CC - Item 3D - Resolution No. 00-13 Supporting The City Of Signal Hills's Petition To The Sate Water Resources controlstaf epor
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR
AND MEMBERS
ROSEMEAD CITY COUNCIL
FROM: FRANK G. TRIPEPI, CITY MANAGE"42~
DATE: MARCH 28, 2000
RE: RESOLUTION NO. 00-13 - SUPPORTING THE CITY OF SIGNAL HILL'S
PETITION TO THE STATE WATER RESOURCES CONTROL BOARD
CONTESTING ACTION TAKEN BY THE LOS ANGELES REGIONAL WATER
QUALITY CONTROL BOARD IN CONNECTION WITH STANDARD URBAN
STORMWATER LARWQCB ORDER NO. 96-054
Recently, the Regional Water Quality Control Board adopted new, more restrictive standards for
storm water clean-up. The new standards require that all development contain and treat the first 1/4
inches of stormwater on-site. The Board's action will affect all new development including
significant additions to existing development. These new standards go significantly beyond existing
standards. We understand the Board adopted these new standards based on limited scientific
evidence as to their effectiveness.
The Regional Water Quality Control Board took this action despite substantial opposition from cities
and other interested parties. The City of Signal Hill is filing an appeal and has requested resolutions
of support from other communities. On February 17, 2000, the Governing Board of the San Gabriel
Valley Council of Governments unanimously approved a resolution of support for Signal Hill's
petition. Also, attached is a list of cities supporting the petition to contest this action.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 00-13.
COUNCIL
M,i R 2 88 2000
ITEM No.
RESOLUTION NO. 00 - 13
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD
SUPPORTING THE CITY OF SIGNAL HILL'S PETITION TO THE
STATE WATER RESOURCES CONTROL BOARD CONTESTING THE ACTION
TAKEN BY THE LOS ANGELES REGIONAL WATER QUALITY
CONTROL BOARD IN CONNECTION WITH THE ADOPTION OF
STANDARD URBAN STORMWATER LARWQCB ORDER NO. 96-054
WHEREAS, all cities within the County of Los Angeles (except the City of Long Beach) were
issued a Permit from the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board (Regional Board)
on July 15, 1996, Order No. 96-054 of the Regional Board, which serves as the City's National
Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit under the federal Clean Water Act,
as well as Waste Discharge Requirements for the cities under the Porter Cologne Act; and
WHEREAS, under the Permit, each Permittee was required to submit a Standard Urban
Stormwater Mitigation Plan (SUSMP) to the Executive Officer of the Regional Board for his
review and approval or disapproval; and
WHEREAS, the SUSMP was to incorporate appropriate elements of the Best Management
Practices approved by the Regional Board in April 1999, and was to apply only to discretionary
projects in specified development categories to require applicants for discretionary approval of
such projects to submit an Urban Stormwater Mitigation Plan that implements, to the
maximum extent practicable, appropriate requirements and measures to minimize impacts from
stormwater run-off, and to reduce pollutants in storm water to the maximum extent practicable,
along with other requirements as specified in Order No. 96-054; and
WHEREAS, on September 16, 1999, Regional Board staff proposed changes to thePermittees'
SUSMP Program, including numerical mitigation measures on the retention and/or treatment
of stormwater runoffof.75" within a twenty-four hour storm event for nine project categories
which had not been agreed to by the Permittees; and
WHEREAS, the numerical mitigation measures and other SUSMP terms proposed by
Regional Board staff, with some modification, were approved by the Regional Board on
January 26, 20001, whereupon the Board directed its Executive Officer to approve the Regional
Board's proposed SUSMP Program with the Board's imposed modifications; and
WHEREAS, the Regional Board's mandated SUSMP Program would, in many cases,
necessitate the imposition of structural controls on non-discretionary as well as discretionary
new developments that will either prove infeasible, or so costly as to discourage further
development and/or increase costs of any services or products supplied by new developments;
and
WHEREAS, the action taken by the Regional Board on January 26, 2000, and the action taken
by the Executive Officer pursuant to the direction of the Regional Board, are inconsistent with
the requirements of the Permit, the Clean Water Act, and state law, and will result in the
imposition of unfunded programs on our cities and citizens; and
WHEREAS, such mandated programs have not been shown to be cost effective or to reduce
pollutants to the maximum extent practicable as required by the Clean Water Act; and
WHEREAS, the City of Signal Hill is filing a Petition to the state Water Resources Control
Board challenging the action taken by the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board
in connection with Order No. 96-054 on January 26, 2000, and the action taken by the
Executive Officer pursuant to the Regional Board's direction on such date; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Rosemead does
hereby support the City of Signal Hill's petition to the State Water Resources Control Board,
challenging the action taken by the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board in
connection with Order No. 96-054 on January 26, 2000, and the action taken by the Executive
Officer pursuant to the Regional Board's direction on such date.
