TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute a Memorandum of Understanding, including subsequent amendments, with the Los Angeles Gateway Region Integrated Regional Water Management Joint Powers Authority, for administration and cost-sharing of the Coordinated Compliance Monitoring and Reporting Plan Implementation for the Dominguez Channel and Los Angeles and Long Beach Harbors Waters Toxic Pollutants Total Maximum Daily Loads, in an annual cost not to exceed $78,681, for a five-year term. (Districts 1,2)
DISCUSSION
On May 5, 2011, the California Regional Water Quality Control Board (Regional Board) adopted a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for the Dominguez Channel, Los Angeles Harbor, and Long Beach Harbor (greater harbor) for metals and toxic pollutants. The TMDL identifies the City of Long Beach (City) as one of the responsible parties and requires the development and implementation of a monitoring plan. Subsequently, this TMDL was incorporated into the City’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit, on March 28, 2014, and is enforceable through the Federal Clean Water Act.
Cities and agencies identified in this TMDL are: Bellflower, Lakewood, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Paramount, Rancho Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Signal Hill, County of Los Angeles Flood Control District, and the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles. These agencies drain directly to the greater harbor and are required to develop and implement a monitoring plan that includes sediment testing, water column testing, and analysis of fish tissues. Representatives of each of the agencies have been working together to reduce the cost of working independently. This group, referred to as the Regional Monitoring Coalition (RMC), developed the Coordinated Compliance, Monitoring, and Reporting Plan (CCMRP), which has been submitted to the Regional Board. This monitoring plan calls for the collection of wet and dry weather water samples at 22 locations annually, sediment samples collected every 2 to 3 years at the same 22 locations, and fish tissue samples from within 4 bodies of water within the greater harbor collected biennially.
The preparation and implementation of the CCMRP will be a multi-agency effort. The total cost for the five-year program will be $1.9 million, to be allocated from the cities and agencies in the RMC. Each participating agency equally shares a flat base rate fee and the balance is based on their percentage of area within the TMDL limits. The City’s participation costs for FY 19 to FY 23 is a total amount not to exceed $393,405.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Amy R. Webber on March 20, 2019 and by Budget Analysis Officer Julissa José-Murray on March 29, 2019.
SUSTAINABILITY
Participation in this MOU will help to isolate and abate toxic pollutants in surrounding waterways, leading to improved water quality.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on April 16, 2019, to ensure the MOU is in place expeditiously.
FISCAL IMPACT
The total annual amount of this MOU will not exceed $78,681, for a five-year period. Sufficient funds are budgeted in the Tidelands Operations Fund (TF 401) in the Public Works Department (PW). There is no local job impact associated with this recommendation. Participation in this MOU will result in a minimal impact to staff hours beyond the normal budgeted scope of duties and is in line with existing City Council priorities.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
CRAIG A. BECK
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER