CITY OF SIGNAL HILL
STAFF REPORT
2175 Cherry Avenue • Signal
Hill, California 90755-3799
3/11/2025
AGENDA ITEM
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR
AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: CARLO TOMAINO
CITY MANAGER
BY: THOMAS BEKELE
PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR/CITY ENGINEER
SUBJECT:
RESOLUTION APPROVING A LIST OF PROJECTS TO BE FUNDED BY THE SAFE, CLEAN WATER PROGRAM - MEASURE W FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-26 Summary:
On November 6, 2018, Los Angeles County voters approved Measure W, a parcel tax aimed to address regional water capture water and reduce reliance on imported water. Measure W imposes a tax of 2.5 cents per square foot of impermeable surface area on private property in the Los Angeles County Flood Control District (District), generating approximately $285 million annually for the countywide Safe, Clean Water (SCW) Program. Staff recommends the City Council adopt a resolution to incorporate a list of projects and programs to be funded by the SCW Measure W for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-26.
Strategic Plan Goal(s):
Goal No. 1 Financial Stability: Endure the City’s long-term financial stability and resilience.
Goal No. 4 Infrastructure: Maintain and improve the City’s physical infrastructure, water system, and recreational spaces.
Recommendations:
1. Adopt a resolution, entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SIGNAL HILL, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE LIST OF PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-26 TO BE
FUNDED BY THE SAFE, CLEAN WATER PROGRAM - MEASURE W FUNDS CITY OF SIGNAL HILL Page 1 of 4 Printed on 3/6/2025
powered by Legistar™
3/11/2025
Fiscal Impact:
The Safe, Clean Water Program Fund's financial trajectory for FY 2025-26 is detailed below in Table
1. After anticipated revenues of $280,000 and expenditures of $443,000 are considered, the fund balance is projected to decrease from $323,837 to $160,837. Despite the reduction, the projected ending balance confirms sufficient funds are available for the proposed list of projects and programs.
Table 1: FY 2025-26 SCW Projections
SCW Projections FY 2025-26
Beginning Fund Balance $323,837
Revenues $280,000
General Fund Expenditures ($193,000)
Capital Expenditures ($250,000)
Ending Fund Balance $160,837
Background:
Los Angeles County’s Measure W is a special parcel tax of 2.5 cents per square foot of impermeable surface area on private property in the Los Angeles County Flood Control District (District), approved by voters on November 6, 2018. This parcel tax generates approximately $285 million per year countywide for the Safe, Clean Water Program, SCW. Since the SCW program began, it has generated over $670 million for more than 100 projects that increased water supply and safeguard waterways. The SCW Program aims to improve water quality in a manner that achieves additional benefits such as increasing water supply and investing in the health and well-being of Los Angeles County communities.
The goals of the SCW Program include:
· Implementing a new plan for Los Angeles County’s water system to capture the billions of gallons of water lost each year from rainwater running directly into the storm drain system. · Helping to protect coastal waters and beaches from the trash and contaminants in stormwater that make people sick and threaten marine life.
· Modernizing the 100-year-old water system infrastructure, using a combination of nature, science, and new technology.
· Helping to protect public health, ensuring safer, greener, healthier, and more livable spaces for all.
· Preparing the region for the effects of a changing climate - including recurring cycles of drought, wildfire, and flooding.
CITY OF SIGNAL HILL Page 2 of 4 Printed on 3/6/2025
powered by Legistar™
3/11/2025
· Requiring strict community oversight and independent auditing to ensure local monies raised stay local.
The Los Angeles County Flood Control District (District), implements projects and programs and allocates revenues from the tax to the Regional Program, Municipal Program, and District Program.
The Regional Program, made up of nine Watershed Area Steering Committee (WASC), receives 50% of SCW funding. The Regional Program is responsible for funding multi-benefit regional projects and feasibility, scientific, and technical studies, and the funding of a Watershed Coordinator position for each WASC. The SCW Municipal Program receives 40% of the funding allocated to cities as a local return proportional to the revenues generated within their boundaries. The SCW District Program receives 10% of the funding for the public education program, local work-force job training, and school education programs.
Analysis:
The Safe, Clean Water funding is divided across the District, Regional, and Municipal Program. The City’s Municipal Program funds, must be used for eligible activities which include project development, design, construction, effectiveness monitoring, operations and maintenance, as well as for other programs and studies related to protecting and improving water quality in lakes, rivers, and the ocean. Additionally, based on program guidelines, up to 30% of the funds may be used to maintain existing eligible projects and programs.
Measure W emphasizes the importance of accountability, transparency, and community outreach and requires the City to submit an annual list of proposed projects (Attachment A). As recommended by the City’s stormwater management consultant, John L. Hunter & Associates, the proposed Annual Plan for FY 2025-26 is outlined in Table 2:
Table 2: FY 2025-26 Proposed Annual Plan
Activity Name New or Existing Type Annual Plan Amount
Consulting Services Existing Program $60,000
Heritage Point Park - Low Impact
Development
New O&M $1,500
Hillbrook Park - Low Impact
Development
New O&M $10,000
Infrastructure Project Planning New Program $1,000
LA Harbor Toxics TMDL
Downstream
Existing Program $25,500
LA Harbor Toxics TMDL
Upstream
Existing Program $500
LLAR Watershed Management
Program - Implementation
Existing Program $25,000
Los Cerritos Channel Sub-basin
4 Stormwater Capture Facility
New O&M $33,000
Los Cerritos Channel
Management Program
Existing Program $30,000
28th Street -Green Street Project New Project $250,000
Signal Hill Dog Park - Low
Impact Development
New O&M $1,500
CITY OF SIGNAL HILL Page 3 of 4 Printed on 3/6/2025
powered by Legistar™
3/11/2025
Upstream
LLAR Watershed Management
Program - Implementation
Existing Program $25,000
Los Cerritos Channel Sub-basin
4 Stormwater Capture Facility
New O&M $33,000
Los Cerritos Channel
Management Program
Existing Program $30,000
28th Street -Green Street Project New Project $250,000
Signal Hill Dog Park - Low
Impact Development
New O&M $1,500
Signal Hill Library - Low Impact
Development
New O&M $5,000
Total Budget $443,000
*O&M (Operation and Maintenance)
Municipalities that receive Measure W funds must provide annual progress and expenditure reports for all projects due annually in December; the report will be reviewed by the California Water Board and Regional Oversight Committee.
Recommendation:
Staff proposes the City Council adopt a resolution to incorporate a list of eligible activities funded by the SCW Measure W for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-26.
Reviewed for Fiscal Impact:
_________________________
Siamlu Cox
Attachments:
A. Resolution Approving a List of Projects to be Funded by Safe, Clean Water CITY OF SIGNAL HILL Page 4 of 4 Printed on 3/6/2025
powered by Legistar™