TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to execute an agreement to create a Joint Powers Authority to create the Los Angeles Gateway Region Integrated Regional Water Management Authority. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The State of California, through the State Water Resources Board, has been encouraging regional water management planning through the incentive of grants from State Water Resources development bonds, i.e., Proposition 50 in 2002 and Proposition 84 in 2006. The concept is to integrate water resource planning that has typically been done on a jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction, and function-by-function basis, into a unified process encompassing entire watersheds. This would include water supply, storm water runoff, sanitation system, water quality improvements, and habitat restoration in a single plan that proposes multi-use projects that transcend jurisdictions or functions.
Los Angeles County, south of the ridgeline of the San Gabriel Mountains, is the watershed that was defined as the planning group in which Long Beach is located. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Works has been leading the effort to coordinate and plan with over 200 local agencies, single functional departments within agencies, and special districts. Because of the massive population and number of jurisdictions and special districts in the area, the planning effort was further divided into five sub-regions: Malibu and Santa Monica Mountains, San Fernando Valley and West Los Angeles, South Bay, San Gabriel Valley, and Lower Los Angeles and San Gabriel Rivers. A regional plan was completed and accepted by the State Water Resources Board. A second round of regional grant submittals for Proposition 50 funding, consistent with the plan, are being prepared.
Many of the cities in the Gateway Cities Council of Governments believe that the Lower Los Angeles and San Gabriel Rivers grouping is still too large for effective integration of multi-use planning efforts. Thus, these cities are proposing the formation of a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) (Attachment A) to develop truly integrated plans for submittal into the sub-regional planning process for the whole Los Angeles Basin regional grouping. As the Gateway Cities have successfully worked together on a number of projects of mutual interest over the last decade, relationships have been established at this level of regional planning that will allow cooperation beyond jurisdictional and agency lines. Also the closer geographic grouping, with similar topography and geologic structures, creates similarities in needs, issues, and opportunities that allow for improved integrated project development when compared with the cities of the subregion and region. The Long Beach Water Department will be an active participant to the extent allowed under the City Charter.
By joining the JPA, the City of Long Beach will be responsible for a prorated share of the expenses for creating and operating the JPA, and the development of a plan for the participating areas. Those costs are not yet known, and future authorization will be requested when the costs are known. Each member of the JPA will have one member on the governing board of the JPA with one vote each. A designated alternate is authorized to vote in the member's absence. Members are appointed by their Legislative Body, but are not required to be members of the Legislative Body. Members are selected for a two-year term. A three-fourths vote of the total membership will be necessary to approve contracts over $100,000.
This is a timely action, as $215 million has been allocated to projects through this process in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties through Proposition 84. Those funds are expected to become available in FY 2008.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Gary J. Anderson on July 17, 2007, and Budget and Performance Management Bureau Manager David Wodynski on July 17,2007.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on July 24, 2007, in order to coordinate approvals with the other jurisdictions, and to begin the Joint Powers Authority planning process, allowing sufficient time to develop integrated projects to qualify for Proposition 84 funding.
FISCAL IMPACT
There will be financial commitments necessary, but their extent is not yet known. Future authorization will be sought when the expenditures are identified.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
PHIL T. HESTER DIRECTOR OF PARKS, RECREATION AND MARINE
CHRISTINE F. ANDERSEN, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
NAME |
APPROVED: |
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ANTHONY W. BATTS |
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CITY MANAGER |