REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Public Hearing: Action on Adopting a Resolution Approving the Update to the Sewer System Management Plan (SSMP) for the City of Santa Clara [Council Pillar: Deliver and Enhance High Quality Efficient Services and Infrastructure]
Report
BACKGROUND
The State of California has implemented a program for all sewer agencies to develop a Sewer System Management Plan (SSMP), which establishes the methods and programs to meet certain goals pertaining to the effective operation of sewer collection systems. In order to comply with the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) and California State Water Resources Control Board’s (“State Water Board”) requirement of updating the SSMP every five (5) years, staff has prepared an updated SSMP which contains all elements currently set forth by the State Water Board.
The updated SSMP is comprised of eleven major elements, including:
goals, organization, legal authority, operation and maintenance program, design and performance provisions, overflow emergency response plan, Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) control program, system evaluation and capacity assurance plan, monitoring, measurements and program modifications, SSMP program audits, and communication program. All elements are required by the State Water Board and ensure operational compliance by the City’s Sewer Utility. The SSMP serves as written documentation of how the City operates the sanitary sewer collections system. The SSMP was last approved by Council on March 25, 2014 (Resolution No. 14-8123).
DISCUSSION
This revised SSMP reflects updates to the City’s SSMP over the last five (5) years since the previous update. Additionally, this SSMP brings the following up to date: organizational structure changes, emergency contact information, FOG program, legal authority, operation and maintenance program, collection system maps, infrastructure, scheduled preventative collection system and pump station maintenance, sanitary sewer capacity improvement projects, staff training, enforcement response plan, Sanitary Sewer Overflow (SSO) trends, and key departmental and individual staff responsibilities related to the sewer system. The SSMP reflects the substantial work completed by staff to ensure that the entire collection system is assessed and repaired by March of 2021 as required by the Riverwatch Settlement Agreement. The SSMP includes a few appendices that have been updated, including enforcement response plan, sanitary sewer system index map, sewer equipment inventories, design standards, FOG program materials and handouts, and sewer utility budget. As a result of the continued implementation of the City’s SSMP, the City continues a robust preventive maintenance and capital program with very minimal SSOs. A copy of the updated SSMP and its eleven major elements with appendices are attached to this agenda report.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5) in that it is a governmental organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal or economic impact to the City other than administrative staff time.
COORDINATION
This report has been coordinated with the City Attorney’s Office.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov> .
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Adopt the Resolution to Approve the Update to the Sanitary Sewer Management Plan (SSMP).
Staff
Reviewed by: Gary Welling, Director, Water & Sewer Utilities Department
Approved by: Deanna J. Santana, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Sewer System Management Plan 2019 Update
2. Proposed SSMP Update Resolution