City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: MARCH 1, 2022
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER /s/
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of a Resolution to Support Two Grant Applications to the Virginia Community Flood Preparedness Fund Program. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]
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ISSUE: Should the City submit two grant applications to the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) to support matching grants supporting the City’s Flood Action program?
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
(1) Approve the attached resolution to support the FY 2022 Virginia Community Flood Preparedness Fund (CFPF) grant applications; and
(2) Authorize the City Manager to submit this resolution and enter into any agreements that may be required to receive these funds should the requested allocation be approved.
BACKGROUND: The Virginia Community Flood Preparedness Fund (CFPF), managed by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) was established to provide support for regions and localities across Virginia to reduce the impacts of flooding, including flooding driven by climate change. The Fund will prioritize projects that are in concert with local, state, and federal floodplain management standards, local resilience plans, and the Virginia Coastal Resilience Master Plan. The Fund will empower communities to complete vulnerability assessments and develop and implement action-oriented approaches to bolster flood preparedness and resilience.
Solicitations for funding have been extended multiple times each fiscal year, with money coming from the auction of carbon allowances through the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). The City was successful in the first and second rounds and received awards for the September 3, 2021 and November 5, 2021 solicitations. This third-round solicitation is due by April 8, 2022. Projects must be completed no later than 36 months from the date of an executed agreement.
DISCUSSION: Staff proposes two projects as candidates for funding: 1- Mount Vernon and Edison Dual Corrugated Metal Pipe (CMP) Replacement and 2- Inlet Capacity and New Inlet Program.
On-the-ground investigations in Arlandria identified the Mount Vernon and Edison Dual CMP Pipe Replacement as a project candidate for this grant funding. The project will replace existing, deteriorating, undersized dual corrugated metal pipe leading from Mt. Vernon Avenue, under the Potomac West Apartments and leading to the outfall east of Edison Street. The pipes will be replaced with a larger culvert to safely convey large flows of water to an outlet, thereby mitigating flooding in this area.
Citywide investigations identified a strategy to improve drainage through increased stormwater inlet capacity by enlarging exiting inlets and building new inlets leading to pipes with adequate conveyance capacity. This allows for more surface runoff to enter the pipe system and mitigate flooding. The Inlet Capacity and New Inlet Program will identify, design, and implement needed increases to the storm sewer inlet capacity for various neighborhoods. The program approach is portable to address inlets in various neighborhoods.
FISCAL IMPACT: The grants, if approved by DCR, would cover 50% of the total estimated project cost for each project. The total project cost of the Mount Vernon and Edison Dual Corrugated Metal Pipe Replacement is estimated at $2.5 million with 50% of the funding (or $1.25 million) being requested from the Fund and 50% or $1.25 million being the cost-share funded by the City through the FY 2022 Stormwater Management CIP under the Storm Sewer Spot Improvement program. The total project cost of the Inlet Capacity and New Inlet Program is $1.528 million with 50% of the funding (or $764,000) being requested from the Fund and 50% or $764,000 being the cost share funded by the City through the
FY 2022 CIP Stormwater Sewer Spot Improvement program. The net effect or savings from the grant funds will be used to offset planning for another stormwater project after consultation with the Stormwater Ad Hoc Advisory Group.
ATTACHMENT: Resolution
STAFF:
Emily A. Baker, Deputy City Manager
Yon Lambert, Director, Transportation and Environmental Services (T&ES)
Morgan Routt, Director, OMB
Terry Suehr, Director, Project Implementation
Daniel Medina, Flood Program Manager, Project Implementation
William J. Skrabak, Deputy Director, T&ES, Infrastructure and Environmental Quality
Jesse E. Maines, Division Chief, T&ES, Stormwater Management
Arthur Wicks, Capital Improvement Program Manager, OMB
Tarrence Moorer, Division Chief, T&ES, SMS