HomeMy WebLinkAboutOut of State Travel - Las Vegas - Water Authority Rebate ProgramCITY OF PALM DESERT
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
STAFF REPORT
REQUEST: Approve Out of State Travel to Las Vegas, Nevada, for the
Landscape Manager and Development Services Senior
Management Analyst to Meet with Officials from the
Southern Nevada Water Authority Regarding their Water
Conservation and Water Efficient Landscape Conversion
Rebate Programs.
SUBMITTED BY: Martin Alvarez, Senior Management Analyst
DATE: April 14, 2005
CONTENTS: On-line Description of Southern Nevada Water Authority
Water Smart Rebate Program
Minutes
Recommendation:
By Minute Motion: authorize out of state travel to Las Vegas, Nevada for
the Landscape Manager and the Development Services Senior
Management Analyst to meet with Officials from the Southern Nevada
Water Authority (SNWA) regarding their water conservation and water
efficient landscape conversion rebate programs.
Executive Summary:
In November of 2004, both staff members attended the Coachella Valley Water
Symposium in Indian Wells, CA. The symposium brought together local water
agencies and local cities to discuss issues such as:
• Water Management / Ground Water Management
• The Environment: Balancing Water Needs, Habitat and Development
• Water Conservation
One of the speakers at the symposium was Mr. Doug Bennett, from SNWA. Mr.
Bennett, spoke of various programs their agency currently has in place to
address water conservation (see attached). One of the programs of interest to
the City was their Water Smart Rebate Program, which provides rebates for
residents, homeowners associations, and businesses that would like to convert
existing turf to water efficient landscaping.
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Staff Report — Out of State Travel
Page 2 of 2
April 14, 2005
In late 2004, staff presented several water conservation ideas to the Landscape
Beautification Committee (see minutes attached). The Committee directed staff
to develop several water conservation programs, including one mirroring SNWA
landscape conversion rebate program.
Staff contacted SNWA, and they are willing to spend a day illustrating how their
program works, how it was developed, issues to look for, and demonstrating
examples of recent conversions.
In order to develop a similar program, staff would like to meet with SNWA to
learn more about their rebate program. The cost of travel is $400 for each staff
member. Costs will cover travel expenses such as hotel, parking and meals.
Funds are available in Account No(s). 110-4260-422.31-20 and 110-4300-
413.31-20.
An informational item and a recommendation will be provided to the City Council
after the research has been completed.
Submitted By:
Martin Alvarez
Senior Management Analyst
Approval:
Carlos L. Ortega
City Manager
Paul Gibson
Director of Finance / City Treasurer
ma
Department Head:
Homer Croy
ACM for Development Services
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Southern Nevada Water Authority
Irrigation Clock Rebate
Installing an efficient irrigation clock can help you save thousands of gallons of water
each year. The Water Authority helps customers replace inefficient clocks through the
Irrigation Clock Rebate.
Eligibility
In order to qualify for the rebate, you must agree to participate in a pre -conversion site
visit. An SNWA conversion expert will visit your home to verify that you have a working
irrigation clock. Do not purchase a new irrigation clock until you follow all the steps to
apply.
You may qualify if:
Your current clock:
Has only one watering program
Cannot water in one -minute increments
Does not have three or more start times
Does not allow you to set clock for specific
days or on odd/even dates
Install a "smart" controller
Replace it with a clock that:
Has two or more watering programs,
allowing you to water plants and grass on
different schedules
Has programming zone run times allowing
you to water in one -minute increments
Allows three or more start times per
program
Allows you to set clock for specific days of
week or odd/even dates
Even if you have a controller that already meets all of the criteria above, SNWA now
offers an incentive to upgrade to a new "smart" controller. Smart controllers
automatically adjust the watering schedule based upon how much water your landscape
needs. These devices are more expensive, but they are more scientific in setting
irrigation times, giving you the potential to lower water use and improve plant health.
Amount of the rebate
The Water Authority will rebate $20 per value (also known as zones or stations) for a
digital, multi -program clock and $40 per value for an automated "smart" controller. The
rebate limit is half the cost of the price of the clock.
Program Conditions — Irrigation Clock Rebate
Pre -Conversion Eligibility
A. The irrigation system must be served by a water account in good standing with
an SNWA agency. Well users have limited eligibility and must be in good
standing with their groundwater management fees.
B. You must have an existing, functional irrigation controller ("clock") that lacks one
or more of the features required for the replacement clock. You agree to
surrender your current clock to SNWA at the final inspection.
C. Before removing the existing clock or purchasing a new one, you must have
submitted an application and have participated in an SNWA pre -conversion
inspection to verify eligibility.
D. You consent to allow SNWA to contact you for the purpose of conducting
program research.
Technical Requirements
A. At the time of the final inspection, your new clock must be properly installed and
functioning in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
Option 1 - Feature Upgrade
$20 per active valve, not to exceed 50 percent of clock cost
(refer to "Terms of Rebate" item B below)
Upgrade any clock that doesn't meet these minimum criteria (1-4) to one that
does:
1. Clock has two or more separate programs
2. Clock is capable of programming zone run times in one -minute increments
3. Clock has three or more start times per program
4. Clock is capable of watering on specific days of the week or on an odd/even
schedule
5. Non-volatile memory or self -changing battery circuit is recommended, but not
required
Option 2 - Automated scheduling
$40 per active valve, not to exceed 50 percent of clock cost
(refer to "Terms of Rebate" item B below)
Upgrade any clock that doesn't have automated scheduling to one that meets
these criteria:
1. Clock meets all minimum criteria for Option One
2. Clock is capable of automatically estimating water demand and modifying the
irrigation program at least weekly without user intervention
3. Clock is capable of operating as a stand-alone, programmable clock in the
absence of a signal
4. If a fee -based service is required for automation, you must have a one-year
minimum agreement for service
Terms of Rebate
A. This agreement expires in three calendar months. The three-month term begins
the day after the SNWA representative signs the agreement and ends at 5 p.m.
on the first business day after the three calendar months have elapsed. Once
SNWA has been notified of completion, any wait for a final inspection is not
counted against your three-month term. Only one incentive payment may be
received under this agreement. Additional clock replacements require a new
application.
B. Incentives are based upon the option and the number of active valves connected
to the new clock. SNWA will not pay more than 50 percent of the actual cost of
the new clock or 50 percent of the manufacturer's list price, whichever is less.
Taxes, installation fees, service charges and other costs cannot be rebated. You
must provide a copy of an itemized receipt or invoice to prove the purchase price
and/or the 12-month service commitment (if applicable). Receipts and contracts
pre -dating this agreement are ineligible. The incentive will be issued as a check
to the property owner or owner's agent (within approximately 60 days of the final
inspection). Rebates to well users are subject to availability of special funds and
limited to $2,500 per property per year.
C. If the installation fails final inspection, you will be allowed 30 days or the
remainder of the three-month period, whichever is greater, to comply with the
program conditions.
D. The new clock must remain in place for a period of not less than one year from
receipt of the incentive, provided that ownership of the property does not change.
E. SNWA enforces only the conditions on this agreement and makes no warranty of
the suitability or performance of the clock or its installation. The applicant is
responsible for complying with all applicable laws, policies, codes and covenants.
Rebates may be considered taxable income.
Southern Nevada Water Authority
Smart Water Landscape Conversions
Program Conditions
Pre -Conversion Eligibility
A. The areas to be converted must be served by a potable or non -potable
water account in good standing with an SNWA member agency. Well
users have limited eligibility and must be in good standing with their
groundwater management fees.
B. The proposed conversion area must be a maintained lawn or outdoor
surface of water. Lawns or water features established by the applicant on
or after January 1, 2003, are ineligible. Conversions specifically
mandated by a government agency as a requirement to comply with any
code, law or regulation is ineligible.
C. A minimum of 400 square feet of existing lawn and/or water surface must
be converted to landscaping that meets the requirements of Section II.
Smaller projects will be accepted if they result in complete lawn
elimination on a commercial, institutional or multi -family property, or the
complete elimination of lawn in the front or back yard of a single-family
residential property.
D. Before removing any lawn or water features, this application must be
submitted to SNWA and the applicant must participate in a pre -
conversion site review conducted by SNWA to verify eligibility.
Landscaping Requirements for the Converted Area
A. Minimum Plant Cover: Areas where lawn is converted must retain
existing plants and/or add new plants so that converted areas will have at
least 50 percent living plant cover when the plants are fully grown. The
SNWA provides a list of the expected plant coverage for each type of
plant, and these values will be used even if the plants are small when the
project is completed.
B. Efficient Irrigation: If a watering system is used in the converted area, it
must be a low -volume drip irrigation system equipped with a filter and
pressure regulator. Converted areas where spray irrigation is used, or
drip emitters capable of exceeding 20 gallons per hour (20 gph), will not
qualify for the incentive. If only part of a lawn is converted, the sprinkler
system must be modified to provide adequate coverage to the remaining
lawn without spraying into the converted area. (Note: Narrow strips of turf
often produce waste and should be avoided.)
C. Surface Treatments: The converted area must be completely covered by
a layer of mulch permeable to air and water. Common mulching
materials include rock, bark, ungrouted flagstone or pavers and artificial
turf manufactured to be permeable. Concrete or other impermeable
treatments do not qualify. Living groundcovers qualify as mulch provided
the individual plants are installed at sufficient density to assure 100
percent plant cover. If a weed barrier is used beneath the mulch, it must
be manufactured to be permeable to air and water.
III. Terms of the Rebate
A. SNWA's Assurance: This agreement expires in six calendar months.
The 6-month term begins the day after the SNWA representative signs
the agreement and ends at 5 p.m. on the first business day after six
calendar months have elapsed. Once SNWA has been notified of
completion, any wait for a final inspection is not counted against your six-
month term. Only one incentive payment may be received under this
agreement: Additional conversions require a new application.
B. Incentive Amounts and Limits: The incentive is $1 per square foot for
the first 50,000 square feet of qualifying area and $0.50 per square foot
for up to an additional 500,000 square feet of qualifying area. The
maximum incentive per property is $300,000 for a conversion of 550,000
square feet. The incentive will be issued as a check to the property
owner or owner's agent (within approximately 60 days of the final
inspection). Rebates to well users are subject to availability of special
funds and are limited to $2,500 per property per year.
C. Final Inspection: Upon notification that the project is complete, SNWA
will conduct a final inspection to verify compliance with the program
conditions. If the property fails inspection, you will be allowed 60 days or
the remainder of the 6-month period, whichever is greater, to fully comply
with the program conditions.
D. Requirement to Sustain the Conversion: The landscape conversion
must remain in place for a period of not less than ten years from the
receipt of the incentive, provided that ownership of the property does not
change. If the landscape is altered during the initial 10 years in such a
way that it would not qualify, the entire incentive amount must be
refunded to SNWA.
E. Other Responsibilities of the Applicant: SNWA enforces only the
conditions of this agreement. 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.
Effective March 1, 2004