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DATE: October 4, 2006
City Council Staff Report
NEW BUSINESS
SUBJECT: PROPOSED SCALPING ALTERNATIVES
FROM: David H. Ready, City Manager
BY: Assistant City Manager — Administrative Services
SUMMARY
Autumn is scalping season in the Coachella Valley. Although scalping may make our
lawns look green throughout the winter, the scalping process kicks up significant
amounts of pollen, dust and mold into the atmosphere. Not only does this "dirty" our air,
making it difficult to view the majestic scenery that surrounds us but also, for 1 out of 5
of us, this polluted air causes a lot of sniffling, sneezing, headaches, labored breathing,
sleepless nights and even asthma attacks. To improve our air quality and reduce the
health effects caused by scalping, City staff has been working with the Desert Water
Agency to develop possible alternatives to traditional scalping methods. These
alternatives, which include a Turf Buy -Back Program and Water Smart Landscaping
Program, are being presented for City Council consideration and direction.
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Receive and file the two proposed scalping alternatives presented herein and
direct staff as appropriate
STAFF ANALYSIS:
Traditional methods of scalping Bermuda grass, done to prepare for the planting of
winter rye grass, create an enormous amount of dust. When inhaled, these dust
particles can lodge deep in the lungs causing a variety of health problems, especially in
children, the elderly, and those suffering from asthma and bronchitis.
To reduce the amount of dust emissions and the associated health problems from
traditional scalping methods, the Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG),
in conjunction with the Hi-Lo Desert Golf Course Superintendents' Association and the
University of California Riverside, have created a low -dust re -seeding or "smart
scalping" method. The Smart Scalping method works by gradually reducing watering
rMM NO. 5.8.
City Council Staff Report
October 4, 2006 -- Page 2
Proposed Scalping Alternatives
times to allow the Bermuda grass to go dormant naturally without having to cut it to the
ground. While this method of scalping is fairly effective and reduces dust by 80 to 90
percent, given the increased level of development in the Coachella Valley, the added
number of lawns is gradually reducing the benefits of smart scalping.
To further reduce the effects of scalping, or to eliminate it altogether, City staff has been
working with the Desert Water Agency to create two innovative programs designed to
offer special rebates to residents willing to replace their existing lawn with synthetic turf,
or water smart landscaping. The following is a summary of the two programs that have
been developed. A more detailed description of each program is attached.
• The Turf Buy Back Program would offer qualified homeowners a rebate of $4 per
square foot on synthetic turf, to a maximum of $1,200 per household, to replace
their existing natural lawn with synthetic turf or faux grass.
• The Water Smart Landscaping Program would provide a $1 per square foot
rebate, up to 2,000 square feet, to help homeowners replace water -thirsty grass
with water -smart trees, shrubs and flowers.
The Desert Water Agency, which has already installed a sample plot of synthetic turf at
their office on Gene Autry Trail, has indicated that they are interested in pursuing these
programs and would be willing to contribute some initial funding. Staff recommends an
initial allocation of $15,000 for each program. At this level, approximately 12 to 15
residents (at an average rebate of $950 per household) will be able to participate in the
Turf Buy -Back Program and around 10 to 15 residents (at an average rebate of $1,000
per household) to take part in the Water Smart Landscaping Program. Since both
programs have a direct impact on air quality, the City should be able to use AB2766
funds (Air Quality) to cover its share of the costs to fund these programs. Staff is also
exploring other grant opportunities that could provide additional funding to expand both
programs.
Staff is seeking direction from the City Council whether to continue to work with the
Desert Water Agency on the implementation of these programs so that they are
available during the upcoming scalping season. If the City Council elects to go forward
with these programs, there are sufficient funds in the Air Quality account to cover the
City's share of the initial costs for both programs.
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Attachments:
1, Turf Buy -Back Program
2. Water Smart Landscaping Program
David H. Ready, City Noarger
TURF BUY-BACK PROGRAM
Autumn is scalping season in the Coachella Valley. Although scalping may make
our lawns look green throughout the winter, the scalping process kicks up
significant amounts of pollen, dust and mold into the air that we breathe.
Unfortunately, for about 1 in 5 of us, scalping season means a lot of sniffling,
sneezing, headaches, labored breathing, sleepless nights and even asthma
attacks.
