TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to execute a contract with Moffatt and Nichol to provide professional services for the reconnaissance study of the Long Beach Breakwater, in an amount not to exceed $100,000, for a term of nine months, with an option to extend the contract for three months; receive funds and execute all documents required for the California Coastal Conservancy Grant in the amount of $50,000; and increase appropriations in the Tidelands Fund (TF) in the Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine (PR) by $100,000. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The Long Beach Breakwater (Breakwater) is a federally owned and operated structure with the purpose of protecting navigation, coastal zones, and property. As a federal project, the United States Army Corps of Engineers (Army Corps) maintains jurisdiction over the Breakwater, including any modification or removal. The City of Long Beach (City) is leading an effort to partner with the Army Corps on a reconnaissance study of the Breakwater. The purpose of the study is to determine if there is a federal interest in a reconfiguration of the Breakwater, which could improve water quality, while continuing to protect the coast. The goal of the study is to create a document that meets the standards and requirements of the Army Corps, and that can be reviewed by the Army Corps (at a minimum federal cost) for a determination of federal interest. Once the study is complete, the City will present the document to the Army Corps, who will then conduct their review. If the Army Corps determines that there is federal interest in reconfiguring the Breakwater, the next step would be to conduct a feasibility study. On July 24, 2007, the City Council directed staff to fund a reconnaissance study of the Long Beach Breakwater, at a cost of up to $100,000 (Attachment A).
A Request for Proposals (RFP) process was conducted, in accordance with Administrative Regulation 8-4, "Selecting Professional Consultants," to secure these professional services. Three firms submitted applications and were interviewed.
Moffatt and Nichol was selected due to their team's expertise in coastal engineering, water quality, public outreach efforts, and their experience working with the Army Corps in performing other reconnaissance studies.
The City has been awarded a $50,000 grant from the California Coastal Conservancy (Conservancy), which will offset half of the cost of the reconnaissance study. In order to take advantage of this grant, the funds must be encumbered by June 30, 2008. The release of the $50,000 in Conservancy grant funds is also contingent on a $30,000 federal appropriation for the Army Corps to formally accept and review the City's reconnaissance study. The City has submitted a Fiscal Year 2009 appropriation request to the Long Beach Congressional Delegation and is currently awaiting House and Senate Appropriation Committee decisions on that request. If Congress declines to appropriate the $30,000 to the Army Corps, the City will pay the full $100,000 cost of the study.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Gary J. Anderson on May 30, 2008, and Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on June 2, 2008.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on June 17, 2008, in order to encumber the grant funds from the California Coastal Conservancy before their June 30, 2008, deadline.
FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of the recommendations will increase appropriations in the Tidelands Fund (TF) in the Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine (PR) by $100,000. If Congress appropriates the necessary review funds to the Army Corps of Engineers, $50,000 of the project cost will be reimbursed by grant funding. If Congress declines to appropriate review funds to the Army Corps, the City will pay the full $100,000 cost of the reconnaissance study with the appropriated Tidelands funding.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
PHIL T. HESTER
DIRECTOR OF PARKS, RECREATION AND MARINE
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APPROVED: |
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PATRICK H. WEST |
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CITY MANAGER |