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Home My WebLink AboutC33690 - Co-Op Lndscp Wtr Mgmt Pgrm w-CVWD CITY OF PALM DESERT PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT STAFF REPORT REQUEST: APPROVAL TO PROCEED WITH A COOPERATIVE LANDSCAPE WATER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE COACHELLA VALLEY WATER DISTRICT IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $100,000 SUBMITTED BY: Mark Greenwood, P.E., Director of Public Works CONTRACTOR: Coachella Valley Water District 75-515 Hovley Lane East Palm Desert, CA 92211 DATE: June 12, 2014 CONTENTS: Program Comparison Table Draft Cooperative Landscape Water Management Plan Agreement Draft Application contract No. C33690 Recommendation By Minute Motion: 1. Request approval to proceed with a Cooperative Landscape Water Management Program in conjunction with the Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD); 2. Approve an amount not to exceed $100,000 to provide up to $1 per square foot for residential front yard turf removal up to a maximum of $1,000, and $1 per square foot for street adjacent turf removal for Home Owner's Association(s) (HOA) and commercial customers up to a maximum of $5,000; and 3. Authorize the Mayor to execute the Agreement. Contingent upon approval of the Fiscal Year 2014-2015 budget, funds will available in Account No. 110-4614-453-3915, Landscape Medians. Backqround In 2010, the City of Palm Desert and the Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) participated in a joint water conservation cost sharing program. The program provided City residents, homeowner associations, and commercial properties the opportunity to convert their turf landscape to a more water efficient landscape. The response to this program was outstanding. All of our funds were committed within the first week, and we continue to receive inquiries from residents regarding the program. Contract No. C33690 Staff Report Approve Turf Buy Back Program-CoLWMP Page 2 of 2 June 12, 2014 With the current drought situation facing California along with heightened public awareness, the need to be more proactive in water conservation is of paramount importance. Offering a water conservation rebate program to residents directly correlates to water savings. Implementation of this type of rebate program will help accomplish CVWD's and the City's mutual goals of increased efficiency in landscape water use, reduced groundwater consumption, and elimination of street water run-off. The City will once again partner with CVWD to provide the opportunity for Palm Desert residents, HOAs, and commercial sites to become more water efficient by converting existing turf to water efficient landscape. Applications for residential property owners would be available on August 1, 2014; and for HOA or commercial property owners on August 15, 2014. CVWD will act as the lead agency and handle all applications and paperwork associated with the program. In conjunction with CVWD, City staff would provide plan review, inspections related to public safety and final installation, and would waive plan check and encroachment permit fees. Upon final approval by the City for each landscape project, the City will make payment directly to property owners for the City's portion of the rebate. Attached is a comparison of the program elements being offered by CVWD and the City. Fiscal Analvsis Allocation of funds would be broken down as follows: $50,000 for residential turf conversion and $50,000 for large landscape turf conversions (HOAs and commercial properties). The proposed limits are: $1 per square foot for residential turf removal up to 1,000 square feet, or $1,000 maximum; and $1 per square foot for turf removal for HOA and commercial customers up to a maximum of 5,000 square feet, or $5,000. CVWD is also offering the same rebate, thereby doubling the amount a property owner could receive. Prepared By: Depa t ead: �" � � � 4 � Di Hollinger, Landscape S cialist Mark Gr nwood, P.E. Director o Public Works Re 'ew d: CITY COUNCILAC�`ION Gl, APPROVED � DF.,NTED '� RECEIVED OTHER Paul S. Gibson, Director of Finance � � MEETII�TG DA �� A roval: AYES: -- ^ NOES• ABSENT: ABSTAIN: ERIFIED BY: � J n M. Wohlmuth, City Manager Original on File with Ci erk's Office G:\PubWorks\Staff Reports�2014Wune 12\02 Authorize Turf Buy Back-CoLWMP Program with CVWD\SR Approve Turf Buy Back-CoLWMP.doc Contract No. C33690 Cooperative Landscape Water Management Program Comparison Table Pro ram Element Offered b CVWD Offered b Cit Front Yard Turf Removal $1/ s . ft. X X Back/Side Yard Turf Removal $1/ sq. ft. X HOA Perimeter Turf Removal $1/sq. ft. X X Inside HOA TurF Removal $1/s . ft. X Water Efficient Nozzles $2.50/nozzle X Smart Irri ation Controllers* X *CVWD requires the property owner to have a Smart Irrigation Controller and will subsidize the cost. Contract No. C33690 Coachella Valley Water District and City of Palm Desert Cost-Share Agreement for a Cooperative Landscape Water Management Program 1. The purpose of this agreement is to formally document the intention of the Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) and the City of Palm Desert (City) to participate in a joint water conservation cost-share program (Program). This Program will provide those CVWD customers residing within the City the opportunity to convert spray irrigated lawn to water efficient drip irrigated desert friendly landscapes Turf conversions will help accomplish CVWD's and the City's mutual goals of increased efficiency in landscape water use, reduced groundwater consumption and elimination of street water run-off. 2. It is understood by both parties that this agreement funds and executes a Program to cost-share landscape turf conversions on a first come, first served delivery sequence until the initial funding has been exhausted. 3. The Program consists of two main components as follows: a. Residential turf conversions b. Large landscape turf conversions (HOAs and commercial properties) 4. Details of the Program are provided in Attachment A. 5. The City agrees to provide a 50 percent funding contribution to this joint CVWD/City Program, not to exceed $100,000. CVWD agrees to provide a 50 percent funding contribution to this joint CVWD/City Program, not to exceed $100,000. 6. The City and CVWD agree to provide funding for the two main Program components as follows: a. Residential turf conversions: $50,000 City/$50,000 CVWD b. Large landscape turf conversions: $50,000 City/$50,000 CVWD 7. The City and CVWD agree to consider the continuation of funding for this Program in subsequent years if funding is available. Signed and approved on the day of 2014, by: City of Palm Desert Coachella Valley Water District Van G. Tanner Jim Barrett Mayor General Manager-Chief Engineer Contract No. C33690 ATTACHMENT A Program Description Cooperative Landscape Water Manaqement Proqram Obiective: The goals of this Cooperative Landscape Water Management Program (Program) are to advance landscape water conservation, eliminate nuisance water in streets caused by landscape irrigation, and provide an incentive for Coachella Valley residents to convert to desert landscaping. It is proposed that the Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) and the City of Palm Desert (City) be equal co-sponsors of this Program. The Proqram: The Program will have two components. These will address residential turf conversions, and large landscape turf conversions for homeowner associations (HOAs) and other large commercial type landscapes. Program participants are required to provide a scaled, legible landscape plan. The City's Desert Flora publication and Design Manual are posted on the City's website to provide assistance. Program participants may also use the services of a design professional. The residential turf conversion component will provide a rebate of $2.00 per square foot for the removal of turf and installation of drip irrigated desert landscaping. The rebate will be limited to residential front yards. The retrofit must also include a SMART irrigation controller (the City is not participating with CVWD in the SMART irrigation controller program). The large landscape turf conversion component will a rebate of $2.00 per square foot for the removal of turf between the street curb and the HOA perimeter wall or any other defined area that would reduce water use and prevent runoff to the street. As part of the requirements, all irrigated areas must be controlled by a SMART irrigation controller (the City is not participating with CVWD in the SMART irrigation controller program). Cost-share rebates will be split between the City and CVWD. The City and CVWD will each provide $1.00 per square foot for turf replaced up to a maximum of $2,000 per residential project ($1,000 City contribution/$1,000 CVWD contribution); and $1.00 per square foot for turF replaced up to a maximum of $10,000 per large landscape turf conversion ($5,000 City contribution/$5,000 CVWD contribution). Residential and large landscape turf conversions range between $4.00 and $6.00 per square foot; therefore, the Program participant will pay the balance not covered by the rebate. For both Program components, participants will receive rebate checks. Upon approval by the City and CVWD, the City and CVWD will each issue separate payments to participants on a 50/50 basis (50 percent City/50 percent CVWD). CVWD will cooperate with the City to develop a comprehensive public outreach campaign to publicize the program and promote conservation in general. The