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CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
DATE: September 3, 2014 UNFINISHED BUSINESS
SUBJECT: CITY OF PALM SPRINGS WATER CONSERVATION PROGRAM
FROM: David H. Ready, City Manager
BY: Chief of Staff, Office of Sustainability and Facilities Department
SUMMARY
In response to the State of California's declaration of a drought emergency, City Council
had previously discussed working toward a water reduction conservation goal of 50%
for municipal operations usage, and 30% for citywide usage within the next few years.
Hence, City staff, working with the Joint Commission Water Task Force (JCWTF)
recommends that City Council approve a comprehensive water conservation program
including additional residential and commercial turf conversion program incentives, a
City facility turf conversion program and water conservation education initiatives. The
suggested program elements and funding options are discussed is this staff report.
RECOMMENDATION
1. Discuss staff recommendations regarding a comprehensive water conservation
program, including City facilities turf reductions, residential and commercial turf
reduction incentive programs, and community outreach. Direct staff as
appropriate.
BACKGROUND
According to the most recent August 2014, U.S. Drought Map reports, as pictured in
Figures 1A and 1B (attached) severe drought covers 99.8% of California.' On August
14, 2014, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) ordered the water
companies under its jurisdiction to provide direct notice to their customers of mandatory
water use restrictions and potential fines in response to the State Water Resources
Control Board's Emergency Regulation for Statewide Water Conservation.
http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-In-severe-drought-california-20140818-story.html
ITEM NO.
City Council Staff Report
September 3, 2014--Page 2
Unfinished Business --Requesting Funding for Water Conservation Efforts
As a result of the State's declaration of a drought emergency, the City Council directed
staff to facilitate the formation of a Joint Commission Water Task Force (JCWTF). This
group is made up of members of the City's Sustainability Commission, Architectural
Advisory Commission, Planning Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission and
Palm Springs Neighborhood Involvement Committee. These members were appointed
from their respective boards to serve on the JCWTF and have been meeting since early
July, 2014. Task Force members have been engaged in several subcommittees
including communications/outreach, incentives, ordinance revisions and turf conversion
ro p r gams.
Overall, recommendations for the City's drought response programs include several
courses of action including the following proposals to City Council:
1. Adoption of a new City Water Conservation Ordinance and modification of the
existing Landscape Ordinance (introduced through a companion staff report).
2. "Phase One" of a City facility turf conversion project.
3. Expansion of the City's existing incentive programs.
4. Outreach campaign and educational program - www.watermattersPS.com.
STAFF ANALYSIS
Currently the City of Palm Springs has undertaken several projects to reduce municipal
water usage. For example, the citywide "Chevron Project" includes a retrofit of parks
and parkway irrigation controllers that will allow for greater control of the City's irrigation
systems. The Chevron project also included retrofits of irrigation at the convention
center, city hall, airport and city yard. The completion of this project will save
approximately 144,604 ccf of water or 1,081,638 gallons annually. The complete
analysis of water savings and areas included in the project are provided in this report as
"Attachment F".
The Airport is nearing completion of the design for an approximate $1 million turf
conversion project. Also, the Tahquitz Median conversion to desert scape is now
complete from Indian Avenue to Sunrise Avenue, and will continue this year, from
Sunrise to El Cielo.
With regard to incentives for community water conservation measures, the City currently
offers the following programs:
• Desert Landscape Incentive Program of up to $500 for single-family residences
and $2500 for Homeowner's Associations
• In partnership with Veolia (the City's Waste Water/Sewer Treatment Plant
contractor) a Low Flow Residential and Commercial Toilet Rebate Program
• Up to $100 rebate for energy efficient Energy Star appliances including those
that affect water use
• Free shower timers and low flow faucet aerators
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City Council Staff Report
September 3, 2014--Page 3
Unfinished Business--Requesting Funding for Water Conservation Efforts
In an effort to expand conservation efforts towards the City Council's water reduction
goals — 50% municipal use and 30% citywide use — staff is recommending the following
additional set of policy measures:
Ordinance Revisions
The ordinance subcommittee and staff met throughout the summer of 2014, to review
the City's existing water ordinances and those from other jurisdictions. The
recommended ordinance revisions created additional water conservation measures,
including a definition of "water waste" for ongoing community education and
enforcement. Details of the ordinances on water efficient landscaping and water
conservation and water waste prevention are provided under the following sections:
• Adding Chapter 11.06, regarding water conservation and waste prevention
• Amends Chapter 8.60, amending irrigation and landscape requirements to the
City's municipal code.
