To: Sonoma County Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Public Infrastructure
Staff Name and Phone Number: Johannes J. Hoevertsz, 707-565-2550
Vote Requirement: 4/5th
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Receipt of State Funding for Hazardous Materials Cleanup
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Adopt a Resolution authorizing a budget adjustment to the Fiscal Year 2022-23 Capital Projects Budget in the amount of $299,141, to reflect receipt of reimbursement from the State of California Water Resources Control Board (Water Board) for previously-completed contamination remediation work. (4/5th Vote Required)
end
Executive Summary:
The Sonoma County Public Infrastructure Department (SPI) is requesting adoption of a Budgetary Resolution increasing revenues and expenditure appropriations in the Haz Mat Management/Abatement Capital Projects budget by $299,141, to reflect receipt of reimbursement from the State of California Water Resources Control Board (Water Board) for previously-completed contamination remediation work.
Discussion:
Beginning in FY 2002-03, the County allocated funding to address hazardous materials remediation at County owned facilities. Funding for these activities continued until 2015-16 when other capital projects were prioritized and funding to the Capital Project hazardous materials budget was discontinued.
In 1996, two underground fuel storage tanks (UST) were removed from the former fuel station adjacent to the Agriculture Building at the County Government Center and evidence showed leaks and fuel contamination in the soil and groundwater. Remediation actions took place from 2006 to 2009 and after several years of active soil and groundwater monitoring, case closure was granted by the Water Board in 2012. These remediation costs were paid for from the Capital Project hazardous materials budget over a few years.
County submitted a request for cost reimbursement of remediation expenses through the State of California Water Resources Control Board’s Underground Storage Tank Cleanup Fund (USTCF) program. On February 15, 2023, the County received $299,141 in reimbursement.
The recommended action would allocate the State funds to be used for future costs of mitigating and abating hazardous materials (HazMat) and hazardous waste within County facilities. Staff plans to prioritize use of the funds for needs at Los Guillicos Campus.
Hazardous materials (“HazMat”) are present in various forms and degrees at most of the buildings and grounds at the County Government Center. These HazMat compounds include, without limitation, asbestos, lead, mold (from past water leaks), and petroleum-related constituents.
In prior years, funding was included in Capital project budget allocations, specifically for HazMat-related scopes including:
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• Obtaining regulatory permits - BAAQMD, SRFD, CalOSHA |
• Waste management and disposal |
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• Hazardous Materials Management |
• Facilities Operations Training |
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• Programs Admin. - IIPP, RPP, ATD |
• Accidental spill response |
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• Materials sample analyses database |
• UST & AST Management |
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• Stormwater Pollution Prevention |
• Internal consulting & Phase 1 prescreening |
Beginning in fiscal year 2015-16, funds were no longer allocated to dedicated HazMat activities; however, the need to perform these duties has continued and costs have been funded through the Capital Projects and Facilities Operations budgets.
Summary of staff expenses related to HazMat historically has been:
• FY 2016-2017 $ 96,204
• FY 2017-2018 $155,361
• FY 2018-2019 $ 69,369 1,2
• FY 2019-2020 $ 82,365 2
• FY 2020-2021 $ 53,771 2
• FY 2021-2022 $ 54,912 2
1- Safety & HazMat position eliminated & employee transferred to Capital Projects
2- Certain investigatory tasks incorporated in project’s’ scopes & outsourced.
Capital Projects and Facilities Operations’ Safety & HazMat programs have successfully provided regulatory compliance and minimized risk and liability. Continued effort is needed and quick response to corrective action is necessary to ensuring safety and mitigating liability. Establishing a budget for future HazMat related expense will help to assure ongoing regulatory compliance and responsive management to unplanned occurrences.
Strategic Plan:
N/A
Prior Board Actions:
None
Fiscal Summary
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Expenditures |
FY 22-23 Adopted |
FY23-24 Projected |
FY 24-25 Projected |
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Budgeted Expenses |
|
|
|
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Additional Appropriation Requested |
$299,141 |
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|
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Total Expenditures |
$299,141 |
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|
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Funding Sources |
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|
|
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General Fund/WA GF |
|
|
|
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State/Federal |
$299,141 |
|
|
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Fees/Other |
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|
|
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Use of Fund Balance |
|
|
|
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Contingencies |
|
|
|
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Total Sources |
$299,141 |
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Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
These funds may be used for a variety of hazardous waste removal projects, spill response, materials sample analyses, hazmat training, and addressing any unforeseen hazmat issues, including any that may arise during the completion of capital projects.
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
N/A
Attachments:
Budget Resolution
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None