Report to Mayor and City Council
Tuesday, September 06, 2022
Discussion
SUBJECT:
Title
CONSIDER APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION NO. 22-170 “RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARSON, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING A TRANSFER AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT AND CITY OF CARSON, AGREEMENT NO. 2021RPSSMB02 SAFE, CLEAN WATER PROGRAM - REGIONAL PROGRAM” TO RECEIVE $1,037,500 IN FUNDING OVER THE COURSE OF FIVE YEARS FOR THE OPERATIONS, MAINTENANCE, AND MONITORING OF THE CARSON STORMWATER RUNOFF AND CAPTURE PROJECT AT CARRIAGE CREST PARK
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I. SUMMARY
On July 19, 2016, the City of Carson (City) City Council approved Item No. 19 - the Stormwater Project Services Agreement with the County Sanitation District No. 2 of Los Angeles County (District) authorizing the Design and Construction Management of Project No. 1515 - Carson Stormwater Capture Facility at Carriage Crest Park.
On October 20, 2021, the Safe, Clean Water Program - Regional Program (SCW) awarded the City of Carson a total of $1,037,500 in funding over the course of 5 years for the operations, maintenance, and monitoring (O&M), of Carriage Crest Park. This funding provides a 100% match for the estimated City O&M contributions in the same period.
A Transfer Agreement between the City and the Los Angeles County Flood Control District has been prepared to define each party’s responsibilities with respect to the transfer and use of SCW Program funding for the City (Exhibit No. 1; the “Transfer Agreement”). This is a uniform agreement that is required to be executed by all recipients of SCW, Regional funding. Approval of the Transfer Agreement is in the best interest of the City in that it will facilitate allocation of additional funding for expenses that the City will incur to operate and maintain the Facility. Staff requests that the City Council consider approval of the Transfer Agreement by adoption of Resolution No. 22-170 (Exhibit No. 2).
II. RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
TAKE the following actions:
1. WAIVE further reading and ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 22-170 “RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARSON, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING A TRANSFER AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT AND CITY OF CARSON, AGREEMENT NO. 2021RPSSMB02 SAFE, CLEAN WATER PROGRAM - REGIONAL PROGRAM” (Exhibit 2)
2. AUTHORIZE the Mayor to execute the Agreement.
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III. ALTERNATIVES
1. DO NOT APPROVE Resolution No. 22-170 approving the Transfer Agreement that will allow City to receive $1,037,500 in funding over the course of five years for the operations, maintenance, and monitoring of Carriage Crest Park
2. TAKE another action the City Council deems appropriate and consistent with the requirements of the law.
IV. BACKGROUND
Construction for the Stormwater Runoff and Capture facilities at Carriage Crest Park Project is nearing completion. The Project was constructed to comply with the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit issued to the City by the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board, a division of the California Environmental Protection Agency. The Project assists in providing green space, recreational activities, water capture, and environmental benefits to residents. The Project diverts surface water and stormwater runoff from the city and its neighbors from a nearby Los Angeles County Flood Control District (LACFCD) storm drain, treats it, stores excess, and eventually diverts it to the nearby sanitary sewer, where the water can be reclaimed for beneficial reuse. The Project can store up to 27 acre-feet of stormwater runoff that would otherwise drain to the ocean. Once complete, the Project will require regular maintenance and monitoring to ensure operability.
In 2018, Measure W was passed by the voters of Los Angeles County, imposing a parcel tax based on the impervious area of a property. Measure W is intended to address the issues of beach and coastal water pollution, trash, water capture, reliance on imported water, and public health, including safer, greener, and healthier public spaces.
As a result of Measure W, the Safe, Clean Water Program (SCWP) was established and LACFCD was tasked with administration of the program and distribution of funds. The SCWP is divided into two portions, Municipal and Regional. The Municipal Program distributes funds directly to municipalities, including the City of Carson, for use in projects that align with the Program’s goals of improved water quality, drought preparedness, public health, multi-benefit infrastructure, and other considerations. The Regional Program is divided into several regions based on watersheds and operates according to a Watershed Area Steering Committee (WASC), of which there are stakeholder seats that determine the best use of funding. Pursuant to LACFCD’s Code, prior to the receipt of SCW Funds, grantees must enter into a funding agreement (known as a “Transfer Agreement”) with LACFCD setting forth the parameters for the City’s receipt and use of funds. The Transfer Agreement, a draft of which is attached to Resolution No. 22-170, is designed to be a uniform template across Los Angeles County. By adopting Resolution No. 22-170, the City Council will approve the Transfer Agreement and authorize the Mayor to execute the same following approval as to form by the City Attorney.
Every fiscal year, the WASC accepts applications for infrastructure projects, scientific studies, and requests for technical resources. The Committee then selects Projects to receive funding. For the 2021-2022 Fiscal Year, Carriage Crest Park’s Operations and Maintenance was selected as an infrastructure project to receive funding.
V. FISCAL IMPACT
Per the conditions of the Transfer Agreement, the funds will be held in a separate, interest-bearing account to be used solely for the terms of the agreement. The funds will be used on expenses that are necessary for the upkeep of the stormwater facility, supplementing the budget for account 295-80-820-904-8011 for public works infrastructure.
VI. EXHIBITS
1. Transfer Agreement between the Los Angeles County Flood Control District and City of Carson (pgs. 4-39)
2. Resolution No. 22-170 (pgs. 40-43)
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Prepared by: Gilbert Marquez, P.E., City Engineer & Roland Jen, PE, Stormwater Engineer