TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to accept grant funding in the amount of $150,000 from the Rivers and Mountains Conservancy and $500,000 from the State Coastal Conservancy, increase appropriations in the Capital Projects Fund (CP) in the Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM) by $650,000; and authorize City Manager to execute grant agreements and any amendments thereto for the Colorado Lagoon Restoration Project. (District 3)
DISCUSSION
The Colorado Lagoon (Lagoon) is a 28.3-acre tidal lagoon located in the middle of a suburban neighborhood (Exhibit A). It serves three main functions: 1) hosting sensitive estuarine habitat, 2) providing public recreation (including swimming); 3) and retaining and conveying storm flows. The Lagoon is used by hundreds of visitors from communities within and surrounding the City of Long Beach (City).
The City sought, and was granted, funds from the State Coastal Conservancy (Proposition 13 funds) to prepare a feasibility study (Study) for remediation and restoration of the Lagoon. The purpose of the Study was to evaluate and recommend feasible opportunities to restore the marine ecosystem, support safe recreation while improving water and sediment quality, and manage the storm water in the Lagoon. The Study represents a broad set of alternatives developed to address all project objectives, a shortened list for implementation and their ranking. The alternatives were developed as individual components to select, prioritize, and implement either incrementally or in total as funding become viable.
The City was recently notified that it has been recommended to receive grant funding in the amount of $150,000 from the Rivers and Mountains Conservancy's (RMC) Rivers and Tributaries Urban Core Program. These funds will be allocated exclusively towards the necessary environmental compliance under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for the various alternatives identified in the Study. The RMC approved funding for this project on July 9, 2007.
In addition, the City has also been notified that it has been approved to receive grant funding in the amount of $500,000 from the State Coastal Conservancy. These funds will be allocated towards completing design development, and supporting the environmental documentation for the proposed restoration alternatives identified in the Study.
This report was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney, Richard F. Anthony, on June 25, 2007, and Budget and Performance Management Bureau Manager David Wodynski on June 26,2007.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action on this matter is requested on August 14, 2007, in order to accept the grants and proceed with the necessary environmental review.
FISCAL IMPACT
An appropriation increase in the amount of $650,000 is requested in the Capital Projects Fund (CP) in the Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine (PR) to accept $150,000 from the Rivers and Mountains Conservancy, and $500,000 from the State Coastal Conservancy. There is no impact to the General Fund associated with this request.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
PATRICK H. WEST
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
PHIL T. HESTER
DIRECTOR OF PARKS, RECREATION AND MARINE
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APPROVED: |
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ANTHONY W. BATTS |
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CITY MANAGER |