SR 02-23-2021 3F 502-010-04 / 505-007 / 502-006-09
City Council Report
City Council Meeting: February 23, 2021
Agenda Item: 3.F
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To: Mayor and City Council
From: Rick Valte, Acting Public Works Director, Public Works, Water Resources
Subject: Adoption of Resolution to Enter Into an Agreement to receive funding from the
Metropolitan Water District of Southern California's Local Resources Program
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt the attached resolution to authorize the City Manager to execute all
necessary documents to receive funding from Metropolitan Water District of
Southern California’s Local Resources Program;
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute an addendum to the Initial Study and
Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Sustainable Water Infrastructure Project to
add Metropolitan Water District of Southern California as a project partner; and
3. Authorize the City Manager to execute an addendum to Initial Study and
Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Olympic Well Field Restoration and
Arcadia Water Treatment Plant Expansion Project to add Metropolitan Water
District of Southern California as a project partner.
Summary
The City of Santa Monica has consistently taken a strategic approach in keeping water
and wastewater services affordable to our community while adequately investing in
long-term water quality, reliability, resiliency, and sustainability. The City Council
adopted the 2018 Sustainable Water Master Plan Update aimed to provide long-term
cost benefits for water ratepayers and establishment of a diverse, sustainable and
drought resilient local water supply.
To support the goal of providing long-term cost benefits to the City’s water ratepayers,
including developing local water supplies and pursuing outside funding support for
water/wastewater infrastructure, the Water Resources Division is applying for funding
from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California’s (MWD) Local Resources
Program (LRP) for the Sustainable Water Infrastructure Project (SWIP) and the Arcadia
Water Treatment Plant Production Efficiency Enhancement Project (Component 2 of the
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2018 Sustainable Water Master Plan Update). The MWD LRP grant funding could
provide up to $782,000 per year, for 25 years, for production of local water supplies that
would reduce demand on imported water supplies. As part of the funding application
submittal, MWD requires the City’s governing body to authorize the City Manager to file
an application for funding and amend the Initial Study and Mitigated Negative
Declaration for the Sustainable Water Infrastructure Project and the Olympic Well Field
Restoration and Arcadia Water Treatment Plant Expansion Project to include MWD as a
project partner. If awarded, the City Manager would be authorized to negotiate and
enter into an agreement with MWD.
Discussion
On November 27, 2018, the City Council adopted the Sustainable Water Master Plan
Update and directed staff to proceed with implementing water self-sufficiency projects
as well as pursue state and/or federal funding opportunities to help offset capital costs
(Attachment A). Staff is seeking funding support from MWD’s Local Resources Program
for the SWIP and the Arcadia Water Treatment Plant Expansion and Production
Efficiency Enhancement Project.
MWD’s Local Resources Program provides grant funding for the development of water
recycling and groundwater recovery supplies that replace an existing demand on
MWD’s imported water supplies either through direct replacement of potable water or
increased regional groundwater production. MWD’s Local Resources Program provides
funding up to $340 per acre-feet over 25 years for water produced locally. Funding
reimbursement through the program is calculated based on water produced each year
to offset imported water demand. To be eligible to receive funding through MWD’s Local
Resources Program, the City would also need to add MWD as a project partner in the
Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration for the SWIP and the Olympic Well
Field Restoration and Arcadia Water Treatment Plant Expansion Project.
The SWIP and Arcadia Water Treatment Plant Expansion and Production Efficiency
Enhancement Projects are outlined in Component 2 of the 2018 Sustainable Water
Master Plan Update to develop a sustainable and drought resilient alternative water
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supply for the City. Element 2 of the SWIP includes the construction of a new advanced
water treatment facility to expand the City’s recycled water supply for non-potable uses
(e.g., irrigation and toilet flushing) as well as future potable reuse to replenish the local
groundwater supply. The new SWIP advanced water treatment facility would produce
on average 1 million gallons per day, or approximately 1,100 acre-feet per year (AFY),
of advanced treated recycled water that would offset purchase of imported water
supplies and account for roughly seven percent of the City’s water supply. Funding
through MWD’s Local Resources Program could provide up to $374,000 per year over
the 25-year period for water produced locally by the SWIP. Element 1 of the SWIP,
upgrades to the Santa Monica Urban Runoff Recycling Facility (SMURFF), is not
eligible for funding through MWD’s Local Resources Program as it previously received
funding through this program.
