City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that Council approve Resolution R____ accepting reimbursable
grant funds from the State Water Resources Control Board for the Culver City
Citywide Best Management Practice (BMP) Treatment Train Project.
BACKGROUND:
In 2002, California voters approved Proposition 50 – “Water Security, Clean Drinking
Water, Coastal and Beach Protection Act of 2002”. This bond measure provides
over $3 billion for water supply and water quality protection programs throughout the
state. Within Proposition 50 (Chapter 5), $20 million (of which $18 million is
currently available) is specifically earmarked for restoration and protection of Santa
Monica Bay, in accordance with the goals and priorities of the Santa Monica Bay
Restoration Plan (SMBRP).
The SMBRP is a comprehensive blue print for restoring and protecting the Santa
Monica Bay. The SMBRP contains over 250 actions, the goals of which include:
To reduce pollutant loadings and prevent degradation of the water
quality of Santa Monica Bay;
To reduce human health risks associated with swimming in or
harvesting seafood from the Bay; and
To restore, rehabilitate, and protect the marine ecosystem, living
resources and biodiversity of the Bay and its watersheds.
Meeting Date: 10/10/05 Item Number: C-4
AGENDA ITEM: Consideration of the City Council to Approve Resolution R____
Accepting Grant Funds from the State Water Resources Control Board for the
Culver City Citywide BMP Treatment “Train” Project
Contact Person: Cathy Chang/PW Phone Number: (310) 253-5619
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [X] No []
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [x] Attachments: [X]
Public Notification:
Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission by e-mail on October 5, 2005 and Master
Notification List on October 5, 2005
Department Approval:
Charles D. Herbertson 9/29/05
CAO Approval:
Scott Bixby for Jerry Fulwood 10/4/05
City Controller:
Mary Noller for Marlee Chang 10/4/05City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
Proposition 50 grant funds
The Proposition 50 bond funds are being distributed through a competitive
application process. In December 2004, Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission
(SMBRC) solicited pre-proposals for innovative, cost-effective projects that will lead
to the enhancement and restoration of Santa Monica Bay. On January 31, 2005, a
pre-proposal was submitted to the SMBRC. Of approximately 40 pre-proposals
received, the SMBRC chose 28 (including Culver City) for further consideration and
requested the submission of a final proposal. On August 18, 2005, the SMBRC
governing board approved a list of 17 submitted projects, for a total award of
$16,228,658. Culver City’s proposal was approved for a total grant amount of
$1,252,660.
The grant provides an excellent opportunity for the City to fulfill the Long Range
Goals for Future Rehabilitation of La Ballona Creek, adopted by the City Council in
1999, as well as its requirements under the federal and state surface water quality
regulations, such as the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)
and Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs).
Ballona Creek
Most of the urban runoff (including storm water) and associated pollutant loads from
the City of Culver City enter Ballona Creek, which is officially listed and recognized
by the state and federal environmental agencies as being impaired due to trash,
bacteria, metals and toxics (Estuary portion only). Approximately 25% of the total
pollutant load entering Santa Monica Bay can be attributed to storm water and urban
runoff from Ballona Creek. Dry weather flow from the creek is approximately 6
million to 23 million gallons per day. During a storm event, as much as 2 billion
gallons of polluted runoff can be discharged to the Bay. Tremendous quantities of
trash and debris are washed into the creek channel and flow into the Bay,
particularly after a major storm. The creek often has an oily sheen due to oil-
contaminated runoff and the presence of natural oil seeps in the watershed.
