TO:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THROUGH:
Talyn Mirzakhanian, City Manager
FROM:
Ted Semaan, Interim Public Works Director
Gilbert Gamboa, Acting City Engineer
Eduardo Pech, Senior Civil Engineer
SUBJECT:Title
Consideration of an Update to the 28th Street Stormwater Infiltration CIP Project (No Budget Impact) (Interim Public Works Director Semaan).
(Estimated Time: 30 Mins.)
RECEIVE AND FILE
Body
_________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council receive and file the update on the 28th Street Stormwater Infiltration Project - CIP Project No. SW21402
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
There are no fiscal implications associated with the recommended action.
BACKGROUND:
Stormwater discharges in Manhattan Beach are regulated by the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit issued by the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board. Under this permit, the City is required to monitor and report water quality and adhere to strict limits on bacterial discharges into Santa Monica Bay. To fulfill these requirements, the cities of Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, Torrance, and the Los Angeles County Flood Control District (LACFCD) developed the Beach Cities Watershed Management Program (WMP). The WMP identifies priority capital improvement projects aimed at reducing pollutants from stormwater discharges.
The 28th Street storm drain system, SMB-5-02 as identified in the WMP, collects storm water run-off from a tributary area of approximately 1,520 acres, approximately 60 percent of the City’s stormwater flows. The tributary area also contains a small contribution from the cities of Redondo Beach and Hermosa Beach. Long-term monitoring data indicates that the 28th Street storm drain contributes to bacteria detection, which has been surpassing the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) limits set by the Water Board. Due to its large drainage area and compliance risks, the WMP identified the 28th Street Stormwater Infiltration Project as the top priority for reducing bacteria, trash, and debris discharges into South Santa Monica Bay.
In 2020, the City contracted with CWE, a civil engineering firm specializing in water resources, to conduct a feasibility study of potential project sites. Three locations were evaluated: Polliwog Park, the 26th Street Parking Facility, and a beachfront site near the Marvin Braude Bike Trail. Polliwog Park soils were considered less suitable, and the 26th Street Parking Facility was chosen as the preferred site because of its feasibility and infiltration capacity. In March 2022, CWE was awarded a contract to design the system for this site.
City staff has successfully secured a total of $31 million in grant funding to cover the majority of project costs. This includes $17.6 million from the Los Angeles County Safe, Clean Water Program (Measure W) administered by the Los Angeles County Flood Control District, with $240,000 leveraging funds from the City’s Measure W local return funds. Additionally, the City has received $8.5 million from the State Water Resources Control Board Proposition 1 Storm Water Fund and $4.9 million from the Proposition 68 Urban Flood Reduction Program administered by the California Natural Resources Agency.
The expected construction cost of the project is $26 million, excluding contingency, while the anticipated soft cost for professional services is $3 million.
Furthermore, strict compliance with the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP) is a requirement for the grants. Additionally, the Safe, Clean Water Program grant, administered by Los Angeles County Flood Control, requires compliance with the Los Angeles Targeted Worker Hire Program and the Community Business Enterprise (CBE) Program.
DISCUSSION:
Project Design, Construction, and Operation
The Project is intended to reduce pollutant exceedances by intercepting the existing 28th Street storm drain at Manhattan Avenue. Flows will be diverted into an underground pump station, screened through a trash removal device, and routed through sedimentation chambers. From there, stormwater will be directed to a system of 40 drywells for infiltration into the ground instead of being discharged directly into the ocean.
Construction Components
Stormwater infrastructure elements include:
• Diversion Structure: A 50-foot-deep pit will be excavated at the intersection of 28th Street and Manhattan Avenue to intercept the existing storm drain.
• Conveyance Pipe: A pipeline will connect the diversion structure to the pump station. This line will be installed beneath the 2700 block of Manhattan Avenue by a horizontal boring method to minimize open excavation.
• Pump and Treatment Facilities: Subsurface concrete chambers will house pump equipment, a trash capture device, and sedimentation chambers.
• Drywell Arrays: Eight drywells beneath Bruce’s Beach Park and thirty-two within the 26th Street Parking Lot will provide infiltration capacity.
In addition to stormwater infrastructure, the 26th Street Parking Lot will be reconstructed and modernized with the following improvements:
• Replacement of deteriorated perimeter retaining walls;
• Installation of a pervious concrete surface to support infiltration;
• Revised striping to reverse upper-tier traffic flow for improved circulation;
• Addition of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant parking spaces;
• Removal of existing staircases between parking tiers; and
• Construction of accessible pedestrian routes to sidewalks along 26th and 27th Streets.
Construction Phase
On March 18, 2025, a comprehensive update was presented to the City Council, followed by a public hearing to gather input from residents and stakeholders. After the hearing, the City Council approved resolutions related to the final construction plans and specifications and authorized the solicitation of competitive bids for the project's construction. Additionally, the City Council approved a Use and Maintenance Agreement with the County of Los Angeles for a connection to the County-owned storm drain located at 28th Street.
To ensure that the contractor selected for this project possesses the requisite experience and capabilities, staff issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ No. E1304-25Q) in accordance with applicable State and City procurement requirements. The RFQ was published on June 23, 2025, and eleven submittals were received. Following a comprehensive evaluation of the proposals against the established selection criteria, nine firms were determined to be qualified. The list of prequalified firms was published on August 13, 2025, and includes:
1. Boudreau Pipeline Corp
2. Clarke Contracting Corporation
3. Environmental Construction, Inc.
4. Mike Bubalo Construction Co., Inc.
5. Mladen Buntich Construction Company, Inc.
6. Reyes Construction
7. Stacy and Witbeck
8. Toro Enterprises, Inc.
9. Zusser
On August 26, 2025, staff issued the Invitation for Bids to the nine prequalified contractors, with bids due on October 1, 2025. According to City policy, the contract will be awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder.
Due to the project's complexity and expected duration, staff have commenced the process of procuring a qualified construction management and inspection team. This team will oversee the project and ensure compliance with all regulatory and contractual requirements. A Request for Proposals (RFP) for these services was published on August 14, 2025, with proposals submitted on September 18, 2025. Four firms submitted proposals for consideration, and staff is currently evaluating the proposals for best value. In addition to construction management and inspection, the City will also engage specialized consultants as needed, such as geotechnical engineers, environmental professionals, and tribal monitors.
Traffic and Parking Impacts
Traffic circulation and parking will be affected during construction. Below is a discussion of the various street segments that will be impacted. This information will also be presented at the Parking and Public Improvements Commission (PPIC) meeting on October 23, 2025.
26th Street Parking Lot Closure
The 26th Street Parking Lot will be closed to the public for approximately 12 to 15 months, beginning as early as January 2026 and concluding by the spring of 2027. This closure is necessary due to extensive reconstruction work being carried out in and around the facility. Construction within the 26th Street Parking Lot will temporarily eliminate 67 parking spaces.
Residents who currently hold overnight parking permits will be relocated to either the El Porto Parking Lot or the Pier Parking Lots. Additionally, a new permit program is being developed in collaboration with the Manhattan Beach Unified School District, which will grant displaced permit holders access to the Grand View Elementary Parking Lot.
Manhattan Avenue Street Closure (26th to 27th Streets)
The segment of Manhattan Avenue between 26th and 27th Streets will be closed to vehicular and pedestrian traffic for approximately six to nine months to construct the underground pump station, sedimentation chambers, and associated piping. However, access to all adjacent residences will be maintained, and to the Los Angeles County Lifeguard Training Center.
Traffic management mitigation measures will include:
• Northbound traffic on Manhattan Avenue between Marine Avenue and 26th Street will be rerouted to Ocean Drive, which will be temporarily restricted to northbound traffic only between 26th and 27th Streets.
• Southbound traffic on Manhattan Avenue, north of Bruce’s Beach, will be diverted to Highland Avenue.
• Electronic message boards will be installed on Manhattan and Highland Avenues before the street closure.
Changes may be made to traffic queuing and signage, including potential left turn pockets on Highland Avenue and adding a temporary traffic signal at 27th Street, if left turns from Highland to 27th Street result in significant delays.
To compensate for the loss of seven parking spaces along northbound Manhattan Avenue during the closure, the following adjustments will be made:
• Parking along the 200 block of 27th Street will be shifted from the north side to the south side, creating a net gain of four spaces.
• The centerline of Manhattan Avenue between 27th and 28th Streets will be shifted east, creating five additional spaces.
Combined, these adjustments result in a net gain of two street spaces during construction.
Manhattan Avenue & 28th Street Intersection Closure
The intersection of Manhattan Avenue and 28th Street will be closed for about six to eight months due to the construction of the diversion structure and bored pipeline that connects to the pump station. Traffic will be affected in the following manner:
• The closure will restrict all through traffic at the intersection.
