AGENDA ITEM
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR
AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: CARLO TOMAINO
CITY MANAGER
BY: THOMAS BEKELE
PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR/CITY ENGINEER
SUBJECT:
title
RESOLUTION APPROVING A LIST OF PROJECTS TO BE FUNDED BY THE SAFE, CLEAN WATER PROGRAM - MEASURE W FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-26
summary
Summary:
On November 6, 2018, Los Angeles County voters approved Measure W, a parcel tax aimed to address regional water capture water and reduce reliance on imported water. Measure W imposes a tax of 2.5 cents per square foot of impermeable surface area on private property in the Los Angeles County Flood Control District (District), generating approximately $285 million annually for the countywide Safe, Clean Water (SCW) Program. Staff recommends the City Council adopt a resolution to incorporate a list of projects and programs to be funded by the SCW Measure W for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-26.
Strategic Plan Goal(s):
Goal No. 1 Financial Stability: Endure the City’s long-term financial stability and resilience.
Goal No. 4 Infrastructure: Maintain and improve the City’s physical infrastructure, water system, and recreational spaces.
recommendation
Recommendations:
1. Adopt a resolution, entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SIGNAL HILL, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE LIST OF PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-26 TO BE FUNDED BY THE SAFE, CLEAN WATER PROGRAM - MEASURE W FUNDS
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Fiscal Impact:
The Safe, Clean Water Program Fund's financial trajectory for FY 2025-26 is detailed below in Table 1. After anticipated revenues of $280,000 and expenditures of $443,000 are considered, the fund balance is projected to decrease from $323,837 to $160,837. Despite the reduction, the projected ending balance confirms sufficient funds are available for the proposed list of projects and programs.
Table 1: FY 2025-26 SCW Projections
|
SCW Projections |
FY 2025-26 |
|
Beginning Fund Balance |
$323,837 |
|
Revenues |
$280,000 |
|
General Fund Expenditures |
($193,000) |
|
Capital Expenditures |
($250,000) |
|
Ending Fund Balance |
$160,837 |
Background:
Los Angeles County’s Measure W is a special parcel tax of 2.5 cents per square foot of impermeable surface area on private property in the Los Angeles County Flood Control District (District), approved by voters on November 6, 2018. This parcel tax generates approximately $285 million per year countywide for the Safe, Clean Water Program, SCW. Since the SCW program began, it has generated over $670 million for more than 100 projects that increased water supply and safeguard waterways. The SCW Program aims to improve water quality in a manner that achieves additional benefits such as increasing water supply and investing in the health and well-being of Los Angeles County communities.
The goals of the SCW Program include:
• Implementing a new plan for Los Angeles County’s water system to capture the billions of gallons of water lost each year from rainwater running directly into the storm drain system.
• Helping to protect coastal waters and beaches from the trash and contaminants in stormwater that make people sick and threaten marine life.
• Modernizing the 100-year-old water system infrastructure, using a combination of nature, science, and new technology.
• Helping to protect public health, ensuring safer, greener, healthier, and more livable spaces for all.
• Preparing the region for the effects of a changing climate - including recurring cycles of drought, wildfire, and flooding.
• Requiring strict community oversight and independent auditing to ensure local monies raised stay local.
The Los Angeles County Flood Control District (District), implements projects and programs and allocates revenues from the tax to the Regional Program, Municipal Program, and District Program. The Regional Program, made up of nine Watershed Area Steering Committee (WASC), receives 50% of SCW funding. The Regional Program is responsible for funding multi-benefit regional projects and feasibility, scientific, and technical studies, and the funding of a Watershed Coordinator position for each WASC. The SCW Municipal Program receives 40% of the funding allocated to cities as a local return proportional to the revenues generated within their boundaries. The SCW District Program receives 10% of the funding for the public education program, local work-force job training, and school education programs.
Analysis:
The Safe, Clean Water funding is divided across the District, Regional, and Municipal Program. The City’s Municipal Program funds, must be used for eligible activities which include project development, design, construction, effectiveness monitoring, operations and maintenance, as well as for other programs and studies related to protecting and improving water quality in lakes, rivers, and the ocean. Additionally, based on program guidelines, up to 30% of the funds may be used to maintain existing eligible projects and programs.
Measure W emphasizes the importance of accountability, transparency, and community outreach and requires the City to submit an annual list of proposed projects (Attachment A). As recommended by the City’s stormwater management consultant, John L. Hunter & Associates, the proposed Annual Plan for FY 2025-26 is outlined in Table 2:
Table 2: FY 2025-26 Proposed Annual Plan
|
Activity Name |
New or Existing |
Type |
Annual Plan Amount |
|
Consulting Services |
Existing |
Program |
$60,000 |
|
Heritage Point Park - Low Impact Development |
New |
O&M |
$1,500 |
|
Hillbrook Park - Low Impact Development |
New |
O&M |
$10,000 |
|
Infrastructure Project Planning |
New |
Program |
$1,000 |
|
LA Harbor Toxics TMDL Downstream |
Existing |
Program |
$25,500 |
|
LA Harbor Toxics TMDL Upstream |
Existing |
Program |
$500 |
|
LLAR Watershed Management Program - Implementation |
Existing |
Program |
$25,000 |
|
Los Cerritos Channel Sub-basin 4 Stormwater Capture Facility |
New |
O&M |
$33,000 |
|
Los Cerritos Channel Management Program |
Existing |
Program |
$30,000 |
|
28th Street -Green Street Project |
New |
Project |
$250,000 |
|
Signal Hill Dog Park - Low Impact Development |
New |
O&M |
$1,500 |
|
Signal Hill Library - Low Impact Development |
New |
O&M |
$5,000 |
|
Total Budget |
$443,000 |
*O&M (Operation and Maintenance)
Municipalities that receive Measure W funds must provide annual progress and expenditure reports for all projects due annually in December; the report will be reviewed by the California Water Board and Regional Oversight Committee.
Recommendation:
Staff proposes the City Council adopt a resolution to incorporate a list of eligible activities funded by the SCW Measure W for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-26.
Reviewed for Fiscal Impact:
_________________________
Siamlu Cox
Attachments:
A. Resolution Approving a List of Projects to be Funded by Safe, Clean Water