Committee approves strategic investment update for Water Clean and Safe program, flags maintenance and workforce shortfalls

The committee approved the Water Clean and Safe program’s strategic investment update for fiscal year 2024–25, with a recorded roll-call showing three votes in favor and one member absent.

Program staff briefed the committee on coordination with Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), nonprofit partners and regional program administrators. Michael Escuduro (identified in the transcript as the program engineer) described efforts to align school-site projects with district priorities and to secure grant funding, including a referenced CalFire-related grant that had supported multiple school green-infrastructure projects.

Escuduro told the committee the program has an annual revenue stream of about $36,000,000 and supports positions and capital projects. The presentation said the program currently funds roughly 17 sanitation/contractor positions and supports 12 capital programs with annual expenditures in the multi‑million dollar range. Staff reported that the city contributes to a regional program and that the program has helped secure regional funds for local projects.

Committee members questioned long-term operations and maintenance (O&M) funding for built projects. Staff said the program historically had little dedicated O&M funding and that the Storm Water fund created in 1992 has not been adjusted for inflation; staff described the fund as producing roughly $28,000,000 annually but noted it has not been increased since its inception.

Committee members also expressed concern about whether nonprofit-led conceptual projects were being coordinated early enough with city operations staff and with school-district decision-makers. Escuduro said the city issues letters of no objection during concept review but still needs earlier engagement with school-district staff to address liability and long-term site-use questions.

The update recommended prioritizing currently funded regional projects facing cost increases, adjusting contract amounts to accelerate construction where possible, and securing funds for project delivery and maintenance. Staff said they are pursuing additional funding for O&M and considering program hires to build in-house maintenance capacity.

A motion to approve the plan strategic investment update for FY 24–25 was called, and the secretary recorded votes as: Jurselski — yes; Ramonicorada — absent; Padilla — yes. The chair announced the item passed with three in favor.

Committee members asked staff to return with more detailed O&M cost estimates, a plan for workforce development to sustain constructed projects, and clearer coordination protocols with LAUSD and nonprofit partners. Staff said they would continue to work with the CEO and the mayor’s budget office to identify staffing and funding options.