A key objective of the Rodeo Redevelopment program is to rehabilitate and upgrade public infrastructure in Downtown Rodeo and at the Rodeo Marina. The Agency has budgeted $4.7 million for Rodeo downtown/waterfront infrastructure improvements. The Rodeo Sanitary District (RSD) would be responsible for preparing preliminary engineering plans and a budget for sanitary sewer improvements that would be included in the larger program. The recommended action will provide the Rodeo Sanitary District with the necessary funds to accomplish the preliminary engineering studies related to the sanitary sewer improvement design. The Public Facilities Design Funding Agreement (the "Design Funding Agreement") provides $50,000 for the following tasks:  
  
  
Existing Information Review:  
Proposed Marina Layout   
Topography   
RSD Infrastructure   
  
Annexation of Marina:  
LAFCO requirements   
Other Agency Requirements   
Number and Type of Connections   
RSD Fee Requirements   
  
Sewage Conveyance:  
Evaluation of options (gravity flow vs. pumped)   
Costs for Options   
Cost/Benefit Analysis of Options  
Recommendation   
  
  
Pursuant to California Redevelopment Law the Agency may fund public improvements owned by another public agency with the consent of the Board, if the Board finds and determines that : (1) the public improvement will be of benefit to the project area, (2) no other reasonable means of financing the public improvement is available to the community, (3) the public improvement will assist in the elimination of one or more blighting conditions inside the project area; and (4) Agency assistance for the public improvement is consistent with the Agency’s current Implementation Plan. (Section 33445 of the Health & Safety Code).   
  
The Design Funding Agreement will help the RSD pay for the cost of the study of necessary sanitary sewer public improvements for the Rodeo Marina. The Design Funding Agreement will allow the RSD to accomplish the preliminary engineering studies related to the sanitary sewer improvement design. The necessary public improvements will benefit the Project Area by helping to spur the redevelopment of a site that is an integral part of the Project Area’s waterfront. The public improvements may lead to the renovation and expansion of the Rodeo Marina, thereby stimulating and expanding the existing uses in the waterfront.  
  
The RSD has conducted an analysis of its financial capability to fund the Design Funding Agreement and due to limited availability of general funds, the State’s budget crisis, and the RSD’s funding priorities, the RSD does not currently have sufficient funds to pay for the costs of the preliminary engineering studies related to the sanitary sewer improvement design. On December 8, 2009, the District’s Board of Directors met and approved a resolution making the required finding that the District has no other reasonable means of funding the public improvements.  
  
The study and future construction of sanitary sewer improvements in the Rodeo Marina will lead to the renovation and expansion of the Rodeo Marina Facilities to accommodate multiple uses, which may include: a restaurant, marine repair facility, boat docks, boat storage, boat launch, a new harbor master building, lodging, mixed use commercial, and public access. Restoration of the Rodeo Marina would stimulate redevelopment activities in the waterfront area by expanding the existing uses, thus eliminating blighting conditions in the Project Area.  
  
The funding of the Design Funding Agreement is consistent with the goals and objectives of the Agency’s current Implementation Plan, including the desire to create and implement a Downtown/Waterfront Improvement Program for the older and more historic section of the Project Area, and to initiate development planning processes for specific reuse sites in the Project Area.  
  
Therefore the recommendation includes two actions:  
  
1. As the legislative body for the County, the Board of Supervisors is consenting to the use of Redevelopment funds to pay for studies related to the sanitary sewer improvement design i of the Rodeo Sanitary District, and making the required findings pursuant to Section 33445. In making these findings the Board is, in part, relying on findings made by the Rodeo Sanitary District at its meeting of December 8, 2009; and  
  
2. As the Governing Board of the Redevelopment Agency making certain findings pursuant to Section 33445 of the Health and Safety Code, and approving and authorizing execution of the Design Funding Agreement (a separate Board Order is being submitted for this action).

If this contract is not authorized, the proposed scope of work will not be able to be accomplished.