TITLE
Recommendation to direct City Manager to initiate action steps to address the continued flooding of the West Long Beach Arlington area neighborhood and to report back to City Council within 30 days.
DISCUSSION
The West Long Beach neighborhood in the area of Arlington Avenue has experienced repeated instances of severe flooding, most recently on February 7, 2009 and previously on February 19, 2005. In response to the flooding in 2005, the City initiated a drainage study of the area to prevent further incidents. While this effort is an ongoing long-term strategy, we believe immediate steps should be taken to address community concerns given the frequency of incidents.
We request the City Council's support to direct the City Manager to take the following actions:
· Assemble an inter-departmental team with a lead staffer from the Office of the City Manager to meet with the affected community and to provide an action plan to address the concerns within two weeks.
· Present a proposal to the City Council for waiving applicable fees, such as building permits, for homeowners making repairs to their homes.
· Determine sources of revenue and funds for homeowner assistance including the creation of an assistance fund that may be funded by public-private sources such as Edison, BP, Union Pacific and other interested private partners.
· Identify the funding necessary to implement construction of the necessary upgrades to the storm drain facility as identified by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works, Storm Drain Division, estimated at $2 million.
· Initiate negotiations with interested parties to secure required rights of way within the Edison property adjacent to the flood area.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
Councilmember Tonia Reyes Uranga, Seventh District
Councilmember Gary DeLong, Third District
Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske, Fifth District