Title
Adoption of Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute Four Grant of Easements and License Agreement to East Bay Municipal Utility District Across City-Owned Property; and to Execute Any and All Ancillary Documents and Directing the Recording of the Grant of Easements for the San Leandro Channel Crossing.
Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15304 (Minor Alterations to Land), no further environmental review is required. (Public Works 31041520)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Jennifer Ott, City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) seeks four grant of easements and a license agreement from the City of Alameda (City) for the installation of a new water transmission pipeline between Alameda and Bay Farm Island. The new water pipeline crosses two public parks and a City-owned parcel. Staff requests that City Council authorize the City Manager to execute the grant of easements, license agreement, and all ancillary documents and direct the recording of the grant of easements across the City-owned properties.
BACKGROUND
EBMUD provides water service to the City through four existing underwater pipeline crossings. Failure of any one of the crossings could reduce the level of service for existing customers and potentially reduce the water supply to the City since no EBMUD water reservoir facility exists within the City. EBMUD completed the Alameda-North Bay Farm Island Pipeline Crossings Project Environmental Impact Report (EIR) which included three new pipeline crossings with additional pipelines required to connect the crossing to the existing transmission system. On December 13, 2016, EBMUD’s Board of Directors certified the EIR and approved the project. The Oakland Inner Harbor Pipeline Crossing (Alameda Crossing No. 1) has been completed. The San Leandro Channel Crossing (Alameda Crossing No. 2) is the second crossing identified in the EIR and currently under design with construction anticipated in 2026. The San Leandro Channel Crossing will install approximately 2,200 feet of pipeline via horizontal directional drilling (HDD) under California State Route 61 and San Leandro Channel, plus approximately 4,000 feet of pipeline via open-trench method in Alameda along San Jose Avenue and Peach Street.
DISCUSSION
EBMUD’s new water main infrastructure will traverse through City-owned parcels at Towata Park (APN 74-955-88), a submerged portion of San Leandro Channel (APN 74-1040-1), Veterans Memorial Park (APN 74-1040-1), and Grand View Pavilion (APN 74-1040-3-21). All parcels of land are owned in fee by the City. An overview of proposed easements is shown in Exhibit 1.
EBMUD is requesting that the City dedicate water line easements where the new water main will be located on City-owned property. The first segment of easement is located within Towata Park (APN 74-955-88) and is 2,740 square feet, the second segment of easement is located within a submerged portion of San Leandro Channel (APN 74-1040-1) and is 7,750 square feet, the third segment of easement is located within Veterans Memorial Park (APN 74-1040-1) and is 7,690 square feet, and the fourth segment of easement is located within Grand View Pavilion (APN 74-1040-3-21) and is 1,950 square feet. The legal description and plat maps for the water line easements are attached to the Grant of Easement (Exhibit 2, 3, 4, and 5).
EBMUD further requires a Temporary Construction Easement (TCE) to be used for operating and staging of equipment on the Grand View Pavilion parcel and the use of public right-of-way for pipeline and equipment laydown. Prior to the start of construction, EBMUD is required to find an alternative location for the rideshare located in the Grand View Pavilion lot and provide an outreach plan for users of the rideshare, subject to City approval. The terms and conditions of the TCE is outlined in the License Agreement (Exhibit 6).
ALTERNATIVES
• Adopt the resolution to execute and record the grant of easements and license agreement to EBMUD (as recommended by City Staff).
• Do not adopt the resolution to execute and record the grant of easements and license agreement to EBMUD. This alternative will mean that EBMUD will not be able to complete the pipeline replacement project in the proposed alignment.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The City will receive $14,300 in compensation for granting the easements to EBMUD. This amount was determined by a licensed appraiser. The easement fee will be deposited to an easement revenue account in the General Fund (Fund 100). EBMUD is responsible for the installation costs of the new water main infrastructure.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This action is consistent with the Alameda Municipal Code. The action is consistent with the City Strategic Plan Priority to invest in transportation, infrastructure, economic opportunities, and historic resources through the rehabilitation of utilities which will increase resilience of our water system provided by EBMUD. This action is subject to the Levine Act.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
In accordance with CEQA, this action is categorically exempt from further environmental review pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15304 (Minor Alterations to Land).
CLIMATE IMPACT
There are no identifiable climate impacts or climate action opportunities associated with the subject of this report.
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute four Grant of Easements and License Agreement to EBMUD across city owned property; and to execute any and all ancillary documents and directing the recording of the Grant of Easements for the San Leandro Channel Crossing.
Respectfully submitted,
Erin Smith, Public Works Director
By,
Kan Xu, Senior Engineer
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Ross McCarthy, Finance Director
Exhibits:
1. Overview of Proposed Easements
2. Grant of Easement
3. Grant of Easement
4. Grant of Easement
5. Grant of Easement
6. License Agreement