Report to Mayor and City Council
Thursday, October 14, 2021
Discussion
SUBJECT:
Title
CONSIDER THE ADOPTION OF THE AMENDED RESOLUTION NO. 21-136 DECLARING A PUBLIC NUISANCE DUE TO FOUL ODOR FROM DOMINGUEZ CHANNEL AND ITS NEGATIVE IMPACTS ON RESIDENTS LIVING WITHIN ITS CLOSE PROXIMITY
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I. SUMMARY
Between October 4 and October 11, 2021, the City of Carson and Los Angeles County received more than 1,000 complaints from residents regarding a foul “rotten egg-like” odor emanating from the Dominguez Channel located near the intersection of the 405 Freeway and Avalon Boulevard in the City of Carson.
The Carson City Council held a Special City Council meeting at 4:30 p.m. on October 11, 2021 and approved the adoption of a Resolution declaring a public nuisance due to the foul odor from the Dominguez Channel and its negative impacts on residents living with close proximity.
This item transmits an updated Resolution (Exhibit 1) that incorporates the City Council’s direction from the October 11 meeting as noted below.
• City staff shall (1) assist City residents in contacting the County to receive appropriate mitigation measures offered by the County, and (2) work with any and all interested Adversely Affected Residents to provide the following mitigation, as appropriate until October 31, 2021 or the public nuisance is abated and to seek reimbursement from the County:
o Upon request, City shall assist any senior citizens or disabled residents with either delivery of County approved masks and County approved filtration systems or assistance with acquisition of same subject to reimbursement from the County.
o Upon request and income qualification proof deemed appropriate by the City, the advancement of payment for necessary and reasonable costs for acquisition of County approved masks and County approved filtration systems to be reimbursed to the City by the County immediately.
The Dominguez Channel is under the jurisdiction of the Los Angeles County Flood Control District within the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works. Los Angeles County and the City of Carson are continuing to work in conjunction to mitigate the impacts of this event on the community as detailed below.
II. RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
1. WAIVE further reading and RATIFY Resolution No. 21-136 “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARSON, CALIFORNIA, DECLARING A PUBLIC NUISANCE DUE TO FOUL ODOR FROM DOMINGUEZ CHANNEL AND ITS NEGATIVE IMPACTS ON RESIDENTS LIVING WITHIN ITS CLOSE PROXIMITY” which was adopted on October 11, 2021.
2. DISCUSS and PROVIDE any further direction
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III. ALTERNATIVES
TAKE another action the City Council deems appropriate and that is consistent with applicable laws.
IV. BACKGROUND
The South Coast Air Quality Management District and Los Angeles County HazMat, among other public agencies, responded to the incident and performed air quality testing. The test results show that the odor is due to a release of hydrogen sulfide (“H2S”) gas and show that the maximum concentrations of H2S detected are high enough to cause irritation to the nose and lungs, but not high enough to cause permanent or long-term health effects.
As of October 11, 2021, the regulatory agencies investigating the release have not determined its source and the investigation remains ongoing.
The City of Carson is continuing to address the needs of the community by taking the following actions to mitigate the impacts of the foul odor:
• Supporting the transmission of information and resources to schools within the community to ensure children are protected,
• Offering special assistance to sensitive populations in the community including seniors and the disabled with the delivery of County approved resources,
• Securing resources for the City to provide immediate assistance to residents needing temporary lodging and air filtration systems,
• Coordinating through the City Attorney’s Office to implement a reimbursement agreement between the City and the County to expedite the flow of resources to the community, and
• Seeking clarity on relocation benefits by the County and hope to have an update for the Council and residents at the meeting on October 14, 2021.
Los Angeles County Public Works is working to identify ways to address conditions within the channel, reduce the odor, and determine how long this event may last. However, until the odor event subsides, the Los Angeles County Public Health Department recommends preventing outdoor odors from entering the home by keeping doors and windows closed as much as possible while odors are present.
Residents are advised to view up-to-date information by visiting www.lacounty.gov/emergency and seeking reimbursement from Los Angeles County for the purchase of HVAC air filters, portable air filters, or temporary relocation during this public health nuisance event by calling Los Angeles County at (626) 300-2644. At this time, specified details for the reimbursement amounts are not available. Staff is continuing to stay in communication with Los Angeles County to confirm information and share once available. The reimbursement form can be located on www.lacounty.gov/emergency or by calling: (626) 300-2650.
Los Angeles County Public Works officials will be at the Carson Community Center (3 Civic Plaza Drive, Carson, CA 90745) from 7:30am to 6:30pm 7 days a week to provide constituents with reimbursement forms, walk them through the reimbursement process and help them complete the paperwork. Public Health officials will also be available to answer constituent's health questions.
To report odors like “rotten egg” or “sulfur”, you can report them online with South Coast Air Quality Management District at www.aqmd.gov/home/air-quality/complaints, or by telephone at 800-CUT-SMOG (800-288-7664). For more information on protective measures to prevent odors from entering the home, please contact the Public Health Community Line at (626) 430-9821 and leave a message with your contact information. The message line will be checked every hour between 7:00 a.m. at 10:00 p.m. everyday while odors persist.
V. FISCAL IMPACT
The full fiscal impact of the foul odor event is currently unknown at the time of this writing. The City of Carson will seek full reimbursement from Los Angeles County for expenses incurred because of this event.
VI. EXHIBITS
Resolution No. 21-136 (Pgs. 4-6)
Prepared by: City Attorney's Office and City Manager's Office