TITLE
Recommendation to adopt attached resolution authorizing City Manager to submit a grant application, through the California River Parkways Grant Program, to the California Resources Agency in the amount of
$6 million for the DeForest Wetlands project; and to execute any documents necessary for the implementation and administration of the project at a total cost of $6 million. (Districts 8,9)
DISCUSSION
In 2002, California voters passed the Water Security, Clean Drinking Water, Coastal
and Beach Protection Act of 2002 (Act), also known as Proposition 50. The Act
authorized the Legislature to create the California River Parkways Grant Program,
within the Office of the Secretary of Resources, to oversee the awarding of $40.5 million
statewide to river parkway projects. The Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine
proposes to apply for funding for the DeForest Wetlands project (Project), which is
located along the east bank of the Los Angeles River (Attachment A). The Project will
provide for the development of a multi-functional wetlands and recreational facility in the
Los Angeles County Flood Control District Market Street Detention Basin, which is
south of DeForest Park along the Los Angeles River south to Del Amo Boulevard.
In 2002, at the request of the City and the California Coastal Conservancy, the
engineering firm of CH2M Hill completed a feasibility study at the site. The purpose of
the study was to: 1) Evaluate the feasibility of conversion and restoration to wetlands
and riparian habitats at the DeForest Nature .Center site, along the Los Angeles River
Market Street Detention Basin; 2) Determine what public use elements could be
included in the plans to enhance recreational use and enjoyment of the site; and 3)
Determine if the quality of water used at the site would be sufficiently improved after
passing through the created on-site wetlands. The results of the study were very
positive for all outcomes. Last fall, the design phase of the project began with funding
from the City, the Rivers and Mountains Conservancy, the California Coastal
Conservancy, and Los Angeles County. The design phase will provide complete
construction documents, as well as final environmental documents for construction of
the Project. Should the grant be awarded, a partnership between the City and County
will be formalized in an agreement, a request for which will be presented to the City
Council. Currently, design is thirty percent (30%) complete with completion of the full
construction drawings expected in early 2006.
Due to the limited amount of funds available statewide, and in order to remain
competitive in the funding process, the grant application for the DeForest Wetlands
project will provide approximately sixty percent (60%) of the construction costs in order
to complete the first phase of the Project. Specifically, the grant funds would provide for
the majority of the wetlands infrastructure and limited habitat construction without
providing recreational amenities. If this Project is funded in the first cycle of funding, the
Department would apply for funds to complete the remaining forty percent (40%) of the
habitat landscaping and to provide for recreational amenities in a future cycle when
more monies are available. The total cost to complete both phases of the Project is
estimated at $10 million.
This item was reviewed by Donna F. Gwin, Senior Deputy City Attorney, on September
21 , 2005, and Budget Management Officer David Wodynski on September 23,2005.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action on October 4, 2005 is critical as the completed grant application
must be submitted to the California Resources Agency office in Sacramento on
October 18, 2005.
FISCAL IMPACT
FISCAL IMPACT
The cost of the Project at sixty percent (60%) construction, including project
management costs, is estimated at $6 million. If funded, the grant monies will offset $6
million of the project development costs. Funding to cover the City's four percent (4%)
overhead rate is not an eligible grant expense. If the grant is awarded, the City's
overhead expense will come from Park Impact Fees in the Department of Parks,
Recreation and Marine (PR).
In accordance with the goal established in the Open Space and Recreation Element of
the General Plan, the Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine is seeking to add
over 1,000 acres of recreational open space to the city. Such additional recreational
space will require additional City expenditures for staffing and maintenance. Passive
recreational spaces and native habitats require lower staffing and maintenance
expenditures than equivalent areas in traditional parks.
If the grant is awarded by the state, the Department will request City Council approval to
accept and appropriate the funds.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF LONG BEACH AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION FOR AND TO
ENTER AN AGREEMENT AND ALL AMENDMENTS WITH
THE CALIFORNIA RESOURCES AGENCY FOR FUNDING
UNDER THE WATER SECURITY, CLEAN DRINKING
WATER, COASTAL AND BEACH PROTECTION ACT OF
2002 FOR A CALIFORNIA RIVER PARKWAYS GRANT TO
DEVELOP THE DEFOREST WETLANDS
Respectfully Submitted,
[Respectfully Submitted,]