Synthetic Turf — An Alternative to Natural Grass
There are alternatives to scalping. You can replace your lawn with drought
tolerant landscaping or even rock. However, if you still desire the look of a green
lawn, but are tired of all the maintenance and cost of watering, then you are in
luck, The City of Palm Springs and the Desert Water Agency have joined forces
and are offering special rebates to residents willing to replace their existing lawn
with synthetic turf or faux grass.
Synthetic turf has come a long way in 40 years since it was first introduced.
Today's synthetic turf is more natural looking and is exceptionally durable. It is
used in professional sports venues, public parks and by tens of thousands of
homeowners around the country who want to enjoy a green lawn year round
without the maintenance or expense of grass lawn.
In addition to the obvious reduction in maintenance costs, there are many
environmental benefits from replacing turf grass with synthetic turf. At a typical
residence (with about 750 square feet of turf), the installation of synthetic turf can
conserve approximately 22,000 gallons of water per year. Synthetic turf also
requires no fertilizer, no pesticides, no mowing and reduces urban runoff caused
by excessive irrigation. It also cuts down on the amount of green waste, like
lawn clippings, going into landfills.
BENEFITS OF SYNTHETIC TURF
• No more mowing the lawn or having to purchase and maintain a lawn mower— this saves you time and
money and also benefits the environment by reducing air pollution from using mowing machines.
• No more having to buy and use lawn pesticides and fertilizers — again, this saves you time and money
and, very importantly, helps the environment as pesticides and fertilizers can add to toxic chemical
pollution.
• No need to irrigate ]awned areas — by avoiding the use of water sprinklers you can save money and
again help the environment at a time when water is scarce and increasing in cost.
• All year round use — no more looking at a muddy or patchy and dried lawn.
• No dirt coming into the house.
• Longevity — the load and wear -resistance of synthetic turf is higher than natural turf.
• Cost effective compared to the cost of natural turf
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Program Eligibility Requirements:
The City and Desert Water Agency want to make it easier for you to save water
and help the environment by offering a rebate of $4 per square foot on synthetic
turf, to a maximum of $1,200 per household. To participate in this program, you
must meet the following eligibility requirements:
1. Areas to be converted must use water from the Desert Water Agency and
be located within the City of Palm Springs. The applicant's water account
must be in good standing.
2. The synthetic turf must replace natural grass that existed before the
synthetic turf was installed. If an irrigation system was present to water
the natural grass, that portion of the irrigation system that serves the
synthetic turf must be removed.
3. At least 400 square feet of lawn must be converted. Smaller projects are
accepted if they completely eliminate a lawn or eliminate the front or back
lawn of a single-family home.
4. Areas to be converted must be pre -established lawns. All conversions
must comply with any governmental code, law or policy relating to
landscape design standards.
5. A representative of the Desert Water Agency must be permitted to inspect
the property before the natural grass is removed and after the synthetic
grass is installed.
6. The applicant is solely responsible for the disposal of all materials
associated with the installation of the synthetic grass (including, but not
limited to, soil, grass, irrigation piping, synthetic turf remnants, etc.) The
City and Desert Water Agency encourages applicants to recycle materials
when possible.
7. The converted area must remain in compliance with all program conditions
for a period of ten (10) years. This requirement is void upon transfer of
ownership. You may be required to refund some or the entire rebate if this
requirement is violated.
8. The applicant is responsible for complying with all laws, policies, codes
and covenants that may apply. Quality and appearance of the conversion
is the responsibility of the applicant. Rebates may be considered taxable
income.
To Apply:
• Call the Desert Water Agency at (760) xxx-xxxx to arrange a pre -
installation site inspection.
• Complete and return your application and attach an original sales receipt
for the synthetic turf.
• Call the City of Palm Springs at (760) xxx-xxxx to schedule an on -site
inspection once the synthetic turf has been installed.
• Allow three weeks from the date of inspection for processing of your
rebate.
Limitations and Restrictions:
The synthetic grass rebate is $4 per square foot with a maximum of rebate of
$1,200 per household. This rebate is for the purchase of synthetic turf only and
does not apply to applicable sales tax or installation charges.
Funding for this rebate program is limited. Applications will be processed
on a first -come, first -served basis.
Neither the City or Desert Water Agency endorse or recommend specific brands,
products or dealers; nor do they guarantee materials or workmanship;
acceptance of such is customer's responsibility.
