TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to execute all documents necessary to enter into a Cooperative Implementation Funding Agreement between the City of Long Beach and the California Department of Transportation, for the Long Beach Municipal Urban Stormwater Treatment Recycle Facility project, and any necessary amendments regarding the scope and or term. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is willing to partner with the City and provide up to $28 million for the design and construction of the Long Beach Municipal Urban Stormwater Treatment (LB-MUST) Recycle Facility. This project will result in the creation of a facility that will provide treatment of urban runoff prior to going into the Los Angeles River. Water traveling through the City’s storm drain system typically consists of various types of pollutants, such as bacteria, hydrocarbons, metals and trash. While the City does provide trash screening at its various pump stations, currently there is no treatment of other pollutants. The LB-MUST Recycle Facility will meet the Federal and State compliance regulations that mandate cleanup of the Los Angeles River, and are in accordance with the City’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. Caltrans’ partnership in the LB-MUST project will provide them with “compliance unit” credits toward their NPDES permit requirements.
Long Beach is an ideal location to build an urban runoff and treatment facility because of its proximity to the Los Angeles River. The proposed site is located near the existing Shoemaker Bridge, at Sixth Street and Shoreline Drive (Exhibit A). The pump stations are aligned along the Los Angeles River right-of-way, allowing for easier diversion and subsequent treatment. This location also allows the opportunity to expand treatment capacity as additional pump stations are added to the LB-MUST network (Exhibit B). The water produced by the LB-MUST Recycle Facility would be treated to meet Title 22 regulations for recycled water, as required by the State of California. The recycled water could be used to irrigate the City’s facilities, parkways and parks, such as the Cesar Chavez-Drake Park Wetlands and riparian habitat within the park complex.
On December 15, 2015, the City Council authorized a grant application to the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy (RMC) for $2 million to put towards the planning, design and construction of the wetlands surrounding the LB-MUST project. While the RMC grant, if awarded, has no connection to the Caltrans agreement, it would be utilized to further enhance the planned project. As the development of the LB-MUST project moves forward, additional contracts for design and construction will return for City Council review and approval.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Amy R. Webber on March 7, 2016 and by Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on March 8, 2016.
SUSTAINABILITY
The LB-MUST project will improve the water quality within the Los Angeles River, the Los Angeles River estuary, and the City’s beaches. In addition to water quality improvement, educational features will be incorporated to inform the public of the project benefits.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on April 19, 2016, to enter into the Cooperative Implementation Funding Agreement with Caltrans and secure funding for the LB-MUST project.
FISCAL IMPACT
The proposed Agreement with Caltrans will reimburse the City a maximum of $28 million for eligible project expenditures toward the design and construction of the LB-MUST facility. Once the facility is constructed, the City will be responsible for ongoing maintenance and operating costs, which cannot be projected at this time. When the ongoing facility costs are known, a funding source will be identified and requested through the annual budget process. Additional funding opportunities may also become available as the design of the project moves forward, allowing for additional features to be added.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
CRAIG A. BECK
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER