CITY OF HAWAIIAN GARDENS
CITY COUNCIL
STAFF REPORT
Agenda Item #B7
DATE: February 11, 2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Ernesto Marquez, City Manager
BY: Neema Ghanbari, M.S., P.E., Public Works Director
RECOMMENDATION:
RECOMMENDATION TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO APPROVE THE WILLDAN ENGINEERING PROPOSAL IN THE AMOUNT OF $65,000 FOR CITYWIDE
INFILTRATION TESTING
SUMMARY
Per the Los Angeles County Public Works Department, urbanization impacts the water resources of Los Angeles County by decreasing the amount of stormwater that infiltrates into the subsurface and increasing the potential for conveyance of pollutants into watersheds and the flood control system.
The City of Hawaiian Gardens is a designated co-permittee under the Los Angeles County Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit. As part of this National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit, the City is required to implement stormwater management programs, including Low Impact Development (LID) ordinances to reduce pollution from runoff.
The City’s MS4 permit heavily emphasizes on-site infiltration and retention of stormwater to manage pollution and replenish groundwater.
The Los Angeles County Safe Clean Water Program (Measure W) in Los Angeles County (passed 2018) funds the Safe, Clean Water Program through a 2.5 cent persquare-foot tax on impermeable land, generating approximately $300 million annually.
Funds are allocated to local municipalities (40%), regional projects (50%), and administrative/technical support (10%) to improve water quality, capture stormwater, and increase water supply.
The City of Hawaiian Gardens receives funds from Measure W to fund stormwater projects, pollution reduction, and infrastructure improvements.
Agenda Item #B7
February 11, 2026
To support the evaluation and planning of future water quality projects, the Public Works Department proposes to assess the feasibility of soil infiltration at various locations throughout the City. This effort requires a feasibility study that includes geotechnical engineering analysis and percolation testing.
The Public Works Department received a proposal from Willdan Engineering as part of their on-call engineering contract with the City.
The proposal scope of work includes identifying key locations for testing, researching and reviewing existing subsurface reports, conducting onsite percolation testing, performing hydrology calculations, and preparing a report that summarizes findings and provides recommendations for potential future projects.
Approval of this item will allow the Public Works Department to move forward with the study. This evaluation is a key component for the planning of future water quality projects required under the City’s MS4 Permit guidelines.
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to approve the proposal from Willdan Engineering.
FISCAL IMPACT
The City of Hawaiian Gardens receives $130,000 annually from Measure W to fund stormwater projects, pollution reduction, and infrastructure improvements. The $65,000 cost for this feasibility study will be funded from the approved FY 2025-26 Measure W account.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve Recommendation.
ATTACHMENT(S)
A. Willdan Engineering Proposal to Provide Engineering and Geotechnical Services for Citywide Infiltration Testing.