MAYOR
Attest:
CITY CLERK
Fr.OM: SGVCOG SGVCOG TO: NANCY, CITY CLERK DATE: 2/1 8/00 TIME: 2:05:44 PM PAGE 3 OF 3
San Gabriel: Valley Council of Governments
On EaSC braW ewe, s ee mt, twos a aoalx. sum o tmC.w:
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URGENT
Date: February 18, 2000
To: City Managers
From: Nicholas T. Conway
Executive Director
.,RE: Standard Urban Stormwater Mitigation Plan
On January 26, 2000, despite letters of.opposition from the SGVCOG Board, some of our
member cities and other interested parties, the Regional Water Quality Control Board adopted
new; more restrictive standards for stosmwater clean up.. The new standards requ* that ,all.,
development contain and treat the frn,%r inches of storm water oa-site. Titers new standards,
which would affect all new developmmit, including significsmt additions to existing development,
go above and beyond the existing standards first adopted in 1990 and revised in 1996.
The Board adopted the retention or treatment standards based on limited scientific evidence that
they wort. There is no evidence that the pollutants impacting the streams, rivers and ocean arc
the types of pollutants that would be captured in the on-site retention areas. Moreover, The
Board's action does not encourage or permit subregional and regional approaches. It toads the
cost of compliance on new development and in-fill development.
The deadline for filing appeals of the new standards is February 25, 2000. The City of Signal Hill
is filing an appeal and has contacted all cities in Los Angeles County seeking their support of the
City's action. On February 17, 2000, the Governing Board of the San Gabriel Valley Council of
Governments unanimously approved Resolution 00-12, supporting Signal Hill's petition and
urging its member cities to do so as well. That resolution is attached.
We are also urging each member city to agendize this matter for the next-meeting of its City
Council, even if that meeting takes place after February 25th. It is our understanding that Dennis
Dickerson, the Executive Director for the Water Quality Control Board, will have up to 30 days
to take final action after the appeals deadline has passed. Expressions of support for Signal Hill
and/or opposition to the now SUSMP standards during that period of time would still be heard
and could have an impact on the Executive Director's action.
P::oM: SGVCOG SGVCOG To: NANCY, CITY CLERK DATE: 2/78100 TIME: 2:05:44 PM PACE 2 OF 5
RESOLUTION NO. 00-12
A RESOLUTION OF THE GOVERNING BOARD OF THE SAN GABRIEL VALLEY
COUMM OF GOVERMIENTS, URGING MEMBER CITIES TO PUBLICLY
SUPPO" M MY OF SIGNAL HILL'S PrM70N TO TM STATE WATER.
RESOURCES CONTROL BOARD CON'TESMG THE AC17UN TAKEN BY THE
CALIFORNIA REGIONAL WATER QUALITY CONTROL BOARD, LOS ANGELES
REGION, AND ITS EXECUTIVE OMC.'Bk IN CONNECTION: WITII THE
ADOPTION OF STANDARD URBAN STORM WATER LARWOCS ORDER NO.
