TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Philippe Eskandar, City Manager
BY: Amber Shah, Parks & Public Works Director/City Engineer DATE: September 11, 2024
SUBJECT: APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION NO. R-24-25 AUTHORIZING
THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A TRANSFER
AGREEMENT WITH THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY FLOOD
CONTROL DISTRICT FOR TRANSFER OF MEASURE W,
SAFE CLEAN WATER (SCW) PROGRAM FUNDS
STRATEGIC PLAN CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS
Fiscally Responsible and Transparent City Government
Well-Maintained Infrastructure
BACKGROUND
In 2018, Los Angeles County voters approved Measure W, that created the Safe, Clean Water (SCW) Program and allowed for the collection of a special parcel tax of 2.5 cents ($0.025) per square foot of impermeable area on private property located within the Los Angeles County Flood Control District.
Through Measure W, the SCW Program provides local, dedicated funding to increase regional water supply, improve water quality, and enhance communities throughout Los Angeles County with forty percent (40%) of the funding from the SCW Program allocated to cities as local return. On average, the City has received approximately $235,000 per year to address local stormwater and urban runoff challenges and opportunities. The adoption of the attached Resolution and execution of the attached Transfer Agreement with the Los Angeles County Flood Control District will maintain the City’s eligibility to continue receiving the SCW Program funding for the next four (4) Fiscal Years, FY 2024-25 through FY 2027-28.
Steven W. Huang, DDS, Mayor
Gretchen Shepherd Romey, Vice Mayor
Tony Chou, Council Member
Calvin Lo, Council Member
Steve Talt, Council Member
DISCUSSION
The City is eligible to receive a proportional amount of SCW Program funds annually from the Los Angeles County Flood Control District as local returns from Measure W. These funds are allocated to member cities to fund projects and programs that increase stormwater capture and reduce stormwater and urban runoff pollution. To date, the City has received an annual allocation of approximately $235,000 since the first year of the SCW Program’s funding eligibility in FY 2019-20. In order to continue receiving SCW Program funding for the next four (4) fiscal years, the City must execute a new Transfer Agreement with the Los Angeles County Flood Control District for FY 2024-25 through FY 2027-28. Expenditure of the funds is required within five years of each respective fiscal year’s allocation. For example, the funding allocation for FY 2024-25 must be spent on eligible program expenses by FY 2029-30.
Most recently, SCW Program funds have been utilized to help fund multiple Capital Improvement projects, including installation of catch basin trash and debris capture devices and for an infiltration feasibility study as part of the Lacy Park Culvert Replacement project. Additionally, SCW Program funds were appropriated in the Public Works operating budget to conduct a TMDL Trash Study to assist the City in meeting State and County stormwater regulations required this FY 2024-25. Moving forward, staff anticipates continuing to utilize SCW Program funds for both the capital improvement program as well as for eligible NPDES/stormwater related expenses within the Public Works operating budget.
In accordance with guidelines issued by the Los Angeles County Flood Control District for a municipality to maintain eligibility to receive SCW Program funding, the City must also comply with Program requirements, including submittal of an annual progress/expenditure reporting, submittal of an annual plan for each Fiscal Year, and compliance with the audit requirements.
FISCAL IMPACT & PROCUREMENT REVIEW
The ability of the City to gain access to the Safe, Clean Water Program (SCW) funding requires adoption of a Resolution and execution of the Transfer Agreement with the Los Angeles County Flood Control District. Under the new Agreement, the City will continue to be eligible to receive SCW Program funds for the next four Fiscal Years, FY 2024-25 through FY 2027-28, for a total of approximately $940,000. Staff will identify eligible projects for City Council consideration and include Measure W Safe Clean Water funding in future budget cycles.
Procurement review is not applicable.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney's office has reviewed and approved as to form.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council approve Resolution No. R-24-25 authorizing the City Manager to execute a Transfer Agreement with the Los Angeles County Flood Control District for Transfer of Safe Clean Water (SCW) Funds. If the City Council concurs with staff’s recommendation, an appropriate motion would be:
“I move to approve Resolution No. R-24-25 authorizing the City Manager to execute a Transfer Agreement with the Los Angeles County Flood Control District for Transfer of Safe Clean Water (SCW) Funds.”
ATTACHMENTS
1. Draft Resolution No. R-24-25
2. Transfer Agreement with Los Angeles County Flood Control District for SCW Program Funds