To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: JANE CHUNG, ASSISTANT TO THE MANAGER
TITLE
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AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO SIGN LETTERS OF SUPPORT FOR FY27 CONGRESSIONAL DIRECTED SPENDING PROJECT APPLICATIONS
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This report seeks authorization for the Mayor to sign letters of support for projects being considered for federal funding through the FY27 Congressional Directed Spending (CDS) process. Each project aligns with the City’s adopted Strategic Plan and Legislative Action Platform. Submitting letters of support strengthens the City’s federal funding applications and ensures the City of Redondo Beach remains competitive in securing available congressional appropriations. Approval of the recommended action would allow the City to meet federal submission deadlines and continue advocating for resources that benefit the community.
The City Manager’s Office collaborated with multiple City departments to identify projects that align with adopted City goals, are eligible for CDS consideration, and generally do not have a known/available source of funding. This report lists those projects and identifies which would be submitted for the FY27 cycle. The City has also received a request from the Beach Cities Health District (BCHD) for a letter of support for its federal funding application.
Consistent with the recently adopted Legislative Action Platform, draft position statements are to be presented to the City Council whenever practicable. Therefore, staff is providing the draft support letters for the City Council’s consideration
BACKGROUND
Each year, members of Congress solicit local project submissions for potential federal funding through the Congressional Directed Spending (CDS) process. These requests allow cities to seek targeted appropriations for infrastructure, public safety, environmental, and community-serving initiatives that may not be fully funded through local resources.
The City identified twelve potential projects, but after conferring with our legislative advocacy team and considering the resources and time needed to prepare the applications, staff determined that four should be submitted for consideration in the FY27 Congressional Directed Spending cycle, with the remaining projects retained for future funding opportunities. The four projects represent a range of cost options that align with varying levels of potentially available federal funding.
The four projects selected for submission in this cycle, listed from least to most expensive, are as follows:
Alternative Crisis Response Team Case‑Management System Project ($150,000): This project would fund a unified case‑management system and field technology to support the City’s Alternative Crisis Response Team, which provides trauma‑informed, non‑law‑enforcement intervention for mental and behavioral‑health crises. In addition to modernizing data management and communication tools, the project includes specialized training to ensure responders can fully leverage new technology, apply best‑practice crisis‑intervention techniques, and coordinate effectively with public safety, health, and housing partners.
• Strategic Plan Priority Area: Goal 2.2: Strengthen the City’s Mental Health Response and Community Support Systems
• Legislative Action Platform Priority: Homelessness & Mental Health Services
Emergency Medical Cardiac Monitor and Mechanical CPR Device Replacement Project ($1M): This project would replace the City’s aging cardiac monitors and mechanical CPR devices, strengthening the delivery of high‑quality, lifesaving prehospital care. The investment modernizes essential emergency medical equipment, enhances clinical performance and responder safety, and ensures reliable service without drawing on limited local resources.
• Strategic Plan Priority Area: Goal 2.4: Continue to Leverage Technology to Enhance Public Safety, Emergency Response, and Community Resilience
• Legislative Action Platform Priority: Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness
Avenue F Stormwater Infrastructure Improvement Project ($5M): This project would construct a stormwater infiltration system to capture and treat runoff from a 400‑acre watershed and replace a structurally failing 232‑foot storm drain outfall that poses public safety and flood‑risk concerns. Together, these improvements would prevent untreated flows from reaching the ocean, enhance coastal water quality, and restore critical stormwater infrastructure needed for reliable performance during major rain events.
• Strategic Plan Priority Area: Goal 1.1: Expand and Enhance Public Spaces, Amenities, and Programs
• Legislative Action Platform Priority: Environment & Sustainability
King Harbor Seawall Replacement Project ($20M): This project would replace the failing King Harbor seawall, which cannot be rebuilt in its current location and requires construction of a new, more resilient structure seaward of the existing wall. The project would deliver a modern coastal‑protection system designed to safeguard harbor infrastructure, public access, and shoreline assets against ongoing structural deterioration and future sea‑level and storm‑related impacts.
• Strategic Plan Priority Area: Goal 1.1: Expand and Enhance Public Spaces, Amenities, and Programs
• Legislative Action Platform Priority: Environment & Sustainability
The City Manager’s Office would continue to monitor the remaining projects and work with departments to update the list ahead of each annual funding cycle. The projects that would be kept for consideration in future cycles, listed from least to most expensive, are as follows:
Storm Drain System Rehabilitation and Replacement Project ($2M): This project would repair and replace the City’s deteriorated corrugated metal storm drain pipes, which have corroded to the point of causing sinkholes and posing risks to public safety, property, and infrastructure. Restoring this system is essential to prevent future failures and reduce sediment and pollutant discharges into the ocean.
• Strategic Plan Priority Area: Goal 1.1: Expand and Enhance Public Spaces, Amenities, and Programs
• Legislative Action Platform Priority: Environment & Sustainability
Seaside Lagoon - Waterfront Promenade Reconstruction Project ($2M): This Seaside Lagoon Rehabilitation Project would construct a redesigned waterfront promenade incorporating the staff‑recommended one‑way vehicular circulation plan. Improvements include a widened entry from Portofino Way, improved turning radii for vehicles with trailers, a designated unloading pull‑out near the hand launch, pedestrian‑safety features such as bollards and differentiated paving, and upgraded paving, lighting, landscaping, and placemaking elements, enhancing pedestrian safety while maintaining essential vehicle access to the hand launch.
• Strategic Plan Priority Area: Goal 1.1: Expand and Enhance Public Spaces, Amenities, and Programs
• Legislative Action Platform Priority: Environment & Sustainability
Riviera Village Parking Structure Project Environmental Assessment ($3.5M): This project would fund the environmental assessment and feasibility study needed to convert an underutilized site in Redondo Beach’s Riviera Village into a small public parking structure with a publicly accessible rooftop green space, improving coastal‑zone access, supporting nearby housing growth, and expanding much‑needed urban green space. The full environmental review is expected to take two years.
• Strategic Plan Priority Area: Goal 1.1: Expand and Enhance Public Spaces, Amenities, and Programs
• Legislative Action Platform Priority: Coastal Access & Preservation, Economic Development, Housing
Mole B Accessible Hand‑Launch and Coastal Recreation Enhancement Project ($4M): This project would construct a new hand‑launch facility at Mole B to expand non‑motorized coastal access and broaden recreational opportunities along the waterfront. Accessible launch systems, floating dock components, and shoreline stabilization features would enhance safety, support low‑impact marine activities, and promote inclusive public enjoyment of the harbor, with total project needs including design and engineering ($600,000), permitting ($200,000), construction ($3M), and construction management/contingency ($200,000).
• Strategic Plan Priority Area: Goal 1.1: Expand and Enhance Public Spaces, Amenities, and Programs
• Legislative Action Platform Priority: Environment & Sustainability
Seaside Lagoon - Open Space and Recreation Improvements Project ($7M): This Seaside Lagoon Rehabilitation Project would deliver park‑like open space and recreational enhancements surrounding the lagoon, including site grading, new perimeter fencing, dual‑facing promenade restrooms, landscaping, hardscape, programmable activity areas, a playground, shade structures, fire pits, volleyball courts, picnic areas, and updated site furnishings. These improvements expand year‑round public use and ensure portions of the open space remain freely accessible even when the lagoon water feature is closed, supporting recreation, community programming, and waterfront activation in compliance with Measure C and the Local Coastal Plan, with total project needs including entitlement, permitting, and bid preparation ($1M), construction ($5.6M), and construction management/contingency ($400,000).
• Strategic Plan Priority Area: Goal 1.1: Expand and Enhance Public Spaces, Amenities, and Programs
• Legislative Action Platform Priority: Environment & Sustainability
King Harbor Marina Mole A - Eastern Breakwater Reconstruction Project ($10M): This project would reconstruct an aging break wall to reinforce the shoreline and reduce vulnerability to storms and rising seas. These upgrades protect critical public infrastructure, support safe harbor operations, and provide long‑term climate resilience for the waterfront, with total project needs spanning design and engineering ($1.5M), permitting ($500,000), construction ($7.5M), and construction management ($500,000).
• Strategic Plan Priority Area: Goal 1.1: Expand and Enhance Public Spaces, Amenities, and Programs
• Legislative Action Platform Priority: Environment & Sustainability
Seaside Lagoon - Building Replacement and Modernization Project ($30M): This Seaside Lagoon Rehabilitation Project would demolish aging on‑site buildings and construct two new two‑story facilities relocated to the northeast corner of the site. The new buildings would provide ticketing, concessions, restrooms, employee offices, rentable event space, and a grand architectural entrance and plaza, improving operational efficiency, enhancing visitor circulation, and delivering modern public amenities that meet current accessibility and resiliency standards. This phase supports year‑round programming, special events, and long‑term operational sustainability, with total project needs including entitlements and environmental review ($3M), architectural and engineering plans ($1.5M), demolition and construction ($24M), and construction management/contingency ($1.5M).
• Strategic Plan Priority Area: Goal 1.1: Expand and Enhance Public Spaces, Amenities, and Programs
• Legislative Action Platform Priority: Environment & Sustainability
Redondo Beach Pier Structural Replacement and Modernization Project ($75M): This project would replace deteriorated wood components of the Redondo Beach Pier with reinforced concrete structural elements to improve public safety, long‑term durability, and resilience to marine exposure and storm events. Modernizing this iconic regional destination would extend the pier’s useful life, reduce lifecycle maintenance costs, and protect a historic economic asset that anchors tourism and recreation in the South Bay, with total project needs including structural assessment, engineering design, and environmental review ($6M), permitting ($3M), construction ($63M), and construction management/contingency ($3M).
• Strategic Plan Priority Area: Goal 1.1: Expand and Enhance Public Spaces, Amenities, and Programs
• Legislative Action Platform Priority: Environment & Sustainability
Separately, the Beach Cities Health District requested a letter of support for its federal funding application related to the construction of the permanent Allcove Beach Cities facility. The project would fund construction and equipment for a permanent 9,400‑square‑foot youth mental‑health center, providing low‑barrier, walk‑in access to integrated behavioral‑health, substance‑use, peer, and family support services for young people ages 12-25. This investment would expand a program that has already served more than 1,600 youth and families and logged over 16,000 visits, strengthening the South Bay’s continuum of care and improving timely access to safe, developmentally appropriate support. The City Council has previously expressed support for this effort, when the Mayor was authorized to sign a letter of support for Senate Bill 812 on August 19, 2025. If approved, SB 812 would expand coverage for mental‑health and substance‑use services at qualified youth drop‑in centers. Currently, the bill is being held in committee.
Following City Council authorization, the Mayor would sign the letters of support, and staff would submit them as part of the FY27 Congressional Directed Spending process.
COORDINATION
The City Manager’s Office collaborated with multiple departments to develop the City’s federal funding project list.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with authorizing the Mayor to sign the letters of support. If any of the City’s projects are awarded federal funding, staff would return to the City Council with necessary documentation and required action to formally accept the funding.
APPROVED BY:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
• Draft Letters of Support
• BCHD Letters of Support