Consistent with the requirements under the Clean Water Act, the Los Angeles
Regional Water Quality Control Board, in conjunction with the US Environmental
Protection Agency, adopted TMDLs, which limit the amount of pollution that may
enter each impaired waterbody. Currently, Ballona Creek has TMDLs for trash,
metals, and toxics (Estuary portion only). A bacteria TMDL for Ballona Creek is
expected to be adopted by 2006. All of the TMDLs have strict numerical water
quality limits and compliance deadlines. Responsible agencies in the Ballona Creek
Watershed, including the County of Los Angeles, Caltrans, and the Cities of Los
Angeles, Culver City, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and Inglewood, are City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
collaborating on joint long-term strategies to comply with the TMDLs. Cost
commitments of millions of dollars are expected from each agency over the next
decade. To help address the trash TMDL for Ballona Creek, the City of Culver City,
through a Proposition 12 grant ($335,820), constructed a structural solution known
as Continuous Deflective Separation (CDS) system in 2004, to capture trash, debris
and sediments in its urban runoff. The system is currently being evaluated for its
effectiveness.
DISCUSSION
A proposal was submitted to help implement a comprehensive strategy that will
directly lead to an improvement in the quality of the runoff from the City of Culver
City to the Creek. The main goals of the proposed project consist of:
completely eliminating the trash entering Ballona Creek through the City’s
storm drain system;
measurably decreasing the runoff volume and pollutant loads from critical
sector businesses;
implementing innovative demonstration projects on city properties and
conduct public outreach activities in order to create an impetus and increased
awareness and interest among residents and businesses for continued and
sustained pollution prevention in the City;
measuring success of the project through effective monitoring.
In summary, this grant will help fund both structural treatment BMPs as well as
source control measures, which, collectively, are referred to in the grant proposal as
the “City-wide BMP treatment train”. Included in the project proposed are green
roofs (among the first in Southern California), downspout disconnect and a cistern
for water reuse, innovative catch basin filter inserts, optimized irrigation for parks,
schools, and recreation centers, additional trash and recycling receptacles for high
trash generating locations, and high pressurized, low volume water brooms for
critical sector businesses. Additional details are provided in the attachment Project
Summary.
Much of the design, planning, and construction work will be performed through a
contractor(s) to be hired through the City bid process. Culver City plans to
collaborate with the Santa Monica Baykeeper for the sampling and monitoring of the
water quality to establish the effectiveness of each BMP as well as the overall effect
of the BMP treatment train on the City’s runoff. The project, including monitoring
activities, must be completed by June 2008, to be eligible for reimbursement.City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
FISCAL ANALYSIS:
Total grant amount approved is $1,252,660. Culver City proposed a match in the
amount of $313,165 (or approximately 20%, as required by Proposition 50) in the
form of in-kind services (staff time), which has already been incorporated into the
planned fiscal budget. The maintenance cost is uncertain but is expected not to
exceed $60,000 per year, and will be paid for by the Stormwater Discharge
Program/NPDES Project, P-497. Both the grant and the maintenance costs are
necessary to help Culver City comply with the NPDES and TMDL requirements.
In addition to reducing the burden on the City’s budget imposed by various storm
water and TMDL requirements, this grant results in direct savings of $58,000 and
$65,000 for the Sanitation Division and Parks Division, respectively, by paying for
activities and materials essential for their operations such as additional trash and
recycling receptacles and improvements in the irrigation system at selected public
facilities.
