Sriram Iyer
341-5729
STATE WATER RESOURCES CONTROL BOARD
BOARD MEETINGWORKSHOP S SESSION -- DIVISION OF CLEAN WATER PROGRAMS
FEBRUARY 15JANUARY 31FEBRUARY 7, 2001
ITEM 3
SUBJECT
REQUEST BY BY THE CITY OF PLYMOUTH (CITY) TO APPROVE THE USE OF AN INCOME SURVEYINCREASE THEIR SMALL COMMUNITIES GRANT (SCG) ELIGIBILITY PERCENTAGE; PROJECT NO. SCG-642-010
DISCUSSION
The City of Plymouth (City) is currently fundable, in Category B, on the SCG Priority List for their $446,000 proposes to effluent storage pond retrofit their existing effluent storage pond at an project. estimated cost of $446,000. Based on the 1990 Census, the City’s Median Household Income (MHI), adjusted to 1996, is $31,220. Based on the funding percentage formula in the SCG Implementation Policy (Policy), the City’s funding eligibility is 53 percent. The City performed an income survey consistent with the United States Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development (USDA-RD) program guidelines, in October 1995 showing an MHI of $24,000. Based on this new MHI and the Policy’s funding percentage formula, the City’s eligibility is 81.65 percent. The State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) denied the City’s request to use the 1995-income survey in October 1997 with Resolution 97-096. The City has recently requested the SWRCB to reconsider their 1995-income survey, under the new SCG Program, to allow an increased funding percentage.The project is contained on the adopted Small Communities Grant (SCG) Project Priority List and is eligible for grant funding.
The Division of Clean Water Programs (DCWPivision) recommended the SWRCB deny the City’s 1997 request, because DCWPivision believed that the City’s boundaries coincided with the 1990 Census boundaries and approval would set a precedent allowing other communities an alternative to lower their MHI. Subsequently, the City provided information explaining that The City has requested that the Division of Clean Water Programs (DCWP) use a Median Household Income (MHI) survey approved by the United States Department of Agriculture, Rural Development (USDA-RD) in lieu of the updated 1996 MHI figures extrapolated from the 1990 Census data.
The Small Community Grant (SCG) Priority List indicates that the City's 1996 MHI based on U.S. Census data is $31,220. The income survey approved by USDA-RD on August 21, 1997 yields a 1996 MHI estimate of $24,000. Changing the MHI to $24,000 would increase the City's SCG from $236,737 to $364,159 (an increase of $127,422) based on an estimated project cost of $446,000.
The DCWP denied the City's request by letter dated August 8, 1997 based on Section II. Definitions of the SCG Policy. Section II. provides for the use of an income survey for communities which are not a city, town, or census designated place. The City appealed the DCWP decision by letter dated August 25, 1997 and asserts that it cannot pursue assistance from the SCG Program without receiving a larger grant. Additionally, the City asserts that the MHI gathered during the survey is representative of City’s income levels.
The rationale for the request is that the MHI information for the City from the 1990 Census data were was extrapolated from Amador County’s Income income information and is not representative of the City’s household incomes. Additionally, data collected during theThe 1995 Income income survey was conducted exclusively within the City’s boundaries and a response of 83 percent was obtainedis. Because the City’s 1990 Census boundary does not strictly coincide with its actual boundary, the SCG Policy allows an income survey to accurately reflect a community’s MHI. more current, and therefore more accurate than data extrapolated and adjusted from 1990 Census information.
Approval of the City’s request may allow the City to pursue completion the project and come into compliance with the Regional Water Quality Control Board’s requirements. Copies of correspondence on this issue are contained in Exhibit A.
POLICY ISSUE
Should the SWRCB approve the use of the October 1995 Iincome sSurvey submitted by the City for the proposed project construction?
RWQCBRWQCB IMPACT
Approval of this request will allow the City to pursue completion the project and come into compliance with the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board’s requirements.
None
FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of this item would will increase the City’s grant funding funding to the City by an estimatedfrom $236,737 to $364,159 $127,422.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
That the SWRCB adopt a resolution approving the request by the City of Plymouth to use their October 1995 an iIncome Survey.
(Attachment not available electronically but can be obtained by calling Sriram Iyer at (916) 341-5729.)
Policy Review ______
Legal Review ______
Fiscal Review ______
DRAFT
STATE WATER RESOURCES CONTROL BOARD (SWRCB)
RESOLUTION NO. 2001 - ___
REQUEST FROM THE CITY (CITY) OF PLYMOUTH (SCG NO. 642-010) TO APPROVE THE USE OF AN INCOME SURVEY
WHEREAS:
1. 1. The Implementation Policy for the Small Communities Grant Program was adopted by the State Water Resources Control BoardSWRCB adopted the Policy for Implementing the Small Communities Grant Program on April January 3023, 1997, amended on April 30, 1997, and amended and reauthorized on June 15, 2000;
2. The SWRCB adopted the SCG Priority List on August 17, 2000, which included the City’s project in Priority Class B;
3. The City’s 1990 Census information was extrapolated from the County’s information and does not represent the City’s true Median Household Income (MHI)MHI;
4. 2. The City of Plymouth (City) conducted a MHI Median Household Income (MHI) survey approved by theconsistent with the United States Department of Agriculture’s, Rural Development program guidelines, which shows showing a 1996 MHI of $24,000; and.
5.
6. The City contends that the Census based MHI for the City was extrapolated from the County’s information and does not represent the City’s true MHI;
7. The City also contends that the City’s survey information is more current and therefore more accurate than data adjusted from the 1990 Census information.
8. 4. The City requests that the State Water Resources Control BoardSWRCB allow it tothe use of the 1995 an income survey. in lieu of the current census based MHI estimate; and
9. The City asserts that they will be unable to pursue a Small Community Grant without additional grant assistance.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
The State Water Resources Control Board approves the City's request to use the1995 income survey.
CERTIFICATION
The undersigned, Administrative Assistant to the BoardSWRCB, does hereby certify that the foregoing is a full, true, and correct copy of a resolution duly and regularly adopted at a meeting of the State Water Resources Control Board held on February 15, 2001.
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/s/
Maureen Marché
Administrative Assistant to the Board
Maureen Marché
Administrative Assistant to the Board