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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 Bay Keeper.
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City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
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 Bay Keeper.
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 Bay Keeper (Bay Keeper), 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 Bay Keeper 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: 10/06/08 Item Number: A-3
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 Bay Keeper.
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 (09/30/08)
City Attorney Approval:
Carol Schwab (by H. Baker) (09/30/08)
Chief Financial Officer Approval:
Jeff Muir (by M. Noller) (10/01/08)
City Manager Approval:
Jerry B. Fulwood (10/01/08) City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
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.
Bay Keeper 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. Additionally, Bay Keeper would maintain the completed
project. The City would provide staff support during the design and construction
period and would have no financial obligation. If a grant is awarded, the City, Bay
Keeper 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
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.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Description and illustration of a rain garden
2. Preliminary map of locations City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
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 Bay Keeper.