TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to accept grant funding in the amount of $75,000 from the County of Los Angeles; increase appropriations in the Tidelands Operations Fund (TF 401) in the Department of Community Development (CD) by $75,000; and authorize City Manager to execute any and all documents necessary, including any amendments thereto, for the Colorado Lagoon Restoration Project. (District 3)
DISCUSSION
The Colorado Lagoon (Lagoon) is a 28.3-acre tidal lagoon located in the middle of a suburban neighborhood (Exhibit A). It serves three main functions: 1) hosting sensitive estuarine habitat; 2) providing public recreation (including swimming); and 3) retaining and conveying stormwater flows. The Lagoon is used by hundreds of visitors from communities within and surrounding the City of Long Beach (City). However, the water and sediment quality within the Lagoon has degraded over time.
The purpose of the Colorado Lagoon Restoration Project (Project) is to restore the site's ecosystem, enhance recreational opportunities, and improve water and sediment quality while adequately managing stormwater flows. Since the project's Environmental Impact Report (EIR) was certified by the City Council on October 14, 2008, City staff has worked diligently to complete the engineering design of currently funded project components and to secure the necessary permits from applicable regulatory agencies.
On August 12-14, 2009, the California Coastal Commission will consider approving the City's Coastal Development Permit Application for Phase 1 of the Project.
As directed by the City Council, City staff continues to seek outside funding support for project implementation. To date, the City has been awarded the following funds:
· State Water Resources Control Board - Prop. 40 Clean Beaches Initiative (CBI)$620,891 (awarded and expended);
· State Water Resources Control Board - American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 and the Clean Water State Revolving Fund - $3,202,977 (awarded);
· U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Estuary Habitat Restoration Program - $900,000 (awarded);
· State Coastal Conservancy - Resource Enhancement Program - $500,000 (awarded, butfrozen in part by the State);
· Rivers & Mountains Conservancy - Urban Rivers and Tributaries, Urban Core Program - $150,000 (awarded and expended);
· Port of Long Beach - Funding for the Project's Environmental Assessment $235,000 (awarded and expended);
· Port of Long Beach - Funding for Phase 2 Project Study - $250,121 (awarded).
The current request is to accept $75,000 in funding support from the County of Los Angeles, which was made possible through the efforts of Board Chairman and Fourth District County Supervisor, Don Knabe. The funding will be used to assist with project planning, design development, construction management and other construction activities associated with the restoration of Colorado Lagoon.
This report was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney, Richard F. Anthony, on July 21,2009 and Budget and Performance Management Bureau Manager David Wodynski on July 15,2009.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action on this matter is requested on August 4, 2009, in order to accept the County funding and proceed with project implementation.
FISCAL IMPACT
An appropriation increase in the amount of $75,000 is requested in the Tidelands Operations Fund (TF 401) in the Department of Community Development (CD). There is no impact to the General Fund associated with this request.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
DENNIS J. THYS
DIRECTOR
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
PHIL T. HESTER
DIRECTOR OF PARKS,
RECREATION AND MARINE
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APPROVED: |
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PATRICK H. WEST |
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CITY MANAGER |