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RESOLUTION NO. 2015-094 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA AMENDING THE 2015 BUDGET TO APPROPRIATE $7,634 IN UNANTICIPATED REVENUE FROM THE METROPOLITAN WATER DISTRICT'S LANDSCAPE WATER CONSERVATION REBATE PROGRAM TO THE PUBLIC WORKS PARKS DIVISION BUDGET (4/5 VOTE REQUIRED)
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommended Action
Council adopt the resolution.
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SUMMARY
Over the last few months, staff has worked to install weather-based, "smart" irrigation controllers at 21 park sites and roadway medians in order to help reduce municipal water use. As a result, the City has received $7,634 in rebates from the Metropolitan Water District's landscape water conservation program. Staff is requesting that the unanticipated revenue be appropriated to the Public Works budget to support additional park water-saving and maintenance projects.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The Development Services Director has reviewed the proposed activity for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the activity is not a "Project" as defined under Section 15378(b)(2) of the State CEQA Guidelines, because the activity consists of an administrative action, which will not result in a direct or indirect adverse physical impacts to the environment. Therefore, pursuant to Section 15060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines the activity is not subject to CEQA. Thus, no environmental review is necessary.
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
Not Applicable
DISCUSSION
Municipal facilities and operations consume over 924,000 hundred cubic feet of water annually costing over $4.6 million in utility expenses. In addition to rising water rates, the need to reduce municipal water use has become heightened due to ongoing drought conditions statewide. On April 1st, Governor Jerry Brown issued a new Executive Order that imposed restrictions to achieve a statewide 25% reduction in urban potable water use compared to 2013 levels.
Over the last few months, staff has worked to upgrade irrigation controllers at 21 park sites and roadway medians with "smart" technology. These new controllers (and their associated 120 irrigation stations) allow staff to remotely manage irrigation schedules and adjust for precipitation and evapotranspiration rates. In addition to reducing water use by at least 10%, the new controllers significantly lower the staff time needed to make onsite adjustments to irrigation systems.
As a result of the water-saving upgrades, the City received $7,634 in rebates from the Metropolitan Water District's landscape water conservation program. Staff requests that this unanticipated revenue be appropriated to the Public Works Department budget to support additional park water conservation and maintenance projects.
DECISION-MAKER CONFLICT
Staff has reviewed the decision contemplated by this action and has determined that it is not site specific and consequently, the 500-foot rule found in California Code of Regulations section 18705.2(a)(11), is not applicable to this decision. Staff is not independently aware, and has not been informed by any City Council member, of any other fact that may constitute a basis for a decision maker conflict of interest in this matter.
LINK TO STRATEGIC GOALS
The City's Strategic Plan has five major goals: Operational Excellence, Economic Vitality, Healthy Community, Strong and Secure Neighborhoods and a Connected Community. Water-saving retrofits support the Healthy Community goal by preserving the limited natural resource and lowering greenhouse gas emissions.
CURRENT YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
The $7,634 appropriation has no net-impact to the General Fund, because these one-time revenues will offset the one-time expenditures.
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
The $7,634 appropriation to the General Fund is a one-time activity, so there are no ongoing fiscal impacts associated with the budget amendment. Future municipal utility and maintenance cost savings may be realized from the landscape retrofit efforts.
ATTACHMENTS
None
Staff Contact: Brendan Reed