Administrative
Report
H.13., File # 24-1403 Meeting Date: 9/3/2024
To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: ANDREW WINJE, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
TITLE
APPROVE THE SAFE, CLEAN WATER MUNICIPAL TRANSFER AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT AND THE CITY OF REDONDO BEACH; AND,
ADOPT BY TITLE ONLY RESOLUTION NO. CC-2409-077, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF REDONDO BEACH, CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR, THE CITY MANAGER, OR THE CITY MANAGER’S DESIGNEE TO EXECUTE THE TRANSFER
AGREEMENT WITH THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT FOR THE SAFE, CLEAN WATER PROGRAM’S MUNICIPAL PROGRAM
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City benefits from the county-wide property tax funded Municipal Safe Clean Water Program (Measure W) by receiving local return funding and through opportunities to compete for grants made eligible by the Measure. The Program commenced in FY 2019-20 and is implemented by the Los Angeles County Flood Control District (LACFCD). The City has received approximately $720,000 annually in the local return program since FY 2019-20, which is used to address local stormwater and urban runoff challenges and opportunities. The City has also received competitive grant funding from Measure W, which is transferred under separate agreements.
On September 15, 2020, the City Council approved the first Transfer Agreement with the LACFCD for the local return portion of the Measure W funds, also called the Municipal Program. The initial threeyear term for the Transfer Agreement will soon expire, and the City must enter into a new transfer agreement with LACFD in order to continue receiving funds going forward. The LACFCD requires approval of a resolution (in the attached format) by the City to recognize the City Council’s authorization of the agreement’s execution.
BACKGROUND
In July 2018, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors agreed to place the Safe Clean Water Program and Measure W on the ballot for consideration by voters on November 6, 2018. On October 16, 2018, the City Council adopted Resolution No. CC-1810-064 in support of Measure W. Measure W implements a special tax of 2.5 cents per square foot of impermeable surface on property owners in Los Angeles County and will generate approximately $300 million per year of dedicated funding for municipal and regional stormwater programs. Property owners who have installed stormwatercapture improvements can qualify for a tax credit and qualifying low-income seniors and non-profit
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organizations are eligible for exemption.
Measure W created a comprehensive, regional plan to address how the region captures water and how we can reduce our reliance on imported water. The Safe, Clean Water Program provides local, dedicated funding to increase our local water supply, improve water quality, and protect public health.
The program was developed in collaboration with public health groups, environmental groups, cities, business, labor, and community-based organizations. The program:
· Updates LA County’s water system to capture more of the billions of gallons of water that we lose each year
· Helps protect our coastal waters and beaches from the trash and contaminants in stormwater that make people sick and threaten marine life
· Modernizes our 100-year-old water system infrastructure using a combination of nature, science, and new technology
· Helps protect public health, ensuring safer, greener, healthier, and more livable spaces for all · Prepares our region for the effects of a changing climate - including recurring cycles of drought, wildfire, and flooding
· Requires strict community oversight and independent auditing which would ensure local monies raised would stay local
Strong Fiscal Accountability
The Safe, Clean Water Program includes strict accountability requirements. All money must stay local to protect our clean water and increase our local water supply with annual reports and independent audits required. Each municipality’s annual expenditure plan for the ensuing Fiscal Year is due 45 days from execution and then 90-days prior to the end of the County’s Fiscal Year (April 1st) for each subsequent year. Audit reports are due 9 months after the end of each third fiscal year, and progress reports are due annually, 6 months after close of fiscal year.
Municipal Program Funds
40% of Safe, Clean Water Program revenues are allocated directly to the municipalities from which they are derived to fund local stormwater projects and programs. This portion of funding (referred to as the Municipal Program or Local Return) is distributed to municipalities proportional to the tax revenues collected within their boundaries. The City of Redondo Beach receives approximately $720,000 annually, which commenced in FY 2019-20. The Municipal Program is designed to maximize the ability of local governments to address local Stormwater and Urban Runoff challenges and opportunities. Projects and programs are required to include a water quality benefit; multi-benefit projects and nature-based solutions are strongly encouraged. Municipal Program funding can be used for eligible activities such as project development, design, construction, effectiveness monitoring, operations, and maintenance (including operation and maintenance of projects built to comply with 2012 MS4 permits), as well as for other programs and studies related to protecting and improving water quality in lakes, rivers and ocean. Up to 30% of Municipal Funds may be used for maintenance of effort-safe, Clean Water Program eligible activities, As a requirement of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System Permit (MS4 Permit), each city is responsible for implementing storm water projects in their jurisdiction (distributed projects) such a green streets and source reduction programs, as well as larger, multi-jurisdictional (regional) projects. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Works has estimated that the total capital costs to implement these projects to comply with the MS4 Permit
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has estimated that the total capital costs to implement these projects to comply with the MS4 Permit exceeds $20 billion for the County and cities. The SCW Program assists cities in meeting water quality compliance regulations by helping fund various projects and programs with an emphasis on implementing multi-benefit stormwater infrastructure.
The City has enjoyed a successful first three-year period. Approximately $ 2,160,000 in local return funding has been allocated to the catch basin maintenance program, Alondra Park Regional Project, enhanced watershed management plan (EWMP) implementation, and to annual storm system maintenance and life extension improvements.
COORDINATION
The City Attorney’s Office approved the Agreement as to form.
FISCAL IMPACT
The City of Redondo Beach is projected to receive an estimated $720,000 annually from Measure W (Local Return) Municipal Program funds. Failure to approve the proposed Agreement will result in these funds being redirected outside of the City and into other projects in the Los Angeles County Flood Control District.
APPROVED BY:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
· Agmt - Transfer Agreement Between the City of Redondo Beach and the Los Angeles County Flood Control District
· Reso - No. CC-2409-077 Authorizing the Mayor, City Manager, or Designee to Execute a Transfer Agreements between the City of Redondo Beach and the Los Angeles County Flood Control District