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: Harbor Toxics Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Stormwater Compliance Agreement Meeting Date: June 9, 2026
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council approve a Resolution authorizing a three-year cost sharing agreement with the Gateway Water Management Authority (GWMA) for stormwater monitoring services to comply with the Harbor Toxics Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL). The term of the new agreement is from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2029.
ANALYSIS:
As a member of the GWMA, the City of Commerce can participate in joint ventures with other member agencies regulated under the MS4 Permit for stormwater and non-stormwater discharges administration and cost sharing. On June 5, 2018, the City executed a five-year Agreement with GWMA which expired on June 30 2023, and subsequently on August 23, 2023 the City renewed the agreement with GWMA for another three years which will expire on June 30, 2026. This new three-year agreement will allow the City to continue to participate in a joint cost-saving collaboration with GWMA for stormwater management services to comply with the Harbor Toxics TMDL for pollutants affecting water quality. This effort includes maintenance of monitoring stations in various regulated rivers that the member agencies discharge into, including one station in the Los Angeles River at Wardlow Road in the City of Long Beach. Since the City discharges storm water into a portion of the Los Angeles River, the City benefits from this joint cost-sharing arrangement.
ALTERNATIVES:
Approve staff recommendation
Disapprove staff recommendation
Provide further direction to staff
FISCAL IMPACT:
The City of Commerce’s share of the regional monitoring program costs is $743.55 annually, as determined by GWMA. Funding for Fiscal Year 2026-28 is proposed in the Safe Clean Water Program (account no. 34-91000-52001) and is subject to City Council adoption of the FY 2026-28 budget. Funding for subsequent years of the agreement will be incorporated into future biennial budgets and will remain subject to City Council appropriation.
RELATIONSHIP TO STRATEGIC GOALS:
This item is related to the 2016 Strategic Goal Guiding Principle 5:
to create and pursue opportunities for collaboration and regional partnerships to maximize resources and address regional issues.
Respectfully submitted: Ernie Hernandez, City Manager
Recommended by: Shahid Abbas, Department of Public Works Prepared by: Andrew Caraveo, Environmental Coordinator Reviewed by: Alvaro Castellon, Director of Finance
Approved as to form: Noel Tapia, City Attorney
ATTACHMENTS:
Agreement
Resolution