To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: ANDREW WINJE, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
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APPROVE A USE AND MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT WITH LOS ANGELES COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT FOR THE COUNTY DETENTION BASIN TO BE MODIFIED BY THE FULTON PLAYFIELD INFILTRATION PROJECT
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Fulton Playfield Infiltration Project (Project) is included in the updated and City Council approved Enhanced Watershed Management Program (EWMP) as a priority project. The Project will treat and recharge incoming stormwater and urban runoff to enhance water quality and also provide public recreational amenities. The Project modifies an existing Los Angeles County Flood Control District (LACFCD) flood basin and requires a permit from the LACFCD to construct and operate the Project. One provision of the permit is that the City enter a “use and maintenance agreement” pertaining to the modified sections of the LACFCD facility. The scope of this Agreement addresses control and responsibilities between the City and LACFCD regarding the LACFCD owned facilities during construction, as well as for ongoing post-construction operation, maintenance, and repair.
BACKGROUND
The City of Redondo Beach, in collaboration with the Cities of Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, and Torrance, along with the Los Angeles County Flood Control District formed the Beach Cities Watershed Management Group to develop an EWMP to comply with the municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) permit requirements. The City Council approved the first EWMP on June 16, 2015 and approved the updated EWMP on June 8, 2021. The updated EWMP includes the Project as a priority project for reducing the potential for pollutants being discharged to the Santa Monica Bay. On November 21, 2022, the LACFCD Board approved the FY 2022-2023 Stormwater Investment Plan that included funding for the Fulton Project.
LACFCD owns and operates the Greenflag Drain Line A storm drain and its associated right-of-way located along Rindge Lane, within the City's public right-of-way. The City‘s Project will modify the LACFCD diversion facility to divert initial flows into new infiltration dry wells with the effect of removing flow, and the pollutants carried by the water, from reaching the ocean. Additionally, planned infrastructure improvements will take place within the diversion chamber and detention basin, both of which are LACFCD-owned assets.
This Agreement establishes jurisdictional authority, operational roles, and responsibilities concerning LACFCD-owned facilities and the installation of Project elements. Following construction, the City will assume full responsibility for the operation, maintenance, and repair of all newly constructed improvements. Exhibits in the Agreement delineate the respective property boundaries of the City and LACFCD, along with the designated areas to be maintained at the City's expense. Execution of this Agreement enables LACFCD to issue the permit required to initiate construction.
City Attorney’s Office approved this Agreement as to form, but noted variations from the City’s standard language. An unexpected provision in the Agreement assigns primary responsibility to the City for clearing encampments within the LACFCD facility. This is an unlikely issue for this particular Project, but does present as a concern at many of the other LACFCD sites across the county and is, therefore, a provision by the County. LACFCD also reserves the right to resolve any encampment blocking or impeding maintenance access in accordance with County protocol. Both the City’s Police Chief and the City Attorney support this provision. The City Engineer has evaluated LACFCD’s standard Agreement language and recommends moving forward with the proposed terms and conditions.
The City awarded the construction contract for the Project to the Griffith Company on June 16, 2026 for an amount of $5,247,590. Construction is scheduled to begin in September 2026 with an estimated duration of 120 working days.
COORDINATION
Development of the proposed contract was coordinated between the City Attorney’s Office, the Police Chief, the Public Works Department, and LACFCD. The City Attorney’s Office approved the contract as to form.
FISCAL IMPACT
Construction of the project is fully funded through Safe Clean Water (SCW) grant funding. Disbursement from the SCW grant totals $8,302,138, approximately $350,000 of which is provided to the City for future operation and maintenance costs over the fifty-year life of the project. Future maintenance expenses to the City beyond the $350,000 are difficult to project over the life of the Project, but are expected to be nominal. Completion of the Project will help meet the requirements of the City’s MS4 Stormwater Permit, and avoid fines associated with non-compliance.
APPROVED BY:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
• Agmt - UMA Agreement with LACFCD