ATTACHMENTS:
Project summary
Resolution R- for signature
MOTIONS:
That the City Council:
1) Adopt Resolution R approving the grant application request of $1,252,660 for
the Proposition 50 Grant for the Culver City City-wide BMP Treatment Train
Project; and
2) Authorize and direct the Chief Administrative Officer, or designee, as agent of
the City of Culver City to execute and submit all documents which may be
necessary for the completion of the grant application and award process
MEETING DATE October 10, 2005
AGENDA ITEM Consideration of the City Council to Approve Resolution
R Accepting Grant Funds from the State Water Resources Control Board
for the Culver City Citywide BMP Treatment 'Train Project
ATTACHMENTS
Pages|109| Project Summary
1 - 8|109| Resolution R- for signature
9-10ATTACHMENT
PROJECT SUMMARY
PROJECT LOCATION
City of Culver City (City-wide) Please refer to Maps 1-4
OVERALL PROJECT GOAL
Implement a strategy of citywide BMP treatment trains to reduce impact from urban and
storm water pollution on Ballona Creek and the Santa Monica Bay and to further the
goal of becoming a model for a clean, green city
PROJECT OBJECTIVES |1010|Implement effective and innovative BMPs on City-owned properties, to serve as
demonstration projects
/ Achieve measurable load reductions of various pollutants of concern by
implementing a combination of source control and treatment technologies A key
project objective is to achieve complete elimination of trash from the City s storm
drains to Ballona Creek,
3 Enhance and supplement the performance of existing BMPs, such as CDS
V Measurably decrease volume of runoff contributing to urban runoff pollution|1010|Monitor BMP performance/effectiveness of reducing pollutant load and runoff
volume
3 Highlight BMP success and importance through public outreach and education
3 Provide impetus for continued and sustained pollution reduction within the City by
providing effective, coordinated outreach and education for the public and|1010|Implement the City's comprehensive strategy of becoming a BMP model for
residents and businesses
SMBRC's KEY PRIORITY TO BE ACHIEVED
3 Elimination of trash into Ballona Creek/Santa Monica Bay|1010|Installation of storm water/infiltration devices at high priority sites to achieve
significant load reductions for pollutants of concern
3 Installation of end-of-channel/tributary trash capture devices at all feasible sites
by 2006
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Descriptions of various BMPs proposed as part of the City-wide BMP treatment trains
are provided below Most of the BMP locations are on city-owned property for the many
advantages publicly-owned sites offer in terms of ease of gaining access simpler
permitting process, high public use and visibility and guaranteed long-term
maintenance and monitoring of BMPs Also by choosing City-owned sites as
demonstration sites for innovative BMPs, the City will serve a "green role model for
residents and businesses by illustrating how storm water/urban runoff BMPs could
potentially be incorporated into private residential and commercial lots in an efficient
Iand aesthetic manner
In order to ensure success of the numerous BMPs being proposed the City will hire
professional consultants, preferably LEED-certified, in planning, designing, and
monitoring the projects as well as to oversee any unforeseen obstacles such as site
constraints and other logistic barriers, during the (pre-)construction and the initial
operation phase of the BMPs Also appropriate soils and other preliminary studies will
be conducted to ensure successful installation of BMPs at each proposed location
1 TWO-TIERED CATCH BASIN INSERTS
Description
Full-capture devices will be installed in all of City s 672 storm water catch basins to
remove trash and debris in runoff conveyed through the storm drain network within the
City s boundary These inserts are specially designed so that a brush (resembling
those beneath a motor home) installed in the catch basin opening will block litter and
allow water to pass through catch basin inlet An aluminum screen with 5mm holes
installed at an incline inside the catch basin (above storm drain outlet) will capture all
trash These innovative BMPs designed and pilot-tested by several cities within Los
Angeles County, are pending formal review & approval from the Regional Board as full
capture devices The maintenance needs for the proposed inserts are minimal (inclined
screens are designed to push trash towards directly under manhole) and similar to
current catch basin cleaning practice The total cost of material & construction is about
half of other existing catch basin inserts Compared to other types of inserts whose
efficiency is known to be compromised during heavy storms, the pilot (two-tiered) catch