Installation of the grass is the sole responsibility of the applicant. Neither the
City, nor Desert Water Agency, assumes any responsibility or liability for any
damage that may occur to an applicant's property as a result of participation in
this program. Due to circumstances beyond its control, neither the City, nor
Desert Water Agency, can guarantee that installation of synthetic grass will result
in lower utility costs.
Additional Information:
There are several companies in the Coachella Valley that sell and install
synthetic turf. Please consult the Yellow Pages for a listing of these companies.
If you would like to see and feel one variety of synthetic grass in person, visit the
Desert Water Agency located at 1200 Gene Autry Trail. They have laid down a
sample plot of synthetic turf bordered by native plants. In addition, the City is
experimenting with a different type of synthetic turf and has laid down a plot at
Baristo Park near the intersection of Encilia and Saturnino Road.
For more information about this program, please contact the Desert Water
Agency at (760) xxx-xxxx or the City of Palm Springs at (760) 322-8336.
Turf Buy -Back Rebate Program
A Joint Public Project Funded by
Desert Water Agency
1200 Gene Autry Trail
Palm Springs, California 92264
City of Palm Springs
3200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way
Palm Springs, California 92264
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WATER -SMART LANDSCAPES REBATE PROGRAM
Autumn is scalping season in the Coachella Valley. Although scalping may make
our lawns look green throughout the winter, the scalping process kicks up
significant amounts of pollen, dust and mold into the air that we breathe.
Unfortunately, for about 1 in 5 of us, scalping season meaning a lot of sniffling,
sneezing, headaches, labored breathing, sleepless nights and even asthma
attacks.
Attractive landscapes don't have to have expansive lawns covering the entire
property or, for that matter, include any lawn at all. Replacing part of your lawn
with low maintenance ground covers, planting beds, gardens, patios or walkways
will add color and dimension to your landscape, while increasing your property
value at the same time. Moreover, by minimizing your lawn and maximizing your
planting beds, you can save time, money, and will help the environment.
DID YOU KNOW?
Every square foot of grass replaced with
water -smart trees, shrubs and flowers
saves an average of 55 gallons of water
per year, so you'll also save money on
your monthly water bill.
The City of Palm Springs and the Desert
Water Agency are co -sponsoring a
Water Smart Landscapes Rebate
Program to help homeowners replace
water -thirsty grass by offering a $1 per
square foot rebate up to 2,000 square
feet for grass removed and replaced
with water -efficient landscaping.
Water -smart landscaping, or Xeriscape (pronounced "zer-i-scape"), as it is more
commonly known, is defined as "a trademark for a method of landscaping that
emphasizes water conservation used especially in areas with an and climate".
Xeriscaping emphasizes the efficient use of the minimum amount of water
required to sustain an attractive and functional landscape.
In addition to conserving water, Xeriscaping has many other benefits, including:
• Less Maintenance. Aside from occasional pruning and weeding,
maintenance is minimal. Watering requirements are low, and can be met
with simple irrigation systems.
• No Fertilizers or Pesticides. Using plants native to your area will reduce
the need for chemical supplements. Sufficient nutrients are normally
provided by healthy organic soil.
• Improved Property Values. A good Xeriscape can raise property values
which can more than offset the cost of installation. Protect your
landscaping investment by drought -proofing it.
• Pollution Free. Fossil fuel consumption from gas mowers is minimized or
eliminated with minimal turf areas. More importantly, by converting an
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established lawn area to a water -smart landscape, you will eliminate the
need to scalp. Small turf areas can be maintained with a reel mower.
Things to Know Before You Decide to Participate:
• Do your homework. Before you commit to a plan, do a little research.
Will you be doing the conversion yourself or hiring a landscaper? How will
you use the space? Do you plan to entertain in your yard, or is it rarely
used? Do you want year-round color, a green oasis or a true desert look?
The answers will help you determine what types of plants to use in your
landscape.
• Develop your plan and set a budget. Determine where you want to
place your favorite plants, trees, shrubs and groundcover. Keep in mind
the amount of sun, shade and wind your yard naturally receives.
Remember that shade trees can cool your home, cut down on energy
costs and provide a place for poolside relaxing or a backyard picnic. If
you're planting around a pool, avoid trees or plants that drop thorns or
anything sharp near your pool. Bare feet will undoubtedly find them!
