TITLE
Recommendation to increase appropriations in the General Fund Group in the City Manager Department by $10,000, offset by $5,000 of Fifth Council District One-Time District Priority Funds and $5,000 of Fourth Council District One-Time District Priority Funds transferred from the Citywide Activities Department to provide a contribution to the Long Beach Community Garden; and
Decrease appropriations in the General Fund Group in the Citywide Activities Department by $10,000 to offset a transfer to the City Manager Department.
DISCUSSION
Councilwoman Stacy Mungo Flanigan and Councilmember Daryl Supernaw would like to support the ongoing efforts of the Long Beach Community Garden to modernize their irrigation system. The existing water valve system connecting the garden’s irrigation to the main line is antiquated and consistently in need of repair.
The main line connects to the west side of the community garden, where approximately one dozen unique valves feed into the lines that head east across the garden property for access by each row of garden plots.
This system of cast iron valves is close to 30 years old. The valves have corroded significantly and are currently immovable. Any repairs to the valves or lines extending across the garden require the main line to be turned off at the street because the valves are permanently stuck in an open position.
The Long Beach Community Garden (LBCG) Board consulted with the Parks, Recreation and Marine Department maintenance staff, who inspected and recommended that the garden membership replace and update all valve connections, as they expect there to be ongoing maintenance issues. There have already been three separate breaks off that main line in the last few years, each that required substantial and costly repair for the LBCG Board.
This contribution will support the purchase of valves to modernize the system, as well as labor for installation.
This matter has been reviewed by Budget Analyst Joe R. Guerrero ...
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