TITLE
Recommendation to adopt resolution authorizing City Manager, or designee, to submit a grant application to the California Department of Parks and Recreation Habitat Conservation Fund Grant Program, for the implementation of active transportation trails as part of the Long Beach Municipal Urban Stormwater Treatment Recycle Facility project; accept grant funding in an amount up to $250,000; and, execute all documents necessary to accept the grant funds and implement the project. (Districts 1,2,6,7,8,9)
DISCUSSION
The California Department of Parks and Recreation Habitat Conservation Fund Grant Program (HCF) provides funding for projects that involve the development of trails that provide opportunity for urban residents to experience wildlife areas. The City of Long Beach (City) has identified the Long Beach Municipal Urban Stormwater Treatment Recycle Facility (LB-MUST) project as meeting the requirements of the HCF.
Long Beach’s proximity to the Los Angeles River, available park space near the Shoemaker Bridge, and regional active transportation trails make the City an ideal location to build an urban runoff treatment facility. When constructed, the LB-MUST project will improve recreational water quality by intercepting water runoff and reducing and/or eliminating pollution causing metals, bacteria, and hydrocarbons that would otherwise discharge into the Los Angeles River and spread to City beaches and the ocean.
Treated water produced by the LB-MUST project will be used in the Cesar Chavez/Drake Park Wetlands project (funded by the Rivers and Mountains Conservancy - Prop 1 Grant) to create and sustain the wetlands proposed and supplement potable water for the irrigation of parks, parkways and riparian habitat within the park complex. Grant funds will be used to construct the trails within Cesar Chavez/Drake Parks and the LB-MUST project.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Amy R. Webber on August 30, 2017 and by Budget Analysis Officer Julissa José-Murray on August 31, 2017.
SUSTAINABILITY
Once a fully implemented trail system is in place, the LB-MUST project will become an active resource for the community to observe the processes that restore and protect the recreational water quality of the Los Angeles River, the Los Angeles River estuary, and the City’s beaches. Educational features will be incorporated along the facility’s grounds and within the wetlands to inform the public of the negative impacts of trash, bacteria, metals, oil, and sediment that enters the storm drains and pollute the City’s waterways. The benefits of having clean water at City beaches will also be highlighted in the educational features.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on September 19, 2017, to submit the HCF grant application by the submittal deadline of October 1, 2017.
FISCAL IMPACT
The requested action authorizes the City Manager to apply for and accept HCF grant program funds in an amount up to $250,000 for the implementation of active transportation trails as a part of the LB-MUST project. If awarded, the grant will offset a portion of the project costs and allows for staff time, construction, project management and labor compliance. This grant requires a 100 percent cost match, not to exceed the grant award amount. Matching funds are currently budgeted in the Capital Projects Fund (CP) in the Public Works Department (PW).
The total estimated cost of the LB-MUST project is approximately $30 million, including $28 million from the California Department of Transportation and a $2 million grant from the Rivers and Mountains Conservancy. 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 for ongoing costs will be identified and requested through the annual budget process. This recommendation will result in a positive impact on jobs, although the exact number is unknown at this time.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
[Enter Body Here]
Respectfully Submitted,
CRAIG A. BECK
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER