To: Board of Supervisors
From: Public Works
Agenda Section: Departmental
SUBJECT:
title
Expenditure Authorization for Humboldt County Flood Control District (Rohner Creek Sub-Zone 1-1)
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Adjourn as the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors and reconvene as the governing board of the Humboldt County Flood Control District;
2. Authorize payment of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000) from Fund 2840 to the City of Fortuna for reimbursement of costs incurred for post-construction monitoring and Federal Emergency Management Agency map revisions associated with the Rohner Creek Flood Control, Habitat and Seismic Improvement Project; and
3. Adjourn as the governing board of the Humboldt County Flood Control District and reconvenes as the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Humboldt County Flood Sub-Zone 1-1 Fund (2840)
DISCUSSION:
The Humboldt County Flood Control District was formed by the state legislature in 1945 for broad purposes, including, without limitation, control and conservation of flood and storm waters. The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors is designated as, and empowered to act as, the governing authority of the Flood Control District and Humboldt County Department of Public Works (“Public Works”) staff are designed as ex officio staff of the Flood Control District. Currently, the Flood Control District serves one ongoing function, which is to administer funds for flood-related projects in the Fortuna area. A sub-zone (known as Sub-Zone 1-1) of the Flood Control District was formed in 1956 for the watersheds of Rohner Creek and Strongs Creek in the Fortuna area. Approximately 0.6% of the property taxes collected within this sub-zone is directed to Fund 2840, where it accrues until a request is made, typically by the City of Fortuna, to fund specific flood-related projects.
On Sept. 6, 2016, the Humboldt County Flood Control District approved the City of Fortuna’s request for One Hundred Ninety Thousand Dollars ($190,000) to support the Rohner Creek Flood Control, Habitat and Seismic Improvement Project. The construction phase of this project is now complete. The project included channel widening, bank stabilization, culvert and bridge replacements, improving floodplain conveyance, riparian vegetation planting, and in-channel habitat improvements. The City of Fortuna is in the process of working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (“FEMA”) to revise the Flood Insurance Rate Map for the area, which will remove over fifty (50) properties from mandatory flood insurance requirements. The City of Fortuna also has ongoing monitoring and reporting requirements through the regulatory permits for the project.
The City of Fortuna submitted a request (Attachment 1) for the Humboldt County Flood Control District to authorize a payment of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000) from Fund 2840 to reimburse costs for post-construction monitoring and FEMA map revisions associated with the Rohner Creek Flood Control, Habitat and Seismic Improvement Project. Public Works recommends approval of this request.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
As of May 21, 2021, the available fund balance in Fund 2840 is Fifty Thousand Four Hundred Four Dollars and Forty Cents ($50,404.40). The City of Fortuna’s request for Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000) will leave a balance of Four Hundred Four Dollars and Forty Cents ($404.40). Recently Fund 2840 has accrued approximately Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000) per year. The proposed action will not impact the Humboldt County General Fund.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
The Recommended actions support the Board of Supervisors’ Strategic Framework by providing for and maintaining infrastructure and creating opportunities for improved safety and health.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
City of Fortuna
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board could choose not to approve the City of Fortuna’s reimbursement request. This alternative is not recommended because the City of Fortuna took the initiative to implement a complex, multi-year project to reduce flooding and improve stream habitat conditions within Rohner Creek, a project which the Board of Supervisors previously supported, and the City has ongoing financial needs associated with the project.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Letter from City of Fortuna dated May 18, 2021
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: H-2
Meeting of: 9/6/2016
File No.: N/A