TO:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THROUGH:
Talyn Mirzakhanian, City Manager
FROM:
Erick Lee, Public Works Director
Jeffrey Page, Utilities Manager
Sandy Nimat, Water Compliance Supervisor
SUBJECT:.Title
Second Reading and Adoption of an Ordinance to Establish Applicable Regulations Regarding Drinking Water System Cross-Connection Controls (Public Works Director Lee).
ADOPT ORDINANCE NO. 24-0004
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RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council Adopt Ordinance No. 24-0004 to add Chapter 7.46 to the Manhattan Beach Municipal Code to establish applicable regulations regarding cross-connection control.
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FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
The fiscal implications associated with the recommended action are estimated at $75,000 for Fiscal Year 2024-2025. These costs relate to consultant fees required to develop a comprehensive Cross-Connection Control plan for submission to the State Water Resources Control Board and implement this ordinance. Sufficient funding for these activities is available in the Public Works Department’s budget for the current fiscal year within the Water Fund.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION:
On November 6, 2024, City Council introduced Ordinance No. 24-0004 to add Chapter 7.46 to the Manhattan Beach Municipal Code to establish applicable regulations regarding cross-connection control. The Ordinance is attached.
Ordinance No. 24-0004 will allow the City to meet the provisions of the State of California’s recently adopted Cross-Connection Control Policy Handbook (CCCPH). The CCCPH is an enforceable guidance for the cross-connection control program that carries the full force and effect of law.
PUBLIC OUTREACH:
Efforts are underway to thoroughly inform and educate the community about current and upcoming regulatory requirements related to cross-connection control policies. Staff has employed a multi-faceted approach to ensure that both business leaders and residents fully understand these critical regulations.
Staff is actively engaging business leaders to inform them of the new regulations and the potential impacts they may have. On September 4, 2024, an initial meeting was held with the Manhattan Beach Downtown Business and Professional Association for an in-depth look at necessary upgrades and compliance measures and to address key details about the new regulations. Similar outreach was conducted with the Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce and North Manhattan Beach Business Improvement District during the week of October 28, 2024.
In addition to direct engagement with business groups, community-based events have played a significant role in outreach efforts. Prominent events such as the Hometown Fair and Water Harvest were utilized to connect with business owners and residents. At these events, staff set up interactive booths and conducted informational sessions to discuss cross-connection control requirements in a more informal setting. Educational materials, including FAQs, informational brochures and flyers, were distributed to provide a concise overview of the regulations and compliance steps.
Digital communication and resources will also be key components of our outreach strategy. Targeted social media campaigns will be employed to disseminate important updates, reminders about regulatory changes, and information on upcoming deadlines. Additionally, a dedicated section on the City’s website was created to offer FAQs, downloadable resources, and contact information for further assistance.
Ongoing support will be available through dedicated staff to assist businesses and property owners with any compliance questions or challenges that may arise. This support will ensure the community receives the help they need to navigate and adhere to the regulatory requirements effectively.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
The City has reviewed the proposed activity for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that there is no possibility the adoption of this Ordinance may have a significant effect on the environment because it would result in no physical impacts to the environment, and will provide for greater environmental protection by preventing contamination of the City’s water supply. It is therefore exempt from California Environmental Quality Act review pursuant to Title 14, Section 15061(b)(3), of the California Code of Regulations. Further, as a separate and independent basis, the Ordinance is not a project for CEQA purposes because it will have no physical impact on the environment, and thus, pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) is not subject to further environmental review.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney has approved Ordinance No. 24-0004 as to form.
ATTACHMENT:
1. Ordinance No. 24-0004