Redondo Beach to advance Fulton Playfield infiltration project after securing grant funding

Florence Savon, city engineer, presented the Fulton Playfield multi‑benefit infiltration project and the commission voted to receive and file the report.

Savon said the project is part of the regional watershed management program and is fully funded by South Bay regional safe‑clean‑water grant funds, so no general‐fund dollars are required. The design will install roughly 13 dry wells around Fulton Playfield (staff described each as roughly 50 feet deep and 6 feet wide) plus a bioswale/parkway with drought‑tolerant native landscaping and an ocean‑friendly garden to capture pollutants before water reaches Santa Monica Bay.

Key technical points: staff explained that the detention basin under the playfield will be trenched to route stormwater into dry wells to allow percolation rather than immediate outfall to the ocean. Staff estimated about 75% capture of bacteria in the watershed through this approach. Construction will be procured through a current bid process with an anticipated contract award in June and an estimated 120 working‑day construction timeline; the city expects substantial underground work and noted potential localized turf impacts and staging constraints.

Commissioners asked about the reported operations and maintenance line (noted in the staff report as $349,000) and whether the operations group is prepared to assume maintenance. Staff said the contract includes a 90‑day maintenance period and the deputy public works director will assume long‑term operations and maintenance after establishment of plantings. Staff also cautioned dry‑well depth can vary with soil conditions and that 50 feet is a target, not a guaranteed depth in all borings.

The commission received and filed the presentation. Staff will proceed with awarding construction in June and return with updates on contractor selection and construction schedule.