TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to execute all documents necessary to enter into a right-of-entry permit with the Council for Watershed Health, and/or its agents, to enter Veterans Park for the purpose of resuming groundwater monitoring for a Water Augmentation Study, for a term of two years, with one, one-year renewal option at the discretion of the City Manager or his designee. (District 6)
DISCUSSION
On August 19, 2003, the City Council authorized the City Manager to execute a two-year right-of-entry permit with the Council for Watershed Health (Watershed Council) to drill test borings to analyze soil samples in both El Dorado Park and Veterans Park. The samples were used to evaluate the benefits of stormwater infiltration for enhancing environmental health, conserving water, and increasing our local water supply to develop stormwater best management practices (BMPs). During this time, the Watershed Council also monitored comprehensive surface/subsurface monitoring systems at five other sites in the Los Angeles area.
The analysis concluded that Veterans Park would be the best location in Long Beach for the construction of subsurface monitoring equipment to percolate and collect stormwater runoff. Monitoring equipment was installed at Veterans Park and the Watershed Council continued collection and testing during the term of the permit.
On October 4, 2005, the City Council authorized the City Manager to execute another right-of-entry permit to allow the Watershed Council to continue its monitoring efforts. All six of the Los Angeles area sites were actively monitored from 2003 to 2007; this monitoring and sampling determined long-term data sets for stormwater infiltration.
The Watershed Council recently received funding from the State Water Resources Control Board, Proposition 84 Stormwater Grant Program, to continue their Water Augmentation Study (Study) by resampling a subset of sites to extend the long-term data set. Due to this funding, the Watershed Council has submitted a request to resume their Study in Veterans Park. The Study is a long-term collaborative research program to explore the potential for increasing local water supplies and reducing urban runoff pollution by increasing groundwater infiltration of stormwater runoff.
Specifically, the Watershed Council would like to monitor the infiltration BMPs at Veterans Park, which were designed and installed to intercept and collect runoff from a 0.5-acre portion of the park parking lot and adjoining sidewalks; treat collected stormwater to reduce the concentrations of sediment, oil and grease; and infiltrate the treated stormwater via an underground infiltration gallery (Attachment). The work at Veterans Park will take place from mid 2014 through mid 2016, and will include the monitoring of the four groundwater monitoring wells and two lysimeters (a measuring device).
Groundwater monitoring wells will be sampled twice each wet season and once during the summer between the two wet seasons, for a total of five sampling events through mid 2016. All work will take place during the daytime. Equipment used for the monitoring and sampling will include a small truck and small equipment, and the noise level during sampling will be minimal. One groundwater monitoring well is located in the driveway leading into the parking lot from 28th Street, and will require partial blockage of the driveway. The work area will be marked and protected by traffic cones during sampling.
The proposed right-of-entry permit will contain the following major provisions:
· Term: Two years, June 1, 2014 through May 31, 2016. The work will be performed on dates arranged by staff of the Watershed Council and the Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine.
· Renewal Option: One, one-year renewal option at the discretion of the City Manager or his designee.
· Permitted Area: Veterans Park.
· Authorized Use: To monitor and sample groundwater from previously installed groundwater monitoring wells and lysimeters. Veterans Park is unfenced and accessible; therefore, no special access or entry into the park is required.
· Equipment Removal: At the conclusion of the project, the City of Long Beach (City) reserves the right to require removal of the monitoring equipment by the Watershed Council.
· Permit Fee: In lieu of a permit fee, the Watershed Council will provide the results of the Study to the City, at no charge, for the City's future use. The Watershed Council shall be responsible for all costs associated with the Study.
· Insurance: The Watershed Council and its agents shall indemnify the City and provide evidence of insurance as required by the City's Risk Manager.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Kendra L. Carney on April 15, 2014, and by Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on April 16, 2014.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on May 13, 2014, in order to allow timely execution of the right-of-entry permit and any related documents.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with the recommended action. There is no impact to jobs associated with the recommended action.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
GEORGE CHAPJIAN
DIRECTOR OF PARKS, RECREATION AND MARINE
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER