Cal. Gov. Code § 39900

When a city legislative body determines that it is beneficial to the city and if an equal or greater sum of money has been made available from private sources, it may appropriate and expend money from the general fund for making surveys, maps, plans, and plats and for obtaining information preliminary to the development, improvement, and construction of a deep water canal, waterway, or water facilities for transportation purposes across, in, or along the county where the city is located or any adjoining county.