AGENDA ITEM
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR
AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: CARLO TOMAINO
CITY MANAGER
BY: THOMAS BEKELE
PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
SUBJECT:
title
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE DOCUMENTATION TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT TO ACCEPT AND EXPEND FUNDING FOR THE RESERVOIR PARK STORMWATER CAPTURE PROJECT TRANSFERRED FROM THE REGIONAL SAFE CLEAN WATER PROGRAM
summary
Summary:
On November 6, 2018, Los Angeles Voters approved Measure W, a parcel tax aimed at providing dedicated funding for stormwater programs and projects which help increase local groundwater supply, improve water quality, and protect public health. The Los Angeles County Flood Control District (LACFCD) is responsible for implementing and administering Measure W funds through the Safe Clean Water Program.
In July 2023, the City of Signal Hill applied for Safe Clean Water regional program funding under the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Call for Projects for a stormwater capture project at Reservoir Park. On October 22, 2024, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved the Stormwater Investment Plan (SIP) for the Regional Program in the amount of $6,676,878. The LACFCD requires City-adopted resolution authorization for the execution of certain transfer agreements. If approved, the resolution would allow the City to enter into a Transfer Agreement and move forward with securing funds to implement the Reservoir Park Stormwater Capture Project.
Strategic Plan Goal(s):
Goal No. 1 Financial Stability: Ensure 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
Recommendation:
Adopt a resolution, entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SIGNAL HILL, CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT AND TO ACCEPT AND EXPEND FUNDING FOR THE RESERVOIR PARK STORMWATER CAPTURE PROJECT FROM THE SAFE CLEAN PROGRAM’S REGIONAL PROGRAM TRANSFER AGREEMENT NO. 2024RPLSGR03.
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Fiscal Impact:
The City’s Measure W regional program funding project allocation is $6,676,878. All eligible design, construction, construction management, inspection, and project oversight expenses will be fully offset by Measure W funds; the grant does not require the City to provide matching funds.
On October 22, 2024, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved the Stormwater Investment Plan (SIP) for the Regional Program and authorized the preparation of the Transfer Agreement to be executed between the City and Los Angeles County Flood Control District (LACFCD). The Transfer Agreement will allow the disbursement of funds to the City over a multi-year period for the design and construction phases of the Reservoir Park Stormwater Capture Project. The disbursement of funds, in accordance with the SIP allocations, is expected as follows:
|
Expected Disbursement |
Funding Amount |
|
FY 2025-26 |
$2,870,188 |
|
FY 2026-27 |
$1,903,345 |
|
FY 2027-28 |
$1,903,345 |
|
TOTAL |
$6,676,878 |
Upon receipt of the fully executed Transfer Agreement by the LACFCD, the LACFCD would disburse the first year allocation (SIP 2024-2025 allocation) to the City in the amount of $951,843 and the second-year allocation (SIP 2025-2026 allocation) in the amount of $1,918,345 would follow later in the fiscal year, for an anticipated total disbursement of $2,870,188 in Fiscal Year 2025-2026. The increase in capital expenditures on the project would be offset by the increase in revenue received from the Safe Clean Water regional program (Measure W) and the associated budget adjustments would be accounted for within the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 (Year 2) Capital Improvement Project budget adoption or through a budget amendment.
Background:
On November 6, 2018, Los Angeles County voters passed Measure W, which created the Safe Clean Water Program (SCWP). The SCWP provides dedicated funding for stormwater programs and projects aimed at increasing the local water supply, improving water quality, and protecting public health. Following approval of the SCWP, the first annual parcel tax was collected through property tax bills in Fiscal Year 2019-20. SCWP revenues will be allocated as follows:
• 50% distributed among nine watershed areas, to be programmed by the respective Watershed Area Steering Committees (WASCs) to fund stormwater projects and programs at the regional watershed level
• 40% allocated directly to municipalities, proportional to tax revenues collected within their boundaries to fund local stormwater programs and projects; and
• 10% to the LACFCD for program administration, which includes technical assistance and staff support for the WASCs
The City of Signal Hill (City) falls within the Lower San Gabriel River (LSGR) watershed area under the SCWP. The LSGR watershed area is estimated to receive up to $16.7 million annually to fund regional projects and programs. Regional Program funds for the LSGR are programmed by the LSGR WASC, comprised of local stakeholders from agencies, municipalities, and community members from within the LSGR. The LSGR WASC meets regularly to develop funding plans and recommendations to provide water quality, water supply, and community enhancement benefits throughout the region.
Reservoir Park Planning Process
In February 2022, the City Council expressed interest in improving Reservoir Park in response to multiple resident reports of trash and nuisance related concerns. To address City Council concerns, the Public Works Department developed a preliminary scope of work and identified the need for a feasibility study to explore potential funding opportunities for park amenity improvements. These systems would support the overall enhancement and usability of the park, prompting a funding request through Measure W (Safe Clean Water Program) member agencies. By December 2022, Public Works submitted a formal funding request through the Los Cerritos Channel Watershed Management Program (LCC WMP), of which the City is a member agency, to fund a feasibility study focused on water quality and park improvement projects.
