TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to enter into a Joint Powers Authority with the California State Coastal Conservancy, the Lower
San Gabriel and Los Angeles River Mountains Conservancy, and the City of Seal Beach to further a comprehensive program of acquisition, protection, conservation, restoration, maintenance and operation, and environmental enhancement of the Los Cerritos Wetlands. (District 3)
DISCUSSION
The Los Cerritos Wetlands (Wetlands), depicted on the attached map, is home to a rich
ecosystem and serves as an important potential open space resource to our residents and
visitors. The Wetlands collectively total approximately 453 acres, and are comprised of three
different ownerships. The Bixby Ranch Company property, located in Long Beach, contains
approximately 207 acres. The Bryant property, also located in Long Beach, contains
approximately 72 acres. The Hellman Ranch property, located jointly in the City of Seal Beach
and unincorporated Los Angeles and Orange Counties, contains approximately 174 acres. The
Wetlands have been designated as a legislative and open space priority for the City of Long
Beach. Accordingly, 'it is important to exercise every opportunity to expedite acquisition
opportunities. Although negotiations to acquire the Bixby Ranch property have stalled, efforts to
acquire the Bryant property and the Hellman property are proceeding with cautious optimism.
The partners in the acquisition efforts include the California State Coastal Conservancy, the
Lower San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy and the City of Seal
Beach. Together, these partners have worked through The Trust for Public Lands to negotiate
for the acquisition of the Wetlands properties. On August 20, 2002, City Council authorized the
City Manager to enter into a Confidentiality Agreement regarding the potential acquisition of the
Bixby Ranch Company property, and on March 25, 2003, City Council authorized the inclusion
of the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy into the
Confidentiality Agreement. These Council letters are attached (see Attachments 1 and 2).
To enable the partners to more effectively negotiate for acquisition of the Wetlands, create an
entity to hold title, pursue protection, conservation, and restoration of the Wetlands, and provide
for long-term maintenance and operation and environmental enhancement of the Wetlands, a
joint exercise of powers authority (JPA) is proposed. The partners will become parties to the
JPA, allowing the JPA to exercise their common powers for the above purposes and subject to
the following:
0 The JPA shall not have the power to acquire property by eminent domain
The JPA shall be governed by a board (Governing Board), consisting of four voting
members, with each party appointing one voting member
All meetings of the Governing Board shall be held in accordance with the provisions of
the Ralph M. Brown Act and, where applicable, Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised
The Treasurer of Long Beach shall act as the Treasurer of the JPA
The Auditor of Long Beach shall perform the function of auditor of the JPA
Each party of the JPA shall make equal contributions to the JPA, as specified in the
approved budget, a minimum of $5,000 and a maximum of $25,000 per annum in either
funds or like kind services
Additional public agencies may become a party to the JPA if authorized by its governing
body
The JPA shall continue from year to year until terminated by unanimous vote of the
Governing Board
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action on this item is requested on December 13, 2005 to coincide with similar
actions from the governing bodies of the partners.
FISCAL IMPACT
The annual budgets for the JPA will be included in the City's budget for each fiscal year.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
GERALD R. MILLER
CITY MANAGER