HomeMy WebLinkAbout07.a.2) (Handout) Additional Written AnnouncementsBoard Meeting of June 20, 207a•2
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Environmental Services
c) Mercury Spilled by Customer Arrives at Household Hazardous
Waste (HHW) Facility
On Saturday June 15, 2013, a customer from Walnut Creek arrived at the HHW facility
leaking mercury from plastic garbage bags that were in the back of her truck. The driver
told staff she had also spilled mercury on her concrete paver driveway, but cleaned it up.
Contra Costa County HazMat was contacted because staff was unsure how much
mercury was spilled on the road between Walnut Creek and Martinez. Since Saturday
was a warm day, HazMat assumed that any mercury that leaked out of the truck and onto
the road had vaporized.
Staff cannot confirm how much mercury actually spilled, but it appeared that an empty
pint container that was found in the bags had contained about 10 pounds. A large amount
of mercury was found at the bottom of the leaking garbage bags. Once the mercury and
contaminated debris were contained, it was weighed. Staff estimates that about seven
pounds of mercury were recovered.
The facility was closed for the day at about 2:30 p.m. to manage the spill. HazMat was
onsite until about 5:15 p.m. Approximately 57 customers had to be turned away from the
HHW facility during the hour and a half closure. No complaints were received.
Staff Updates
d) Recent Personnel Advancements
Chris Haisley and Greg Palmer have advanced to Pumping Stations Operator Ills in the
Collections System Operations Department, both effective June 18, 2013.
Treatment Plant
e) Prop 1 E Grant Funding Not Received on Joint Project with Contra
Costa County Flood Control District to Raise Height of Levees
Surrounding the Treatment Plant for Flood Protection
The Contra Costa County Flood Control District (FCD) approached the District in January
2013 to partner on a project to raise the height of levees surrounding the Treatment Plant
for flood protection up to a 500 -year storm event. On April 4, 2013, the Board of Directors
approved Resolution 2013 -008 to formally adopt the Integrated Regional Water
Additional Written Announcements
June 20, 2013
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Management Plan (IRWMP) in order to be eligible for Prop 1 E grant funding to cover 50
percent of the project cost. The District's role would be to provide information as needed
to the FCD, review design and bid documents, coordinate construction along the fence
line, and share in the estimated $2.2 million total project cost.
On June 13, 2013, the FCD notified District staff that the joint project did not receive
Prop 1 E grant funding. The joint FCD -CCCSD proposal received a score of 42. Scores
ranged from 22 up to 64, giving this proposal a rank of 17 out of 31 total projects. Of the
$90 million available, $58 million went to two large projects, which left very little for the
remaining projects. Only the top 10 projects received funding.
The consequence to the District will be that it could potentially cover half the project cost,
or $1.1 million, versus $550,000 had the grant been awarded. While disappointing, the
effort helped to increase the dialogue between the two districts and the overall awareness
of flood risk. The FCD would like to meet again with staff in August to review and discuss
the levees' flood protection levels and the District's level of participation going forward.
Staff will report back to the Board after this meeting takes place.