TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to accept grant funding from the Lower Los Angeles and San Gabriel Rivers and Mountains Conservancy for the Colorado Lagoon Dredging Project; increase appropriations in the Tidelands Operation Fund (TF) in the Department of Community Development (CD) in the amount of $1,100,000; execute a grant agreement and any amendments thereto; and execute an amendment to Agreement No. 30773 between the City of Long Beach and Moffatt & Nichol for extended engineering design and construction support services, in an amount not to exceed $221,322, and any amendments to the contract necessary to extend the term, amend the scope of work, or adjust the fee schedule of hourly rates for inflation in the extended term. (District 3)
DISCUSSION
The Colorado Lagoon (Lagoon) is a 28.3-acre tidal lagoon located in the middle of a suburban neighborhood (map attached). It serves three main functions: 1.) Hosting sensitive estuarine habitat; 2.) Providing public recreation (including swimming); and, 3.) Retaining and conveying storm flows. A Master Restoration Plan for Colorado Lagoon (Master Plan) has been developed and is currently being implemented.
On December 15, 2009, the City Council authorized the City Manager to execute a contract with ARB Inc., to begin major construction on the initial phase of the Master Plan. This initial construction effort will be completed by November 2010, and will help improve water quality and prevent the Lagoon's recontamination by redirecting urban runoff into the sanitary sewer system. The next major phase of the construction effort involves the dredging and treatment of contaminated sediments. The dredging of Colorado Lagoon is being mandated by the Regional Water Quality Control Board through Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) that establish targets for water and sediment quality that must be achieved within seven years of their adoption. The TMDLs established for Colorado Lagoon were stricter than anticipated, and has resulted in a significantly revised dredging footprint, and a significant commensurate increase in costs. The proposed contract enhancement with Moffatt & Nichol (M&N) will allow staff to expand the dredging footprint, conduct additional sediment testing, revise the current engineering designs and construction specifications, and revise the project cost estimates.
On July 26, 2010, the Rivers and Mountains Conservancy approved a $1,100,000 grant for Colorado Lagoon, contingent on a $700,000 matching grant from the State Coastal Conservancy. The State Coastal Conservancy will consider approving their $700,000 matching grant on October 21, 2010. Additional funding for this dredging effort is being sought from other local, state and federal funding agencies. While additional funding is identified, M&N will continue to assist city staff with project-related engineering needs.
This report was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney, Richard F. Anthony, on August 16, 2010, and Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on August 23, 2010.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action on this matter is requested on September 7, 2010, in order to accept the grant funding and proceed with the Lagoon restoration efforts.
FISCAL IMPACT
The grant award is not budgeted, therefore an appropriation increase in the amount of $1,100,000 is requested in the Tidelands Operation Fund (TF) in the Department of Community Development (CD). There is no impact to the General Fund associated with this request. A portion of this grant will be used for construction activities, which will help generate an estimated 26 direct and indirect construction related jobs.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
DENNIS THYS
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
PHIL T. HESTER
DIRECTOR OF PARKS, RECREATION AND MARINE
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER