TITLE
Recommendation to adopt resolution approving the Termino Avenue Drain Project (TADP) as designed by Los Angeles County; authorizing City Manager to sign all documents necessary to execute the City-County Cooperative Agreement with Los Angeles County for construction of the TADP; and adopting a responsible agency environmental finding pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). (Districts 3,4)
DISCUSSION
The City of Long Beach (City) and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works (LACDPW) have been working together since 1993 to alleviate flooding problems by construction of a storm drain in an area that extends from the intersection of Redondo Avenue and Anaheim Street southerly to the Colorado Lagoon (Exhibit A). This proposed storm drain is referred to as the Termino Avenue Drain Project. On November 13, 2001, a City-County Agreement was executed for purposes of the design and construction of the project. At that time, the LACDPW was designated the lead agency for environmental clearance, design, and construction with the City contributing project funding. Shortly after the execution of this agreement, the LACDPW prepared an environmental document for the project that was certified and subsequently appealed. As a result, a revised Environmental Impact Report (Exhibit B) was prepared and eventually certified by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on July 29, 2008. This document required additional mitigation measures as well as the realignment of the outlet structure from Colorado Lagoon to Marine Stadium. The resulting change in alignment, as well as related utility coordination and provision for low-flow sanitary sewer diversion, requires that a new City-County Cooperative Agreement with LACDPW be executed.
The new agreement specifies that the LACDPW will obtain all required permits, design and construct the project, and maintain the project exclusive of catch basins and related inserts, low-flow diversion facilities, and restoration of the landscaping of Pacific Electric right-of-way, all of which the City has agreed to be responsible for. The total estimated cost of the project is $26,400,000. The City will be contributing $2,000,000 which is primarily being used to offset the costs of water quality enhancements such as catch basin inserts and low-flow sewer diversions. The LACDPW will be funding the remainder of the project. In addition, the project does include some water main work, which the Long Beach Water Department will be funding.
LACDPW is administering all contracts for the Los Angeles County Flood Control District (District) under the provisions of the Flood Control Act (Act). Both this Act and CEQA require certain City Council action before the LACDPW can proceed with construction of the TADP. As a responsible agency under CEQA, the City Council is required to adopt findings and approve a Statement of Overriding Considerations as a part of the project approval process. The recommended actions will satisfy these requirements.
The current project schedule proposes the LACDPW bid the project early next year, with construction to commence during the summer of 2009.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Amy Burton on October 28, 2008 and Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on October 22, 2008.
SUSTAINABILITY
The water quality mitigation improvements in the project will significantly reduce trash, debris green waste, sediment, bacteria and pollutants, by including AbTech Ultra Urban Filter with Smart Sponge catch basin screens, and low-flow sanitary sewer diversion in the County-owned pump station.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action on this item is requested on November 18, 2008 to allow the LACDPW to proceed with soliciting bids and proceeding with the award and construction of the project in a timely manner.
FISCAL IMPACT
The total estimated cost of the project is $26,400,000. The City's portion is $2,000,000 and sufficient funds are budgeted in the General Capital Projects Fund (CP), Gas Tax Street Improvement Fund (SR 181), and the Tidelands Operating Fund (TF) in the Department of Public Works (PW). Funding for the ongoing maintenance of the catch basin inserts and low-flow sewer diversion is located in the Stormwater Operating Budget PWENOPR (GP 100).
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LONG BEACH APPROVING THE TERMINO AVENUE DRAIN PROJECT AND IMPLEMENTING AGREEMENT, AND ADOPTING RESPONSIBLE AGENCY ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS PURSUANT TO THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT
Respectfully Submitted,
MICHAEL P. CONWAY
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
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APPROVED: |
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PATRICK H. WEST |
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CITY MANAGER |