal Flood Risks to Storm and Wastewater Systems Project.
Report
Issue:
Whether t to approve a Resolution authorizing a grant application for the Mitigating Coastal Flood Risks to Storm and Wastewater Systems Project.
Staff Contact:
Susan Clark, Engineering and Planning Supervisor, Public Works Water Resources and Drinking Water Utility, 360.753.8321
Presenter(s):
None - Consent Calendar Item.
Background and Analysis:
The Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities Capability and Capacity Building grant program funds initial project scoping and feasibility projects that once constructed increase resilience and public safety, reduce injuries and loss of life, and reduce damage and destruction to property, critical services, facilities, and infrastructure. It is a cost-share grant, with 75 percent federal funds and 25 percent local funds. The State of Washington is expected to provide half of the non-federal portion.
Downtown Olympia is the economic and cultural hub of the Thurston region, and it contains vital infrastructure such as the Budd Inlet Wastewater Treatment Plant (BITP), operated by LOTT Clean Water Alliance (LOTT). The BITP is at risk from wastewater and stormwater runoff entering a combined sewer system routed to the treatment plant. Increased peak flows in the combined system, due to increasing precipitation intensity and sea level rise, could exceed the plant’s capacity, resulting in localized backups into buildings, discharge of untreated or partially treated wastewater into Budd Inlet, and disruption of biological treatment processes.
In December 2022, Olympia experienced its highest tide ever recorded, leading to road closures and the deployment of temporary flood control measures to safeguard the BITP and combined sewer system. With only a 12-inch increase in sea level rise (anticipated by 2050), a 100-year flood event could occur downtown every other year. Reducing peak flows to the BITP is a critical hazard mitigation and climate resilience strategy, identified by the Thurston County Hazard Mitigation Plan, Olympia Sea Level Rise Response Plan (SLRP), the Olympia Storm and Surface Water Management Plan and the Olympia Wastewater Management Plan.
The grant proceeds will be used to evaluate the feasibility of separating portions of the combined sewer system and integrating green infrastructure to reduce peak flows to the BITP. The work will be coordinated with LOTT and the Squaxin Island Tribe to prioritize future peak flow reduction projects.
As part of the grant application, the Mayor must sign the form called “Resolution Designating Applicant Agent,” which allows the City Manager and Public Works Director to sign the required grant documents in the future.
The grant sub-application is expected to be due in early February 2024, revised from an original due date of December 13, 2024.
Climate Analysis:
This feasibility and analysis project is not expected to have an impact on greenhouse gas emissions but rather could lead to a future construction project that would reduce peak flows into the Budd Inlet Treatment Plant to mitigate for increased flooding due to sea level rise thereby increasing Olympia’s resilience to climate change.
Equity Analysis:
Obtaining a Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities Capability and Capacity Building grant to fund 75 percent, not including the State of Washington’s 12.5 percent local cost-share commitment of this feasibility project will benefit all City of Olympia Storm and Surface Water and Wastewater Utility rate payers by allowing the Utilities to leverage limited resources for other projects.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
The goal of the proposed project is to evaluate the feasibility of separating portions of the combined sewer system and integrating green infrastructure to reduce peak flows into the Budd Inlet Treatment Plan to mitigate for increased flooding due to sea level rise. This project is included in the Olympia Sea Level Rise Plan as well as management plans developed for both the Storm and Surface Water and Wastewater Utilities. Community outreach and support for adoption occurred during the development of each.
Financial Impact:
The total project cost is estimated at $950,000. The maximum federal share is 75 percent of the total eligible costs. The minimum non‐federal cost share is 25 percent. The City’s up to 25 percent match ($237,500) will be covered by the Storm and Surface Water and Wastewater Utilities.
Options:
1. Approve a Resolution authorizing a grant application for the Mitigating Coastal Flood Risks to Storm and Wastewater Systems Project. This will allow the Storm and Surface Water and Wastewater Utilities to apply for a State of Washington Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities Capability and Capacity Building grant by the deadline and, if funded, implement the project in 2025-2027.
2. Decline the Resolution authorizing a grant application for the Mitigating Coastal Flood Risks to Storm and Wastewater Systems Project. Staff would not apply for a State of Washington Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities Capability and Capacity Building grant. Instead, an alternative source of funding, such as storm and surface water and wastewater utility rates, will be required for the project.
3. Take other action.
Attachments:
Resolution
Resolution Designating Applicant Agent