City Turf Conversion and City Facility Water Use
Staff has undertaken a review of City facilities to see what areas are best suited to turf
reduction and or conversion to desert scape.
Several areas were selected as a "phase one" approach to be included in the desert
landscape and turf conversion pilot project— and are listed below.
1. City Yard at 425 Civic Drive - remove all annuals and turf (proposed as a
site for a Community Outreach Education Work Day project)
2. City Hall Cogeneration area- remove turf and create a walking meditation
path connected to the Dog Park
3. City Hall Dog Park - reduce perimeter turf and increase walking path
4. Fire Station #2 - convert annuals to desert landscape
5. Fire Station #5 - convert turf and annuals to desert scape
6. Police Station - remove all turf and convert to desert landscape
Aerial views of the proposed phase one projects are attached as Figures 2 through 7. In
addition, the attached proposal (Attachment C) details the plans for these facilities as
outlined by the City's contracted landscape design firm. Cost estimates were provided
through the City's landscape maintenance company, and are as follows:
Figure # Facility Cost Estimates
2 Corporate Yard $24,700.00
3 Municipal Co-Generation Plant $45,660.00
includes pavers for walking path)
4 Fire Station #2 $6,825.00
City Council Staff Report
September 3, 2014--Page 4
Unfinished Business --Requesting Funding for Water Conservation Efforts
5 Fire Station #5 $9,110.00
6 Dog Park $22,265.00
7 Police Department $125,000.00
Total: $233,560.00
Additionally, staff recommends that "annual flowers" at other locations/facilities such as
the Heritage Trail planters (Belardo Road), the Village Green, the Leisure Center,
Pavilion, Library, Skate Park, the Mizell Senior Center and the Desert Highland
Community Center be converted to desert plantings. Estimated costs for these minor
conversions are not yet finalized, however, we will report back to Council with updated
information.
With regard to annual turf overseeding practices at all city locations, it is presumed that
practice will continue utilizing the CVAG recommended "smart scalping" method.
Parks, Parkways and Landscape Districts
City parks, parkways and landscape assessment districts are areas of opportunity for
water conservation measures, however, require a significant project undertaking in
terms of identifying appropriate locations for turf conversion, design and project funding.
Staff, in conjunction with the JCWTF is reviewing these locations in order to make
recommendations to City Council on specific future projects.
In early August, 2014, as a small pilot program, the City's current landscaping
contractor removed a small area of turf adjacent to sidewalks at Ruth Hardy Park
(replaced with decomposed granite) and relocated spray rotors a minimum of two to
three feet away from the sidewalks. In addition to reducing the irrigation overspray onto
the sidewalk, it will prevent degradation of a newly paved parking area (see attached
photos, Figure 8-10). This program could be expanded to all City park areas.
Golf Course
The City's golf course, Tahquitz Creek, which consists of two courses (Resort and
Legends) has an opportunity to convert certain portions of turf to desert landscape.
Although the courses already use "reclaimed water," the golf course General Manager,
who has attended several subcommittee meetings, feels confident the City will realize
significant water savings and cost reduction with a select turf conversion project.
A possible strategy is to focus on one course for fiscal year 2014-15 and the other in the
following fiscal year. With the Resort Course containing some desert landscaping
already and an updated irrigation system, it could be enlarged to add additional areas of
desert scape, utilize irrigation abandonment and/or possible native plant conversion.
The course manager also recommends including the driving range to potentially capture
40 acres of conversion. Staff will continue working with the course management to
bring forward a specific proposal for Council's consideration.
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City Council Staff Report
September 3, 2014--Page 5
Unfinished Business --Requesting Funding for Water Conservation Efforts
I incentives
In September, 2012, City Council approved a Lawn Buy Back Matching Grant Program
to encourage property owners to replace turf with low or no water use, desert friendly
and native landscaping. Approximately $60,000 in incentives has been distributed
annually since the program inception, with nearly 150 applicants having benefitted from
the program.
Expanding this program is recommended by the JCWTF to further increase participation
and water saving measures. Increasing the incentives, particularly for large water users
(e.g. Home Owner Associations), would likely encourage wider participation.
