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ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO FINALIZE A GRANT APPLICATION FOR THE BOATUS FOUNDATION ABANDONED AND DERELICT VESSELS PROGRAM
recommended action
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution to:
1. Authorize the City Manager to sign, apply for, and accept a BoatUS Foundation Abandoned Derelict Vessels (ADV) Program grant application up to $1,000,000.
2. Authorize the City Manager to finalize the grant application and all information submitted for consideration and to certify that the Municipal Utilities Department has and will provide up to $1,000,000 in non-federal cost-share funding and/or in-kind contributions specified in the grant funding plan.
3. Authorize the City Manager to certify the City has and will comply with all statutory and regulatory requirements related to any grant funds.
It is further recommended that the City Manager be authorized to take all necessary and appropriate actions to carry out the purpose and intent of this resolution.
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Summary
On May 22, 2024, the derelict, motor vessel (M/V) Aurora, sank in Little Potato Slough in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta near the end of Eight Mile Road. The sinking of the 294-foot ship caused a significant petroleum spill and other contamination into the waterway less than a mile from the City of Stockton’s Delta Water Treatment Plant Intake Pump Station (IPS). The IPS supplies raw water to the treatment plant that serves approximately 200,000 customers daily. The City of Stockton Municipal Utilities Department (MUD) operations staff immediately shut down the IPS to prevent contamination of the water supply, intake, and water treatment plant infrastructure. MUD operations relied on other sources of water supply for treatment and delivery to the service area.
The BoatUS Foundation Abandoned Derelict Vessels program is sponsored through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and provides grants to remove derelict vessels nationwide. In August, MUD submitted a notice of intent to apply to the BoatUS Foundation and was later invited to apply for a grant. A grant from this program would provide significant help to cover costs for in the removal effort.
If approved, this resolution will authorize the City Manager to take all actions, including signing, applying for, accepting, and finalizing the grant application and other documentation to receive up to $1,000,000 from the BoatUS Foundation ADV Program to help cover expended costs to remove, salvage, and dispose of the M/V Aurora. The removal of the vessel will prevent further contamination of the waterway and protect the quality of the City’s water supply, and the environment, into the future.
DISCUSSION
Background
The M/V Aurora sank less than a mile from the IPS. When notified of the spill, MUD operations staff shut down the IPS to prevent contamination of the water supply, intake, and water treatment plant infrastructure. As a result, MUD operations relied on other sources of water supply for treatment and delivery to the service area.
A Unified Command, including the California Department of Fish & Wildlife, U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office and the City, was established on May 23, 2024, to respond to the spill. The USCG, utilizing the National Oil Spill Trust Fund, contracted with Global Diving and Salvage Inc. to contain the spill, refloat the vessel, and remove petroleum and hazardous materials from the site.
By June 27, 2024, the USCG completed its role in pollution removal including 22,000 gallons of oily water, 3,100 gallons of household hazardous waste, and five 25-yard bins of debris from the vessel. Following the completion of the petroleum removal operation, the Unified Command was disbanded. However, access issues and debris prevented the removal of additional contamination that remains onboard the vessel.
In June 2024, the City Manager approved the MUD request for emergency procurement authorization for costs associated with the removal and salvage of the vessel in accordance with the City Manager Emergency Contract and Procurement Adminstrative Policy (17.05.150) and Stockton Municipal Code section 3.68.070. Under this procurement authorization, MUD hired marine contractors to monitor and maintain onboard sump pumps, fans and electrical generators to address interior air quality and water ingress to prevent possible sinking.
Present Situation
The MUD contracted with marine surveyors and contractors to prepare a disposal and salvage plan for the vessel. Once accepted by the USCG, the contractors will complete the plan based on a schedule approved by MUD. Given the complexity, scale of operation, and size of the M/V Aurora, disposal costs will be significant. The MUD has petitioned other local, state and federal agencies for possible financial assistance in the effort. In response, the State Lands Commission, under the Abandoned and Derelict Vessel Program, has committed to help in the salvage and disposal. In addition, the US EPA has been approached regarding specific materials abatement efforts.
The BoatUS Foundation Abandoned Derelict Vessels program is sponsored through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and provides grants to remove derelict vessels nationwide. In August, MUD submitted a notice of intent to apply to the BoatUS Foundation and was later invited to apply for a grant. A grant from this program would provide significant help in the salvage and disposal of the M/V Aurora.
If approved by the City Council, MUD staff will provide the BoatUS Foundation with all documentation needed to apply for up to $1,000,000 in grant funding from the ADV Program. The funding will be used to help recover expenditures incurred from removal and disposal of the M/V Aurora. The removal of the vessel will prevent further contamination of the waterway and protect the quality of the City’s water supply, and the environment, into the future.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
Grant funding will be available between FY 2024-25. Allocation of the grant funds will be appropriated in the Water Utility Federal Grant account. MUD will continue to work to recover all expended funds from possible responsible parties, organizations, and other State and Federal agency programs.
This action has no impact to the General Fund, or any other unrestricted fund.