TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to sign all documents necessary to execute an agreement with the County of Los Angeles, whereby the County will provide $500,000 for installation of a low-flow sanitary sewer diversion pumping system at the Belmont Pump Station; accept the grant funding; and increase appropriations in the General Capital Projects Fund (CP) in the Department of Public Works (PW) by $500,000. (District 3)
DISCUSSION
In the summer of 2007, as part of an ongoing effort by the Mayor's Water Quality Task Force to address water quality issues in Alamitos Bay, three county-owned pump stations were retro-fitted to temporarily divert low-flow stormwater and urban runoff to the sanitary sewer system, rather than discharging directly into the bay. These three pump stations, Alamitos, Belmont, and Appian Way, demonstrated improved water quality at their respective sample sites when compared to the same sites prior to the sanitary sewer diversions.
The City desires to convert the temporary diversions to permanent diversions. The Belmont pump station, a County-owned facility, was selected as the first pump station to be converted. The facility collects stormwater and urban runoff from a tributary watershed of approximately 204 acres. On May 6, 2008, the County Board of Supervisors authorized a funding agreement to transfer $500,000 to the City of Long Beach for construction activities that will result in a permanent sanitary sewer diversion at the Belmont pump station. This grant is anticipated to cover design and construction activities which staff is currently in the process of detailing.
As the mutual goal of the City and the County is to improve recreational water quality along the City's coastline and upland bays, this low-flow diversion project will redirect highly contaminated urban runoff flows into the sewer system.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Linda Trang on October 21, 2008 and Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on October 22, 2008.
SUSTAINABILITY
Funding from the County of Los Angeles for the Belmont pump station will help the City address critical environmental challenges. Bacteria, metals, pesticides, and fertilizers pumped from this location will now go directly to the sanitation sewer system, resulting in improved water quality in Alamitos Bay.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action on this item is requested on November 11, 2008, to allow for timely execution of the funding agreement and subsequent construction of the improvements.
FISCAL IMPACT
The County funding is not currently budgeted; therefore, an appropriation increase of $500,000 in the General Capital Projects Fund (CP) in the Department of Public Works (PW) is requested. There is no match required.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
MICHAEL P. CONWAY
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
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APPROVED: |
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PATRICK H. WEST |
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CITY MANAGER |