TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to execute all documents necessary for a lease with the Friends of Colorado Lagoon for City-owned property at 5119 E. Colorado Street, commonly known as the Colorado Lagoon Wetland and Marine Science Education Center, for a term of two years, with two, two-year renewal options at the discretion of the City Manager or his designee; and
Authorize City Manager to execute all documents necessary for a Right-of-Entry Permit with the Friends of Colorado Lagoon, coterminous to the recommended action above, to allow for third-party revegetation of a portion of the Colorado Lagoon, and amend the permit to expand the permitted area, as additional funding is secured. (District 3)
DISCUSSION
Since 2002, the Friends of Colorado Lagoon (FOCL) have been conducting educational programming and general advocacy for the Colorado Lagoon (Lagoon) in tandem with the Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM). FOCL is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, which was founded to “promote cooperative solutions to ensure a healthy balance between recreation, flood management, water quality, wildlife habitat and native plants at the Lagoon.” FOCL has been utilizing a 400 square foot facility owned by the City of Long Beach (City), commonly known as the Colorado Lagoon Wetland and Marine Science Education Center (WAMSEC), located at 5119 E. Colorado Street (Attachment A). Due to budgetary constraints, PRM ceased its use of the WAMSEC in 2010, and subsequently entered into discussions with FOCL to negotiate the leasing of WAMSEC for FOCL’s continued provision of educational programming and general advocacy for the Lagoon.
In 2011, with the assistance of the City, FOCL successfully applied for and was awarded a $500,000 grant (Grant) by the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy to revegetate the western arm of the Lagoon. This portion of the Lagoon was impacted by the City’s recently completed dredging proje...
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