ITEM:		ACTION ITEMS
1.	AUTHORIZE EXPENDITURE OF BUDGETED FUNDS FOR CONTRACT TO INSTALL FITCH SCHOOL MONITOR WELL
Meeting Date:			October 5, 2009	Budgeted:	Yes
From:			Darby Fuerst,	Program/	Water Supply Projects
			General Manager	Line Item No.: 1-2-1 B. 1.
Prepared By:			Jonathan Lear	Cost Estimate:	N/A
General Counsel Review: Pending
Committee Recommendation: N/A
CEQA Compliance: Exempt. Installation of monitoring well for collection of scientific data is not a project under CEQA. Notice of Exemption has been filed with Monterey County.

SUMMARY: The proposed work included in this item entails construction of a new Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) monitoring well adjacent to the Fitch Middle School as part of the permanent monitoring well network for the Phase 1 ASR project. As referenced in the April 29, 2009 letter from the Regional Water Quality Control Board (Exhibit 1-A), this well is to serve as a component of ongoing water quality and depth to groundwater monitoring. Funding for the monitor well installation is included in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2009-10 budget. Results from construction of the new monitor well will also be used to assess the feasibility of constructing additional ASR wells at the Fitch school site as part of a Phase 2 ASR Project.

A formal request for bids has been solicited and the District is currently accepting sealed bids due by Friday October, 2 at 2:00 PM. Staff will present the bid results at the October 5, 2009 meeting. The District has secured a City of Seaside Use Permit for the construction and ongoing monitoring of the well, a City of Seaside Encroachment Permit to gain access to the well site through City lands, and a well drilling permit from the County of Monterey to install the well.

As a component of the agreement with Monterey Peninsula Unified School District, a sound wall will be required if school is in session during well drilling. This item is presented at this time to facilitate the drilling portion of this project over the week of October 12 – 16, 2009. Fitch School is on fall break over this week and if the drilling portion of this work, which is the most noise generating, can be completed in this time envelope, the District may be able to avoid the cost of erecting a sound wall at the site.

RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends the Board authorize execution of an agreement with a drilling contractor successfully responding to the District’s request for bids for this project, provided that the work can be conducted with funds in the FY 2009-10 budget.

BACKGROUND: Since the ASR testing program began in 1998, over 2,100 acre-feet of Carmel River System water have been diverted for recharge in the Seaside Basin. The Phase 1 component of the ASR project has been operational for the past 2 years and is designed for an annual average yield of 920 acre-feet. The District is required to prepare an annual monitoring report for the Regional Water Quality Control Board. The proposed Fitch School Monitoring Well is a component of the monitoring network and data collected from the well will be included in the annual reporting.

EXHIBITS

1-A April 29, 2009 letter from the Regional Water Quality Control Board

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