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PRESENTATION OF A WATER CONSERVATION APPROACH FOR CITY HALL GROUNDS AND LANDSCAPE AREAS (REFERENCE CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION OF 05/12/15)
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommended Action
Council accept the report and provide comments.
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SUMMARY
In January 2015, Governor Brown declared a state of emergency due to the current drought conditions. Under the executive order issued by the Governor this past April, local governments were offered incentives to replace lawn with drought tolerant landscapes and prohibited from irrigating ornamental grasses in street medians among other requirements. In response, staff has been working to take advantage of the incentives and to begin to develop approaches to these prohibitions and other regulations promulgated from this executive order.
On May 12, 2015, City Council discussed ideas for how to approach these drought conditions with respect to the grounds around City Hall. Staff was directed to bring back options for City Council to consider.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The Development Services Director has reviewed the proposed project for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the project qualifies for a Class 4 Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15304(b) (Minor Alterations to Land) of the State CEQA Guidelines. Consistent with Section 15304(b), the project would be gardening or landscaping; including the replacement of existing conventional landscaping with water efficient or fire resistant landscaping.
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
Not Applicable
DISCUSSION
Staff has held meetings to discuss our drought response and has consulted with experts in the field to consider a variety of ideas. In addition staff made application to the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California’s Turf Removal Program for replacement of turf in a number of areas around the City including around City Hall. On July 15, 2015 our application was approved for removal of turf at the new incentive rate of $2 per square foot for the first 3,000 square feet and $1 per square foot for all areas exceeding the 3,000 square feet, up to a total maximum rebate of $50,000.
Staff will share the results of these discussions and ideas to approach water conservation with Council at the hearing. Nick DeLorenzo of DeLorenzo International has been invited by staff to also present information for consideration by City Council based upon their years of experience in establishing, converting and maintaining water conserving landscapes.
DECISION-MAKER CONFLICT
Staff has determined that the action contemplated by this item is ministerial, secretarial, manual, or clerical in nature and, as such, does not require City Council members to make or participate in making a governmental decision, pursuant to California Code of Regulations Title 2, section 18704.4(a)(1). Consequently, this item does not present a conflict of interest under the Political Reform Act (Cal. Gov't Code § 87100, et seq.).
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. Converting the City landscape areas to more water conserving landscapes contributes to operational excellence by improving service delivery and to a healthy community by promoting sustainability and conservation.
CURRENT YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
Funds for the conversion of the City Hall complex will come from the current FY Public Works budget. A future action item to appropriate the turf removal rebate will be brought to City Council after it is received from the San Diego County Water Authority. The remaining costs of the conversion after the rebate will come from the general fund.
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
Depending upon the turf replacement strategy implemented there should be a savings to the general fund by reduction of irrigation water consumed and those related costs.
Staff Contact: Kelly Broughton, Director, Development Services (619) 691-5233