ADMINISTRATION OF THE CITY MUNICIPAL STORMWATER AND URBAN RUNOFF DISCHARGE PROGRAMS

RECOMMENDATION:

It is recommended that the City Council:

1. Continue to retain John L. Hunter and Associates, Inc. to perform tasks and administer the City's Municipal Storm Water and Urban Runoff Discharge Programs.
2. Authorize expenditures of $30,240 from appropriated $75,000 Sewer Fund for NPDES program to pay John L. Hunter and Associates, Inc. for providing professional services to the City.

BACKGROUND:

The Clean Water Act requires that storm water runoff in urban areas be permitted under the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). In June 1990, The California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Los Angeles Region, issued an NPDES permit to Los Angeles County and all of the Cities within the County. During this permit the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) filed suite against a number of cities and the county, alleging that their storm water programs failed to comply with the requirements of the Clean Water Act. Most of these suits have been settled the cities who were sued and the County agreeing to implement more extensive stormwater programs. This permit expired in June 1995. On July 15, 1996, the Regional Board issued a new NPDES permit to replace the previous permit. This permit has a five year term and greatly expands the responsibilities and requirements of the County and Cities within Los Angeles County. The county area has been divided into six watershed groups and each watershed is participating in the development a county-wide storm water management plan.

John L. Hunter & Associates, Inc. (JLH) began assisting the City of Hermosa Beach 4 years ago, during the NRDC-NPDES lawsuit. JLH has successfully implemented the Storm Water program since that point. Their services have included: inspections, investigations, report preparation and conducting public outreach. As a result of their annual site inspections, the potential for pollution from businesses in Hermosa Beach has decreased by 51%. This survey is available for public review at the office of the city engineer.

JLH has extensive experience in providing support to cities for environmental programs. They currently administer storm water programs for 12 cities in Los Angeles, county with a combined population of over 500,000.

ANALYSIS

Program Management

• Attend watershed, subcommittee EAC and other stormwater meetings
• Prepare Watershed management committee agendas
• Prepare activity indicators and annual report.

Illicit Connection and Illicit Discharges

• Work with L.A. County within the watershed to develop an illicit connection and discharge program
• Implement program when approved by the Regional Board.

Development, Planning And Construction

• Work with L.A. County within the watershed to establish project prioritization, CEQA reviews, plan review procedures, and BMPs for development project.
• Implement programs when adopted.
• Begin incorporating Standard Urban Storm Water Mitigation Plans as director by the City.

Public Agency Requirements

• Prepare activity indicators (BMP evaluations) for the yard and other municipal activities as per guidelines approved by the Regional Board including:

1. Sewer System Operation Street and Road Maintenance
2. Public Construction Parking Facilities Management
3. Vehicle Maintenance Public Industrial Activities
4. Storm Drain Operation Emergency procedures
5. Landscape and Recreational Facilities

• Provide training to appropriate City employees.
• Develop SWPPP/PPP as appropriate for City facilities.

Industrial/Commercial Site Visits

• Perform approximately 250 site visits at industrial and commercial sites
• Discuss storm water needs and requirements with business during site visits.
• Provide written materials, pamphlets, posters, and other educational materials to the businesses during the site visits.

Public Outreach

• Provide written materials, newspaper articles, videos and other educational material
• Provide outreach to schools, community groups, contractors as directed by the city.

FISCAL IMPACT

The City of Hermosa Beach currently has budgeted $75,000 for compliance with the NPDES Storm Water Permit. It is recommended that $30,240.00 of these funds be authorized to hire John L Hunter and Associates, Inc. to assist the City in developing the above storm water tasks and to administer the Storm Water Program.

The net cost to the City would be approximately $23,000 since the county has announced that it will provide funding to cities for at least a portion of the cost of performing site visits. The amounts being discussed are $34 per restaurant and $50 for other facilities.

To be eligible for this program, the City must:

• Enter a memorandum of understanding with the county early next year, and
• Provide the site visit database to the county by the end of this year.

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