TITLE
Recommendation to adopt resolution authorizing City Manager, or his designee, to submit an application to the United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, for grant funding for the Development of Feasibility Studies under the Title XVI Water Reclamation and Reuse Program (WaterSMART); and
Increase appropriations in the Capital Projects Fund (CP) in the Public Works Department (PW) by $300,000. (Districts 1,2)
DISCUSSION
The City of Long Beach is mandated to reduce stormwater pollution discharges into the Los Angeles River. This mandate is enforced under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit, as well as under the Los Angeles River Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) requirement, which is overseen by the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board (LARWQCB), State Resources Control Board (SWRCB) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US-EPA) in accordance with the Clean Water Act. In seeking ways to meet the Los Angeles River TMDL requirements, the City has been exploring the potential for constructing a facility similar to the City of Santa Monica's Urban Runoff Recycling Facility (SMURRF).
Staff completed a conceptual study to examine the possibility of constructing a similar facility that would be known as the "Long Beach Municipal Urban Stormwater Treatment" (LB-MUST) Facility. The study concluded that it could be done successfully. The LB-MUST Facility would provide a solution to meet state and federal compliance requirements for the Los Angeles (LA) River TMDL. If constructed, the most beneficial location for the facility would be adjacent to, and on the eastside the LA River, south of the Shoemaker Bridge.
The LB-MUST Facility would divert dry weather stormwater to the facility that would otherwise discharge into the Los Angeles River. By treating dry weather stormwater, the LB-MUST Facility will also help reduce stormwater pollution and improve recreational water quality, which is beneficial to aquatic life. Integration of the LB-MUST Facility into the future Cesar-Chavez Drake Park Wetlands may potentially help restore and sustain the wetlands and riparian habitat within the park complex.
The City of Long Beach has traditionally purchased potable water to irrigate Long Beach parks and meet operational needs such as the City's South East Resource Recovery Facility (SERRF). By using treated stormwater, instead of purchasing potable water, the LB-MUST Facility is expected to reduce operating costs at City parks and industrial facilities such as SERRF. In future phases of this project, the treated water could potentially be used to meet other public and industrial uses as well. In its first phase, it is estimated that the LB-MUST Facility has the potential to produce 337,800 gallons of recycled water per day. Future phases of the project could bring in more dry weather runoff and result in the production of over 700,000 gallons of recycled water per day. In the City of Santa Monica, the SMURRF produces between 400,000 to 500,000 gallons of recycled water per day.
The total cost for the LB-MUST Project's design and construction phases is currently estimated to be between $25 million and $40 million. City staff is currently working on applications for state and federal grants to reduce the cost of the project to the City. In accordance with requirements, in order to qualify for state and federal grant funding, a feasibility study of the LB-MUST Project must be developed. In meetings with the United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation (USBR), City staff was informed that the previously completed conceptual study could be modified into a Feasibility Study, thereby saving the City significant cost and time to develop the document. The estimated cost to convert the completed conceptual study to the Feasibility Study is between $269,000 and $429,656, depending on 'the number and scope of environmental documents included in the Feasibility Study scope of work.
On January 13, 2015, the USBR informed City staff of the advertisement for applications for the WaterS MART Grant Program, a cost-sharing federal grant fund for the development of Feasibility Studies under the Title XVI Water Reclamation and Reuse Program. The City submitted its application for the LB-MUST Project by the grant deadline of March 3, 2015. If the grant is awarded, up to 50 percent of the cost to complete the Feasibility Study is eligible for reimbursement. Under the WaterSMART Grant Program, costs incurred between July 1, 2014 and June 30, 2017 would be eligible for reimbursement.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Amy R. Webber on April 2, 2015 and by Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on April 7,2015.
SUSTAINABILITY
The LB-MUST Facility Project proposes to evaluate alternatives to modify the existing storm drain systems and pump stations for collection and treatment of dry-flow and lowflow surface water runoff entering into the LA River and reusing it as part of the City's reclaimed water system. The project will restore and protect the water quality of the City's beaches. Educational features would be incorporated to inform the public of the consequences of urban runoff that enter the storm drains. The benefits of having clean water on City beaches would also be highlighted in the educational features. Cleaner water would attract more beach goers to enjoy recreational beach activities.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action on this item is requested on April 21, 2015, as grant funds for future project phases will be committed to projects based on the timely submittal of completed feasibility studies.
FISCAL IMPACT
The City is required to complete a Feasibility Study to meet eligibility requirements to apply for state and federal funding for the design and construction phases of the LB:MUST Facility. The total estimated cost of the Feasibility Study is up to $429,656 and includes staff and consultant costs. If the grant is awarded, the Bureau of Reclamation will reimburse the City up to 50 percent of the cost. The City will fund the remaining cost of $214,828 as the grant match requirement. There is currently $300,000 available for the LB-MUST Project in the Capital Projects Fund in the Public Works Department to fund the City's grant match requirement. An appropriation increase of $300,000 is requested in the Capital Projects Fund (CP) in the Public Works Department (PW). Any remaining funds will be used to initiate the design phase not covered under the grant.
Following notification of the grant award, estimated to be in September 2015, staff will return to City Council with a request to appropriate grant funds. The Feasibility Study is currently in progress. As work continues, staff will manage within the current available funding of $300,000. However, if the City's grant application is denied, additional funding may be required to fully fund the Feasibility Study.
The total cost for the LB-MUST Project's design and construction phases is currently estimated to be between $25 million and $40 million. Staff will continue to work with affected municipalities and agencies that would benefit from achieving compliance on their portion of the LA River TMDL through the LB-MUST Project. Regional cost sharing participation along with future federal and state grant funding, is anticipated to reduce the City's share of cost in the design and construction of this project. There is no local job impact associated with this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LONG BEACH APPROVING THE APPLICATION TO THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BUREAU OF RECLAMATION, FOR DEVELOPMENT OF FEASIBILITY STUDIES UNDER THE TITLE XVI WATER RECLAMATION AND REUSE PROGRAM (WATERSMART)
Respectfully Submitted,
ARA MALOYAN, PE
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER