Approve fourth amendment to Agreement No. 7676-2020-FLOODSAFE2.0 with the Yolo County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, increasing total compensation from $360,000 to $860,000 to develop and implement a comprehensive flood risk reduction and flood management strategy for the western valley floor portion of Yolo County and adopt budget resolution increasing Public Works budget by $500,000. (No general fund impact) (4/5 vote required) (Lindbo/Sabatini)

On June 4, 2019, the Board of Supervisors (Item #32) approved the FloodSAFE Yolo 2.0 program, a comprehensive effort led by the County and the Yolo County Flood Control and Water Conservation District (YCFCWCD) to develop and implement a comprehensive flood risk reduction and flood management strategy for the western valley floor portion of Yolo County. FloodSAFE Yolo was first undertaken in 2006 by the County, the City of Woodland, and YCFCWCD in response to major storm events in 2005/2006.  That original effort concluded after two years, but resulted in the development of several key technical reports, one of which led to the Lower Cache Creek Feasibility Study, a Study and proposed flood management project that the City is currently trying to implement.  

During January and February 2019, the western side of Yolo County experienced significant localized flooding.  This flooding situation is a recurring problem taking place almost every year when average or above average precipitation occurs. There is no formal comprehensive flood prevention and management strategy for the western side of Yolo County.  Instead, various agencies and landowners attempt individually to maintain drainages where feasible.  Additionally, annual meetings are held among government agencies to prepare for possible flooding.  When flood events occur, it becomes an emergency management exercise to contain the flooding where practicable and to detour and evacuate people otherwise. In June 2019, the Board and the Yolo County Flood Control and Water Conservation District jointly agreed to fund ($100,000 each, per year) and implement FloodSAFE Yolo 2.0. 

Mission Statement

The FloodSAFE Yolo 2.0 Program (FSY2.0) will minimize the risk from flooding in rural areas of Yolo County to the maximum extent possible. FSY 2.0 will focus upon areas that are not currently addressed by existing flood control programs managed by other entities.

Founding Principles

Since 2019, the FloodSAFE Yolo 2.0 effort has undertaken the following: 

The subject of this recommended action is the final bullet - the State Route 16 Flood Mitigation Analysis. This effort is funded by a grant from CALOES/FEMA.  Upon conclusion of the grant funded feasibility analysis for Highway 16 flood risk reduction projects, there remained a balance of $201,933.80 on the grant funding contract.  CalOES staff encouraged the County to undertake additional work on the project and expend the full grant amount.  

Staff Recommendation
The additional $500,000 will allow the proposed project to be taken from the feasibility analysis stage through 35% design and engineering, including additional hydraulic analysis, geotechnical investigations, and identification of potential environmental impacts.  This additional scope of work also includes robust public outreach, including fact sheets, online outreach, and open houses. Staff recommends that the Board approve Amendment #4 to the intergovernmental agreement with the Yolo County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, increasing the total agreement amount by $500,000, from a maximum of $360,000 to a new maximum of $860,000. The additional expenses will be paid from the existing CalOES/FEMA grant ($201, 933.80) and the Madison Flood Mitigation Fund ($298,066.20).  There is no general fund expenditure associated with this request.

Staff have collaborated with Yolo County Public Works, County Administrators Office, Madison CSD, Madison FPD, Yolo County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, and the Yocha DeHe Wintun Nation. 

Not applicable; the County proposes to amend the existing intergovernmental agreement with Yolo County Flood Control and Water Conservation District. The purpose of the agreement is to jointly fund, analyze, and implement flood risk reduction activities, consistent with FloodSAFE Yolo 2.0.