46.054
WHEREAS, the, 30 member cities of the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments were,
along with all other incorporated cities in the County. of Loa Angeles (except the City of Long Beach)
issued a Permit from the Los Angeles Regional Quality Control Board ("Regional Boats") on July 15,
1996, Order No. %-054 of the Regional Board, which serves as City's National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System (NPDES) Permit under the federal Clean Water Act, as well as Waste Discharge
Requirements for the Cities under the Porter. Cologne Act; and
WHEREAS, under the Permit, each Permittee was required to submit a Standard Urban
Stormwater Mitigation Plan (SUSMP) to the Executive Officer of the Regional Board for his review and
approval is disapproval; and
WHEREAS, the SUSMP was to incorporate appropriate elements of the Best Management
Practices approved by the Regional Board in April of. 1999, and was to apply only to discretionary
projects in specified development. categories to require applicants for discretionary approval of such
projects to submit an Urban Storm Water Nfitigation Plan That implements, to the maximum extent
practicable, appropriate mqulrnments and measures to minimize impacts from storm water runoff, and to
reduce pollutants in storm water to the maximum extent practicable, along with other requirements as
specified in Order No. 96-054; and
WHEREAS, on September 16, 1999, Regional Board staff proposed changes to the Permittees'
SUSMP Program, including numerical mitigation measures on the rttenuon andfor treatment of storm
water runoff of .75" within a 24 hour storm event for nine (9) project categories which had not been
agreed to by the Permittees; and ,
WHEREAS, the numerical mitigation measures and other SUSIAP terms proposed by Regional
Board staff, with some modification, were approved by the Regional Board on January 26, 20M,
whereupon the Board directed its Executive Officer to approve the Regional Board's proposed SUSMP
Program with the Board's imposed modifications: and
WHEREAS, the Regional Board's mandated SUSMP Program would, in many cases, necessitate
the imposition of structural controls on non-discretionary as well as discretionary now developments that
will either prove infeasible; or so costly as to discourage further developnont.at nicreasc costs of any
services or products supplied by new developments; and
WHEREAS, the action taken by the Regional Board on January 26, 2000, and the action to be
taken by the Executive Officer pursuant to the direction of the Regional Board: are inconsistent with the
requirements of the Permit, the Clem Water Ac4 and state law and will result in the lmposition of
unfunded programs on our member cities and their citizens; and
WHEREAS, such mandated programs have not been shown to be cost effective or to reduce
pollutants to the maximums extent practicable, as required by the Clean Water Act; and
WEM", the City of Signal MU is filing a Petition to the State Water Resources Control
Board ;challenging the action taken by the Regional Water Quality Control Board in connection with
Order No. 96-054 on January 26, 2000, and the action to be taken by the Executive Order pursuant to the
Regional Board's direction on such date.
NOW, TH'SREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the San Gabriel Valley Council of
Governments does hereby resolve as follows:
To urge member cities to publicly support Signal Hill's petition to the State Water Resources
Control Board, challenging the action taken by the Regional Water Quality Control Board in connection
with Order No. 96-054 on January 26, 2000. and the action to be taken by the Executive Officer pursuant
to the Regional Board's direction on such data
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this 17th day of February 2000.
SAN dmax; By GOVERNMENTS
.J s Han aldwin, President
Attc :
Nicholas Conway, Secretary
2-29-200 5:a8PM FROM SIGNALHILLCITYHALL 5629897393
Coalition for Practical Regulation
DATE: February 28, 2000
TO: CPR Members
FROM: Kenneth C. Farfsing
City Manager
City of Signal Hill
Patrick H. West
City Manager
City of Paramount
Gerald M. Caton
City Manager
City of Downey
Frederick W. Latham
City Manager
City of Santa Fe Springs
SUBJECT: STATUS OF THE SUSMP APPEAL/
MARCH 23 ORGANIZATION MEETING
This memo provides a brief update on the status of the appeal to the SUSMP
(Standard Stormwater Urban Mitigation Plan) requirements by the California
Regional Water Quality Control Board, Los Angeles Region. The second part of
the memo explores the first organization meeting on Thursday, March 23`d at
2:00 p.m. The meeting will be held in the City of Downey, Council Chambers, at
11111 Brookshire Avenue.
Status of the Appeal
As of last Friday, 25 cities have adopted resolutions to appeal the decision of the
regional board. Four cities have scheduled resolutions in the next two weeks.
Two cities have sent in letters of support, as has the Greater Los Angeles Vector
Control District. A resolution of support was received from the San Gabriel
Valley Council of Governments. The Building Industry Association (BIA) of
Southern California will also join the appeal and will provide financial assistance.
A list of the cities and organizations is attached to this memo. The appeal was
filed on Thursday, February 24th. Copies of the appeal will be sent this week.
The compliant can be amended as other cities and organizations decide to join
into appeal.
Organizational Meeting
The organizational meeting for CPR (Coalition for Practical Regulation) will be
held to receive a status update and review background on the appeal, discuss
organizational issues and to begin strategy formulation, including legislative and
public information. We will also be presenting a preliminary budget for the
appeal and discussing a cost-sharing formula. We propose that you invite an
P. 2
2-29-200 5:48PM FROM SIGNALHILLCITYHALL 5629897393 P.3
CRP Members
Page 2
elected official, city attorney and staff members most likely involved in follow-
through on the appeal.
