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Title:
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Authorization to Issue a Letter of Support to the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission Regarding a Proposition 84 Water Quality Grant Application Being Developed by Santa Monica Baykeeper.
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City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
A9-1
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council authorize the City Manager to issue a letter of
support to the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission indicating the City’s
support for a Proposition 84 Water Quality Grant Application being developed by
Santa Monica Baykeeper.
BACKGROUND:
Proposition 84, approved by voters in November 2006, authorized the issuance of
$5.388 billion in general obligation bonds to fund water, flood control, natural
resources, park and conservation projects statewide. Of this amount, $18 million
has been made available to the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission
(SMBRC) for local water quality projects. The SMBRC has issued a request for
proposals to public agencies and non-profit groups for projects that will improve
water quality in the Santa Monica Bay. Proposals are due October 17, 2008.
Santa Monica Baykeeper (Baykeeper), a non-profit environmental organization,
approached the City to propose a partnership to apply for Proposition 84 grant funds
to install rain gardens at four locations adjacent to Ballona Creek. The City
partnered with Baykeeper in the past to install storm water pollution prevention
technologies, so they are very familiar with the City and saw an opportunity to use
Proposition 84 grant funds to complete another storm water pollution prevention
project.
Meeting Date: 10/13/08 Item Number: A-9
AGENDA ITEM: Authorization to Issue a Letter of Support to the Santa Monica
Bay Restoration Commission Regarding a Proposition 84 Water Quality Grant
Application Being Developed by Santa Monica Baykeeper.
Contact Person/Dept.: Damian Skinner or
Steve Finton
Phone Number: (310) 253-6421
(310) 253-6406
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [X] No []
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: [X]
Public Notification
Master E-Mail Notification List (10/01/08)
Department Approval:
Charles Herbertson (10/09/08)
City Attorney Approval:
Carol Schwab (by H. Baker) (10/09/08)
Chief Financial Officer Approval:
Jeff Muir (by M. Noller) (10/09/08)
City Manager Approval:
Jerry B. Fulwood (10/09/08) City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
A9-2
DISCUSSION:
The proposed grant project includes construction of rain gardens at four locations
within Flood Control District right-of-way adjacent to Ballona Creek. The rain
gardens would be placed in unpaved areas above the Creek abutting industrial
properties. (Please see Attachment 1 for a detailed description and illustration of a
rain garden, and Attachment 2 for a map of the proposed locations). Since the areas
are in Los Angels County right-of-way, the County’s approval would be required
before the rain gardens could be installed. The four locations were chosen due to
the availability of suitable unused space and the industrial nature of the drainage
areas. The rain gardens will be constructed on the south side of Ballona Creek;
therefore, there should be no impact to the bike path traffic that runs along the north
side of the creek.
Baykeeper has offered to take the lead role in the grant process. They would
prepare the grant application and conduct all the required analysis, report writing,
record keeping, design, contracting and construction management necessary to
administer the grant. The City would provide staff support during the design and
construction period utilizing existing staff
The grant requires that the completed rain gardens be maintained for 25 years. It is
expected that routine maintenance measures would include periodic weeding, plant
replacement and annual replacement of filter screens. As pollutants collect in the
rain garden, the porous substrate would become increasingly contaminated requiring
complete replacement after a number of years. The frequency of the complete
replacement would depend on rain garden design and the extent of pollutants
reaching it. Baykeeper proposes to take the primary responsibility for maintenance
and has requested that the City provide supplemental maintenance services. The
City could assist with maintenance efforts to the extent that funding is provided
through the grant to do so. The cost of required maintenance depends on the size
and features of the rain gardens and would be determined once design of the rain
gardens is completed. The City will require adequate funds from the grant award to
be deposited with the City for the supplemental maintenance of the rain gardens.
If a grant is awarded, the City, Baykeeper and Los Angeles County would formalize
their relationships under the grant through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA).
This MOA would be submitted for City Council consideration at a later date. Final
designs and locations of the rain gardens must be approved by Los Angeles County
and Culver City and an environmental assessment must be completed prior to
installation.
The proposed project is consistent with the City Council adopted Final Design and
Planning Principles (Table 5-A) of the Ballona Creek and Trail Special Focused City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
A9-3
Study of 2004 as it implements storm water pollution prevention technologies to
mitigate the flow of pollutants into Ballona Creek.
FISCAL ANALYSIS:
There is no fiscal impact caused by issuing the recommended letter of support. If
the grant is secured, minimal Public Works Department staff support would be
provided to complete the project. The cost of the City’s maintenance participation
would be funded through the grant with no City budget impact.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Description and illustration of a rain garden
2. Preliminary map of locations
3. Recommended letter of support
4. Final Design and Planning Principles (Table 5-A) of the Ballona Creek and Trail
Special Focused Study of 2004
MOTION:
That the City Council:
Authorize the City Manager to issue a letter of support to the Santa Monica Bay
Restoration Commission indicating the City’s support for a Proposition 84 Water
Quality Grant Application Being Developed by Santa Monica Baykeeper and
indicating that the City would provide staff support during design and construction
and would use funds from the grant award to provide supplemental maintenance
services to maintain the completed project.
Rain Garden
Flows tributary to the rain garden flow into
the garden and are filtered or infiltrate
*The following is a published EPA guideline with regard to
performance of bio-swales and bio-retention:
*Taken from the EPA document EPA 832-F-99-012
Pollution Removal Potential
ATTACHMENT 11|10101010|Proposed
Rain Garden Locations
ATTACHMENT 2 ____________________________
Culver City Employees take pride in effectively providing the highest levels of service to enrich the quality of life for the community by building on
our tradition of more than seventy-five years of public service, by our present commitment, and by our dedication to meet the challenges of the
future.
PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER
October __, 2008
Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission
Subject: Letter of Support for Ballona Creek Rain Garden Project
Dear _________:
This letter serves to confirm that the City of Culver City supports Santa Monica
Baykeeper’s efforts to secure funding for the Ballona Creek Rain Garden Project. The
proposed project would be constructed along the banks of Ballona Creek in the City of
Culver City. The project would treat or infiltrate storm water flows from drainages
adjacent to the Creek and will improve water quality. The project will also serve as an
example of treatment methods that can be employed on other public or private parcels.
Culver City will partner with Santa Monica Baykeeper through design and construction
and will provide City staff support to complete this important project. Baykeeper would
take the primary role in maintaining the completed project and the City would assist with
maintenance efforts to the extent that adequate grant funds are deposited with the City to
do so. Please give serious consideration to this important project.
Sincerely.
Jerry Fulwood
City Manager
ATTACHMENT 3