SR-08-13-2013-3LCity Council Report
City of
Santa Monied
City Council Meeting: August 18, 2013
Agenda Item: 3-t_
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Martin Pastucha, Director of Public Works
Subject: Execute Cost Sharing Memoranda of Understanding to Develop
Enhanced Watershed Management Programs for the Ballona Creek and
Santa Monica Bay Watersheds
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a Memorandum of
Agreement with the Cities of Los Angeles, El Segundo, Los Angeles County
Flood Control District and the County of Los Angeles to share the cost of
developing an Enhanced Watershed Management Program (EWMP) for
Jurisdictional Groups 2 & 3 of the Santa Monica Bay watershed. The total cost
share for the City's participation in the preparation of the Jurisdictional Group 2 &
3 Santa Monica Bay EWMP is $205,405 (includes a 10% contingency).
2. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a Memorandum of
Agreement with the Cities of Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Culver City, Inglewood,
West Hollywood, Los Angeles County Flood Control District and the County of
Los Angeles to share the cost of developing an Enhanced Watershed
Management Program (EWMP) for the Ballona Creek watershed. The total cost
share for the City's participation in the preparation of the Ballona Creek EWMP is
$3,834 (includes a 10% contingency).
Executive Summary
The Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board adopted the new Waste
Discharge Requirements for Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4)
Discharges within the Coastal Watersheds of Los Angeles County, except those
Discharges Originating from the City of Long Beach MS4 (Permit) on November 8,
2012. The Permit went into effect on December 28, 2012. Permit compliance may be
obtained through the implementation of EWMPs. The City of Santa Monica discharges
runoff to the Ballona Creek and Santa Monica Bay watersheds. The estimated Santa
Monica shares of cost for preparation of the Ballona Creek EWMP and Jurisdictional
Group 2 & 3 Santa Monica Bay EWMP are $3,834 and $205,405, respectively. It is
recommended that the City participate in the development of each EWMP.
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Background
The Federal Clean Water Act (CWA) requires the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality
Control Board (Board) to develop water quality standards that identify beneficial uses,
and criteria to protect beneficial uses for each water body found within its region.
Beneficial uses include swimming, fishing, drinking water, navigability, and wildlife
habitats and reproduction.
CWA section 402 requires the issuance of a permit to regulate municipal storm water
discharges. On November 8, 2012, the Board adopted the Permit with an effective date
of December 28, 2012.
The Permit covers the Los Angeles County Flood Control District, the County of Los
Angeles, and eighty -four incorporated cities in Los Angeles County, including the City of
Santa Monica.
Discussion
The Permit provides its permittees with several compliance options. Compliance can be
obtained through four options ranging from minimum control measures to varying
watershed program levels. The fourth option, an Enhanced Watershed Management
Program (EWMP), involves collaboration of multiple jurisdictions within a watershed,
subsequently encouraging the pooling of resources. It provides the participating
permittees with a longer and more realistic time frame to develop a comprehensive plan
that would be expected to improve water quality through the planning and
implementation of multi- benefit, regional projects in the watershed area. These multi -
benefit, regional projects would be designed to retain all storm water runoff from the 85th
percentile 24 -hour storm event from the drainage areas tributary to the projects, while
also achieving other benefits such as flood control and water supply. The EWMP is the
only option that affords the participating permittees full compliance with the final water
quality based effluent limitations (WQBEL) for those drainage areas tributary to the
multi- benefit, regional projects. This means that regardless of any monitoring data
collected at the outfall, the implementation of a multi- benefit project, as proposed in an
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EWMP, would render the drainage area tributary to the project compliant with the final
WQBEL. Staff believes the most cost effective and efficient means to achieve desired
result in through the participation of all contributing agencies to a joint resolution.
Most of the runoff from the City's 8.1 square -mile area discharges into the Santa Monica
Bay. About 0.3 square miles of the City's land area drains to the Ballona Creek. The
City would subsequently participate in a separate EWMP for each watershed.
Participants in the Jurisdiction 2 & 3 Santa Monica Bay EWMP would include Los
Angeles County Flood Control District, Los Angeles County, and the cities of Los
Angeles, El Segundo, and Santa Monica. The cost to prepare the EWMP is estimated
at $1,050,000. Based on land area percentage, the City of Santa Monica's one -time
cost share would be $205,405.
Participants in the Ballona Creek EWMP would include Los Angeles County Flood
Control District, Los Angeles County, and the cities of Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Culver
City, Inglewood, West Hollywood and Santa Monica. The cost to prepare the EWMP is
estimated at $1,317,050. Based on land area percentage, the City of Santa Monica's
one -time cost share would be $3,834.
The City of Los Angeles would lead the coordination effort to prepare both EWMPs with
the assistance of a consultant team and the other participating permittees.
Next Steps
A fully executed Memorandum of Understanding between the participating permittees
for each watershed is due to the Board on December 28, 2013. A draft EWMP is due
for submission to the Board on June 28, 2015, while implementation must start on April
28, 2016.
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Financial Impacts & Budget Actions
The total cost share for the City's participation in the preparation of both EWMPs for the
Ballona Creek and Santa Monica Bay Watersheds is $209,239 (includes a 10%
contingency). Funds are available in the FY 2013 -14 budget in division 06402 at the
following accounts:
06402.555060 Professional Services
$109,239
06402.555010 Contractual Services $100,000
Total available funds $209,239
Prepared by: Rick Valte, PE, Principal Civil Engineer
roved:
Ma in Pastucha
Director of Public Works
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Forwarded to Council:
Rod Gould
City Manager
Reference:
Agreement Nos. 9781 &
9782 (CCS)