CPR Steering Committee
A group of this size will require a steering committee, reporting to the entire
organization. We are proposing three elected officials, three city managers,
three technical staff persons and two representatives from the BIA. The
Steering Committee would be responsible for guiding the appeal through the
process. Activities would include reviewing the budget for the appeal and make
a recommendation on cost sharing. The Committee will also guide strategy,
including any legislative efforts on behalf of the organization. It will be the
responsibility of the Steering Committee to keep all CPR members informed.
SUSMP Working Group
This group will be charged with developing a position that is acceptable to CPR
members and engaging the officials and the environmental community in review
of the proposed regulations. This group will present a recommendation to the
Steering Committee. The Steering Committee will need to discuss the
composition of the Working Group, since it will need expertise from many areas.
Technical Grouo
The Clean Water Act, NPDES and the SUSMP's are technical in nature. We are
proposing a technical group that will be responsible for explaining the
engineering and science behind the various regulations. The Technical Group
will evaluate the impact of the regulations on our cities and on development. The
group will also begin collecting information on the next update to the NPDES
permit, which is scheduled in the next six months. This group will support the
Steering Committee and the SUSMP Working Group.
BIA Involvement
Several of the managers have asked about the involvement of the BIA in the
appeal. Technically the cities could stand aside and let the BIA appeal the
decision of the board. We could take the position that the only role of the cities is
to enforce the regulations upon the building industry. During the recent
economic recession, both the BIA and many cities recognized the importance of
a constructive relationship between the building industry and the cities. The BIA
will bring much needed resources - technical, financial, organizational and
political - to the appeal. There may come a time in the appeal process when the
cities and the BIA decide to separate the appeal.
2-29-200 5:49PM FROM SIGNALHILLCITYHALL 5629897393 P.4
CRP Members
Page 3
Public Information
CPR members should provide a list of media contacts, such as the local
newspapers, that you want placed on the mailing list for press releases. You
should also provide a list of elected officials (County, State and Federal elected
officials) that you want placed on the mailing list.
Political Strategy
The Steering Committee will be involved in developing a detailed political
strategy. Members can do two things at this point. The first is to contact cities
not on the appeal list and request that they take get involved in the appeal.
Adoption of the resolution is preferred, but letters of support are always welcome.
The second is to begin to brief your State and Federal officials. SCAG has also
indicated that they want to be actively involved in finding the solution to the storm
water problems. We will review these issues the organization meeting.
Questions should be directed to either Eduard Schroder . at
eduardschroder.ci.sign al-hi ILca.us or Ken Farfsing at kfarfsing.ci.sianal-hill.ca.us.
Ed can be reached 562-989-7355 and 562-989-7302.
Attachment
2-29-200 S:50PM FROM SIGNALHILLCITYHALL 5629897393
CPR Member List
Cities Named in the Petition
Arcadia
Artesia
Bellflower
Burbank
Cerritos
Commerce
Diamond Bar
Downey
Irwindale
La Canada-Flintridge
La Mirada
La Verne
Lakewood
Monrovia
Palos Verdes Estates
Pico Rivera
Pomona
Ranco Palos Verdes
Santa Fe Springs
Signal Hill
South Gate
Vernon
Walnut
Whittier
Organizations Named in the Petition
Cities to Adopt Resolution
Baldwin Park
Paramount
Gardena
Sierra Madre
Letters of Support
Norwalk
Santa Clarita
South Pasadena
Building Industrial Association of Southern California
Organizations/ Letters of Support
P. 5
Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District
San Gabriel Valley Council of Government
MAR-20-2000 10:51 TECS ENVIRONMENTAL 1 626 3961916 P.02
~Vyfw. I nursfay, February 24, 2000 5:10 PM
To: Ken Farfsing
Suet: Appeal List
The folkrwing is the latest list of Cities expressing an interest in the appeal:
Cities Named on PeNon: Cities Yet to Adopt Resolution:
Ala
Bellflower
Burbank
Cerritos
Commerce
Diamond Bar
Downey
Irwindale
La Canada-Flimridge
La Mirada
La Verne
;Lakewood
Lawndale
!Monrovia
'Palos Verdes Estates
Pico Rivera
Pomona
Rancho Palos Verdes
Santa Fe Springs
Signal Hill
Louth Gate
Vernon
Walnut
Whittier
Gardena (3/14/00)
Paramount (3170100)
Sierra Madre (2128/00)
Rosemead (3128/00)
Baldwin Park (3/75/00)
Letters of Support:
Norwalk
South Pasadena
Greater L A County
Vector Control
Resolutions of Support
Artesia
Gateway COG
A LvSA
/Y>' D N/7 ~Z`LC O
L
TOTAL P.01