Storm Drain Measure

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Information about the Manhattan Beach Storm Drain Measure

PRESS RELEASE: Manhattan Beach Property Owners Approve Storm Drain Measure (PDF)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS
ALEXANDRIA LATRAGNA, COMMUNICATIONS & CIVIC ENGAGEMENT MANAGER
alatragna@manhattanbeach.gov • (310) 802-5063

MANHATTAN BEACH PROPERTY OWNERS APPROVE STORM DRAIN MEASURE
Enhanced funding will be locally controlled and dedicated to the repair, maintenance, and operation of local storm drains

Manhattan Beach, CA (January 23, 2024) – With the final votes tallied, the Manhattan Beach Storm Drain Measure garnered 52.65% of the vote in the recent election. The measure will increase the existing Storm Drain Fee, providing approximately $2.1 million per year to be used for Manhattan Beach storm drains. The funds cannot be taken away by the State, the County, or diverted to other purposes.

As part of this election, 13,468 ballots were sent to every parcel owner in the City of Manhattan Beach. The City received 5,309 ballots from property owners; 2,795 (52.65%) voted to approve the measure, and 2,514 (47.35%) voted against the measure resulting in a 281 vote margin for approval.

“The support for the Storm Drain Measure reflects our community’s dedication to building a City that can withstand environmental challenges while preserving the beauty of our surroundings and the clean beaches and ocean we all hold dear,” said Mayor Joe Franklin. “My Council colleagues and I are very grateful for the support of Manhattan Beach residents, and we look forward to maintaining the infrastructure that will prepare us for future storms.”

The Storm Drain Fee was adopted in 1996 and provides funding to repair, maintain, and operate Manhattan Beach’s storm drain system. The Manhattan Beach storm drain system captures trash and pollution in stormwater before they reach the beaches and ocean. Property owners currently pay $19.12 per year, which is collected with the property tax bill. This Measure, which required approval through a vote of property owners, updates this fee structure. The average homeowner will pay approximately $129 per year. As noted in the ballot, the storm drain fee will be subject to annual inflation adjustments that cannot exceed the increase in the Consumer Price Index, upon City Council approval at a public hearing.

Funds from the Manhattan Beach Storm Drain Measure must only be used for repairs, operations, maintenance, and improvements to the City of Manhattan Beach’s aging storm drain system, including:

Reconstructing or replacing aging storm drains that are identified by engineers as at risk for collapse or failure.
Installing and maintaining storm drain devices that protect local beaches, waterways, and the ocean from trash and pollution.
Inspecting and testing stormwater quality regularly to ensure clean water standards.
Removing pollutants, toxic chemicals, and infectious bacteria from runoff.
Reducing illegal discharges of pollution in local waterways.

Without this newly dedicated funding for Manhattan Beach’s storm drain system, pipes and drains would have continued to age and potentially fail, causing sinkholes, flooding, and the potential for property damage. With this new dedicated source of funding, maintaining local storm drains will continue without competing with funding for general city services, such as 9-1-1 emergency response, fire protection, police patrols, pothole repair, and parks and recreation.

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This page is designed to provide information about the proposed Storm Drain Measure. The materials on this page provide a summary of the Stormwater Fund. The Frequently Asked Questions below provides answers to general questions.

STORM DRAINS PROTECT WATER QUALITY AND PREVENT FLOODING
The City of Manhattan Beach’s storm drain system collects and carries stormwater runoff directly to the ocean. A well maintained storm drain system prevents trash, pollutants, and toxic chemicals from reaching the ocean, local beaches, and waterways. Storm drains also prevent sinkholes, floods, and other
property damage.

MANHATTAN BEACH STORM DRAINS ARE AGING
Most storm drains in Manhattan Beach are over 50 years old. Many are in need of repair or replacement before they begin to fail and cause sinkholes or flooding in certain areas that can damage streets and private property. Storm drain maintenance and operations are funded by an annual fee charged to all property owners that has not been increased since it was created in 1996. This fixed funding only covers about 10% to 20% of the cost of maintaining and operating aging local storm drains.

LOCALLY CONTROLLED FUNDING FOR STORM DRAINS
The City Council has proposed the Manhattan Beach Storm Drain Measure to enhance dedicated, locally controlled funding to repair, maintain, and operate local storm drains. This measure requires public approval through a vote of property owners.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How does Manhattan Beach’s local storm drain system work?

