TITLE
Recommendation to approve the nomination of Councilman Al Austin to represent the City of Long Beach on the Lower Los Angeles River Working Group.
DISCUSSION
Effective January 1, 2015, AB 530 (Rendon), created the Lower Los Angeles River Working Group. This group is statutorily responsible for developing, through watershedbased planning methods, a revitalization plan (Plan) that addresses the unique and diverse needs of the Lower Los Angeles River and the communities through which it passes by March 1, 2017.
Appointment to the Lower Los Angeles River Working Group is the responsibility of the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency. At this time, Secretary John Laird serves as the Secretary of Natural Resources. Secretary Laird shall make the appointments in consultation with the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. The Secretary is required to consider requests from local agency representatives to participate in the working group. The working group may include, but need not be limited to, representatives from the Los Angeles and San Gabriel Rivers and Mountains Conservancy, the County of Los Angeles, the Gateway Cities Council of Governments, the Los Angeles Gateway Region Integrated Regional Water Management Joint Powers Authority, elected officials of the cities riparian to the Los Angeles River, and nonprofit organizations serving the Los Angeles River region. Cities riparian to the Los Angeles River include: Burbank, Glendale, Los Angeles, Vernon, Maywood, Commerce, Bell Garden, Bell, Cudahy, South Gate, Lynwood, Compton, Paramount, and Long Beach.
Councilmember Al Austin represents a portion of Long Beach that borders the Lower Los Angeles River. He is also the Mayor's appointment to the Gateway Council of Governments Board of Directors, and works closely with elected officials in the region, many who will also be engaging on the Lower Los Angeles River Working Group.
In December 2015, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors requested the Gateway Council of Governments to select a representative for appointment to the Lower Los Angeles River Working Group. On January 6, 2016, the Gateway Cities Council of Governments selected Mayor Robert Garcia as their nominee for appointment.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on April 19,2016. The Los Angeles and San Gabriel Rivers and Mountains Conservancy has been tasked with collected nominations and has indicated that they would like to have all nominations submitted by spring 2016.
FISCAL IMPACT
None
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
MAYOR ROBERT GARCIA