RESOLUTION NO. _____
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COMMERCE, CALIFORNIA APPROVING PARTICIPATION IN CENTRAL BASIN MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT’S MEMBER AGENCY DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES PROJECT FOR A WATER-CONSERVING DEMONSTRATION GARDEN WHEREAS, 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 and approved $400,000 in Measure AA funds for this program; and WHEREAS, 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 to which the City expressed interest and would need to submit a Pre-Approval Request Form with identified project details for MWD approval; and WHEREAS, MWD requires the new landscaping to have:
1. High efficiency irrigation
2. Drought tolerant plants
3. 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; and WHEREAS, 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; and WHEREAS, 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 and once those areas are determined, staff will submit the City’s application form to MWD for final approval; and WHEREAS, 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 with potential expansion beyond the library towards the Senior Center depending on cost; and WHEREAS, conceptual plans would be presented to City Council at a later date for approval; and WHEREAS, on January 17, 2023, staff presented the Central Basin project and its associated reimbursable funding request to the Measure AA Advisory Committee (MAA) and MAA and staff recommend City Council adoption of a resolution approving participation in the grant program and allocation of the $50,000 to cover the cost initially.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL DOES HEREBY RESOLVE, DECLARE AND DETERMINE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The City Council of the City of Commerce hereby finds and declares that the foregoing recitals are true and correct, and incorporates them herein as findings and as a substantive part of this Resolution.
Section 2. 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 Section 3. Allocate $50,000 in Measure AA funds 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.
Section 4. The Mayor is hereby authorized to execute the resolution and amendment for and on behalf of the City of Commerce. The Mayor is also authorized to execute the Resolution for and on behalf of the City of Commerce.
Section 5. This Resolution shall take full force and effect immediately upon adoption by the City Council.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 21st day of February, 2023. _______________________________
Oralia Y. Rebollo Mayor
ATTEST:
_________________________________
Lena Shumway
City Clerk
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