basin inserts in the City of Glendale fared well during the heavy storms in spring 2005
City staff will maintain these catch basin inserts An interagency agreement will be in
place prior to insert installation, for catch basins owned and maintained by the County
These BMPs have life expectancy of 20-plus years
Location citywide
Estimated Annual Pollutant Load Reduction
Approximately 100 tons of trash (and vegetation) is expected to be captured and
removed by implementing the proposed catch basin inserts and recycling receptacles,
based on estimates generated using the data from the 2004 land use-based trash
baseline monitoring data for Ballona Creek Watershed compiled by Los Angeles County
Department of Public Works
Cost $537,600
2 TRASH AND RECYCLING RECEPTACLES AT CRITICAL, HIGH TRASH GENERATING AREAS
Description
Approximately 50 recycling receptacles (designed to be tamper-free) and 45 trash
receptacles will be placed in high trash generation areas, including schools, transit
stops downtown shops, convenience stores etc The catch basin inserts (described
above) and the placement of additional trash and recycling receptacles at strategic
locations will enhance the performance of the existing CDS on Overland and Ballona
2--Creek by alleviating the high trash load experienced during heavy storms (The CDS
receives flows from the Cities of Culver City and Los Angeles) These receptacles will
be labeled with a pollution prevention logo and will acknowledge the source of funding
(i e Proposition 50 and SMBRC) City staff will maintain these trash and recycling
receptacles on a regular basis These BMPS have life expectancy of 20-plus years
Locations
Schools, transit stops, downtown shops and convenience stores on Washington
Blvd, Culver Blvd, Sepulveda Blvd , Venice Blvd , etc
Estimated Annual Pollutant Load Reduction See Above
Cost $58,000
3 ROOF DRAIN OR DOWNSPOUT DISCONNECT/CISTERN/ OPTIMIZED IRRIGATION
Description
Multi-unit BMP treatment system will be incorporated into the construction phase of the
City s Fire Station 3 Fire Station 3 which is in planning stage, will undergo construction
in 2006 and 2007 New construction sites such as this, are attractive BMP
demonstration sites because they have less of the kinds of limitations that retrofit sites
have, such as incompatible existing ground slope, space limitations disruption of
routine operational activities, etc This demonstration project-- to consist of bioretention
areas, roof drain disconnect, cistern, and optimized irrigation-- will aim to reduce wet
weather runoff volume and associated pollutant loads and promote water conservation
by
• configuring the roof downspouts as to route the roof runoff to nearby
greenscaped areas and to an underground cistern for water storage and use for
irrigation The plan is to 500-800 gallon two-tank system complete with pump
and drywell structure
• employing optimized irrigation, including an automatic shut-off system with a
computerized/sensor, and drip irrigation that delivers water directly to the roots
of the plants This, combined with the xenscaping to be incorporated into
landscape at the Fire Station, will lead to both water conservation, and runoff
reduction
Location
Fire Station 3 (6030 Bristol Parkway Culver City, CA 90230)
(lat/long 33 98672/ -118 38660)
Estimated Annual Pollutant Load Reduction Oil & grease, metals bacteria and
other chemicals associated with first flush runoff from the 1-acre lot
Cost $26 000
4 GREEN ROOFS/ OPTIMIZED IRRIGATION
Description Green roofs or optimized irrigation system will be constructed and
installed at about a dozen City parks and recreation centers, which have high public
visibility and use The primary project objectives are to capture and evaporate storm
swater runoff and to eliminate runoff from over-irrigation and conserve water Green
roofs, also known as eco-roofs, offer many other benefits of cooling the roof by
evaporation (typically by 7 to 9 degrees), protecting the roof from destructive ultraviolet
rays, retaining and using rainwater, and cleaning the air by converting carbon dioxide to
oxygen There are several examples of green roof in northern California including the
Gap building outside of San Francisco and the Oakland Museum of California If built
the Culver City green roof project will be one of the first (if not the first) green roofs on a
municipal building in California Green roofs typically have a 50-year life expectancy
Specifically, the plan includes constructing a green roof for the Ceramics Hut in El
Marino Park (approximately 1,500 sq ft) and for the recreation center (approximately
1,800 sq ft) at Culver West Park and Recreation Center [note This second site is being
re-evaluated for feasibility A new site may be proposed, based on the outcome of the
evaluation ] The existing roofs will be retrofitted appropriately with additional structural
