LA County Board

23. Accelerating Implementation of the Safe Clean Water Program\nRecommendation as submitted by Supervisor Horvath: Instruct the Director of\nPublic Works, acting as Chief Engineer of the County Flood Control District, in\ncoordination with the Chief Sustainability Officer, to report back to the Board in\nwriting in 120 days, and in advance of the Program’s Biennial Progress Report,\non the following:\nEfforts to accelerate the District’s comprehensive watershed planning\nefforts to identify areas that provide the most promising opportunities for\ndeveloping impactful water quality, water supply, and community\nenhancing multi-benefit projects, with this exercise also compiling the\nprojects already funded by the program , as well as other large projects\nthat are planned within the watershed and funded through other sources ,\nto identify what portions of the watershed have been adequately covered,\nincluding a clear definition, baseline, and goals for what adequate\ncoverage means; where these pre-identified opportunity areas can serve\nas a guide for local partners to collaborate and develop projects with the\nhighest potential impact , and this comprehensive watershed planning\neffort should also supplement and utilize all other in-progress efforts\nrelated to providing program-level tools for developers to consider\nregional needs and opportunities, aiding the governance committees to\nconsider submissions, and supporting regional reporting of progress;\nPlans to improve, streamline, and simplify the existing regional program\napplication process, accounting for the complex but necessary\nrequirements called for in the program ordinance; and with the evaluation\nof alternatives to include benchmarking other multi-benefit infrastructure\nfinance program best practices, and ultimately suggest recommendations\nincluding those that could:\nOffer alternative application pathways based on the type of project\nor type of funding requested;\nBe responsive to results of a survey that would be issued and\ncompiled of all Regional Program project applicants to date; and\nElaborate on the goals and timeline of the Program’s recently\napproved Community Education and Engagement Grants\nProgram;\nThe resources and staffing needed to establish a Safe Clean Water\nProgram planning group at the Flood Control District, dedicated to\nongoing and iterative adaptive management and strategy , including\noversight of all aspects related to comprehensive watershed planning\nbeyond the pilot effort and would be informed by ongoing operations and\nadministration of the program from both implementation staff , as well as\ngovernance committees and stakeholders . (23-2616)\nAttachments: Motion by Supervisor Horvath\nPublic Comment/Correspondence