City Council Agenda Report
June 17, 2025
TO: Honorable City Council
FROM: Jesus M. Gomez, City Manager
BY: Glen W.C. Kau, P.E., Director of Public Services/City Engineer Jacqueline Koontz, P.E., Senior Civil Engineer
SUBJECT: RESOLUTION NO. 25-26 - APPROVING THE AMENDED AND RESTATED
JOINT EXERCISE OF POWERS AGREEMENT FOR THE LOS ANGELES
GATEWAY REGION INTEGRATED REGIONAL WATER MANAGEMENT
AUTHORITY
Background:
In 2007, the cities of Cerritos, Downey, Lakewood, Long Beach, Norwalk, Paramount, Santa Fe Springs, Signal Hill, and South Gate initially entered into a Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement (JPA) and created the Los Angeles Gateway Region Integrated Regional Water Management Authority (GWMA).
The GWMA was formed 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 two million people, GWMA members have successfully worked together to develop regional projects, and seek and receive local, state and/or 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
City Council June 17, 2025
Resolution No. 25-26 - Approve Amended and Reinstated
GWMA Agreement
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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 Joint Powers Authority (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 (which have been done in-house since 2014).
On April 10, GWMA staff presented the revised draft agreement to the GWMA Board. After discussion, the GWMA Board approved the amended and restated JPA Agreement by a super- majority vote. Adoption of a resolution by City Council approving the amended and reinstated agreement is required to finalize the City’s continued participation as a GWMA member agency.
Fiscal Impact:
Annual dues will vary and be assessed and approved by a super-majority vote of the GWMA Board. The proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2025/26 Budget has identified $90,000 of Measure W Funding to be utilized for GWMA membership dues. Funding for future FYs will be budgeted on an annual basis to be approved by City Council during the annual budgeting process.
Citizens Advised:
N/A
Strategic Plan 2023 Implementation:
N/A
Recommended Action:
Staff recommends City Council adopt Resolution No. 25-26, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWALK APPROVING THE AMENDED AND RESTATED
JOINT EXERCISE OF POWERS AGREEMENT FOR THE LOS ANGELES GATEWAY REGION INTEGRATED REGIONAL WATER MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY.
Attachments:
Resolution No. 25-26