support to accommodate the extra weight Vegetation on the green roof will consist of
hardy, low-growing, drought resistant, fire-resistant plants that provide dense cover and
are able to withstand heat, cold drought, and high winds The design phase will include
a careful planning for the types of vegetation that will also offer aesthetic visual effect
Currently the City has three computerized sensors that monitor for rainfall or main line
breaks and automatically shut off irrigation at various public parks and recreation
centers to conserve water Though most City parks are monitored by a central control
system, there are about nine sites that are not connected to this central system and are
not equipped with a sensor and an automatic shut-off system In order to conserve
water and eliminate runoff from over-irrigation, a controller, a flow meter and a master
valve and/or connection to the central control system will be installed at the following
locations
Locations for Green Roofs
1 Culver West Park and Recreation Center
4162 Wade Street, Culver City CA 90066 (lat/long 33 99474/-118 43437)
2 El Marino Park and Recreation Center
5301 Berryman Avenue, Culver City CA 90230 (lat/long 33 99333/-118 40025)
Locations for Optimized irrigation
1 Coombs Park
Farragut Drive Culver City, CA 90230 (lat/long 34 00729/ -118 40102)
2 Culver City Park
9800 Jefferson Blvd Culver City, CA 90232 (lat/long 34 01601/-118 38817)
3 El Marino School Culver City Park
11450 Port Road Culver City, California 90230 (lat/long 33 99240 I-
118 40240)
4 Linwood E Howe School Playground
4100 Irving Place Culver City CA 90232 (lat/long 34 02182/-118 39259)5 Jefferson Turf Islands- landscaped street median along Jefferson Blvd (from
Pearson St to Overland Av )
6 Circuit City Islands- landscaped islands in business districts on Washington Blvd
near Slauson (approx lat/long 33 98662/-
118 39526)
7 Machado Islands- landscaped islands immediately behind Jefferson and
Sepulveda Blvds (lat/long 33 99789/-118 39545)
8 Ivy Substation- landscaped areas surrounding a live stage playhouse near Culver
Blvd and Venice Blvd 8170 Beverly Blvd Los Angeles CA 90048 (lat/long
34 07621/-118 36747)
9 Studio Estates- landscaped islands in a residential area (bounded by
Washington Blvd Overland Av , Culver Blvd and Elenda St)
Cost $145,000 ($80,000 for green roof, $65,000 for optimized irrigation)
Estimated Annual Pollutant Load Reduction Reduction in runoff from roughly 3 500
square feet of roofed area as well as from over-irrigation from the 9 parks and
recreation center greenscapes and the oil & grease, metals, bacteria, and other
pollutants that the runoff may pick up as it flows through parking lots and streets
7 HIGH PRESSURIZED WATER BROOMS
Description An intensive, focused pollution prevention and water conservation
program involving the distribution of and education on the use of high pressurized
water brooms will be launched for commercial businesses and special events, such as
weekly Farmer s Market in downtown Culver City The primary goal is to educate and
provide a concrete means to deter businesses and city contractors from hosing down
driveways and sidewalks About 500 critical sector businesses, including restaurants,
nurseries, etc in commercial districts, including Culver Blvd Washington Blvd, Venice
Blvd and Sepulveda Blvd , will be strategically targeted for broom distribution and
outreach
The water brooms have been used successfully by several Ballona Creek Watershed
cities including Santa Monica West Hollywood and Beverly Hills—targeting primarily
businesses and city staff Culver City will perform outreach and education on the use of
water brooms which ensured BMP success for these cities The water brooms clean
litter, spills bird droppings, etc from concrete using very little water that dries in
minutes Water savings of 60% and labor reduction of 75% were reported by pilot
program participants No maintenance by users is required Through repeated
outreach, the City will ensure that these brooms are used properly and on a regular
basis These brooms are expected to last 15 plus years with regular outreach and
reminder
Locations Culver Blvd, Washington Blvd, Venice Blvd and Sepulveda Blvd
Expected Annual Pollutant Load Reduction Significant reduction of dry weather
runoff and associated pollutant load
rCost $110 000 for brooms and outreach activities
Project Evaluation
The success of the BMP treatment trains will primarily be monitored and evaluated by
developing and implementing a comprehensive monitoring plan specifically designed to
test the efficiency of each BMP Since the BMP treatment train involves some non-
traditional (i e non-end-of pipe) structural solutions, creative and well-thought-out
monitoring strategies will be needed to provide accurate estimates of pollutant load