The Arcadia Water Treatment Plant Expansion and Production Efficiency Enhancement
Project aims to expand the City’s drinking water treatment facility, increase overall
production efficiency, and reduce concentrate waste discharge. The Arcadia Water
Treatment Plant’s multi-barrier treatment process includes the use of reverse osmosis
filtration to produce high-quality potable water for the community. The current reverse
osmosis filtration process has a production efficiency of approximately 82 percent. In
other words, for every 100 gallons of water treated through the reverse osmosis filtration
process, 82 gallons of drinking water is produced and approximately 18 gallons of
concentrated waste stream is discharged to the sewer system. The project would seek
to upgrade the existing reverse osmosis system to achieve a production efficiency of 90
percent or greater. The project would produce up to 1,200 AFY of locally sourced water
or approximately eight percent of the City’s water supply. Funding through MWD’s Local
Resources Program could provide up to $408,000 per year for 25 years for water
produced locally by the Arcadia Water Treatment Plant Expansion and Production
Efficiency Enhancement Project.
Past Council Actions
9/27/2016 (Attachment A) Council adopted the Initial Study and Mitigated Negative
Declaration for the Sustainable Water Infrastructure
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Project (SWIP)
11/27/2018 (Attachment B) Council directed staff to proceed with Sustainable Water
Master Plan Update and to pursue outside grant funding
for water self-sufficiency projects.
11/27/2018 (Attachment C) Council adopted an Addendum to the Initial Study and
Mitigated Negative Declaration for the SWIP
11/24/2020 (Attachment D) Council adopted the Initial Study and Mitigated Negative
Declaration for the Olympic Wellfield Restoration and
Arcadia Water Treatment Plan Expansion.
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
Staff seeks authority to apply for a grant from MWD’s Local Resources Program. There
is no immediate financial impact or budget action necessary as a result of
recommended action. However, if awarded, the City could receive up to $782,000
annually, which would result in savings to the Water Fund’s operating budget through a
credit on the City’s MWD invoices. Funding is anticipated to begin in FY 2023-2024.
Staff will return to Council if specific budget actions are required in the future.
Prepared By: Chris Aguillon, Water Resources Protection Specialist
Approved
Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. September 27, 2016 SWIP IS/MND Staff Report (Web Link)
B. November 27, 2018 Sustainable Water Master Plan Staff Report (Web Link)
C. November 27, 2018 Addendum to SWIP IS/MND Staff Report (Web Link)
D. November 24, 2020 IS/MND for the Arcadia Water Treatment Plant Expansion
Project Staff Report (Web Link)
E. MWD CEQA Addendum for SWIP MND
F. MWD CEQA Addendum for Arcadia WTP MND
G. Proposed Resolution
H. Written Comments
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ADDENDUM No. 2 TO MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION
Sustainable Water Infrastructure Project
Prepared by
City of Santa Monica
Public Works Department
1685 Main Street
Santa Monica, California 90401
1. Introduction:
The City of Santa Monica’s Sustainable Water Infrastructure Project (SWIP) consists of
three integral project elements:
• Element 1: Brackish/Saline Impaired Groundwater Treatment and Reuse
• Element 2: Recycled Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Conjunctive Reuse
• Element 3: Stormwater Harvesting, Treatment, and Reuse
Together these elements will provide for advance treatment and reuse of brackish/saline
impaired groundwater, recycled municipal wastewater, and stormwater runoff. Tangible
benefits of the SWIP include the following:
• Harvest up to 4.5 million gallons (MG) of stormwater from any single storm event
for treatment and permitted reuse
• Improve beach and bay water quality through the reduction of stormwater
discharges
• Comply with State Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) and Enhanced
Watershed Management Plan (EWMP) stormwater nonpoint source pollution
control measures for Santa Monica Bay
• Recycle 1 million gallons per day (MGD) of municipal wastewater for permitted
reuse, including future indirect potable reuse via aquifer recharge
• Treat up to 0.5 MGD of stormwater and/or brackish-saline-impaired groundwater
for permitted beneficial reuse
• Conserve over 1,680 acre-feet per year (AFY) (547.4 MG) of groundwater or
imported water
• Reduce energy and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with the
production and transport of imported water
The purpose of the SWIP is to contribute to existing programs and plans aimed toward
achieving water supply sustainability. Each element of the SWIP (collectively referred to as
the “proposed project”) is described in detail below.
