TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all documents necessary to enter into an agreement, including any subsequent amendments, with the State Water Resources Control Board to receive and expend grant funding in the amount of $297,675, to provide beach water quality monitoring, for the period of July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2022. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The State of California (State) mandates that all coastal health jurisdictions conduct weekly bacterial testing of waters adjacent to public beaches that have more than 50,000 visitors annually, and are near storm drains that flow in the summer. The State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) awarded the City of Long Beach (City) $297,675 in grant funding to administer the Health and Human Services Department’s (Health Department) Beach Water Quality Monitoring and Public Notification Program. These funds are available to support the current beach water quality testing program, including reimbursement for testing conducted through June 30, 2022, and support continued public notification activities, such as posting weekly recreational water quality sampling results on the Health Department’s website and posting warning signs at beaches when bacterial levels exceed State standards. The Health Department exceeds State requirements by conducting year-round testing.
While previous awards under this program were for one-year terms, this new agreement is for a three-year term, July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2022. As such, the annual grant budget is $99,225 for a total grant award of $297,675.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Taylor M. Anderson on April 14, 2020 and by Revenue Management Officer Geraldine Alejo on April 22, 2020.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on May 12, 2020, as the State is requesting that the agreement be expedited prior to the end of the first grant budget period ending June 30, 2020. Delays at the State level prevented this item from being executed earlier.
FISCAL IMPACT
The City will receive grant funding up to $297,675 for a three-year period. Sufficient funds are currently budgeted in the Health Fund Group in the Health and Human Services Department. No match or in-kind service mandate is required. This recommendation has no staffing impact beyond the normal budgeted scope of duties and is consistent with existing City Council priorities. There is no local job impact associated with this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
KELLY COLOPY
DIRECTOR
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
APPROVED:
THOMAS B. MODICA
ACTING CITY MANAGER