How does Manhattan Beach’s local storm drain system work?
The Manhattan Beach storm drain system includes over 24 miles of pipes, hundreds of catch basins, streets, curbs, gutters, and devices that capture trash and pollution before they reach our waterways, beaches, and the Pacific Ocean. City crews clear garbage and debris regularly to keep storm drains flowing and test stormwater runoff to ensure it meets state and federal water quality standards.

How old are storm drains in Manhattan Beach?

How old are storm drains in Manhattan Beach?
Most of the storm drain infrastructure in Manhattan Beach is 50 or more years old and was installed as the City developed. Engineering reports¹ show that many storm drains are in need of repair or replacement as they deteriorate and fail. When storm drains fail they create sinkholes and cause flooding that damages streets, sidewalks, and public and private property. Outdated storm drains are not as effective in preventing trash, toxic chemicals, and pollutants from reaching the ocean, beaches, and waterways. The cost to proactively repair or replace aging storm drains is far less than the cost of reconstructing storm drains when they fail, potentially creating sinkholes and property damage.

How are storm drain maintenance and operations funded in Manhattan Beach?

How are storm drain maintenance and operations funded in Manhattan Beach?
Manhattan Beach receives funding from the City’s annual Storm Drain Fee that is charged to all property owners. The Storm Drain Fee provides dedicated, locally controlled funding for the storm drain system of approximately $350,000 annually, but has not been increased since it was created almost 30 years ago. The City also receives an allocation from LA County’s Measure W Safe Clean Water Program of about $410,000 annually. These funding sources only account for 10% to 20% of the annual cost of improving, maintaining, and operating storm drains in Manhattan Beach. Because of this shortfall in funding, the City’s General Fund must subsidize storm drain improvements, maintenance, and operations, taking funding away from other services and programs.

How does storm drain maintenance and operations impact the overall city budget?

How does storm drain maintenance and operations impact the overall city budget?
The cost of repairing and maintaining local storm drains consistently exceeds funding available from the local Storm Drain Fee, requiring the City to use funds from the General Fund budget. This competes with funding for other general City services, such as, 9-1-1 emergency response, fire protection, police patrols, pothole repair and street maintenance, and parks and recreation.

What is the Manhattan Beach storm drain fee?

What is the Manhattan Beach storm drain fee?
The Storm Drain Fee was adopted in 1996 and provides dedicated local funding to repair, maintain, and operate Manhattan Beach’s storm drain system. Homeowners currently pay $19.12 per year, which is collected on the property tax bill, and the fee generates approximately $350,000 per year. However, the annual cost to maintain and operate, and improve the storm drain system is approximately $2.2 million per year, including an estimated $8.4 million in repair and replacement projects needed over the next six years.

What is the Manhattan Beach Storm Drain Measure?

What is the Manhattan Beach Storm Drain Measure?
The Manhattan Beach City Council has proposed the Manhattan Beach Storm Drain Measure to increase the existing Storm Drain Fee in order to enhance dedicated, locally controlled funding to repair, maintain, and operate local storm drains. This measure, if approved, would provide approximately $2.1 million per year to be used for Manhattan Beach storm drains only and cannot be taken away by the State, the County, or diverted to other purposes.

How is the fee calculated?

How is the fee calculated?
The current Storm Drain Fee is a flat rate that does not take into account the degree to which each property contributes to stormwater runoff. The proposed increased fee would charge 4.602¢ per impervious square foot of land on a property. Impervious square footage is land on a property that is built on or paved, cannot absorb rainwater, and creates runoff that requires storm drain services. Under this new fee structure, a commercial property with a large parking lot would pay more than a single family home with a smaller built and paved area. Under this new fee structure, the average homeowner will pay approximately $129 per year. The exact amount that would be charged to your property is listed on your ballot. The storm drain fee would be subject to annual inflation adjustments upon City Council approval at a Public Hearing, that cannot exceed the increase in the Consumer Price Index.

Do businesses pay the storm drain fee or just homeowners?