Element 1: Brackish/Saline Impaired Groundwater Reuse. When completed, this element
of the SWIP will achieve the following:
• Conserve groundwater and reduce the City's dependence on imported water by
providing a supplemental source of water to the separate CBI (Deauville) Project
tanks when runoff is scarce,
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Packet Pg. 90 Attachment: MWD CEQA Addendum for SWIP MND [Revision 1] (4401 : MWD LRP Agreement Resolution)
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• Produce approximately 560 AFY of advanced treated water for permitted reuse
from nonconventional resources (stormwater and/or brackish/saline-impaired
groundwater),
• Increase the City's drought resiliency and sustainably replenish groundwater
resources via aquifer recharge (e.g., indirect potable reuse), and
• Provide a teaching platform for local schools and universities.
Element 2: Recycled Water Production and Conjunctive Reuse. When completed, the
recycled water treatment element of the SWIP (Element 2) will provide water compliant
with CCR Title 22 and Title 17 standards and the following beneficial outcomes:
• Produce approximately 1 MGD of advanced treated recycled water from
municipal wastewater and stormwater for immediate non-potable reuse,
• Allow for conjunctive reuse, when permitted, via aquifer recharge for indirect
potable reuse,
• Capacity to advance treat and reuse harvested stormwater diverted to the facility
from the SWIP Element 3 stormwater harvest tanks,
• Provide for sustainable groundwater management and increased drought
resiliency,
• Result in annual groundwater or imported water reductions of approximately
1,120 acre-feet (AF) (i.e., 33,600 AF, or 10 billion gallons over 30 years), and
• Achieve the goals of water resources reliability, restoration, and resilience set
forth in the Governor's California Water Action Plan and the City's Sustainable
Water Master Plan.
Element 3: Stormwater Harvesting and Reuse. When completed, the stormwater
harvesting element of the SWIP will:
• Harvest and divert for advanced treatment and beneficial reuse approximately
1.5 MG of stormwater from any single storm event that will ordinarily be
discharged to the ocean at the Pico-Kenter Outfall;
• Improve beach and Santa Monica Bay water quality by reducing the volume of
stormwater discharged to ocean at the Pico-Kenter outfall;
• Provide for required MS4 and EWMP stormwater nonpoint source pollution
control measure compliance; and
• Contribute towards groundwater conservation and sustainability by providing an
alternative source of water for advance treatment and permitted beneficial reuse.
2. Project Modification Description:
Since the approval of the original project (as described in Section 1 of this
addendum), a minor project modification has occurred that needs to be addressed
within the context of CEQA and the State CEQA Guidelines. The City of Santa
Monica is proposing to obtain financial assistance for the approved project through
the Local Resources Program (LRP) that is administered by The Metropolitan Water
District of Southern California (Metropolitan). The LRP provides financial incentives
to public and private water agencies to encourage local development of water
recycling, groundwater recovery and seawater desalination.
