FROM: Robert Thompson, General Manager
Originator: Lan C. Wiborg, Director of Environmental Services
SUBJECT:
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JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA COASTAL WATER RESEARCH PROJECT AUTHORITY (SCCWRP)
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GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
RECOMMENDATION: Recommend to the Board of Directors to:
A. Adopt Resolution No. OC SAN 25-XX titled, “A Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Orange County Sanitation District approving the Eleventh Amended Joint Powers Agreement confirming the creation of an agency known as Southern California Coastal Water Research Project Authority (SCCWRP), providing for continuation of SCCWRP for five years from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2031”; and
B. Approve annual funding in the amount of $600,000 for FY 2026/27; $618,000 for FY 2027/28; $636,000 for FY 2028/29; $656,000 for FY 2029/30; and $675,000 for FY 2030/31.
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BACKGROUND
The Southern California Coastal Water Research Project Authority is a research institute established in 1969 as a Joint Powers Agency (JPA). The JPA agreement results from the collaboration of the signatory agencies - Orange County Sanitation District (OC San), the City of Los Angeles, the City of San Diego, and the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts - pooling resources to enhance scientific understanding of the connections among human activities, natural events, and the health of the Southern California coastal environment. This Agreement ensures the continuation of SCCWRP, a public entity separate from and independent of the Signatories. The item is being presented now due to the required approvals and signature collections from each agency.
RELEVANT STANDARDS
• Listen to and seriously consider community input on environmental concerns
• Comply with environmental permit requirements
• Maintain collaborative and cooperative relationships with regulators, stakeholders, and neighboring communities
• Ensure the public’s money is wisely spent
PROBLEM
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PROPOSED SOLUTION
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TIMING CONCERNS
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RAMIFICATIONS OF NOT TAKING ACTION
OC San would no longer be a member of SCCWRP Commission, and therefore unable to provide oversight on SCWRP’s objectives, priorities, policies, guidelines, and research priorities. This can have long-term negative operational and financial ramifications to OC San.
PRIOR COMMITTEE/BOARD ACTIONS
July 2020 - Adopted Resolution No. OCSD 20-04 entitled, “A Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Orange County Sanitation District approving the Tenth Amended Joint Powers Agreement confirming the creation of the agency known as Southern California Coastal Water Research Project Authority (SCCWRP), providing for continuation of SCCWRP for five years from July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2026”; and approved annual funding in the amount of $515,000 for FY 2021/22; $530,450 for FY 2022/23; $546,363 for FY 2023/24; $562,754 for FY 2024/25; and $579,637 for FY 2025/26.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
OC San is a founding member of SCCWRP and has maintained continuous membership since its inception. Membership in SCCWRP offers three primary advantages to OC San:
1. SCCWRP serves as a regional research provider focused on issues important to its member agencies and the wider environmental community,
2. SCCWRP coordinates regional studies and inter-agency collaborations for its members, such as the quinquennial Bight projects, and
3. SCCWRP offers a forum where regulators and the regulated community can engage in transparent and constructive dialogue aimed at addressing areas of concern or compliance issues.
CEQA
N/A
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS
This request complies with authority levels of OC San’s Purchasing Ordinance. This item has been budgeted.
ATTACHMENT
The following attachment(s) may be viewed on-line at the OC San website (www.ocsan.gov) with the complete agenda package:
• Resolution No. OC SAN 25-XX
• SCCWRP Eleventh Amended Joint Powers Agreement