HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-02-23 - AGENDA REPORTS - SCRIVER WATERSHED STEERING CMTE APPT (2)Agenda Item: 13
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CITY OF SANTA CLARITA AGENDA REPORT
CONSENT CALENDAR
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:1
DATE: February 23, 2021
SUBJECT: APPOINTMENT TO SANTA CLARA RIVER WATERSHED AREA
STEERING COMMITTEE
DEPARTMENT: Neighborhood Services
PRESENTER: Darin Seegmiller
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council designate Council Member Gibbs as a representative of the City of Santa Clarita on
the Santa Clara River Watershed Area Steering Committee.
BACKGROUND
The Los Angeles County Flood Control District Measure W Safe Clean Water Program
(Measure W) was passed by voters during the November 6, 2018, election. This established a
parcel tax of 2.5 cents per square foot of impermeable area. Revenues from Measure W are
distributed as follows:
District Program - 10 percent to the District to administer Measure W and provide
District -wide projects and education programs.
• Municipal Program - 40 percent to the municipalities within the District's boundaries.
Regional Program - 50 percent to the nine watershed areas to fund regional, watershed -
based, multi -benefit projects to be implemented by project developers, to provide
technical resources, and conduct scientific studies through Stormwater Investment Plans
(SIP).
Regional Program funds are programmed by Watershed Area Steering Committees, comprised of
local stakeholders from agencies, municipalities, and community members from within a given
Watershed Area. The Watershed Area Steering Committees meet regularly to develop funding
plans and recommendations to provide water quality, water supply, and community enhancement
benefits.
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The Santa Clara River Watershed Area Steering Committee (WASC) was established on
July 30, 2019, by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors (BOS), and is comprised of 17
members. The current membership includes: seven Municipal Members representing
municipalities; five Agency Members appointed by the BOS representing agency seats, including
those from Los Angeles County Flood Control District, Water Agency, Groundwater Agency,
Sanitation Agency, and Municipal Parks/Open Space Agency; and the remaining five
Community Stakeholder Members are appointed by the BOS, representing three community
stakeholder seats of Business, Environmental Justice, and Environment, plus two At Large
stakeholders. The current membership is as follows:
Name
Agency
Vacant
City of Santa Clarita
Robert Newman
City of Santa Clarita
Tom Cole
City of Santa Clarita
Heather Merenda
City of Santa Clarita
Bruce Hamamoto
Los Angeles County
Bruce Hamamoto
Los Angeles County
Bruce Hamamoto
Los Angeles County
Julian Juarez
LA County Flood Control District
Dirk Marks
Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency
Steve Cole
SCV Groundwater Sustainability Agency
Kristen Ruffell
LA County Sanitation Districts
Janine Prado
City of Santa Clarita
Hunt Braly
Poole & Shaffery
Mary Johnson
Agua Dulce Town Council
Sandra Cattell
Sierra Club
Jason Gibbs*
GP Strategies
Dianne Erskine-Hellrigel
Santa Clarita Valley Community Hiking Club
* Vice Chair
The original membership of the WASC included Darren Hernandez, former Deputy City
Manager as a representative of the City, also serving as the Committee Chair. As a result of his
recent retirement from the City of Santa Clarita (City), one of the City's seats on the WASC has
become vacant.
On July 30, 2019, Councilmember Gibbs was appointed to the WASC by the BOS representing
the local business community. With Councilmember Gibbs' election to the City Council in 2020,
it is recommended that he be appointed to serve on the WASC as a representative of the City,
filling the spot vacated by Mr. Hernandez. The position vacated by Councilmember Gibbs will
be filled by the BOS with a member representing the local business community.
The WASC meets on the first Thursday, each month, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., with most
meetings being held remotely as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. To ensure consistent
participation by the City, staff also recommends Darin Seegmiller, Environmental Services
Manager, remain as the alternate for this Municipal Member seat, in the event that
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Councilmember Gibbs is unable to attend a meeting.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
Other direction as determined by the City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
None by this action.
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