• Vehicular access to the garage at 2720 Manhattan Avenue may be intermittently impacted.
• Southbound traffic along Manhattan Avenue will be rerouted to Highland Avenue via 33rd Street.
Additional Temporary Lane Closures
There will be occasional lane closures around the perimeter of the 26th Street Parking Lot due to the reconstruction of retaining walls and the installation of distribution piping. These closures are expected to last between one to three weeks. Whenever possible, travel lanes will be reopened during non-working hours.
Governing Regulations
The proposed project was reviewed for compliance with applicable governing regulations, including the City’s General Plan and the Manhattan Beach Local Coastal Program (MBLCP).
General Plan Compliance
The proposed project is consistent with the General Plan because it involves the construction of a stormwater diversion and infiltration system designed to capture up to 67 acre-feet of runoff from a single storm event. By intercepting stormwater and removing pollutants such as bacteria and trash before they reach the ocean, the project supports the Plan’s objectives related to environmental protection, public health, and sustainability.
Manhattan Beach Local Coastal Program (MBLCP)
Portions of the City fall within the jurisdiction of the California Coastal Act, which authorizes local governments to adopt Local Coastal Programs (LCPs) to regulate land and water uses in the Coastal Zone. Because the project site lies within the Coastal Zone, the proposed improvements were reviewed for compliance with the MBLCP. Pursuant to Section A.96.150, staff prepared the required findings for issuance of a Coastal Development Permit. Based on substantial evidence in the record, staff determined that the project, as proposed and conditioned, is consistent with the MBLCP and satisfies all findings required for permit approval.
PUBLIC OUTREACH:
Previous Meetings and Outreach
In September 2020, community meetings were held during the development of the project's feasibility study.
On July 26, 2023, Public Works staff presented the project concept to the Los Angeles County Beach Commission. A similar presentation was given to the Manhattan Beach Parking and Public Improvement Commission (PPIC) on October 26, 2023. Both public meetings were properly noticed in compliance with state law. Additionally, postcards were mailed to residents near the project to inform them about the PPIC meeting, and the meeting was listed on the events calendar on the city’s website.
During the project design phase, an on-site event was held on October 10, 2023, to discuss the project with interested community members. Additionally, a community meeting took place at the Manhattan Heights Community Center on February 15, 2024. Both events were announced during City Council meetings, on social media platforms, on the City’s website, and through direct mailings to nearby residents.
On February 6, 2025, a community outreach meeting was held at the Manhattan Heights Community Center. Postcards were mailed to residents living near the project to inform them about the meeting. Additionally, the meeting was listed on the events calendar on the City’s website and shared on social media platforms.
On March 18, 2025, a comprehensive update was presented to the City Council, and a public hearing was held to gather input from residents and stakeholders. The City Council reviewed and approved the construction documents for the project.
Future Meetings and Outreach
City staff plans to present an update to the PPIC in October, after the construction bidding process has concluded. The presentation will cover changes made since the last project update to the PPIC and will address the impacts on residents, including parking and traffic detours.
A community meeting will be scheduled after the construction contract is awarded and the timeline is refined by the construction contractor. This meeting will provide residents with an overview of the approved scope and expected timeline.
The project team will organize a coordination meeting with essential stakeholders and City departments, including the Manhattan Beach Unified School District, Los Angeles County Lifeguards, City Code Enforcement, Parking Enforcement, the City’s Residential Construction Officer, and the Police and Fire Departments. The purpose of this meeting is to communicate important resident concerns, clarify roles and responsibilities, present and address logistical matters, project schedule milestones, and ensure that everyone is aligned before construction begins.
A final community meeting will be scheduled during the first couple of weeks in January 2026, just before the anticipated start of construction. This meeting will address neighborhood impacts, construction phases, road closures, detours, and mitigation strategies. Contact information for designated project representatives will be provided, so residents will know whom to reach out to with any questions or concerns.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
The proposed project was reviewed for compliance with CEQA pursuant to State Public Resources Code Division 13 (Environmental Quality). Environmental analysis was conducted through an Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND), which determined that all potential impacts could be reduced to less-than-significant levels with mitigation. A Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Plan (MMRP) was also developed to ensure compliance during construction. On May 21, 2024, the City Council adopted the Mitigated Negative Declaration under CEQA and approved a Coastal Development Permit, clearing the way for project implementation.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney has reviewed this report and determined that no additional legal analysis is necessary.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. PowerPoint Presentation