Metropolitan offers three different LRP incentive payment structure alternatives to
choose from:
3.F.e
Packet Pg. 91 Attachment: MWD CEQA Addendum for SWIP MND [Revision 1] (4401 : MWD LRP Agreement Resolution)
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Alternative 1: Sliding scale incentives, recalculated annually based on eligible
project costs incurred each year and Metropolitan's applicable water rates, up to
$340/AF over 25 years;
Alternative 2: Sliding scale incentives up to $475/AF over 15 years; and
Alternative 3: Fixed incentive up to $305/AF over 25 years.
The City of Santa Monica has chosen the Alternative 1.
As the Lead Agency, The City of Santa Monica has prepared this addendum to the
previously adopted Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration for the
Sustainable Water Infrastructure Project in support of its discretionary action to
comply with CEQA and the State CEQA Guidelines. For this proposed project
modification, Metropolitan will act as a Responsible Agency.
3. Minor Technical Additions:
This addendum has been prepared since partnering in the original project would
require a discretionary action by the Lead Agency’s decision-making body.
On September 6, 2019, the City of Santa Monica submitted the proposal on the
Sustainable Water Supply Project to Metropolitan. As the Responsible Agency,
Metropolitan’s Board of Directors will review and consider the proposal and
environmental documentation prepared by the City of Santa Monica in determining
whether or not to approve financial assistance for the project within the Local Resources
Program (LRP) administrative process.
The proposed project modification (i.e., a partnership with Metropolitan in the LRP for
the Sustainable Water Infrastructure Project) would be consistent with Metropolitan’s
commitment to develop LRP activities that would increase water supply reliability and
avoid or defer Metropolitan capital expenditures.
Therefore, this minor technical change and further clarification to the original project
has no impact on water supplies or water quality within the Lead Agency's service
area. Instead, the proposed project modification is an administrative and fiscal action.
4. Basis for Preparation of Addendum:
Section 15164(b) of the State CEQA Guidelines states “An addendum to an adopted
negative declaration may be prepared if only minor technical changes or additions are
necessary or none of the conditions described in Section 15162 calling for the
preparation of a subsequent EIR or negative declaration have occurred.”
The proposed modification to the original project would not result in a tangible change in
the physical environment. As the Lead Agency for the proposed project modification,
the City of Santa Monica is issuing this addendum in accordance with the State CEQA
Guidelines (Section 15164). The minor textual additions provided herein are not
considered to 1) constitute a substantial change in the project as originally proposed by
the City of Santa Monica, 2) lead to substantial changes in the circumstances under
which the project is undertaken, or 3) constitute new information of substantial
3.F.e
Packet Pg. 92 Attachment: MWD CEQA Addendum for SWIP MND [Revision 1] (4401 : MWD LRP Agreement Resolution)
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importance. Accordingly, an addendum was prepared as opposed to a negative
declaration or a subsequent environmental impact report.
________________________ __________________________________
Signature Date
____________ __________________________________
Printed Name Title
3.F.e
Packet Pg. 93 Attachment: MWD CEQA Addendum for SWIP MND [Revision 1] (4401 : MWD LRP Agreement Resolution)
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ADDENDUM TO MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION
Olympic Well Field Restoration and Arcadia Water Treatment Plant Expansion
Project
Prepared by
City of Santa Monica
Public Works Department
1685 Main Street
Santa Monica, California 90401
1. Introduction:
The proposed Olympic Well Field Restoration and Arcadia Water Treatment Plant
Expansion Project (Project) is intended to enhance sustainability of the City of Santa
Monica’s (City’s) local water supply through developing alternative water supplies and
expanding local groundwater supplies. The proposed Project would further reduce the
City’s reliance upon purchased imported water from the Metropolitan Water District of
Southern California (MWD), with the objective of maximizing local water resources. The
Project would accomplish this goal through the restoration of the Olympic Well Field’s
pumping capacity, expansion of local groundwater production and concurrent reduction of
imported water supply, conveyance of the extracted groundwater to a new Olympic
Advanced Water Treatment Facility (co-located at the Arcadia Water Treatment Plant
[WTP]) via a new dedicated pipeline, and upgrades to the Arcadia WTP with an innovative
Reverse Osmosis (RO) concentrate treatment technology to enhance production
efficiency. Upon Project completion, the overall raw water treatment capacity of the
Arcadia WTP would be expanded from approximately 10 million gallons per day (mgd) or
11,300 acre-feet per year (acre-feet/yr) to approximately 13 mgd, or 14,700 acre-feet/yr.
