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Title:
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Approval of an Agreement with the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Foundation to Implement a Rain Harvesting Program in the City.
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City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
Meeting Date: January 24, 2011 Item Number: C-6
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM: Approval of an Agreement with the Santa Monica
Bay Restoration Foundation to Implement a Rain Harvesting Program in the City.
Contact Person/Dept.: Damian Skinner Phone Number: (310) 253-6421
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [] Attachments: []
Commission Action Required: Yes [] No [X] Date: _______________
Public Notification: Meetings and Agendas – City Council (01/19/11); Sustainability and
Environmental Issues (01/19/11); Santa Monica Bay Restoration Foundation (01/12/11)
Department Approval:
Charles D. Herbertson(01/12/11)
City Attorney Approval:
Carol Schwab (by H. Baker) (01/18/11)
Chief Financial Officer Approval:
Jeff Muir (by K. Marsden) (01/19/11)
City Manager Approval:
John M. Nachbar (01/19/11)
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council approve an agreement with the Santa Monica
Bay Restoration Foundation to implement a rain harvesting program in the City.
BACKGROUND:
The Santa Monica Bay Restoration Foundation (SMBRF) is a non-profit organization
and a National Estuary Program of the United States Environmental Protection
Agency. The SMBRF is charged with restoring the resources of Santa Monica Bay
by building consensus among stakeholders on environmental issues in Santa
Monica Bay and its watersheds and by raising and expending funds for research,
education, planning, cleanup efforts, and other priorities identified in the Bay
Restoration Plan.
In August 2010, the SMBRF approached staff to implement a rain harvesting
program (Program) in Culver City. Rainwater harvesting is the process of capturing
rainwater from a roof (or other surface) and putting it to beneficial use.
Rainwater flowing from a downspout onto sidewalks, driveways, and streets collects
a variety of pollutants before reaching a nearby storm drain. Capturing storm water
that falls on roofs would reduce the amount of runoff reaching Santa Monica Bay.
The proposed Program calls for disconnecting downspouts that discharge to
impervious areas and redirecting them to areas where rainwater can percolate into
the soil or collect into rain barrels, and installing rain barrels at 500 homes during the City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
first year of the Program. In addition, Program participants would have an
opportunity to learn more about rain harvesting through marketing at public events,
workshops, home consultations, and through educational and instructional literature.
The rain barrels offered through the Program would be sold to participants at a
heavily discounted price. SMBRF staff has found that charging a small amount for
the purchase and installation of the rain barrels helps to ensure that only residents
that are serious about the Program would participate. As a result, the SMBRF will
sell the barrel and associated installation for $40, which is far below their cost of
$300.
On, August 6, 2010 SMBRF staff presented the Program to the Sustainability
Subcommittee. Subcommittee members applauded the program and supported
bringing the Program to the full City Council for consideration.
DISCUSSION:
The Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board requires municipalities
under their jurisdiction to educate residents about preventing storm water pollution
and to implement Best Management Practices (BMP) that would reduce the amount
of metal, toxics, and bacteria that enter Santa Monica Bay. Currently, the City
annually contributes money to the County of Los Angeles (County) Storm Water
marketing campaign to fulfill this requirement. Staff believes that implementing a
Culver City marketing campaign would be more impactful than helping to pay for the
County’s broader program.
SMBRF staff would perform all Program construction activities. Program
participants would be asked to sign a waiver to release the City and SMBRF from all
liability. Partnering with the SMBRF would commit the City to marketing the program
on the City’s website and storing Program supplies.
FISCAL ANALYSIS:
The SMBRF would use approximately $100,000 out of its operating budget to
implement the one-year pilot Program. During the pilot, staff will analyze labor and
supply costs to determine which Program components to continue in future years.
SMBRF staff will also formally survey participants to gauge the effectiveness of the
Program.
To ensure long-term implementation of the Program, SMBRF staff will seek outside
funding by applying for grants and/or entering into agreements with water
management agencies such as West Basin Municipal Water District and the Water
Replenishment District.
City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
ATTACHMENTS:
None.
MOTION:
That the City Council:
1) Approve an Agreement with the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Foundation to
Implement a Rain Harvesting Program in the City; and,
2) Authorize the City Attorney to review/prepare the necessary documents; and,
3) Authorize the City Manager to execute such documents on behalf of the City.