TITLE
Recommendation to adopt resolution authorizing City Manager, or designee, to submit a grant application to Rivers and Mountains Conservancy for their Climate Resilient Grant Program for the El Dorado Duck Pond Restoration Project; if awarded, accept an amount up to $1,500,000 for completion of the Duck Pond Restoration Project; and, execute all documents necessary to accept the funds and implement the project. (District 4)
DISCUSSION
In July 2022, the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy (RMC) began soliciting applications for the Climate Resilience Grant Program (Grant). This competitive Grant program supports climate resilience, community access, and natural resource protection. Multi-benefit and nature-based solutions are a priority, which includes funding to support climate change impacts on fish and wildlife, habitat restoration, and activities that accelerate climate smart management of California’s natural and working lands and help meet the State’s 2030 Green House Gas reduction goals.
The Parks, Recreation and Marine Department is requesting City Council authorization to submit a grant application for the El Dorado Duck Pond Restoration Project (Project) requesting $1,500,000 in funds. Funds awarded through the Grant would contribute to the success of the City of Long Beach's (City) efforts to provide healthy and safe park spaces and increase the funding needed to complete the Project.
The Project will address safety hazards and improve water quality. To do so, the Project will dredge the pond of accumulated sediments, pollutants, and organic matter to enhance water quality, add native wetland vegetation to provide additional roosting and nesting sites, and remove nonnative vegetation to filter storm water runoff before it enters the pond. An added benefit is that once the Project is completed, water from the pond will be recycled and used to irrigate the municipally-owned El Dorado Park Golf Course and replace reclaimed water as its primary water source. This is a significant benefit as the region continues to experience extreme drought conditions and will help lower the City’s demand for imported water sources by freeing up reclaimed water for other uses.
The Project was identified as being the most competitive considering the grant criteria in that it:
• Is shovel-ready,
• Restores or enhances habitat that have high carbon sequestration benefits,
• Improves public open space (natural landscapes and/or urban greenspaces), to increase access to nature and low impact recreation for all communities, and
• Promotes healthy lifestyles and improves the environment, providing additional social, economic, and environmental benefits.
On April 12, 2022, the City Council approved a Resolution to apply for separate grant funding through the California Department of Parks and Recreation in an amount up to $3,000,000. The City received notice that the project was not selected for that grant funding opportunity.
Additional project funding in the amounts of: $2,800,000 in Measure W funds, $2,254,000 in Measure A funds, $1,117,000 from the Long Beach Water Department, $300,000 in grant funding from the Los Angeles County Regional Parks and Open Space Prop A funds, and $515,184 of one-time General Capital Funds are currently appropriated in the Capital Projects Fund Group in the Public Works Department.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Anita Lakhani on September 27, 2022 and by Budget Analysis Officer Greg Sorensen on September 28, 2022.
SUSTAINABILITY
The Project will clean incoming storm water from the surrounding local watershed by routing it through a restored wetland to reuse the water to irrigate the El Dorado Park Golf Course. As the drought in Southern California continues, water saving is important for the City in both conservation and budget. Cleaning and reusing the water that flows into the Duck Pond will help the City decrease its use of reclaimed water, saving the City an estimated $175,000 per fiscal year, making reclaimed water available for other sites which may be using potable water.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on October 18, 2022, to adopt the Resolution required to be submitted within 60 days of submittal of the grant applications.
FISCAL IMPACT
If awarded, the City will receive grant funds up to $1,500,000 for the Project. No matching funds are required for this grant opportunity. City staff will return to the City Council to accept and appropriate grant funds if awarded. If unsuccessful, Measure W funds are also available to help complete the project. This recommendation has no staffing impact beyond the normal budgeted scope of duties and is consistent with existing City Council priorities. There is no local job impact associated with this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
[Enter Body Here]
Respectfully Submitted,
BRENT DENNIS
DIRECTOR
PARKS, RECREATION AND MARINE
ERIC LOPEZ
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
APPROVED:
THOMAS B. MODICA
CITY MANAGER