The proposed Project is comprised of three primary elements, including: (1) Olympic
Well Field Restoration, (2) Olympic Pipeline, (3) Olympic Advanced Water Treatment
Facility (AWTF) and Arcadia WTP Production Efficiency Enhancement and Expansion
(Arcadia WTP Expansion).
• The Olympic Well Field Restoration component involves equipping two new
injection wells (Santa Monica Well [SM]-10i and SM-11i) and two new domestic
groundwater production wells (SM-8 and SM-9) in the Olympic Well Field. Lateral
pipeline connections from the groundwater production wells and the injection
wells to existing pipelines would be constructed within the public right-of-way.
The production wells would connect to the proposed Olympic Pipeline and the
injection wells would connect to recycled water pipelines. Additionally, a new
recycled water pipeline would connect SM-11i to a planned recycled water
pipeline at the Santa Monica City Yards.
• The Olympic Pipeline component involves construction of a new 16-inch water
transmission pipeline to transport water extracted from the Olympic Well Field in
the City of Santa Monica to the new Olympic AWTF in the City of Los Angeles.
• The Olympic AWTF and Arcadia WTP Expansion involves two interrelated
components that would be co-located at the Arcadia WTP. The proposed
Olympic AWTF includes new treatment process equipment designed to treat key
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Packet Pg. 94 Attachment: MWD CEQA Addendum for Arcadia WTP MND [Revision 1] (4401 : MWD LRP Agreement Resolution)
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contaminants from the Olympic Well Field. The existing Arcadia WTP would be
partially expanded to handle the additional flows from the Olympic AWTF.
Additionally, this component includes a new innovative RO concentrate treatment
technology to increase production efficiency and produce additional potable
water while reducing concentrate discharges to the sewer system.
2. Project Modification Description:
Since the approval of the original project (as described in Section 1 of this
addendum), a minor project modification has occurred that needs to be addressed
within the context of CEQA and the State CEQA Guidelines. The City of Santa
Monica is proposing to obtain financial assistance for the approved project through
the Local Resources Program (LRP) that is administered by The Metropolitan Water
District of Southern California (Metropolitan). The LRP provides financial incentives
to public and private water agencies to encourage local development of water
recycling, groundwater recovery and seawater desalination.
Metropolitan offers three different LRP incentive payment structure alternatives to
choose from:
Alternative 1: Sliding scale incentives, recalculated annually based on eligible
project costs incurred each year and Metropolitan's applicable water rates, up to
$340/AF over 25 years;
Alternative 2: Sliding scale incentives up to $475/AF over 15 years; and
Alternative 3: Fixed incentive up to $305/AF over 25 years.
The City of Santa Monica has chosen the Alternative 1.
As the Lead Agency, The City of Santa Monica has prepared this addendum to the
previously adopted Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Olympic
Well Field Restoration and Arcadia Water Treatment Plant Expansion Project in
support of its discretionary action to comply with CEQA and the State CEQA
Guidelines. For this proposed project modification, Metropolitan will act as a
Responsible Agency.
3. Minor Technical Additions:
This addendum has been prepared since partnering in the original project would
require a discretionary action by the Lead Agency’s decision-making body.
On September 6, 2019, the City of Santa Monica submitted the proposal on the
Sustainable Water Supply Project to Metropolitan. As the Responsible Agency,
Metropolitan’s Board of Directors will review and consider the proposal and
environmental documentation prepared by the City of Santa Monica in determining
whether or not to approve financial assistance for the project within the Local Resources
Program (LRP) administrative process.