Do businesses pay the storm drain fee or just homeowners?
Yes, both commercial and residential properties in Manhattan Beach would be subject to the Storm Drain Fee, including businesses. The fee varies by property and is based on the amount of square footage that is built or paved, cannot absorb rainwater, and creates runoff that requires storm drain services. Smaller properties like homes with yards that absorb rainwater will pay less than commercial properties with large paved areas like parking lots that contribute significant runoff.

How would funding from the measure be used?

How would funding from the measure be used?
Funds from the Manhattan Beach Storm Drain Measure must only be used for repairs, operations, maintenance, and improvements to the City of Manhattan Beach’s aging storm drain system, including:

Reconstructing or replacing aging storm drains that are identified by engineers as at risk for collapse or failure
Installing and maintaining storm drain devices that protect local beaches, waterways, and the ocean from trash and pollution
Inspecting and testing stormwater quality regularly to ensure clean water standards
Removing pollutants, toxic chemicals, and infectious bacteria from runoff
Reducing illegal discharges of pollution in local waterways

What happens without new funding?

What happens without new funding?
Without new dedicated funding for Manhattan Beach’s storm drain system, pipes and drains will continue to age and potentially fail, which could cause sinkholes, flooding, and the potential for property damage. Reconstructing storm drains after they fail and cause property damage is more expensive than proactively repairing or replacing aging storm drains before they fail. Without a dedicated source of funding, maintaining local storm drains will continue to compete with funding for general city services, such as 9-1-1 emergency response, fire protection, police patrols, pothole repair, and parks and recreation.

Are fiscal accountability protections required?

Documents

Procedures for the Conduct of a Mail Ballot Election Related to a Proposed Storm Drain Fee Increase

Storm Drain Utility Fee Engineers Report (PDF)

Storm Drain and Storm Water Fees Information Sheet (PDF)

Notice of Public Hearing - Proposed Increase to the Existing Storm Drain Fee (PDF)

Update on the Status of the Proposed Increase to Stormwater Assessments - Finance Subcommittee Meeting - September 28, 2023

Discuss Storm Drain Utility Fee Engineer's Report and Stormwater Fee Survey Results - City Council Meeting - September 5, 2023

Authorization to Conduct Public Hearing Regarding the Stormwater Service Fee - City Council Meeting - July 18, 2023

Update on the Status of the Proposed Increase to Stormwater Assessments - Finance Subcommittee Meeting - June 26, 2023

Increase to Stormwater Assessments - City Council Meeting - May 16, 2023

Increase to Stormwater Assessments - Finance Subcommittee Meeting - April 20, 2023

Stormwater Assessments - Finance Subcommittee Meeting - September 26, 2019

VOTING INFORMATION

Who gets to vote on the Manhattan Beach Storm Drain Measure?
Since property owners would pay the proposed increased Storm Drain Fee, all property owners will have the chance to vote on it. Each parcel of property gets one vote and the measure must be approved by a majority of property owners.
How do I vote?
Your ballot is included in the same envelope with this information guide. Please complete your ballot, add your signature and the date, and send the ballot to Manhattan Beach City Hall in the postage-paid envelope provided. Ballots may also be delivered in-person to City Hall. The ballot must be signed by the Record Owner of the property or a representative legally authorized to submit.
When are ballots due?
To be counted, ballots must be received by 5:00 PM on January 17, 2024, regardless of the postmark.
What if I need to replace my ballot or need assistance completing my ballot?
If you have lost your ballot, need a replacement ballot, or need assistance completing your ballot, please contact the Manhattan Beach City Clerk’s Office at (310) 802-5056 or cityclerk@manhattanbeach.gov.
BALLOT OPENING
Ballot opening will take place on January 22, 2024, at Police/Fire Conference Room, 420 15th Street, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266.

Schedule
9:00 AM to 12:00 PM - Ballot Opening
12:00 PM to 1:00 PM - Lunch
1:00 PM to 5:00 PM - Ballot Opening

Continuing thereafter, each business day as needed, will be done during the same hours and in the same location.

The public can view the ballot tabulation.
BALLOT RESULTS
Ballot results will be announced at the February 6, 2024, City Council Meeting
PRESS RELEASE: Manhattan Beach Property Owners Approve Storm Drain Measure (PDF)

CONTACT

Email: stormdrainmeasure@manhattanbeach.gov
Call: (310) 802-5550

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