TITLE
Recommendation to adopt resolution making certain findings regarding the design and construction of certain public improvements in the DeForest detention basin, along the east side of the Los Angeles River between DeForest Park and Del Amo Boulevard, using North Long Beach Redevelopment Project Area Funds. (Districts 8,9)
DISCUSSION
In 2000, the California Coastal Conservancy (Conservancy) identified the DeForest Street
and Dominguez Gap detention basins (which form a contiguous, two-mile corridor along
the east side of the Los Angeles River) as potential sites for wetlands restoration (Exhibit
A). City of Long Beach Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM) staff have
since pursued this opportunity to create wetlands in the DeForest detention basin; and in
February 2000, the Conservancy authorized a $300.000 grant to the City of Long Beach
to conduct a feasibility study. Completed in Summer 2002, the study demonstrated that
wetlands, trails, and new public-use facilities to support passive recreational and
educational activities could be developed.
Independently, in February 2001, the Los Angeles Department of Public Works (DPW)
completed a feasibility study for the Dominguez Gap Spreading Grounds. Since the City
of Long Beach and DPW were both ready to conduct design and environmental review for
preferred alternatives from their respective feasibility studies, they agreed to proceed
jointly with the next phase. The Conservancy authorized a $400.000 grant to DPW for
preliminary design and environmental review for both projects. Joint design has ensured
that the habitat, recreational elements, and infrastructure are complementary across the
neighboring basins. DPW and PRM staff have worked cooperatively to oversee
development of preliminary designs for both project sites.
It is hoped that this important multi-agency wetlands restoration project will continue to
move fotward with development. The next step will be to complete the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review process for both the Dominguez Gap and
DeForest projects. Staff anticipates undertaking construction design concurrently with
the CEQA process. A draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) is scheduled for public
circulation in late July or early August 2005. The EIR has been funded by prior grants
from the State Coastal Conservancy and the Rivers and Mountains Conservancy. It is
expected that the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors will certify the EIR in
November 2005.
On May 23, 2005, the City of Long Beach Redevelopment Agency (Agency) approved
funding in an amount not to exceed $100,000 for final design and construction drawings
for the DeForest portion of the proposed wetlands restoration project.
To date, $590,000 has been committed to move the DeForest project forward along with
the Dominguez Gap project, including $550,000 from the State Coastal Conservancy.
An additional matching grant in the amount of $200,000 has been secured by PRM staff
from the State Coastal Conservancy. Another matching grant in the amount of
$100,000 has been requested by PRM staff from the Rivers and Mountains
Conservancy. Funding from the Agency, the State Coastal Conservancy and the Rivers
and Mountains Conservancy will provide for the total 5400,000 estimated construction
design budget for the DeForest project.
PRM staff has begun the process of applying for nearly $8 million in State Prop 50,
Chapter 8 funds to cover anticipated construction costs. PRM staff believes that having
design and construction drawings already completed is a prerequisite to successfully
applying for state and federal grants to be used for actual construction costs.
Section 33445 of the California Health and Safety Code provides that a redevelopment
agency may, with the consent of the legislative body, pay for all or a part of the value of
the land and the cost of the installation and construction of any building, facility,
structure, or other improvement which is publicly-owned either within or without the
project area, if the legislative body determines all of the following:
That the buildings, facilities, structures, or other improvements are of benefit to the
project area or the immediate neighborhood in which the project is located,
regardless of whether the improvement is within another project area;
That no other 'reasonable means of financing the buildings, facilities, structures, or
other improvements, are available to the community; and
That the payment of funds for the acquisition of land or the cost of buildings,
facilities, structures, or other public improvements will assist in the elimination of one
or more blighting conditions and is consistent with the implementation plan adopted
pursuant to Section 33490.
Section 33445 also provides the following:
The determinations by the redevelopment agency and the local legislative body are
final and conclusive;
A redevelopment agency may not pay for the normal maintenance or operations of
publicly owned improvements; and
A redevelopment agency shall not pay for the construction or rehabilitation of a
building that is, or that will be used as, a city hall.
This letter was reviewed by Assistant City Attorney Heather Mahood on May 27, 2005,
and reviewed by Budget Management Officer David Wodynski on June 2,2005.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on June 14, 2005, to allow the project to move forward
in an expeditious manner.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for the project listed above is currently budgeted in the Redevelopment Fund
(RD) and in the Community Development Department (CD). The General Fund will not
be impacted by the design and construction of this project. However, funding has not
been identified to provide staffing and equipment necessary to maintain this project if it
is completed. The General Fund may be impacted in the future by these and other
costs.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
[Enter Body Here]
Respectfully Submitted,
CRAIG BECK
ACTING DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
PHIL T. HESTER
DIRECTOR OF PARKS, RECREATION AND MARINE