title
CC - CONSENT ITEM: Adoption of a Resolution Authorizing the City to Enter into an Agreement with the Los Angeles County Flood Control District for the Transfer of Measure W Safe Clean Water Program Funds for Fiscal Years 2024-2025 through 2027-2028.
body
Meeting Date: August 12, 2024
Contact Person/Dept: Sean Singletary/Public Works Department
Phone Number: (310) 253-6457
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [ ] General Fund: Yes [ ] No [X]
Attachments: Yes [ ] No [X]
Public Notification: E-Mail: (08/07/2024) Meetings and Agendas - City Council
Department Approval: Yanni Demitri, Public Works Director (07/02/2024)
_____________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council adopt a Resolution authorizing the City to enter into an agreement with the Los Angeles County Flood Control District for the transfer of Measure W Safe Clean Water Program funds (“Transfer Agreement”) for Fiscal Years 2024-2025 through 2027-2028.
BACKGROUND:
In November 2018, Los Angeles County voters approved Measure W, Los Angeles County’s Safe Clean Water Program (the “Program”) to improve water quality, increase local water supply, and enhance communities. The Program provides local dedicated funding to increase local water supply, improve water quality, and protect public health.
Developed in collaboration with public health, environmental groups, cities, businesses, and labor and community-based organizations, the Program will update community stormwater systems to capture more of the billions of gallons of rainwater lost to the ocean each year. Capturing and cleaning this stormwater can greatly increase local water supply and make the community more sustainable for decades to come. The Program will help fund stormwater projects that modernize old stormwater system infrastructure using a combination of nature, science and new technology that could triple the amount of rainwater currently captured.
The Program helps protect our coastal waters and beaches from the trash and contaminants in stormwater that are unhealthy and threaten marine life. The Program provides funding to help capture and clean stormwater, reducing the risk that dirty, polluted runoff poses to our community and marine life. Measure W includes strict accountability requirements. All money must stay local to clean stormwater and protect our water bodies while also increasing our local water supply. Annual reports and independent audits are required.
Under the Safe Clean Water’s Municipal Program, 40% of the funding is allocated to cities as a local return. Cities will receive direct funding via the Municipal Program proportional to the revenue generated within their boundaries. Projects and programs are required to include a water quality benefit; multi-benefit projects and nature-based solutions are strongly encouraged. The funding can be used for eligible activities such as project development, design, construction, effectiveness monitoring, operations and maintenance, as well as for other programs and studies related to protecting and improving water quality in lakes, rivers and streams. Approximately $520,000 will be transferred to the City from the Measure W Safe Clean Water Municipal Program annually through Fiscal Year 2027-2028. Pursuant to Section 16.05.A.1 of the Los Angeles County Flood Control District Code, prior to City’s receipt of Program funds, the City must enter into a Transfer Agreement.
DISCUSSION:
The prior transfer agreement was approved by Council on July 13, 2020. The funds received thus far assisted the City with design and construction of several stormwater projects including but not limited to the Culver Boulevard Stormwater Filtration Project, the Washington Boulevard Stormwater Project, the Mesmer Stormwater Diversion Project, and operations and maintenance of these projects and others.
Future funding will continue to be used on Capital Improvement Projects for stormwater and associated operations and maintenance of these projects.
FISCAL ANALYSIS:
The Safe Clean Water Program will distribute approximately $520,000 to the City annually through Fiscal Year 2027-2028. The City shall hold the distribution in a separate interest-bearing account (Fund 438) and shall not combine with other funds. Interest earned from the account shall be used by the City only for eligible expenditures consistent with the requirements of the Program. Eligible expenditures have been included in the Adopted Budget for Fiscal Year 2024-2025. Future allocations will be included in future fiscal year budgets.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. 2024-08-12_ATT_Resolution Authorizing Transfer Agreement
MOTION:
That the City Council:
1. Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the City Adopt a Resolution authorizing the City to enter into an agreement with the Los Angeles County Flood Control District for the transfer of Measure W Safe Clean Water Program funds;
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.