SR-505-004 (5)
EPWM:CP:BJ:f/EPWM/ADMIN/Staffrpt/09-11-01/IntegratedWasteResReport01.doc
Council Meeting: September 11, 2001 Santa Monica, California
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: City Staff
SUBJECT: Recommendation to Adopt Resolutions in Support of the Submission of a
Grant Proposal to the California Integrated Waste Board for an Urban Runoff
Treatment System in the Centinela Storm Drain
Introduction
This report recommends that the City Council adopt two resolutions supporting the
submittal of a grant application to obtain a matching grant from the California Integrated
Waste Board for urban runoff treatment systems in the City?s storm drain system.
Background
Many federal, state and local regulations and standards require the City of Santa Monica
to curb urban runoff pollution from storm drain discharges into Ballona Creek and the
Santa Monica Bay. (The eastern portion of the City drains through the Centinela storm
drain into the City of Los Angeles, the Sepulveda Channel and into Ballona Creek see
Attachment A & B). Recent changes in these regulations and standards have shifted the
management strategy for urban runoff control from an end-of-pipe approach to a
sustainable watershed approach, where the entire watershed or storm drainage area is
considered. The watershed approach promotes reduction and prevention of urban runoff
pollution as guiding principles.
The City has adopted a watershed approach in managing its urban runoff flows through the
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storm drain system into Ballona Creek and the Bay. This approach is consistent with the
City?s Sustainable City Program (SCP). Guiding Principle 2 of the City?s SCP states
?Santa Monica is committed to protecting, preserving and restoring the natural
environment. City decision-making will be guided by a mandate to maximize
environmental benefits and reduce or eliminate negative environmental impacts.? One of
the four major policy areas to support this principle is Pollution Prevention and Public
Health Protection, and one of the supporting programs is urban runoff pollution control.
The Centinela Storm Drain treatment project is one project in support of this program and
Guiding Principle.
To implement this watershed approach, government regulations and policies promote the
installation of structural treatment systems within storm drain systems, called best
management practices (BMPs), to remove pollutants from urban runoff before it enters a
receiving water body. This approach and its treatment systems have been and continue to
be implemented by the City to protect the health and preserve natural resources of Ballona
Creek and the Bay. In addition, the City is expanding an existing monitoring program to
evaluate the effectiveness of these treatment systems in achieving the targets of the City?s
SCP.
Prior funding sources received by the City, which have benefited our efforts to improve
urban runoff quality, include the installation of three Continuous Deflective Separation
units (CDSs), 485 catch basin inserts and screens, five StormTreat systems and the Santa
Monica Urban Runoff Recycling Facility. Each of these grants has been received from
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federal, state and county funding sources.
Discussion
Recently, the City learned of a program at the California Integrated Waste Board to reduce
pollutants such as trash and debris, which are commonly found in urban runoff. After
discussions with the Board, the City was encouraged to submit a matching grant proposal
to install a treatment device in an area subjected to runoff pollution. The City has
submitted grant proposals to other agencies for the Centinela Storm Drain urban runoff
treatment system and proposes to request funds from the Board for that endeavor.
The installation of the Centinela treatment system will help protect Ballona Creek and
Santa Monica Bay watersheds, and will help restore and protect the water quality and
environment of our State?s coastal waters, estuaries and bays.
Budget/Financial Impact
The implementation of the Centinela Storm Drain treatment project is contingent upon at
least two grant awards. In the event the City does not receive grant funding sufficient to
cover the total cost of the proposed project (less the City?s matching contribution,
explained below), it is unlikely that the project would be initiated in the foreseeable future.
A maximum $750,000 matching grant will be requested from the Board. The Centinela
urban runoff treatment project has an estimated price of $1.7 million. Staff is seeking
funding from Propositions 12 and 13 to cover the $950,000 balance. Propositions 12 and
13 grant programs require a 15% or less City match. This match is anticipated to be
satisfied via City-provided in-kind design and engineering services, monitoring, operation
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and maintenance costs and other grants.
At such time that grant funds are awarded, staff will return to Council with a full explanation
of project funding and budget impact, as well as a recommendation to negotiate and
execute a contract with the funding agency.
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the attached resolutions in support of a state
Integrated Waste Board matching grant.
Attachments: Resolution of the City Council of the City of Santa Monica in Support
of a Grant from the California Integrated Waste Board for an Urban
Runoff Treatment System in the Centinela Storm Drain.
Resolution form of the California Integrated Waste Board.
Maps (2)
Prepared by: Craig Perkins, Director, Environmental & Public Works Management
Brian Johnson, Manager, Environmental Programs Division
Neal Shapiro, Senior Environmental Analysis, Water Resources
Section
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