Preparation of this 2019 Report cost $10,000, which was funded by FC District Funds. Implementation of the recommended action plans and assessment studies over the next ten years will cost approximately $4,000,000 to be funded by FC District and Flood Control Zone Funds, with ongoing efforts to offset expenses with grant funds.

On November 5, 2013, the FC District presented to the Board its first annual report on flood protection infrastructure in order to understand its history, condition, and future needs. Annually in February, starting in 2014, we presented the Board with the FC District’s Annual Report for the previous year. The 2019 Report is provided to update the Board on the FC District’s accomplishments in 2019 as well as future challenges and next steps.  
  
In summary, our community outreach events were successful, our capital programs made progress, and our studies of aging infrastructure and unsustainable service levels continued to highlight some major concerns, primarily regarding lack of funding.  
  
Highlights of 2019 include:  
  
· FC District staff visited Representatives at the State Capitol, educating about the need for stormwater funding.  
· The Lower Walnut Creek Restoration Project made significant progress in the design phase, reaching 95% plans. Grant awards of more than $9 million were received. Tours and outreach continued throughout the year.  
· The Three Creeks Parkway Restoration Project achieved completed design plans and finalized CEQA documents.  
· The FC District focused volunteer efforts at Kubicek Basin to remove invasive plants, arundo donax and dittrichia.  
· Students at Walnut Creek Intermediate School held a 5th annual “Stay Out, Stay Alive” assembly attended by both the County Fire District’s Swift Water Rescue Team and FC District staff.  
· The FC District completed a 7th annual “Giving Natives a Chance” community planting day, with over 50 volunteers planting about 5,000 creeping wild rye native grass plugs.  
· The FC District completed the agreement to receive a third round of funding from the Department of Water Resources in the amount of $374,000 (with no local match required) for surveying and modeling to determine the flood-stage elevation on our stream gauges.  
· Facility Condition Assessments for all FC District infrastructure are 75% complete with results indicating that that FC District facilities are in overall good condition.  
· The FC District with the Contra Costa Resource Conservation District hosted the 6th Quadrennial Contra Costa Creek and Watershed Symposium, celebrating work in the County’s watershed over the last 20 years.  
  
We continue working with the California State Association of Counties and the County Engineers Association of California to find legislative ways to improve funding for stormwater and flood protection services. After the passage of SB231 in 2017, some jurisdictions are planning to adopt a fee and charge property owners for stormwater services, relying on the exemption that water and sewer districts use in Proposition 218; however, they anticipate being sued to challenge the fee. We, like many other agencies, are cautiously moving forward on determining if SB231 could assist in creating sustainable funding to meet the FC District’s needs. We have discussed this with some water and sewer districts and did not receive a commitment to partner with us.  
  
The FC District will continue implementation of the action plans outlined in the original 2013 Annual Report. The key action for the next few years will be to focus on developing sustainable funding for regional flood protection and community drainage. For the full 2019 Report and past reports, visit www.cccounty.us/5815/Annual-Reports.  
  
Staff recommends that the Board accept the 2019 Report from the FC District, direct the Chief Engineer to continue with the action plans, with a follow-up report to this Board annually, and refer the effort to develop sustainable funding for regional flood protection and community drainage to the Transportation, Water and Infrastructure Committee.

If the Board does not accept the 2019 Report, the County’s flood protection and community drainage infrastructure issues may not be adequately addressed, which will lead to lower levels of flood protection for our communities in the future.