reduction and water conservation achieved directly and indirectly through the use of the
BMPs Professional consulting services will be enlisted in devising a strategic
monitoring plan Given the tight timeframe of this grant, this project will include
monitoring of BMPs for one wet season, however, when the grant expires, the City will
continue to monitor these BMPs-- to ensure that these BMPs are properly operated and
maintained to evaluate the magnitude of pollutant load reductions, and to help assess
and identify opportunities for future BMPs
Upon imminent notification of the grant award City staff will work closely with
appropriate staff across City departments and the City Council members to address any
potential conflicts the proposed BMPs may present with existing municipal codes and to
facilitate the permitting process
Part of the goal of this project is to generate excitement and impetus for sustained
pollution prevention/management among residents and businesses Towards this end,
the City will launch a series of public education and outreach activities, to both inform
and reach out to the public with messages that will raise public awareness and
encourage behavioral changes To the extent possible the City will partner with
Ballona Creek environmental organizations in coordinating and implementing the public
outreach and education activities Press releases (both before and after the
construction of BMP treatment trains), presentations at national and regional
environmental conferences, city publications (including Culver City Living brochure)
signage on or near each BMP, and tours for the public to showcase the treatment trains
are among the planned public education and outreach activities to raise the level of
public awareness and pride in environmental stewardship
Furthermore to ensure continued success of the project, the City will prepare a
maintenance plan for each BMP, with recommended maintenance and inspection
schedules The long-term success of the project will depend on educating City
maintenance staff, getting the necessary buy-in from appropriate departments and
making sure that the recommended maintenance and inspection activities are
performed in a timely manner
Finally, an evaluation of the project success will be provided in a white paper that will
document the goals, approach, process, milestones, lesson learned, and the
(monitoring) results of implementing the BMP treatment trains in the City of Culver City
6,CULVER CITY CALIFORNIA
LA BALLONA CREEK
11111 La Ballona Creek
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Map 1 City of Culver City Drains to Ballona Creek
Map 2 City-owned Facilities, Including Many Proposed BMP Locations
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CITY OF CUL VER CITY
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Map 3 Catch Basins in City of Culver City Proposed for Retrofitting with 2-Tiered
Full-capture Inserts
Map 4 High Trash Generation Areas Shown by Land use (Commercial, Industrial,
and Schools)RESOLUTION NO 2005-R
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
CULVER CITY, CALIFORNIA, ACCEPTING THE TERMS AND
CONDITIONS OF THE GRANT AGREEMENT WITH THE
STATE WATER RESOURCES CONTROL BOARD TO
RECEIVE GRANT FUNDING FOR THE CULVER CITY CITY-
WIDE BMP TREATMENT "TRAIN" PROJECT
WHEREAS The State Water Resources Control Board has provided funding to
the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission (SMBRC) through the passage of
Proposition 50 (Chapter 5), the Water Security Clean Drinking Water Coastal and
Beach Protection Act of 2002 for restoration of Santa Monica Bay in accordance with
the goals and priorities of the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Plan and
WHEREAS The City of Culver City was approved for an $1 252,660 grant to
implement the Culver City City-wide BMP Treatment Train Project and
WHEREAS, All grant funds will be administered through a grant agreement with
the State Water Resources Control Board
NOW THEREFORE the City Council of the City of Culver City, DOES HEREBY
RESOLVE as follows|109| That the City of Culver City approves the receipt of grant funds from the
State Water Resources Control Board for the implementation of the Culver City
City-wide BMP Treatment Train Project approved by the Santa Monica Bay
Restoration Commission, and
cr2 That the Chief Administrative Officer, or designee, as agent of the City of
Culver City is authorized to execute and submit all documents which may be necessary
for the completion of the grant award process
APPROVED and ADOPTED this day of 2005
Albert Vera Mayor
City of Culver City California
ATTEST APPROVED AS TO FORM
Christopher Armenta CAROL A SCHWAB
City Clerk City Attorney
CAS mc
R|1010|o
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