HomeMy WebLinkAboutC24240 CVWD Joint Weather-Based Clock Rebate ProgramCITY OF PALM DESERT contract No. C24240
REQUEST:
SUBMITTED BY:
APPLICANT:
DATE:
CONTENTS:
Recommendation:
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
STAFF REPORT
Approve and Fund Coachella Valley Water District and City of Palm
Desert Joint Weather — Based (Eto) Clock Rebate Program
H. Spencer Knight, Landscape Manager
Coachella Valley Water District
August 25, 2005
Draft Proposal
Approve, fund and authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement
with the Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) for the Coachella Valley
Water District and City of Palm Desert (City) Joint Weather — Based (Eto)
Clock Rebate Program.
Executive Summary:
Overwatering due to the failure of a homeowner to seasonally adjust the amount of
water applied to a landscape is widespread and a chronic problem in the City. This
overwatering wastes water, increases the deterioration of City streets and overloads the
City's drywell system. The proposed program involves a rebate for City homeowners
who change their standard irrigation clocks for weather —based (Eto) clocks. These new
clocks automatically adjust the amount of water applied to a landscape based on
weather (time of year). This feature greatly reduces overwatering and has a positive
effect on the aforementioned consequences.
Discussion:
The City Landscape Beautification Committee has tasked the Landscape Services staff
to research and develop water conservation programs for the City of Palm Desert. One
of these programs is a rebate program for the upgrading of residential irrigation
controllers to a weather —based (Eto) controller. CVWD's Water Management Plan
Implementation Committee's Residential/Municipal subcommittee simultaneously has
been researching a similar program. CVWD staff has met and consulted with City staff
and have developed the attached proposal.
This is a pilot program and will be limited to 100 clocks on a first -come first- served
basis for City residents. The program will be advertised in the City's Brightsides
publication and in CVWD's Waterwise publication, in bill stuffers and other
announcements.
Approve and Fund CVWD Joint Weather -Based Clock Rebate Program
August 25, 2005
Page 2 of 2
CVWD has negotiated with the manufacturer, Aqua -Conserve, for a reduced cost on
both an indoor and outdoor model of their residential irrigation clock. The homeowner,
CVWD and the City will share in this cost. The homeowner will pay $50.00 and the
remaining cost of $51.40 will be split evenly between CVWD and the City. The City's
share of the cost for this program will be $4,320.00.
CVWD staff will install, program and follow up in one year on the installation of the
clock. CVWD will also track the water use at each residence to establish actual cost
savings.
The attached draft, if approved, will be finalized and reviewed by the City Attorney.
Presently, the cities of Indian Wells and Cathedral City have expressed interest in
participating in a similar program with CVWD.
This proposed program, if approved, is a continuation of the City of Palm Desert's
commitment to water conservation. Therefore, staff recommends that City Council
approve, fund and authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with the
Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) for the Coachella Valley Water District and City
of Palm Desert Joint Weather — Based (Eto) Clock Rebate Program.
Submitted By:
H. Sp ce night
Landscape Manager
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Carlos Ortega
City Manager
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Department Head:
Michael Errante, P.E.
Director of Public Works
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Paul Gibson
Finance Director
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COACHELLA VALLEY WATER DISTRICT
DRAFT
Interoffice Memo
Date: 08/03/05
To: Cowie Kates, Deanne Pressgrove and Spencer Knight
From: Don Ackley, Water Management Supendsor
RE. Draft Copy of CVWD-PD-CC4W Joint Weather- Based (ETo) Clock Rebate Program.
The following conceptual draft of our joint Weather -Based Controller Rebate Program
topics was discussed as described below by the WMP Implementation Committee's
Residential/Municipal subcommittee. It is currently in draft form because it is
recognized that some execution particulars may vary from city to city. If the general
program description is acceptable, please respond with a short Notice of Intent to
Participate letter for our Board of Director's Project Authorization proposal. We intend
to submit this program to the Board of Directors at the September 13, 2005 Board
meeting.
Target:
Palm Desert, Indian Wells and Cathedral City: Single family residents only as an
initial program.
1. Eligibility:
All CVWD single family property owners residing in zip codes 92260, 55 and 11,
92210 and 92234 within CVWD's service area. 100 clocks per city, first come -first
served, until supplies are exhausted.
2. Clock Manufacturer:
Aqua Conserve's ET-6: A 6-Station Indoor Clock and/or the ET-8b: 8-station
outdoor clock.
Interoffice Memo
2
DRAFT
3. Funding Particulars:
DRAFT
1. A survey of Home Depot and Lowes reveals that a non -Weather -Based,
conventional 6-stati6n clock costs anywhere from $24.97 to $69.99
depending on how many bells and whistles you want. Average cost: $46.79.
The Aqua Conserve ET-6 indoor clock costs $169.00 retail.
The Aqua Conserve ET-8b outdoor clock costs $369.00* retail.
a. Higher cost because of stainless steel controller box.
2. Aqua Conserve has quoted us a 40% discount for a bulk purchase — Firm!
With an additional 5% possibly negotiable.
Cost per ET-6 indoor clock @ 40% discount = $101.40
Cost per ET-8b outdoor clock @ 40% discount = $221.40
3. If the City and District sell the indoor clock for the approximately $50 that a
Customer would spend for a conventional clock and split the difference, the
purchase cost would be:
ET-6 Indoor: $101.40 - $50.00 = $51.40/2 = $25.70 per clock per sponsor.
If the City and District sell the outdoor clock for the approximately $50 that a
Customer would spend for a conventional clock plus an additional $50 for the
stainless steel cabinet, and split the difference, the purchase cost would be:
ET-8b Outdoor: $221.40 - $100.00 = $121.40/2 = $60.70 per clock per
sponsor.
NOTE: Each consumer receives their clock for approximately half price.
The person buying the outdoor clock seemingly gets a better deal, until the
cost and labor it takes to remove and rewire an indoor clock to an outside
site is factored in. CVWD staff installing the clocks will not remove and
rewire an indoor clock for an outdoor site.
Interoffice Memo
3
DRAFT
DRAFT
4. A 50% Indoor / 50% Outdoor Clock Program's Projected Purchasing Costs
Would be:
Tvpe of Clock # of Clocks Cost per Sponsor Total Program Cost/City
ET- 6 50 $1,285 $2,570
ET-8b 50 $3,035 $6,070
Total 100 $4,320 $8,640
Total cost to CVWD with PD, CC and IW participation: $12,960.00.
Total cost to each city: $4,320.
5. CVWD would execute the program. The cities would cost -share.
4. Program Execution Particulars:
The customer applies for the rebate by submitting an application. A CVWD staff
Member responds by verifying eligibility, inspecting the site, copying the current
irrigation schedule, taking a digital "before" picture of the old clock, the
landscape and the street address, collects the $50.00 co -pay, orders the new
clock to be sent to the homeowner and enters identification, water use history,
newly calculated Aqua Conserve Schedule and "Before" pictures into the
Weather -Based Controller Rebate databank.
Upon receiving their new clock, the homeowner calls CVWD to make an
installation appointment.
On the appointed day, the staff member replaces the old clock, installs the new
clock, programs the new clock, instructs the homeowner in the operation of
the new clock and enters the clock identification number, installation particulars
and "After" pictures into the database. A follow-up inquiry call is made 30 days
later. Inspection at 6 (optional) and 12 months (mandatory).
.NOTE: Since this is a pilot program, the old clock is left with the homeowner.
Interoffice Memo
4
DRAFT DRAFT
5. Program Integrity:
1. How do we make sure these clocks stay where they have been put
long enough to get a fair trial?
A 30 day follow-up phone call, 6 & 12 month site inspections and a
monthly consumption record review will insure program integrity.
2. How do we be sure these clocks are not resold at a profit?
In the terms of agreement on the application, it will be stated that the
clock must stay in place for 1 year.
If an inspection reveals that the clock is missing, the full cost of the
clock ($101.40/221.40) will be added to the homeowner's water bill to
payable in $50 monthly increments.
6. Program Publicity:
1. CVWD — WaterWise, bill stuffers, presentations, service counters.
2. CC, IW, PD — Newsletter, service counters
7. Hold Harmless Agreement:
1. Statement included on application form.
8. Monitoring Effectiveness:
1. CVWD — Compare this year vs. last year water use records.
2. CVWD —1 year Satisfaction Poll
9. Funding:
1. Pilot Program: CVWD Operating Budget + City cost -share.
DRAFT