TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute an agreement, and all necessary documents, subcontracts, or subsequent amendments, including amendments to the award amount, with the State Water Resources Control Board to receive and expend grant funding in the amount of $297,675 to provide beach water quality monitoring, for the period of July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2025. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The State of California (State) mandates that all coastal health jurisdictions conduct weekly bacterial testing of waters adjacent to public beaches that have more than 50,000 visitors annually and are near storm drains that flow in the summer. The State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) awarded the City of Long Beach (City) $297,675 in grant funding to administer the Health and Human Services Department’s (Health Department) Beach Water Quality Monitoring and Public Notification Program. These funds are available to support the current beach water quality testing program, including reimbursement for testing conducted from July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2025, and support continued public notification activities, such as posting weekly recreational water quality sampling results on the Health Department’s website, and posting warning signs at beaches when bacterial levels exceed State standards. The Health Department exceeds State requirements by conducting year-round testing.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Taylor M. Anderson on April 25, 2022 and by Budget Analysis Officer Greg Sorensen on May 2, 2022.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on May 17, 2022, as the State requests the agreement be expedited prior to the beginning of the grant term on July 1, 2022.
FISCAL IMPACT
The City will receive grant funding in an amount not to exceed $297,675 for the period of July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2025. The annual grant budget is $99,925. Sufficient funds are currently budgeted in the Health Fund Group in the Health and Human Services Department. No match or in-kind service mandate is required. 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 recommended action.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
KELLY COLOPY
DIRECTOR
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
APPROVED:
THOMAS B. MODICA
CITY MANAGER