The proposed project modification (i.e., a partnership with Metropolitan in the LRP for
the Olympic Well Field Restoration and Arcadia Water Treatment Plant Expansion
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Packet Pg. 95 Attachment: MWD CEQA Addendum for Arcadia WTP MND [Revision 1] (4401 : MWD LRP Agreement Resolution)
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Project) would be consistent with Metropolitan’s commitment to develop LRP activities
that would increase water supply reliability and avoid or defer Metropolitan capital
expenditures.
Therefore, this minor technical change and further clarification to the original project has
no impact on water supplies or water quality within the Lead Agency's service area.
Instead, the proposed project modification is an administrative and fiscal action.
4. Basis for Preparation of Addendum:
Section 15164(b) of the State CEQA Guidelines states “An addendum to an adopted
negative declaration may be prepared if only minor technical changes or additions are
necessary or none of the conditions described in Section 15162 calling for the
preparation of a subsequent EIR or negative declaration have occurred.”
The proposed modification to the original project would not result in a tangible change in
the physical environment. As the Lead Agency for the proposed project modification,
the City of Santa Monica is issuing this addendum in accordance with the State CEQA
Guidelines (Section 15164). The minor textual additions provided herein are not
considered to 1) constitute a substantial change in the project as originally proposed by
the City of Santa Monica, 2) lead to substantial changes in the circumstances under
which the project is undertaken, or 3) constitute new information of substantial
importance. Accordingly, an addendum was prepared as opposed to a negative
declaration or a subsequent environmental impact report.
________________________ __________________________________
Signature Date
____________ __________________________________
Printed Name Title
3.F.f
Packet Pg. 96 Attachment: MWD CEQA Addendum for Arcadia WTP MND [Revision 1] (4401 : MWD LRP Agreement Resolution)
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City Council Meeting: February 23, 2021 Santa Monica, California
RESOLUTION NUMBER (CCS)
(City Council Series)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
NEGOTIATE AND ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT FOR GRANT FUNDING FROM
THE METROPOLITAN WATER DISTRICT OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA’S LOCAL
RESOURCES PROGRAM FOR SUSTAINABLE WATER MASTER PLAN PROJECTS,
AND ANY AMENDMENTS THERETO
WHEREAS, on November 27, 2018, the City Council directed staff to implement
the Sustainable Water Master Plan Update to achieve water self-sufficiency on local water
sources; and
WHEREAS, the City recognizes that a sustainable and secure water future must
include the coordinated and conjunctive reuse of all locally available water resources
including traditionally non-potable sources such as brackish groundwater and
wastewater; and
WHEREAS, pursuant and subject to all of the terms and provisions of the
Metropolitan Water District of Southern California’s Local Resources Program; and
WHEREAS, such incentives provide much needed funding to develop local water
supplies that help meet the water resources needs of the Southern California region and
state.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA
DOES RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
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Packet Pg. 97 Attachment: Proposed Resolution (4401 : MWD LRP Agreement Resolution)
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SECTION 1. The City Council of the City of Santa Monica hereby authorizes the
City Manager or his or her designee, on behalf of the City of Santa Monica, to sign and
file an application for funding from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California’s
Local Resources Program for an amount of $340 per acre foot of water produced,
determined on a sliding scale, by the Sustainable Water Master Plan Projects, under the
terms and provisions of the Local Resources Program.
SECTION 2. The City of Santa Monica hereby agrees and further does authorize
the aforementioned representative or his or her designee to certify that the City of Santa
Monica has and will comply with all applicable requirements in the Local Resources
Program related to any funds received.
SECTION 3. The City Manager or his or her designee is hereby authorized to
negotiate and execute a funding agreement and any amendments or change orders
thereto, and to certify funding disbursement on behalf of the City of Santa Monica.
