TO: ADAM PIRRIE, CITY MANAGER
FROM: BRAD JOHNSON, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
DATE: JANUARY 14, 2025
Reviewed by:
City Manager: AP
SUBJECT:
Title
APPROVAL OF A TRANSFER AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF CLAREMONT AND THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT, AGREEMENT NO. 2024MP16, SAFE, CLEAN WATER PROGRAM - MUNICIPAL PROGRAM (FUNDING SOURCE: MEASURE W FUND)
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SUMMARY
In 2018, the Los Angeles County Flood Control District (LACFCD) electorate voted to create the Safe, Clean Water Program, designed to clean and conserve billions of gallons of stormwater that would otherwise be lost to the ocean when it rains. Through this parcel tax program (Measure W), local municipalities receive funds from Los Angeles County, which can be used to build projects or find other means to clean and capture stormwater.
To receive Measure W funding, municipalities must enter a Municipal Transfer Agreement. On July 28, 2020, the City Council approved the transfer agreement required of the Safe, Clean Water Program that collects a stormwater tax from parcels within the City of Claremont based on impervious areas.
To be eligible to continue to receive these funds, the City must execute a Transfer Agreement with LACFCD (Attachment A). By executing this agreement, the City will continue to receive its annual allocation of Measure W funds.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommended Action
Staff recommends the City Council authorize the City Manager to execute a Transfer Agreement between the City of Claremont and the Los Angeles County Flood Control District, Agreement No. 2024MP16 for the Safe, Clean Water Program - Municipal Program (Measure W).
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ALTERNATIVE TO RECOMMENDATION
In addition to the recommendation, there is the following alternative:
● Request additional information from staff.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
A portion of the City’s operating budget is offset with Measure W funds collected and distributed to the City of Claremont through the Safe, Clean Water Program. Per the terms and conditions of the funding, the City of Claremont is permitted to use up to thirty percent of these funds for ongoing activities that contribute towards compliance with the State-mandated Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit. The remaining seventy percent of funding must be spent on projects to meet either infiltration or water quality efforts required of the MS4 permit.
To continue receiving Measure W funds, a Transfer Agreement must be executed with the LACFCD. This agreement shall be in effect until the end of the 2027-28 fiscal year. The City anticipates receiving approximately $590,000 in Measure W funds annually through this agreement.
The cost to prepare this staff report is estimated at $571 and is included in the operating budget of the Community Development Department.
ANALYSIS
The passage of Measure W in 2018 created a comprehensive regional plan to address how the Los Angeles County communities can capture, clean and infiltrate storm water. As the implementation of Measure W began, the Safe Clean Water Program was created to assist communities in capturing, cleaning, and eliminating toxins, bacteria, metals, and chemicals from storm events’ collected flows. The tax is calculated for each applicable parcel based on the parcel’s impermeable areas (building footprints, roofs, driveways, sidewalks, sheds, etc.) as determined by the County Landcover Survey. The Board of Supervisors will periodically initiate an update to the County Landcover Survey.
The Safe, Clean Water Program funding is allocated across three areas: the Regional Program, the Municipal Program, and the District Program. The Regional Program receives 50 percent of all Safe, Clean Water funding, with the majority spent on infrastructure projects and scientific studies across Los Angeles County. The Municipal Program received 40 percent of all Safe, Clean Water funding for infrastructure, maintenance, compliance activities, and more. Ten percent of the Program’s resources are reserved for the District Program, which covers administration, technical assistance, and Countywide initiatives that benefit everyone.
The City of Claremont uses Measure W funding to pay for Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System-mandated activities utilizing up to thirty percent of the funds received through this program to offset costs associated with MS4 compliance activities. Typical MS4 compliance activities are monitoring different water pollutants, performing activities to reduce contaminants, and providing consultant services to ensure the City maintains its compliance with the State mandate. The remaining seventy percent funds capital project components designed to capture, clean, and infiltrate stormwater. Claremont has made compliance efforts by installing dry wells and stormwater filtration structures on capital improvement projects such as the Foothill Boulevard Project, the City’s Cemetery, and, more recently, the Towne Avenue Complete Streets Project.
To be eligible to continue to receive these Measure W funds, the City must execute a new Transfer Agreement with the LACFCD. Once processed by LACFCD, it is anticipated that the City will continue to receive approximately $590,000 in Measure W funds annually. The transfer agreement will be valid through the end of 2027-28, when a new transfer agreement will be required to be executed to continue to receive Measure W funds from the County.
RELATIONSHIP TO CITY PLANNING DOCUMENTS
Staff has evaluated the agenda item in relationship to the City’s strategic and visioning documents and finds it relates to: Council Priorities, Sustainability Plan, General Plan, and the 2024-26 Budget.
CEQA REVIEW
This item is not subject to environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
PUBLIC NOTICE PROCESS
The agenda and staff report for this item have been posted on the City website and distributed to interested parties. If you desire a copy, please contact the City Clerk’s Office.
Submitted by: Prepared by:
Brad Johnson Vincent Ramos
Community Development Director Associate Engineer
Reviewed by:
Maria B. Tipping, P.E.
City Engineer
Attachment:
LACFCD Measure W Funds Transfer Agreement