On January 19, 2023, the LCC WMP approved $134,000 in funding for the feasibility study and ten percent of the cost for preliminary design. Craft Water Engineering, Incorporated (Craft Water), a Water Quality Engineering firm, was selected through the LCC watershed group to perform the work. Between February and May 2023, the feasibility study commenced alongside preparations for a regional Infrastructure Program Application under the Safe Clean Water Act. During the June 13, 2023, City Council meeting, the Public Works Department provided a progress update and introduced the project. The City Council expressed support, received and filed the report, and provided support letters endorsing the project.
Public Works and the Parks, Recreation and Library Services Departments held a community outreach event during a concert at the park the week of July 12, 2023, to engage the public and support the grant application; followed by a presentation to the Parks and Recreation Committee on July 15, 2023, as part of the grant’s community outreach requirement.
On July 31, 2023, Public Works, in coordination with Craft Water, submitted the SCWP Infrastructure Program Application under the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Call for Projects. The application process involved extensive effort, support letters, coordination through Parks, Recreation, and Library Services Department, and preparation of several technical documents regarding soil infiltration, diversion, and retention. The SCWP Scoring Committee application reviewed the application on November 27, 2023. The evaluation focused on the project’s consistency with the program’s core goals: water quality, water supply, and community benefits. In light of the project request to seek design and construction funds, the Scoring Committee requested additional data to support the geotechnical assumptions and asked for the matter to be return for scoring committee review. Subsequently, on December 7, 2023, Public Works provided supplemental geotechnical data referencing nearby development projects. The Scoring Committee concurred with the assumptions and recommended the project for consideration by the Watershed Area Steering Committee (WASC).
On February 13, 2024, Public Works provided a presentation to the SCWP LSGR WASC, highlighting the benefits and regional impacts. On April 9, 2024, the WASC deliberated on submitted projects and asked clarifying questions. WASC ultimately recommended the Reservoir Park Project for funding in the amount of $6,676,878 and for inclusion in the SIP. On October 22, 2024, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved the SIP for the Regional Program, and the preparation of the Transfer Agreement which will need to be executed between the City and LACFCD.
Analysis:
Reservoir Park Project Preliminary Scope
The Reservoir Park Stormwater Capture Project proposes to construct a regional stormwater capture and underground infiltration facility located beneath the park turf area located nearest Wardlow Road and Gundry Avenue. The proposed infiltration facility would achieve stormwater pollutant load reductions in drainage areas covering approximately 184 acres of land within both the cities of Signal Hill and Long Beach. The system would have the capacity to capture approximately 16 acre-feet of stormwater within a 24-hour period.
While the primary objective of the project is to improve water quality, the project also improves several nature-based and park enhancement components:
• Installation of native landscape and vegetation
• Expansion of the tree canopy and shade areas
• Installation of a vegetated swale or stream to treat dry weather flows (may be substituted with a dry well system to save surface level park space)
• New turf and drought-tolerant landscape over disturbed park area with an efficient irrigation system
• Removal or replacement of the aging picnic shelter
• Additional seating and picnic benches
• Construction of a walking path connecting to sidewalks to improve pedestrian access (decomposed granite or enhanced concrete)
Public Works staff has been coordinating with the LACFD to prepare the draft fund Transfer Agreement for the Reservoir Park Stormwater Capture Project, following the approval from the County Board of Supervisors in late 2024 (Attachment A). Execution of the Agreement requires authorization from the local municipal body, allowing the City Manager or designee to execute the agreement and related documents.
Public Works submitted a draft scope of work outlining the improvements to the LACFD for review and comment (Attachment B). Upon City Council approval of the proper authorization to execute agreements, staff would submit the adopted resolution to the LACFD through the SCW portal module to release comments on the scope of work and proceed with preparation of the final transfer agreement.
Staff recommends the City Council adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute documentation and agreements for the transfer of funds from the regional SCW program in support of the Reservoir Park Stormwater Capture project; this action would enable the project to remain on schedule (Attachment C). If approved, the Public Works Department would process the draft scope of work and draft transfer agreement with the LACFD.
A final agreement would be prepared for execution by the City Manager or his designee. Upon execution of the transfer agreement and disbursement of funds, Public Works staff would procure professional services for the preparation of complete design plans and specifications. Regional SCW Program funds would be disbursed beginning in Fiscal Year 2025-2026, with disbursements concluding by Fiscal Year 2028-2029.
Reviewed for Fiscal Impact:
_________________________
Siamlu Cox
Attachment:
A. Draft Los Angeles County Flood Control District Transfer Agreement
B. Draft Scope of Work
C. Resolution