• Examine your irrigation. This is the whole point of a water -smart
conversion. Your irrigation system must be upgraded with your
landscaping. That means drip irrigation for your plants, trees and shrubs
and efficient sprinklers for any remaining turf. Examine your existing
sprinkler systems to determine if they can be converted to drip irrigation.
Program Eligibility
Requirements:
To participate in this program,
you must meet the following
eligibility requirements-
1 . Areas to be converted
must use water from
the Desert Water
Agency and be located
within the City of Palm
Springs.The applicant's
water account must be
in good standing.
2. The water -smart land-
scaping must replace
natural grass that ex-
isted before the water -
smart landscaping was
Xeriscape
The term xeriscape is derived from the Greek word xeros
meaning dry, combined with landscaping, thus
xeriscaping. The goal of a xeriscape is to create a
visually attractive landscape that uses plants selected for
their water efficiency. Properly maintained, a xeriscape
can easily use less than one-half the water of a traditional
landscape. Once established, a xeriscape should require
less maintenance than turf landscape. Like traditional
landscapes, a xeriscape may be designed to minimize
labor or to require frequent care. Many people
appreciate beautiful landscapes, but have limited time to
spend tending a garden. By using plants that are well
adapted to our desert climate, mulches that suppress
weeds and conserve water, and drip irrigation to make
the most use of water, these landscapes can have color
and fragrance with only monthly or seasonal gardening
chores.
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installed. At least 400 square feet of established lawn must be converted.
Smaller projects are accepted if they completely eliminate a lawn or
eliminate the front or back lawn of a single-family home. The maximum
amount of lawn that can be converted under this program is 2,000 square
feet.
3. A representative of the Desert Water Agency must be permitted to inspect
the property before the natural grass is removed. If serious inefficiencies
(broken heads, large leaks, etc.) are found in your system, you will be
disqualified from participation in the program.
4. The applicant is solely responsible for the disposal of all materials
associated with the installation of the water -smart landscaping. The City
and desert Water Agency encourages applicants to recycle materials
when possible.
5. The converted area must remain in compliance with all program conditions
for a period of 10 years. This requirement is void upon transfer of
ownership. You may be required to refund some or the entire rebate if this
requirement is violated.
6. The applicant is responsible for complying with all laws, policies, codes
and covenants that may apply. Quality and appearance of the conversion
is the responsibility of the applicant. Rebates may be considered taxable
income.
To Apply:
In order to qualify for a rebate, you must follow the program"s steps, which
include applying for the program and pre -conversion site visit before you
remove any turf.
• Call the Desert Water Agency at (760) xxx-xxxx to obtain an application.
Complete the application form and return it to the Desert Water Agency.
• Application will be reviewed by staff for initial eligibility and you will be
contacted to schedule the pre -conversion site inspection.
• If your landscape and irrigation system are deemed eligible after the pre -
conversion site inspection, you will be given approval to proceed with the
landscape conversion.
• The landscape conversion must be completed within six (6) months of the
pre -conversion on -site visit. Photos of the completed landscape must be
submitted to the Desert Water Agency along with your original receipt, or
contract, for the landscape work to receive your rebate.
• Allow three (3) weeks from the date of inspection for processing of your
rebate.
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Water -smart landscaping offers endless possibilities to conserve water and to
reduce maintenance costs.
Further Information:
There are numerous articles and other sources of information on Xeriscaping
and water -smart landscaping. The Metropolitan Water District has produced a
series of handbooks with valuable information for water -conserving home
landscaping and irrigation.
• Efficient Irrigation Svstems Handbook (7.6MB Acrobat pdf)
• Landscape Desian Handbook (4.3MB Acrobat pdf)
• Plants for Southern California (5MB Acrobat pdf)
• California Friendlv Soils. Fertilizers. and Watering Handbook (7MB Acrobat
pdf)
Copies of these handbooks are available online at
http://www.emwd.ora/conservation/residential landscape. html#res.
For additional ideas on water -smart landscaping or suggestions on plants that
are suitable for our desert climate, please check with your local nursery or
home -improvement center.
Water -Smart Landscape Rebate Program
A Joint Public Project Funded by
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Desert Water Agency City of Palm Springs
1200 Gene Autry Trail 3200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way
Palm Springs, California 92264 Palm Springs, California 92264
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