SECTION 4. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution, and
thenceforth and thereafter the same shall be in full force and effect.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_________________________
GEORGE S. CARDONA
Interim City Attorney
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Packet Pg. 98 Attachment: Proposed Resolution (4401 : MWD LRP Agreement Resolution)
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Vernice Hankins
From:Elizabeth Van Denburgh <emvandenburgh@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday, February 23, 2021 11:26 AM
To:Sue Himmelrich; Councilmember Kevin McKeown; Oscar de la Torre; Christine Parra; Phil Brock;
Gleam Davis; Kristin McCowan; councilmtgitems; Lane Dilg; Anuj Gupta; Susan Cline
Subject:2/23/21 City Council Meeting - Consent Item F. - Oppose item until City addresses MWD sexual
harrassment issues
EXTERNAL
Mayor Himmelrich and City Council Members,
I'd request that Consent Item F regarding adding the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California as a project
partner be pulled from the agenda.
In an epoch where human injustices are being overtly discussed and solutions identified, I'd like to bring up that based
on a 2/12/21 article by the LA Times, https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021‐02‐12/mwd‐accused‐sexual‐
harassment‐abuse‐against‐women, women working at Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) are
being sexually harassed. We as a City need to discuss and address this issue prior to entering into an agreement with
MWD and agreeing to a partnership.
Based on a 2/20/21 LA Times article, https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021‐02‐20/metropolitan‐water‐
district‐scandal‐los‐angeles‐city‐council, the City of Los Angeles is considering severing ties to MWD.
I believe we should pull this consent item and hold a discussion about whether this is an organization that we want to
have as a project partner?
Thank‐you for your timely consideration of this request.
Elizabeth Van Denburgh
City resident, small business owner and
Wilmont Chair
Item 3.F 02/23/21
1 of 3 Item 3.F 02/23/21
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Packet Pg. 99 Attachment: Written Comments (4401 : MWD LRP Agreement Resolution)
Memo
To: City of Santa Monica City Council
From: Dean Kubani, Chair, Task Force on the Environment
Signature:
Date: February 9, 2021
Re: City of Santa Monica Task Force on the Environment Motions Regarding Water Self-Sufficiency Projects
At the February 8, 2021 special meeting, the Task Force on the Environment
discussed and took action on the following agenda item:
Presentation, Discussion, and Possible Action Regarding Water Self-Sufficiency Projects
Sunny Wang, Water Resources Manager, presented an update on the City’s Sustainable Water Supply program, the projects identified in the Sustainable Water Master Plan, and possible funding opportunities. Staff is requesting the Task Force input and support on a grant from the Department of Water Resources for $10 million and the Metropolitan Water District Local Resources
Program ($340 per acre-foot of water produced). This funding is necessary for completion of projects to achieve water self-sufficiency. Both opportunities are consent items on the February 23rd City Council agenda. Additionally, the City is requesting support to apply for the US EPA Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act Loan in the amount of $84 million. This opportunity is a consent
item on the March 23rd City Council agenda.
After discussion, the Task Force on the Environment adopted the following motion:
Motion by Task Force chair Kubani, seconded by Task Force member Mearns. Motion: The City of Santa Monica’s Task Force on the Environment recommends City Council approve the application and accept funding, if successful, for the Department of Water Resources Water Desalination Grant, Metropolitan Water
District of Southern California Local Resources Program, and the US EPA Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act Loan.
The motion was approved by the following roll call vote:
Item 3.F 02/23/21
2 of 3 Item 3.F 02/23/21
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Packet Pg. 100 Attachment: Written Comments (4401 : MWD LRP Agreement Resolution)
Ayes: Chair Kubani
Member Baghdasarian Member Lempert Member Neandross Member Mearns
Member Pettit
Member Sokol Noes: None Abstain: None Absent: None
Item 3.F 02/23/21
3 of 3 Item 3.F 02/23/21
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Packet Pg. 101 Attachment: Written Comments (4401 : MWD LRP Agreement Resolution)