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Home My WebLink About3/4/2015 - STAFF REPORTS - 2.L. ALM$. iy Q V N F0RN,p CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT DATE: March 4, 2015 CONSENT CALENDAR SUBJECT: AUTHORIZE THE SUBMISSION OF A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES: 2014 WATER-ENERGY GRANT PROGRAM. FROM: David H. Ready, Executive Director BY: Michele C. Mician, Manager, Office of Sustainability SUMMARY The City Council will consider a resolution to sanction the submittal of a grant application to the State of California Department of Water Resources: 2014 Water-Energy Grant Program for Palm Spring turf conversion projects. RECOMMENDATION: 1. Adopt Resolution No. "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, ENDORSING THE APPLICATION FOR THE 2014 WATER-ENERGY GRANT PROGRAM AND CONDITIONALLY ACCEPTING GRANT IF OFFERED, AND DESIGNATING PROJECT REPRESENTATIVE, CONTRACT MANAGER AND FISCAL AGENT'; 2. Authorize the City Manager to execute required documents and agreements associated with the 2014 Water-Energy Grant Program. BACKGROUND: The City has applied to State of California Department of Water Resources: 2014 Water- Energy Grant Program for Palm Spring turf conversion projects. The City of Palm Springs Water Task Force created a detailed plan to address city facility turf conversion to ease the strain of water demands. The reduction of turf will also result in the reduction of greenhouse gas production. Thirteen City-owned properties, including fire stations, parks, police station, City Hall and the Corporate Yard will be transformed to lower-maintenance, desert landscaped sites. Turf will be removed and replaced with alternative landscaping, including sand and desert plants. When it is applicable, lawn irrigation will be replaced with drip irrigation systems. Drip irrigation will save significant amounts of water daily. The proposed desert landscapes require less routine maintenance and a significantly lower amount of water projected. The project requires input from many Item No. 2. L. City Council Staff Report March 4, 2015- Page 2 Water Energy Grant Program sources, including the City Council, staff, landscape architects, engineers, consultants, computer technicians and many more volunteers and personnel. The project has been designed to conserve water and decrease energy demands through alternative landscaping ideas. Additional benefits of the project include beautification of the City and the development of community-building activities. The Corporate Yard was designated as a site for the Community Education Outreach Project and will hopefully be the first of several such community learning days. Collectively these projects will improve the quality of life in Palm Springs by lowering water consumption, reducing pollutants and helping to purifying the air. The proposed three-year project relies upon data collection to monitor quantitative goals and analyze results. Engineers will review properties and easements. A team of landscape architects and engineers will create turf removal, irrigation and planting plans. The City will file permits and meet environmental requirements. After bids are reviewed, a landscape firm and project management team will be assigned. Construction work will begin, with expected end date of March 2018. ANALYSIS: Funding for the State of California Department of Water Resources (DWR) 2014 Water- Energy Grant Program was approved by the Governor on March 1, 2014, through Senate Bill (SB) 103, which appropriated funds from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (Health and Safety Code 39710 et seq.) to DWR establish a grant program. DWR is making $19 million in funding available through the 2014 Water-Energy grant solicitation. The maximum grant award is $5 million per applicant. There is no minimum cost share required. The goal of the Water-Energy Grant Program is to fund residential, commercial, and institutional water efficiency projects that reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and also reduce water end energy use. The grant program is being managed as part of DWR's Regional Water Management Grant Program. DWR released the Water-Energy Grant Program guidelines on October 10, 2014 with the proposals due to DWR on December 12, 2014. Due to the short time frame, staff proceeded quickly with the development and submittal of the grant application. Description of the Palm Springs Project The overall project is to convert turf on city-owned property to desert landscaping and upgrade the existing irrigation system from lawn irrigation to drip irrigation. This project presents an innovative way to maintain the beauty of Palm Springs while lowering water and energy consumption. Turf removal, alternative landscaping and drip irrigation systems will significantly lower water demands, yet still preserve the designated land areas. Since less water will be pumped into the selected locations, energy needs will decrease, thereby removing greenhouse gases. The goal is to help drought conditions 02 City Council Staff Report March 