CC - Item 7A - Regional Water Quality Control Board RecommendationsROSEMEAD CITY COUNCIL
STAFF REPORT
FROM: BILL R. MANIS, CITY MANAGER Tt
DATE: NOVEMBER 8, 2016
SUBJECT: REGIONAL WATER QUALITY CONTROL BOARD
RECOMMENDATIONS (REQUESTED BY COUNCILMEMBER CLARK)
SUMMARY
This item is presented to the City Council at the request of Councilmember Clark. Draft letters of
support for Mr. James Davis and Dr. Xavier Swamikannu are attached for review.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Discuss and provide direction to staff.
FISCAL IMPACT - None
STRATEGIC PLAN IMPACT - None
PUBLIC NOTICE PROCESS
This item has been noticed through the regular agenda notification process.
Attachment A: Draft Letter of Support for James Davis
Attachment B: Draft Letter of Support for Xavier Swamikannu
ITEM NUMBER: 7,4
Attachment A
Draft Letter of Support for James Davis
MAYOR:
SANDRAARM NTA
MAYOR PRO TEM:
POTTY Low
COUNCIL MEMBERS:
WnT.Em ALARCON
MARGARET CLARK
STEVEN LY
November 8, 2016
8838 E. VALLEY BOULEVARD P.O BOX 399
ROSEMEAD, CALIFORNIA 91770
TELEPHONE (626) 569 -2100
FAX (626) 307 -9218
Appointments Secretary
Office of the Governor
Edmund G. Brown Jr.
State Capitol
Sacramento, CA 95814
RE: Recommendation for Mr. James Davis
Dear Ms. Pasquil:
The City of Rosemead supports the appointment of Mr. James Davis, Professional Engineer, to
the California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Los Angeles Region (Regional Board).
Mr. Davis' qualifications are impeccable. Mr. Davis has a B.S. Degree in Civil Engineering, and
three Master's Degrees in Engineering Science, Environmental Engineering, and Public
Administration. In addition, he has spent most of his engineering career as a Public Works
Director.
Rosemead, as well as other cities in Los Angeles County would benefit from Mr. Davis'
appointment to the Regional Board. Local governments are not represented on the Regional
Board, though many of its policies and decisions affect them, especially in the areas of water
conservation, water storage, and stormwater.
The absence of technical expertise on the current Regional Board has resulted in decisions that
have not taken into consideration municipal interests. Moreover, the Regional Board has made
decisions that have imposed technical requirements, which have not been thoroughly evaluated
against cost, practicality, and performance in meeting their intended purpose. A case in point
are green street projects which are supposed to meet water quality standards and at the same time
enlarge groundwater supplies. The problem is that these controls are costly and pose potential
health and safety problems, which have not been discussed. Concerns range from accidental
releases of hazardous materials to the potential for street failure.
In closing, the City of Rosemead hopes that Governor Brown will give strong consideration to
appointing Mr. Davis to the Regional Board. In the meantime, should you have any questions,
please call me.
Sincerely,
Sandra Armenta
Mayor
Work 2010 City of Signal Hill
Experience: Interim Public Works Director
2009 City of Inglewood
2008 City of Signal Hill
Interim Director of Public Works
2007 City of La Canada Flintridge
Interim Director of Public Works
2006 City of Baldwin Park
Interim Public Works Director and City Engineer
2005 City of San Fernando
Interim Public Works Director
2003 City of South Pasadena
Interim Public Works Director and City Engineer
1986 to 2002 City of Culver City
Public Works Director and City Engineer
1968 to 1986 City of Pasadena
Supervising Engineer
1965 to 1968 U.S. Navy Civil Engineer Corps (SEABEES)
Lieutenant, Vietnam Veteran
1964 City of Pasadena
Assistant Engineer
Education: 1978 Degree of Engineer in Civil Engineering
University of Southern California
1977 Master of Science in Environmental Engineering
University of Southern California
1975 Master of Public Administration
University of Southern California
Page 1
1971 Master of Science in Civil Engineering
University of Southern California
Education: 1964 Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering
California State College, Los Angeles
State of California Registered Professional Civil
Enaineer. Authorized to practice Land Survevin�
(Registration CE 19112)
Professional Current • American Public Works Association - Life
Memberships: Member
Current • City and County Engineers Association - Past
President
Current American Society of Civil Engineers - Life
Member
Current • National Society of Professional Engineers
Page 2
Attachment B
Draft Letter of Support for Xaiver Swamikannu
MAYOR:
SANDRA ARWNTA
MAYOR PRO TEM:
PoLLY Low
WmLiAM ALARCGN
MARGARET CLARK
STEVEN LY
November 8, 2016
8838 E. VALLEY BOULEVARD P.O BOX 399
ROSEMEAD, CALIFORNIA 91770
TELEPHONE (626) 569 -2100
FAX (626) 307 -9218
Appointments Secretary
Office of the Governor
Edmund G. Brown Jr.
State Capitol
Sacramento, CA 95814
RE: Recommendation for Dr. Xaiver Swamikannu
Dear Ms. Pasquil:
On behalf of the City of Rosemead, it is my pleasure to recommend for your consideration Dr. Xavier
Swamikannu as a candidate for appointment to the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board.
Dr. Swamikamm is eminently qualified to serve in this capacity. In terms of educational background, he
holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, a Master of Science Degree in Environmental Science, and a
Doctorate in Environmental Science and Engineering.
He is also familiar with how the Regional Board functions. For over 20 years, he was employed with the
Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board (Regional Board). Over the past decad,e he served as
the Chief of the Stormwater Permitting Program until his retirement in 2009. Though most of his
expertise lies in stormwater, on both the scientific and regulatory side, he has an extensive knowledge of
wastewater treatment and NPDES permitting.
Dr. Swamikannu is a nationally renowned expert on urban runoff management. Under the auspices of the
National Academy of Sciences, he along with other experts in this field, prepared a report for USEPA
entitled Urban Runoff Management in the United States. The report recommended changes to the
stormwater programs implemented by municipalities throughout the Country. Some of these changes
should be implemented through the Los Angeles Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit.
Cities in Los Angeles County are unhappy with the requirements associated with the current permit,
especially with regard to cost -- $22 billion for Los Angeles County over a 20 -year period. Tied to these
unbearable compliance costs, are improperly established pollution limits, known as total maximum daily
loads (TMDLs). hi order to meet them, the current permit requires cities to build so- called regional
multi - benefit projects that infiltrate stormwater runoff. The problem is cost. The State and cities do not
have the funds to pay for these projects. If they are not constructed, cities will be out of compliance with
the TMDLs and subject to litigation from third -party groups. We are confident that Dr. Swamikannu
could lead the rest of the Regional Board in correcting this problem.
Dr. Swamikannu would also bring to the Regional Board a unique perspective that reflects the need to
balance stakeholder interests (businesses, cities, and the environmental community) with the need to
protect water quality.
Thank you for entertaining this recommendation and should have any questions please feel free to contact
me.
Sincerely,
Mayor