CITY OF COMMERCEAGENDA REPORTCITY OF COMMERCEAGENDA REPORT
CITY OF COMMERCE
AGENDA REPORT
CITY OF COMMERCE
AGENDA REPORT
Item No. Item No.
Item No.
Item No.
TO: Honorable City Council
FROM: City Manager
SUBJECT: Participation in the Central Basin Demonstration Garden Funding Opportunity Meeting Date: February 21, 2023
RECOMMENDATION:
The City Council will consider adopting a Resolution to:
Approve the City’s participation in the Central Basin Municipal Water District’s Member Agency Disadvantaged Communities Project for a water-conserving demonstration garden; and Allocate $50,000 in Measure AA funds as recommended by Measure AA Advisory Committee to cover the cost of the maximum award amount, which is 100% reimbursable for turf replacement with drought tolerant plants and an educational component.
BACKGROUND:
On September 13, 2022, the City Council approved a Turf Replacement at Parks Program as part of the Fiscal Year 22/23 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) to further reduce the City’s water usage and maintenance at its parks. City Council approved $400,000 in Measure AA funds for this program. In addition, in October 2022, Central Basin Municipal Water District announced a Member Agency Disadvantaged Communities Project with funding opportunity provided by the Metropolitan Water District (MWD) available to member agencies like the City of Commerce with funding administered through Central Basin. The City expressed interest and needs to submit their Pre-Approval Request Form with an identified project details for MWD approval.
MWD requires the new landscaping to have:
High efficiency irrigation
Drought tolerant plants
Educational aspect for visitors/public to learn from the landscape. Examples include signage, plant labels, and walking paths for the public to enjoy the landscape up close.
ANALYSIS:
Staff suggests combining the approved Water Conservation Turf Replacement at Parks Project ($400,000) with the Central Basin Project ($50,000 reimbursable) and utilize the same design consultant for consistency and to achieve a more efficient cost. Staff solicited proposals and is working with Lost West, the consultant for the Eastern Avenue Median Improvements Project which shares the same goals of reducing water and maintenance to determine areas around City Hall that will best fit the budget. Once those areas are determined, then staff will submit the City’s application form to MWD for final approval.
Staff recommends designating the grassy areas on both sides of the Central Library entrance for this demonstration drought tolerant educational garden with walking pathways and signage. Depending on cost, the project may be able to extend past the library towards the Senior Center. Conceptual plans would be presented to City Council at a later date for approval.
On January 17, 2023, staff presented the Central Basin project and its associated reimbursable funding request to the Measure AA Advisory Committee (MAA). MAA and staff recommend that City Council adopt the attached resolution approving participation in the grant program and allocation of the $50,000 to initially cover the cost.
ALTERNATIVES:
Approve staff recommendation
Disapprove staff recommendation
Provide further direction to staff
FISCAL IMPACT:
$50,000 in Measure AA funds are needed to support the project until which time Central Basin can reimburse 100% of the cost to the City after completion of the project.
RELATIONSHIP TO STRATEGIC GOALS:
The agenda item relates to the 2016 Strategic Plan
Community Quality of Life
Guiding Principle #5:
Foster environmentally conscious initiatives and continue to identify and develop city codes that support a clean, well-maintained, sustainable community.
Respectfully submitted: Edgar P. Cisneros, City Manager Prepared by: Gina Nila, Department of Public Works
Reviewed by: Vilko Domic, Assistant City Manager
Approved as to form: Noel Tapia, City Attorney
Attachment:
Resolution
Member Agency Disadvantaged Communities Project Pre-Approval Request Form