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: Gateway Water Management Authority Appointments Meeting Date: October 14, 2025
RECOMMENDATION:
City Council to consider adopting a resolution appointing Shahid Abbas, Director of Public Works as the Governing Board Member and Andrew Caraveo, Environmental Coordinator as the designated alternate representative to the Gateway Water Management Authority (GWMA) and automatically re-appointed for successive two-year terms unless changed by act of the City Council.
BACKGROUND:
In December 2006, the Gateway Council of Governments (COG) directed the formation of a Gateway Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) Group. Fifteen cities and districts within the Gateway Region formed the Gateway IRWM Joint Powers Authority on October 11, 2007, now known as the GWMA. Priorities of the GWMA include both drinking water and stormwater issues, parks and open space planning, water conservation, and regional water planning projects.
Policy direction for the GWMA is provided by a Board of Directors made up of the member agencies. Each member agency appoints one representative staff member and one alternate staff member to the Board. Appointment to a two-year term on the Board of Directors is made by the Member Agencies. Appointees to the Governing Board do not receive any compensation as a Board member. All cities within the Gateway Region are members in addition to the Long Beach Water Department and Central Basin Municipal Water District. Commerce has been a member since 2010. We have not had a representative at these meetings since 2024.
Both the State of California and the Federal government have indicated that future water resources funding will be directed to regional watershed groups that propose coordinated projects to address regional water management problems. Membership in the GWMA positions the City of Commerce for state and federal grant eligibility while providing the City with direct input into the planning, application and implementation processes. Membership in the GWMA also allows the City to participate in the development of a regional water management plan to address local needs, obtain grant funding, and cost share.
ANALYSIS:
At the regular meeting on July 11, 2019, the GWMA Board directed the Executive Officer to prepare a Resolution to amend the Bylaws to authorize all current board members and alternates, regardless of when they were appointed, to be automatically re-appointed for successive terms. Member Agencies will still have discretion to change their appointees whenever they desire or due to a vacancy.
Staff recommends the City continue to participate in the GWMA as an active Board member and adopt the Resolution appointing the aforementioned staff.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The fiscal impact for participating in GWMA is $15,000 per year. Funds are budgeted in Account #10-1570-54027, Environmental Services and would not result in an adverse budgetary impact.
ALTERNATIVES:
Approve staff recommendation
Disapprove staff recommendation
Provide further direction to staff
RELATIONSHIP TO STRATEGIC GOALS:
This item is related to a specific 2016 Strategic Goal to “create and pursue opportunities for collaboration and regional partnerships to maximize resources and address regional issues.” Prepared by: Andrew Caraveo, Environmental Coordinator Reviewed by: Shahid Abbas, Director of Public Works
Approved as to form: Noel Tapia, City Attorney
Respectfully submitted: Ernie Hernandez, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution