HomeMy WebLinkAbout2/20/2008 - STAFF REPORTS - 3.A. o"?ALM sp?
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cA`'F°""�P CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
DATE: FEBRUARY 20, 2008 LEGISLATIVE
SUBJECT: PROPOSED ORDINANCE REQUIRING LANDSCAPE-RELATED
BUSINESSES TO COMPLETE A COURSE ON OVERSEEDING
ALTERNATIVES AS A PREREQUISITE FOR ISSUANCE OF A CITY
BUSINESS LICENSE
FROM: David H. Ready, City Manager
SUMMARY
The City Council will consider the introduction of an Ordinance that requires landscape-
related businesses to complete a course administered by CVAG and AQMD regarding
overseeding alternatives, prior to the issuance or the renewal of a City business license.
CVAG RECOMMENDATION:
1. Waive reading of the ordinance text and introduce by title only.
2. Introduce for first reading Ordinance No. , "AN ORDINANCE OF THE
PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, ADDING CHAPTER 5.78 TO THE PALM
SPRINGS MUNICIPAL. CODE, REQUIRING COMPLETION OF COURSE ON
OVERSEEDING ALTERNATIVE AS A PREREQUISITE FOR ISSUANCE OF
BUSINESS LICENSE TO LANDSCAPE-RELATED BUSINESSES."
STAFF ANALYSIS:
The Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG) is requesting that each
member City and the County adopt consistent valleywide regulations that require
completion of a two-hour course relative to the overseeding alternative as a prerequisite
for the issuance of a business license to landscape-related businesses. The CVAG
staff report is attached for a full discussion of the program and process.
The City Council has previously discussed the impacts of scalping to the community
and directed staff to work with CVAG in that regard, along with reviewing information on
turf buy-back and water smart landscaping programs.
Item 3 . A .
City Council Staff Report
February 20, 2008 -- Page 2
Landscapers Course on Overseeding
The proposed Ordinance is an important first step in improving air quality relating to
traditional turf-renovation practices, establishing a required education program, without
mandating or prohibiting specific practices. In order for the model ordinance to be
effective, there needs to be support of elected officials valleywide to advocate
innovative ways to improve the air quality in the Coachella Valley.
The proposed educational requirements would be comparable to the successful
implementation of the dust control regulations which each jurisdiction adopted as part of
the CVSIP which includes a component requiring developers, contractors and
subcontractors attend a dust control certification course.
Specifically, the proposed regulations require all landscape-related businesses to
submit proof that at least one employee has completed a two-hour course developed by
CVAG on grass overseeding alternatives to traditional scalping, prior to the issuance or
the renewal of a City business license. The definition of landscape-related business
would require large retail establishments and suppliers to comply such as Lowes, Home
Depot, Wall*Mart and nurseries; and professionals and service providers such as
landscape architects and gardeners.
The proposed ordinance is unclear as to the number of times or frequency that a
business would need to comply with the education requirements, and the City would
request further polices and procedures promulgated by CVAG.
The City's business license procedures are generally enacted solely to raise revenue for
municipal purposes; however, the City has adopted business regulations for other types
of activities [such as adult oriented businesses, pawnbrokers, etc.].
There maybe a possibility that a landscape-related business is unable or unwilling to
comply and forgo their business license tax, which would mean a potential loss of
business tax revenue and an increase in enforcement referrals.
CVAG will be responsible for the notification of affected businesses subject to the
requirements. The City's Finance Department, Business License Section, will provide
CVAG with current licenses and contact information for businesses within the City if
requested.
To date Cathedral City, Coachella, Desert Hot Springs and Rancho Mirage have
adopted the model ordinance, and waiting action from the other Coachella Valley cities
and the County of Riverside.
000062
City Coundi Staff Report
February 20, 2008 -- Page 3
Landscapers Course on Overseeding
FISCAL IMPACT:
Potential decrease in business tax revenue from defined businesses unable or unwilling
to complete the course.
Slight increase in staff costs relating to the manual processing of business licenses for
landscape-related businesses, and the implementation of the program requirements.
CVAG has indicated the course development and instruction will be funded using the
Colmac grant funds or regional AB2766 funds.
6r�
DAVID H. READY, CIT ' ANAGER
Attachments:
Proposed Ordinance
CVAG Report
000003
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS,
CALIFORNIA, ADDING CHAPTER 5.78 TO THE PALM
SPRINGS MUNICIPAL CODE REQUIRING COMPLETION
OF COURSE ON OVERSEEDING ALTERNATIVE AS A
PREREQUISITE FOR ISSUANCE OF BUSINESS LICENSE
TO LANDSCAPE RELATED BUSINESSES.
City Attorney Summary
This ordinance enacts regulations on landscape related businesses
that require an employee of such businesses to complete, within the
previous 12 months, a two-hour course on grass overseeding, which
course is to be administered by the Coachella Valley Association of
Governments, and to submit proof of completion to the City prior to
the issuance and/or renewal of a business license.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, DOES
ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. FINDINGS
A. The City Council finds that air quality within the Coachella Valley is significantly
impacted by the local tradition of scalping the summer (Bermuda) turfgrass in
preparation for annual overseeding with rye grass each fall.
B. The City Council finds that air quality is one of the most essential issues
associated with public health and safety, which in turn is essential to the
continued economic well-being of the Coachella Valley and to the needs of its
residents.
C. The City Council finds that the Coachella Valley Association of Governments
(CVAG), in partnership with the South Coast Air Quality Management District
(AQMD) and local stakeholders, has developed a course promoting an
overseeding process whereby there is a gradual reduction of watering combined
with a progressive lowering of the turf as an alternative to the traditional single-
scalping operation (as described in the "Promoting Healthier Grass Re-seeding"
brochure available online at www.cvaa.org).
D. The City Council finds that results from a research project, "The Effect of Fall
Renovation Treatments on PM10 Emissions During Raking of Debris Following
Scalping of Common Bermuda grass Fairways Prior to Overseeding" performed
by the University of California, Riverside's Turf Research Advisory Committee
(UCRTRAC) in partnership with CVAG, Riverside County, and the Desert Hi-Lo
Golf Course Superintendents Association completed in August, 2000 provides
the correlation for this alternative (http://ucFturf.uor.edu).
000004
Ordinance No.
Page 2
E. The City Council finds that the UCR research demonstrates the traditional turf-
renovation practices can be modified and the overseeding alternative utilized
without undermining the aesthetics of the resulting winter turfgrass.
F. The City Council finds that the overseeding alternative does not increase the net
cost of the new winter turfgrass.
G. The City Council finds that the primary reason for the slow acceptance and
under-utilization of the overseeding alternative in the Coachella Valley is the lack
of public understanding of the merits and health benefits of the alternative.
H. The City Council finds that the most efficient and effective method of promoting
the overseeding alternative is to require a representative of the landscaping
installation, maintenance, and design professionals and their suppliers within the
City to, on an annual basis, attend a two-hour course on the topic, with said
course organized by CVAG and AQMD.
I. The City Council finds that the public health and safety is served by requiring
completion of said course as a prerequisite for the issuance and renewal of
business licenses for landscape-related businesses within the City-
J. The City Council finds that a public information campaign regarding the new
educational prerequisite cannot be organized in sufficient time prior to or during
the scalping season and that the prerequisite will, therefore, not be enforced until
September 1, 2008.
SECTION 2. ADDITION OF CHAPTER 5.78 "LANDSCAPE RELATED BUSINESSES"
Chapter 5.78 is hereby added to the Palm Springs Municipal Code to read as
follows:
Chapter 5.78
LANDSCAPE RELATED BUSINESSES
Sections:
5.78.010 Purpose and intent.
5.78.020 Landscape related business defined.
5.78.030 Overseeding education requirement.
5.78.040 Effective date.
0010005
Ordinance No.
Page 3
5.78.010 Purpose and intent.
The purpose and intent of this chapter is to promote the public health, safety, and
general welfare by insuring that landscape related businesses operating within the City
understand and appreciate the grass overseeding alternative promoted by CVAG,
AQMD, and local stakeholders which eliminates the need for turf scalping, serves as an
important air quality control measure, and thereby enhances the local air quality.
5.78.020 Landscape related business defined.
For purposes of this chapter, landscape related business means any business
operating within the jurisdictional boundaries of the City of Palm Springs that provides
any landscape services, including the sale of nursery products, related to or used for
landscape installation, maintenance, or design.
5.78.030 Overseeding education requirement.
All landscape related businesses shall be required to present with an application
for business license, or the renewal of a business license, pursuant to Palm Springs
Municipal Code Chapter 3.40, proof to the satisfaction of the City that at least one
employee of the business has within the preceding twelve (12) month period
successfully completed a two-hour course administered by the Coachella Valley
Association of Governments on grass overseeding alternatives to traditional scalping.
5.78.040 Effective Date.
The education and reporting requirements imposed under this chapter shall
become effective on September 1, 2008.
SECTION 3. SEVERABILITY
If any section, subsection or clause of this ordinance shall be deemed to be
unconstitutional or otherwise invalid, the validity of the remaining section, subsection
and clauses shall not be affected thereby.
SECTION 4. EFFECTIVE DATE
The Mayor shall sign and the City Clerk shall certify to the passage and adoption of this
Ordinance and shall cause the same, or the summary thereof, to be published and
posted pursuant to the provisions of law, and this Ordinance shall take effect thirty (30)
days after passage.
000006
Ordinance No._
Page 4
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS, DAY OF 2008.
STEPHEN POUGNET, MAYOR
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, California, do hereby
certify that Ordinance No. is a full, true, and correct copy, and was introduced at
a regular meeting of the Palm Springs City Council on and
adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council held on by
the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
James Thompson, City Clerk
City of Palm Springs, California
000067
COACHELLA VALLEY ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS
Staffs Recommended Motion was Approved by
the Executive Committee on July 30"',2007.
DATE: July 30, 2007
TO: EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
FROM: Aurora Kerr, Director
Department of Community Resources
RE. Approval of Model Ordinance for Landscapers Course on Overseeding
Alternative
STAFF RECOMMENDED MOTION: That the Executive Committee:
1) Approve the Model Ordinance for a Landscapers Course on the Overseeding
Alternative, and;
2) Approve distribution of the Model Ordinance to the member jurisdictions so that
they can review and take action.
Technical Advisory Committee: Concurs (6/13107)
Energy and Environmental Resources Committee: Staff will verbally report any action
from the July 19, 2007 meeting.
BACKGROUND. Several months ago, this Committee directed staff to develop a model
ordinance for the "purpose of improving air quality valleywide and transition from scalping to the
smart scalping approach."
In response to this request, staff has held several meetings with a task force comprised of local
stakeholders including the Desert Hi-Lo Golf Course Superintendents Association; consultant,
Dr. Emily Nelson; College of the Desert Horticulture Department; Dr. Robert Green from the
UCR Turfgrass Advisory Committee; SCAQMD staff; local landscapers; and general counsel,
Toni Eggebraaten, to discuss development of such an ordinance.
As a result, attached is the draft model ordinance which requires completion of a two hour
course relative to the overseeding alternative as a prerequisite for issuance of a business
license to landscape-related businesses in the Coachella Valley.
The two hour course will consist of two components: 1) air quality training (see attached draft
power point presentation). AQMD staff will provide the education on the air quality component
as in-kind and as part of the Coachella Valley's State Implementation Plan (CVSIP); and, 2) the
alternative reseeding method using the Reseeding Alternative Brochure as a teaching aid. The
instructor for the reseeding alternative component would be a local licensed landscaper. There
will be a cost for these services but there is funding through a Colmar grant that has been set
aside for this purpose.
This model ordinance will not only impact landscapers but will also include landscape-related
businesses. The task force felt that in order to have a true impact relative to air quality and
public health issues, landscape-related businesses, e.g., nurseries, Home Depot, etc., that sell
equipment and seed to landscapers should also be educated and included in this effort.
00u6�
Executive Committee Page 2 of 3 Pages
July 30, 2007
There are several time components that must be taken in consideration with this model
ordinance should the Executive Committee take action to approve the staff recommendation:
Public Outreach: There must be a public outreach effort to inform the landscaping
communities of the model ordinance and its intent. This will include radio and print
announcements. Staff will also make presentations to the local Homeowners Associations
including the Community Associations Institute (CAI) and continue work with the Desert Hi Lo
Golf Course Superintendents Association. The College of the Desert will also assist by
educating their students through their landscaping courses.
City Council Action: Asa model ordinance, this will take time for the member jurisdictions to
review at the individual city councils and take action.
Training of City Staff. If adopted, there will need to be training of staff from the member
jurisdictions similar to the training done with the adoption of the local dust control ordinances to
explain how the landscaping certification will work and city staff's role and responsibilities.
Landscape Instructor: CVAG will need some time to hire a local licensed landscaper to work
with the AQMD, develop the certificate, coordinate with the member jurisdictions and teach the
course.
Given these timing issues; the task force recommends that we use the time wisely to address
these areas and make the date of the model ordinance effective September 1, 2008. This
should be sufficient time to transition to perform the outreach and coordinate with business
license departments.
In addition, CVAG staff will continue to educate the public on the reseeding alternatives.
Attached is the public outreach program for the reseeding alternative brochure that staff
currently uses. We have expanded the education process to make it more comprehensive. It
has been expanded to include:
Partner with utility agencies to include a brochure/landscaping certification info with their
monthly billing to customers;
Make presentations to Desert Contractor's Association;
Develop a web page with information that goes beyond the brochure,-
Production of a television advertisement
Given the Desert Hi Lo Golf Course Superintendents Association proactive involvement with
reseeding alternatives; they will continue to work with CVAG to educate their members on
Reseeding alternatives. More than sixty percent of the golf courses in the Coachella Valley use
an alternative to scalping.
CVAG believes that with the help of the member jurisdictions, this model ordinance will change
the perception of how scalping can impact air quality and our public health. A voluntary effort in
which landscaping community would be requested to voluntarily take this course will not work.
Implementation of this model ordinance would be comparable to the implementation of the dust
control ordinances which each jurisdiction adopted as part of the CVSIP which includes a
component requiring developers, contractors and subcontractors attend a dust control
certification course prior to breaking ground on their development.
000009
Executive Committee Page 3 of 3 Pages
July 30, 2007
Several years after the dust control ordinances have been adopted, the dust control classes
continue to be held monthly and have positively impacted how developers and the construction
industry must build in the Coachella Valley.
In order for this model ordinance to be effective, there needs to be similar support of elected
officials valleywide to advocate innovative ways, such as this model landscaping ordinance, to
continue to be proactive and improve the air quality in the Coachella Valley.
FISCAL, ANALYSIS: The SCAQMD will provide instruction of the air quality component as in-
kind to this effort. There are funds through a Colmac grant that have been set aside to hire an
instructor. There will be some initial time for the instructor to develop the course, meet with city
staff and landscaping-related businesses to inform them of the upcoming course, but courses
would be taught twice a month at CVAG offices. CVAG staff will work with the Task Force,
AQMD, the landscape instructor, and the member jurisdictions as well as others as part of the
overall comprehensive plan using either Colmac grant funds or regional AB2766 funds. There
is no impact to the General Fund.
:attachments
Staff Report to Exec 7-30-07.doc
Message Page 1 of 2
Jan Truscott
MEMORANDUM
TO: CITY MANAGERS f
FROM: Aurora Kerr, Director /
Community Resources Department
DATE: August 8, 2007
RE: MODEL ORDINANCE REQUIRING COMPLETION OF COURSE ON
OVERSEEDING ALTERNATIVE FOR ISSUANCE OF BUSINESS LICENSE
TO LANDSCAPE-RELATED BUSINESSES IN THE COACHELLA VALLEY
In follow-up to action by the CVAG Executive Committee on July 30th, please find
attached the Model Ordinance for landscape-related businesses. Also, attached is the
staff report. We ask that you review and agendize this item for City Council
consideration and action.
Although this model Ordinance will not take effect until September, 2008, CVAG staff
will be busy preparing the course, hiring a landscaper instructor, training city staff on
their role and responsibilities, engaging marketing efforts with the landscape
community, etc.
CVAG staff is available to assist with presentation of this item to your Council.
Thank you.
`UczPaYie guf7:ffiz
Program Assistant to
Aurora Kerr, Director
Department of Community Resources
Coachella Valley Association of Governments
73-710 Fred Waring Drive, Suite 200
Palm Desert, CA 92260-2516 q�5
Phone: (760) 346-1127
Fax: (760) 340-5949 ���
Website: www.cvcig.org
E-Mail: vfranIzlin@cvog.org
8/9/2007 �U% Gr—��rh�d L'61
COACHELLA VALLEY ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS
MEMORANDUM
TO: CITY MANAGERS
FROM. Aurora Kerr, Director
Community Resources Department
DATE: August 8, 2007
RE: MODEL ORDINANCE REQUIRING COMPLETION OF COURSE ON
OVERSEEDING ALTERNATIVE FOR ISSUANCE OF BUSINESS
LICENSE TO LANDSCAPE-RELATED BUSINESSES IN THE
COACHELLA VALLEY
In follow-up to action by the CVAG Executive Committee on July 30Ch, please find
attached the Model Ordinance for landscape related businesses. Also, attached is the
staff report. We ask that you review and agendize this item for City Council
consideration and action.
Although this model Ordinance will not take effect until September, 2008, CVAG staff
will be busy preparing the course, hiring a landscaper instructor, training city staff on
their role and responsibilities, engaging marketing efforts with the landscape
community, etc.
CVAG staff is available to assist with presentation of this item to your Council.
Thank you.
:attachment
COACHELLA VALLEY ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS
Staffs Recommended Motion was Approved by
the Executive Committee on July
DATE: July 30, 2007
TO. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
FROM: Aurora Kerr, Director
Department of Community Resources
RE: Approval of Model Ordinance for Landscapers Course on Overseeding
Alternative
STAFF RECOMMENDED MOTION: That the Executive Committee:
1) Approve the Model Ordinance for a Landscapers Course on the Overseeding
Alternative, and;
2) Approve distribution of the Model Ordinance to the member jurisdictions so that
they can review and take action.
Technical Advisory Committee: Concurs (6/13/07)
Energy and Environmental Resources Committee: Staff will verbally report any action
from the July 19, 2007 meeting.
BACKGROUND: Several months ago, this Committee directed staff to develop a model
ordinance for the "purpose of improving air quality valleywide and transition from scalping to the
smart scalping approach."
In response to this request, staff has held several meetings with a task force comprised of local
stakeholders including the Desert Hi-Lo Golf Course Superintendents Association; consultant,
Dr. Emily Nelson, College of the Desert Horticulture Department; Dr. Robert Green from the
UCR Turfgrass Advisory Committee; SCAQMD staff; local landscapers; and general counsel,
Toni Eggebraaten, to discuss development of such an ordinance.
As a result, attached is the draft model ordinance which requires completion of a two hour
course relative to the overseeding alternative as a prerequisite for issuance of a business
license to landscape-related businesses in the Coachella Valley.
The two hour course will consist of two components: 1) air quality training (see attached draft
power point presentation). AQMD staff will provide the education on the air quality component
as in-kind and as part of the Coachella Valley's State Implementation Plan (CVSIP); and, 2) the
alternative reseeding method using the Reseeding Alternative Brochure as a teaching aid. The
instructor for the reseeding alternative component would be a local licensed landscaper. There
will be a cost for these services but there is funding through a Colmac grant that has been set
aside for this purpose.
This model ordinance will not only impact landscapers but will also include landscape-related
businesses. The task force felt that in order to have a true impact relative to air quality and
public health issues, landscape-related businesses, e.g., nurseries, Home Depot, etc., that sell
equipment and seed to landscapers should also be educated and included in this effort.
Executive Committee Page 2 of 3 Pages
July 30, 2007
There are several time components that must be taken in consideration with this model
ordinance should the Executive Committee take action to approve the staff recommendation:
Public Outreach: There must be a public outreach effort to inform the landscaping
communities of the model ordinance and its intent. This will include radio and print
announcements. Staff will also make presentations to the local Homeowners Associations
including the Community Associations Institute (CAI) and continue work with the Desert Hi Lo
Golf Course Superintendents Association. The College of the Desert will also assist by
educating their students through their landscaping courses.
City Council Action: As a model ordinance, this will take time for the member jurisdictions to
review at the individual city councils and take action.
Training of City Staff: If adopted, there will need to be training of staff from the member
jurisdictions similar to the training done with the adoption of the local dust control ordinances to
explain how the landscaping certification will work and city staff's role and responsibilities.
Landscape Instructor- CVAG will need some time to hire a local licensed landscaper to work
with the AQMD, develop the certificate, coordinate with the member jurisdictions and teach the
course.
Given these timing issues; the task force recommends that we use the time wisely to address
these areas and make the date of the model ordinance effective September 1, 2008. This
should be sufficient time to transition to perform the outreach and coordinate with business
license departments.
In addition, CVAG staff will continue to educate the public on the reseeding alternatives.
Attached is the public outreach program for the reseeding alternative brochure that staff
currently uses. We have expanded the education process to make it more comprehensive. It
has been expanded to include.-
Partner with utility agencies to include a brochure/landscaping certification info with their
monthly billing to customers;
Make presentations to Desert Contractor's Association;
Develop a web page with information that goes beyond the brochure;
Production of a television advertisement
Given the Desert Hi Lo Golf Course Superintendents Association proactive involvement with
reseeding alternatives; they will continue to work with CVAG to educate their members on
Reseeding alternatives. More than sixty percent of the golf courses in the Coachella Valley use
an alternative to scalping.
CVAG believes that with the help of the member jurisdictions, this model ordinance will change
the perception of how scalping can impact air quality and our public health. A voluntary effort in
which landscaping community would be requested to voluntarily take this course will not work.
Implementation of this model ordinance would be comparable to the implementation of the dust
control ordinances which each jurisdiction adopted as part of the CVSIP which includes a
component requiring developers, contractors and subcontractors attend a dust control
certification course prior to breaking ground on their development.
Executive Committee Page 3 of 3 Pages
July 30, 2007
Several years after the dust control ordinances have been adopted, the dust control classes
continue to be held monthly and have positively impacted how developers and the construction
industry must build in the Coachella Valley.
In order for this model ordinance to be effective, there needs to be similar support of elected
officials valleywide to advocate innovative ways, such as this model landscaping ordinance, to
continue to be proactive and improve the air quality in the Coachella Valley.
FISCAL ANALYSIS. The SCAQMD will provide instruction of the air quality component as in-
kind to this effort. There are funds through a Colmac grant that have been set aside to hire an
instructor. There will be some initial time for the instructor to develop the course, meet with city
staff and landscaping-related businesses to inform them of the upcoming course, but courses
would be taught twice a month at CVAG offices. CVAG staff will work with the Task Force,
AQMD, the landscape instructor, and the member jurisdictions as well as others as part of the
overall comprehensive plan using either Colmac grant funds or regional AB2766 funds. There
is no impact to the General Fund.
:attachments
Staff Report to Exec 7-30-07
06-20-2007 DRAFT OF LANDSCAPFRS MODEL ORDINANCE
AN ORDINANCE OF THE [CITY OF or COUNTY
OF RIVERSIDE] REQUIRING COMPLETION OF COURSE ON
OVERSEEDING ALTERNATIVE AS A PREREQUISITE. FOR
ISSUANCE OF BUSINESS LICENSE TO LANDSCAPE-
RELATED BUSINESSES IN THE COACHELLA VALLEY
THE [CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF , CALIFORNIA or BOARD OF
SUPERVISORS OF THE COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE], DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION I. FINDINGS
A. The [City Council or Board of Supervisors] finds that air quality within the Coachella
Valley is significantly impacted by the local tradition of scalping the summer
(Bermuda) turfgrass in preparation for annual overseeding with rye grass each fall.
B. The [City Council or Board of Supervisors] finds that air quality is one of the most
essential issues associated with public health and safety, which in turn is essential to
the continued economic well-being of the Coachella Valley and to the needs of its
residents.
C. The [City Council or Board of Supervisors] finds that the Coachella Valley
Association of Governments (CVAG), in partnership with the South Coast Air Quality
Management District (AQMD) and local stakeholders, has developed a course
promoting an overseeding process whereby there is a gradual reduction of watering
combined with a progressive lowering of the turf as an alternative to the traditional
single-scalping operation (as described in the "Promoting Healthier Grass Re-
seeding" brochure available online at www.cvap.orq).
D. The [City Council or Board of Supervisors] finds that results from a research project,
"The Effect of Fall Renovation Treatments on PM10 Emissions During Raking of
Debris Following Scalping of Common Bermudagrass Fairways Prior to
Overseeding" performed by the University of California, Riverside's Turf Research
Advisory Committee (UCRTRAC) in partnership with CVAG, Riverside County, and
the Desert Hi-Lo Golf Course Superintendents Association completed in August,
2000 provides the correlation for this alternative (http://ucrturf.ucr.edu).
E. The [City Council or Board of Supervisors] finds that the UCR research
demonstrates the traditional turf-renovation practices can be modified and the
overseeding alternative utilized without undermining the aesthetics of the resulting
winter turfgrass-
F. The [City Council or Board of Supervisors] finds that the overseeding alternative
does not increase the net cost of the new winter turfgrass.
I
06-20-2007 DRAFT OF LANDSCAPERS MODEL ORDINANCE
G. The [City Council or Board of Supervisors] finds that the primary reason for the slow
acceptance and under-utilization of the overseeding alternative in the Coachella
Valley is the lack of public understanding of the merits and health benefits of the
alternative.
H. The [City Council or Board of Supervisors] finds that the most efficient and effective
method of promoting the overseeding alternative is to require a representative of the
landscaping installation, maintenance and design professionals and their suppliers
within the [City or unincorporated Coachella Valley area] to, on an annual basis,
attend a two-hour course on the topic, with said course organized by CVAG and
AQMD.
I. The [City Council or Board of Supervisors] finds that the public health and safety is
served by requiring completion of said course as a prerequisite for the issuance and
renewal of business licenses for landscape-related businesses within the [City or
Coachella Valley].
J. The [City Council or Board of Supervisors] finds that a public information campaign
regarding the new educational prerequisite can not be organized in sufficient time
prior to the 2007 scalping season and that the prerequisite will, therefore, not be
enforced until September 1, 2008.
SECTION II. PURPOSE AND INTENT
The purpose of this ordinance is to promote the public health and safety by insuring
landscape-related businesses within the [City or the Coachella Valley] understand and
appreciate the overseeding alternative promoted by CVAG, AQMD and local stakeholders
which eliminates the need for turf scalping, serves as an air quality control measure and
thereby enhances the local air quality.
SECTION III. ADDITION OF SECTION XXX "LANDSCAPE-RELATED BUSINESSES"
[Sub]Section "Landscape-Related Businesses" shall be added to [Chapter
or Section of Chapter of the Municipal
Code as follows:
[Section Landscape-Related Businesses]
Effective September 1, 2008, as a prerequisite to the issuance or renewal of a
business license for any entity providing services or nursery products [in the
unincorporated area within the territorial boundaries of the Coachella Valley
Association of Governments] related to or used for landscape installation, maintenance,
or design, the applicant shall present proof that at least one employee has, within the
2
06-20-2007 DRAFT OF LANDSCAPERS MODEL ORDINANCE
twelve months immediately preceding the application, completed a two-hour course
developed by the Coachella Valley Association of Governments, the South Coast Air
Quality Management District and local stakeholders, on grass overseeding alternatives
to traditional scalping.
SECTION IV. SEVERABILITY
If any section, subsection or clause of this ordinance shall be deemed to be unconstitutional or
otherwise invalid, the validity of the remaining section, subsection and clauses shall not be
affected thereby.
SECTION V. EFFECTIVE DATE
This ordinance shall become effective on the thirtieth (30th) day following its adoption.
SECTION VI. POSTING
The [City Clerk or Clerk of the Board] shall within fifteen (15) days after the passage of this
ordinance, cause this ordinance to be posted in at least three (3) public places designated by
resolution of the [City Council or Board of Supervisors]; shall certify to the adoption and posting
of this ordinance; and shall cause this ordinance and its certification, together with proof of
posting, to be entered in the Book of Ordinances of this [City or County].
The foregoing ordinance was approved and adopted at a meeting of the [City
Council or Board of Supervisors] held on 2007 by the following
vote:
Ayes:
Noes:
Abstain:
Absent:
[Mayor or Chairman of the Board]
ATTEST:
[City Clerk or Clerk of the Board]
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
[City Attorney or County Counsel]
3
COACHELLA VALLEY ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS
Landscapers Model Ordinance
Update: August 9, 2007
Jurisdiction & [Contt Person & On City Council Status of Ordinance E-Mailed to City Council
City Manager(CM) Number Agenda: City Managers on August 8, 2007 Adopted:
Cathedral City Teri McKeating
Don Bradley 770-0372
Coachella Andrea Carranza
Asst. CMs: Steve 398-3502 ext. 223
Brown & Linda Garza
Desert Hat Springs Cynthia Lugo
Ann Marie Gallant 329-6411 ext. 100
Indian Wells Debbie Allen
Greg Johnson 776-0222
Indio Martha Sommons
Glenn Southard 342-6580
Lo Quinta Wanda Wise-Latta
Tom Genovese 777-7100
Palm Desert Karen Russo
Carlos Ortega 346-0611 ext. 307
Palm Springs ,Tan Truscott
David Ready 323-8362
Rancho Mirage Sylvia Nino
Pat Pratt 324-4511 ext. 216
Updated: August 9, 2007(10:14AM) F:%VFmW.%Law lkw Cam.paign%Lord;rapzrs Ord,mn %SW.5 on Council App.ove€nF 0,dkw. e.wpd