Title
Report regarding adoption of a resolution accepting a grant from the San Francisco Bay Restoration Authority in an amount up to $595,000 for planning studies and community engagement of the Colma Creek Restoration and Adaptation Project and approving a grant agreement, and adoption of a resolution approving a consultant services agreement with Hassell Group and approving budget amendment number 22.007, . (Christina Fernandez, Assistant to the City Manager and Tony Rozzi, Chief Planner)
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RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council:
(1) Adopt a resolution accepting a grant from the San Francisco Bay Restoration Authority in an amount up to $595,000 for planning studies and community engagement of the Colma Creek Restoration and Adaptation Project and approving a grant agreement; and
(2) Adopt a resolution approving a consultant services agreement with Hassell Group and approving budget amendment number 22.007; an.
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BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
The lower reaches of Colma Creek have a history of flooding since the former Baylands were drained and built over with industrial development in the early stages of the City’s development. In 1964 the Colma Creek Flood Control Zone was established by the San Mateo County Flood Control District, which constructed flood control facilities that replaced the natural creek conditions for three miles upstream from the Bay. The project site spans along both sides of the creek from Linden Avenue to the Bay, including 7 pump stations owned and operated by the City of South San Francisco Department of Public Works. The site also includes the Caltrain corridor bridge, Highway 101 box culvert, four other vehicular bridges, and one pedestrian bridge.
On June 18, 2021, the San Francisco Bay Restoration Authority Governing Board authorized a grant of up to five hundred and ninety-five thousand dollars ($595,000) to the City of South San Francisco to prepare technical studies, undertake community engagement, perform design and engineering work, and develop a permitting plan that identifies required permits and anticipated CEQA determination for the Colma Creek Restoration and Adaptation Project (“the project”). The restoration and sea level rise adaptation actions are expected to expand marsh habitat, increase flood protection, and provide public access at the mouth of Colma Creek in South San Francisco.
The proposed project consists only of planning and design, with a significant focus on community engagement in the design process. In addition, to plan for community involvement in the future restoration work, the project includes creation of a test plant nursery and community education on restoration planting using that nursery. This design work builds upon the planning and community engagement of the Resilient South City project of 2017-2018, which was a part of the Resilient by Design Challenge that brought together local residents, public officials and local, national and international expert teams to develop innovative community-based solutions to sea level rise, severe storms, flooding and earthquakes throughout the bay area. Further design concepts and community engagement continued after the Resilient by Design Challenge as the “Colma Creek Connector” project from 2019-2020.
The project proposes to address Bay shoreline landscapes at the mouth of Colma Creek, as well as the tidal reaches of Colma Creek, by exploring the feasibility of each element below for integration into the final design:
• New tidal marsh at creek edges and expanded creek section from the Caltrain corridor all the way to the Bay, creating critical habitat for the Ridgway’s rail (and other species), while also reducing flood risks and risks from projected sea-level rise;
• A seepage slope or wetland for treatment of stormwater discharged into the creek at two key pump stations, building upon lessons learned from similar past projects;
• Public access under Caltrain & under 101 through adapting a Union Pacific Railroad right-of-way that connects all the way to the Bay Trail;
• Bay shoreline restoration for expanded tidal marsh and boardwalk Bay Trail, designed to enable marsh migration and protection in the event of sea level rise;
• A new Bay Water Trail access site; and Mudflat and subtidal habitat enhancements.
The total project amount is estimated at $595,000 and there is not a required City match component.
San Francisco Bay Restoration Authority $595,000
Project Total $595,000
The City only became aware of this grant opportunity when Hassell Group and the San Mateo County Flood and Sea Level Rise Resiliency District approached staff about partnering on the application. Hassell Group provided a yearlong collaborative design challenge in its Resilient by Design work bringing together local residents, public officials and local, national, and international experts to develop innovative community-based solutions that will strengthen our region’s resilience to sea level rise, severe storms, flooding, and earthquakes. On the basis of those factors, staff and the City Attorney’s Office viewed this as substantially similar to a “sole source” circumstance, and staff did not undertake a request for proposals process to identify potential alternative consultants to perform this work.
FISCAL IMPACT
The total project cost is estimated at $595,000. There is not a required City match for this project and no known fiscal impact. All of Hassell’s fees will be paid for out of these grant funds.
RELATIONSHIP TO STRATEGIC PLAN
Acceptance of this grant meets the City’s strategic goals of providing top tier public parks, art and green spaces for our residents and community as well as a robust environmental sustainability program.
CONCLUSION
It is recommended that the City Council (1) adopt a resolution accepting a grant from the San Francisco Bay Restoration Authority in an amount up to $595,000 for planning studies and community engagement of the Colma Creek Restoration and Adaptation Project and approving the grant agreement, and (2) adopt a resolution approving a consultant services agreement with Hassell Group and approving budget amendment number 22.007.