4, 2015- Page 3 Water Energy Grant Program and contribute towards a cleaner, healthier air stream. Based on past analysis, priority setting and project readiness, thirteen sites were selected for inclusion on the grant proposal. The sites are listed. Location 1: City Corporate Yard Project Detail: Remove all annuals and turf. Site is proposed for Community Outreach Education Day project. Location 2: Municipal Co-Generation Plant Project Detail: Remove turf and install pavers to create a meditation walking path connected to the Dog Park Location 3: Fire Station #2 Project Detail: Remove turf and replace with desert plants Location 4: Fire Station #5 Project Detail: Remove turf and replace with desert plants Location 5: Dog Park Project Detail: Reduce perimeter turf and increasing walking path Location 6: Police Department/Training Project Detail: Convert turf to desert landscape Location 7: City Hall Project Detail: Convert turf to desert landscape Location 8: Cerritos Field Project Detail: Convert turf to desert landscape Location 9: Ruth Hardy Park Project Detail: Convert turf for buffer pilot project Location 10: Demuth Park Project Detail: Convert turf volleyball courts to sand. Convert at gold course and park hillside to desert landscaping Location 11 : Sunrise Park Project Detail: Convert pool perimeter and parks are to desert landscaping Location 12: Desert Highland Project Detail: Remove turf prior to scheduled park improvements Location 13: Victoria Park Project Detail: Remove turf at perimeter sidewalk and install desert landscaping 03 City Council Staff Report March 4, 2015- Page 4 Water Energy Grant Program A total of 24 acres of turf was proposed for conversion. Following is a list of assumptions that were made. 1. Water savings was calculated at 55 gallons per year per square foot based on review of literature and turf removal incentives offered by the Desert Water Agency to residents 2. Cost estimates were calculated at $3.00 per square foot based on past project experience 3. Professional fees for Landscape Architect and Engineer/Project Manager were not included in cost estimates 4. Energy saving is based on converting from lawn irrigation to drip irrigation and thereby reducing the number of valves needed to,irrigate the same square footage. Saving was calculated at 100 kWH per acre. FISCAL AND STAFF IMPACTS: The total cost of the project was estimated at $510,000. The City requested $480,000 from the Water-Energy Grant Program. The City's cost share was indicated at $25,000 in personnel services ($10,000) 138-1270-40000, consulting services $10,000 138-1270- 43200 and grantee expenses ($5,000) 138-1270-58021. ichele Mician, Marcus Fuller Sustainability Manager Assistant City Manager David H. Ready City Manager Attachment: Resolution 04 ATTACHMENT DWR-WEGP:PSP-2015 RESOLUTION NO. RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, CONSENTING TO AND ENDORSING THE APPLICATION TO THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES WATER TO ENERGY GRANT AND CONDITIONALLY ACCEPTING THE GRANT IF OFFERED AND DESIGNATING A PROJECT REPRESENTATIVE WHEREAS, the California Department of Water Resources, has announced the availability of funds for grants; and WHEREAS, said grants are intended to help reduce water use and greenhouse gas emissions in a way that provides environmental enhancement, and WHEREAS, City of Palm Springs (the "City") is committed to the conservation of natural resources, energy efficiency improvements, reduction of greenhouse gases, protection of our environment, and reversal of climate change; and WHEREAS, the City of Palm Springs has submitted a grant; and WHEREAS, we have concluded the project proposed for funding with grants would be environmentally beneficial and: WHEREAS, we consider the prospects of receiving a grant to be reasonably likely; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, DETERMINED AND ORDERED by the City Council of the City of Palm Springs, as follows: We the City Council of the City of Palm Springs approve the application for California Department of Water funding in the form of the Water to Energy Grant. If offered such a grant, we authorize the City Manager, David Ready, or their designee to act as Project Manager for the project. We authorize the City Manager to delegate authority to the Project Manager to manage the Agreement including the submission of invoices, and to delegate authority to others to provide management and support services required for performance of the work and administration of the Agreement. ADOPTED THIS 4TH DAY OF MARCH 2O15 05 David H. Ready, City Manager ATTEST: James Thompson, City Clerk CERTIFICATION STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE ) ss. CITY OF PALM SPRINGS ) I, JAMES THOMPSON, City Clerk of the City of Palm Springs, hereby certify that Resolution No. is a full, true and correct copy, and was duly adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Palm Springs on by the following vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: James Thompson, City Clerk City of Palm Springs, California 06