Single Family, Multi-family/HOA and Commercial Incentive
The recommendation is to increase this area of incentives to $200,000, allocated in the
following manner:
$100,000 single family homes
$ 50,000 multi-family/HOA's
$ 50,000 commercial properties
As part of an expanded grant program, is it recommended to increase the maximum
single family household grant from a maximum of $500 to $1,000. For HOA's and
commercial properties, the recommended grant maximum would increase from $2,500
to $5,000. This program will be offered in conjunction with the Desert Water Agency's
(DWA) new turf conversion incentive program. However, the City's program allows for
conversion of side and back yard areas which the DWA program does not provide.
These increased grant amounts would also allow for the $1.00 per square foot
reimbursement to raise to $2.00 per square foot. Consistent with the original program,
a 50% match is required.
Three Acre or Greater Area HOA Incentive
An additional $100,000 is being recommended to fund projects for those areas
converting large scale areas of turf to desert landscape. This additional incentive is
intended for some of the HOA water users with large turf areas (e.g. areas on East
Palm Canyon Drive, etc.) from Gene Autry to Escoba Drive. This incentive, with a
$20,000 cap, would be offered to properties which convert more than 3 acres of turf to
desert landscape.
Public Outreach
The City's Office of Sustainability has created a new informational website dedicated to
water conservation issues. The Outreach and Education Subcommittee has provided
guidance for several initiatives, including:
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City Council Staff Report
September 3, 2014--Page 6
Unfinished Business--Requesting Funding for Water Conservation Efforts
• New Outreach LIRL/Website: www.watermattersps.com
• Logo and Slogan (see attached)
• Vehicle Magnets for the City motor vehicle fleet
• Advertising and banner campaign
• Social media campaign
A proposed budget of$25,000 will be used to create a social media campaign, enhance
the watermattersps.com website, and enhance educational tools for seminars and
training for landscapers, residents and staff. Additionally, the city will be recognizing all
participants in the desert landscape conversion program.
FISCAL IMPACT
Each component of the proposed water conservation program requires different levels of
funding, and some areas can be handled within current staffing levels. Specific areas of
estimated costs are as follows:
• Ordinance enforcement - utilization of existing Code Enforcement staff
• City facility turf conversion, "phase one' - $234,000
• Parks/parkways/landscape districts — TBD, based on project scope and design
• Golf Course - $100,000 over two years
• Residential/Commercial incentive programs - $300,000
• Public Outreach and Education - $25,000
Funds may be available later this year through State Proposition 84 funding that the
Desert Water Agency (DWA) has applied for on behalf of the City. This funding was
opened to local agencies such as DWA due to reclassification of certain state funds
since the drought was proclaimed. In March, Governor Brown signed legislation to
assist drought-affected communities and provided funding to better use local water
supplies. The Department of Water Resources has since been directed to expedite the
solicitation and award of $200 million �of the $472.5 million) in the available Integrated
Regional Water Management Funding. This money is to support projects and programs
that provide immediate regional drought preparedness, increase local water supply
reliability and the delivery of safe drinking water, assist water suppliers and regions to
implement conservation programs and measures that are not locally cost-effective,
and/or reduce water quality conflicts or ecosystem conflicts created by the drought.
If DWA is successful in obtaining Prop 84 funds, the City will request this funding for
programs such as the desert landscape grant, facility turf conversion, education
programs, and possibly increase access to reclaimed water by adding infrastructure and
2 http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/grants loans/prop84/
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City Council Staff Report
September 3, 2014--Page 7
Unfinished Business --Requesting Funding for Water Conservation Efforts
creek restoration. The City may also apply for reimbursement for projects completed
prior to the funding award.
Pending any possible award of Prop 84 funding requests, these recommended capital
projects and incentive programs could be funded through a combination of funds
comprised of Sustainability, Measure J, General Fund, and other possible grant
opportunities. Measure J funding would be submitted to the Measure J Commission for
consideration, and Sustainability funding would require the Sustainability Commission to
reprioritize its existing budget appropriations toward additional water conservation
measures.
Pursuant to City Council direction, staff will provide formal costs on specific projects and
programs for final design approval and of funding sources.
Michele Mician Patrick Sweeney
Sustainability Manager Director of Facilities & Maintenance
mes Thompson, Chief of Staff David H. Ready, City Manager
Attachments:
1. Attachment A - Figures 1A— 113, Drought Maps
2. Attachment B - Figures 2 — 10
3. Attachment C - Landscape design package with irrigation specifications
4. Attachment D - Public Outreach Campaign Examples
5. Attachment E - New Incentive Program Application Packet
6, Attachment F — Breakout of Water Measures Chevron
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