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: Adoption of a resolution approving the Fifth Amendment to the Los Angeles Gateway Region Integrated Regional Water Management Authority (GWMA) Amended and Restated JPA Meeting Date: July 8, 2025
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council consider adoption of a resolution approving the 5th Amendment to the Joint Powers Authority Agreement (JPA) with the GWMA.
ANALYSIS:
The Gateway Water Management Authority was formed in 2007 to address water supply reliability, water quality, stormwater, and flood control in the Gateway Region of Los Angeles County. With a population of more than 2 million people, GWMA members have successfully worked together to develop regional projects, and seek and receive local, state and federal funds to support those projects.
GWMA members are made up of Gateway cities and water agencies that represent distinctive hydrogeological, topographic, demographic, political, and economic elements. Membership in the GWMA has proven to successfully communicate the Gateway region’s needs with a single voice increasing opportunities for project and funding partners.
Since its inception, GWMA’s membership has increased and GWMA’s role has evolved significantly. Currently, membership has grown to 28 cities and water agencies. With that growth, GWMA has been able to respond to the changing water conditions and challenges in Southern California. In addition to developing regional projects and seeking grant funds to support them, GWMA continues its critical role as part of the Greater Los Angeles County Integrated Regional Water Management ensuring that the Gateway region’s voice is always heard. Further, GWMA’s added role since 2012 has been to facilitate and administratively support watershed stormwater compliance programs under the MS4 Permit for the Lower Los Angeles River, Lower San Gabriel River, Los Cerritos Channel and several other regional groups of cities working together to comply with the MS4 Permit for monitoring/reporting harbor stormwater flows.
In 2024, GWMA staff and legal counsel provided several updates regarding the proposed modifications to the JPA Agreement. These changes include: board member terms and allowing for up to three alternates; updating the list of members cities/agencies; defining a super-majority vote for certain board actions; and no longer requiring a lead agency to be appointed to conduct the financial/contractual affairs of GWMA (done in-house since 2014).
On January 14, 2025, member agency staff received the draft Amended and Restated JPA Agreement for review and comment. Legal Counsel was also requested to review the document. Comments were due to GWMA staff by March 14, 2025.
On April 10th, GWMA staff presented the revised draft agreement to the GWMA Board, showing the incorporated members’ comments to the JPA Agreement. After discussion, the GWMA Board approved the Amended and Restated JPA Agreement by a super-majority vote which is presented herein.
FISCAL IMPACT:
No changes are anticipated to the annual fees paid to the GWMA. These fees support the agency’s ongoing operations and initiatives. Sufficient funds are available within the existing budget to cover the cost.
RELATIONSHIP TO STRATEGIC GOALS:
This item is related to the 2012 Strategic Goal to develop a tangible environmental mitigation plan.
Approved by: Shahid Abbas, Director of Public Works
Prepared by: Andrew Caraveo, Environmental Coordinator Reviewed by: Alvaro Castellon, Director of Finance
Approved as to form: Noel Tapia, City Attorney
Respectfully submitted: Ernie Hernandez, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution
Amended JPA