HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 04091985 - 2.6 TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
FROM: Phil Batchelor, County Administrator Contra
4i) Costa
DATE: April 1, 1985 County
SUBJECT: LAFCO Letter Regarding Provision of Treated Water for the
Community of Knightsen
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATION(S) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
RECOMMENDATIONS
1 . Authorize the Health Services Department to submit a grant
application to the State Department of Health Services for
funding of a water system in the community of Knightsen.
2. Authorize county staff to initiate actions toward establishment
of a county service area for administration of the grant and for
the development and operation of the water system.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
State Department of Health Services preapplication procedures indicate
that $623 ,000 may be available for the development of a water system
in the community of Knightsen. After submittal of an application, and
receipt of a commitment for grant funding, administrative costs
including those required for establishment of a county service area
are chargeable to the grant. The only costs anticipated, therefore,
may be some interim administrative expenses of a few hundred dollars
and staff time of personnel in the Health Services Department and
Public Works Department for initial actions such as preparation of the
grant application.
BACKGROUND
On February 19 , 1985 , a communication was directed to the County
Administrator from Tom Torlakson, Chairman, Local Agency Formation
Commission, advising that the County Health Services Department had
discovered nitrate contamination in acquifiers conveying water to
wells in the Knightsen area, and suggesting that an exploratory
meeting be called to examine solutions to the problem. Concerned
county staff were called together and a determination made that the
problem appears to require construction of a community water system,
that grant funds may be available for this purpose, but also that a
public agency is required for administration of the grant and for
future operation and maintenance of the water system.
Ci
CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: YES SIGNATURE:
RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
APPROVE OTHER
SIGNATURE(S)
ACTION OF BOARD ON April 9, 1985 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED X OTHER
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
X UNANIMOUS (ABSENT > 1 HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE
AYES: NOES: AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN
ABSENT: ABSTAIN: AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD
OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN.
County Administrator
CC: Health Services (Environ. Health)TTESTED ZtA � 9 X985
County Counsel Phi!11afthelor, Clerk of the Board of
LAFCO &Wryer and County AdminotraW
Public Works Director
M382/7-83 BY DEPUTY
-2-
It was determined additionally that nitrates are primarily a problem
for infants , but that bacteria had also been found in the well water
serving that area. In the Knightsen community there are approximately
30 residences all served by relatively shallow (under 100 foot) wells.
A new deep well ( 300 feet) has been developed for the Knightsen School
and produces water meeting all standards.
A preapplication to the State Department of Health Services indicates
that an allocation of $623 , 000 may be available to the Knightsen
community to upgrade its water system for the protection of the public
health. The grant application, however, must be submitted by a public
agency. Establishment of a county service area as a funding mechanism
would appear to be appropriate inasmuch as the area of benefit is
limited. The residents of the area have submitted to Supervisor
Torlakson an informal petition indicating support for a mechanism,
assessment district or service area, to pay for the local costs of
such a system. Actions which are required to remedy the problem
include the following:
1. Submittal of an application to the State to ascertain the
availability of grant funding; this action can be initiated
through the Health Services Department.
2 . A finding that the informal petition submitted to Supervisor
Torlakson shows a willingness on the part of the community to
support a community water system.
3 . Initiation of actions such as defining the boundaries of a county
service area, and upon receipt of a Letter of Commitment for
grant funding, the filing of a petition by the Board of
Supervisors with LAFCO for the establishment of an appropriate
"M" (Miscellaneous) county service area.
4 . On receipt of a Letter of Commitment for grant funding, referral
of the matter to Public Works for the development of engineering
proposals from qualified firms for a solution to the problem.
5 . On receipt of a satisfactory proposal, initiation of required
implementing actions by the Public Works Department.
Submittal of the required grant application by the 1st of May is
required and, therefore, action should be taken promptly.