City and CVWD will work jointly to disseminate information through several different means to reach the greatest number of people. The application process will be on a first come, first served basis and the Program start date will be announced in advance. Applications will be made available on-line at the City's website. Contract No. C33690 PALM DESERT & COACHELLA VALLEY WATER DISTRICT COOPERATIVE LANDSCAPE WATER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM The City of Palm Desert (Ciry) and Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) established the Cooperative Landscape Water Management Program (Program) for the purpose of water conservation and to reduce nuisance water run-off from residential front yards and Homeowners Association (HOA)property. The Ciry and CVWD will jointly fund the Program. Financial reimbursements will be on a first come,first served basis and subject to the availability of funds.The program consists of: 1) Conversion of turf to water efficient drip irrigated desert landscape In order to participate in the Program, Residential Property Owners, Homeowners Associations, Commercial Property Owners and/or a designated representative must submit an application in person directly to CVWD. A designated representative must have written authorization to represent property owner and photo identification. Only one application per property owner/designated representative will be accepted (no batched applications). To be eligible for the Program, a Residential Properiy Owner/Homeowner Association must: 1) Be a customer of CVWD in good standing for a minimum of one(1)year. 2) Own the property at the designated site. 3) Have a fully functioning irrigation system that is run by a working irrigation timer/clock and an acrively growing turf lawn, 4) The area to be retrofitted for single family residents shall be front yards abutting city streets. 5) HOAs/Commercial areas to be retrofitted shall be in parkways adjacent to City streets from back of curb to property line or wall. 6) Contractors must have a City of Palm Desert Business License and must apply for a No Fee Encroachment Permit when warking in the City right-of-way. CVWD and the City will review the application for accepYance into the program.Upon acceptance into the Program,the applicant will be notified,and shall do the following: 1) Develop and submit a landscape design to CVWD for review and approval. pesign to follow City Landscape Ordinance for residents. *li�r�k, and the Water I�fticient La�ldsca�e Ord. ft�r�IOAicommercia( 2) CVWD will forward to the City the application and design as well as any required paperwork; W-9, W-8, Tax 1.D. number (HOA). 3) Participants shall install the approved renovated landscape within 90 days from the date of written CVWD application approvaL 4) CVWD requires applicants to provide a Smart Irrigation Controller for all retro-fitted landscapes. 5) Allow the City and/or CVWD representative(s) onto the property to confirm eligibility of the properiy for the program and for a final inspection of the newly retrofitted landscape. All work completed shall be completed in conformance with all laws, rules and regulations of all governmental bodies and agencies having jurisdiction over the wark. If an applicant satisfies all of the conditions set forth herein and subject to availability of funds, the City shall reimburse Residential Property Owners $1.00 per square foot of turf removed from the designated site, up to a maximum of$1,000. (Residential Property Owners may apply to CVWD separately for addirional incentives.) For an HOA or Commercial Property, the reimbursement will be up to$5,000 maximum for a complete landscape conversion.(HOAs may apply to CVWD separately for landscape conversions inside the gated community). Rebate checks will be mailed to the applicant within ninety (90) days from the date the conversion is completed, inspected,and verified. Each participant will receive two checks,one from the CVWD and one from the City. 1 Contract No. C33690 PALM DESERT & COACHELLA VALLEY WATER DISTRICT COOPERATIVE LANDSCAPE WATER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM APPLICATION Property Owner/HOA/Commercial Name: Mailing Address: City: Zip Code: Phone Number: Conversion Location: Approximate Area: sq.ft. CVWD Account Number: 1 Year Service ❑ yes ❑ no Property Owner Signature: Date: Program Participation: ❑ RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY OWNER ❑ HOMEOWNER ASSOCIATION � COMMERCIAL PROPERTY APPROVALS Coachella Valley Water District approval by: Date Signature: Title: City of Palm Desert approval by: Date Signature: Title: With this agreement both the City of Palm Desert and Coachella Valley Water District will rebate the properiy owner for turf removal and the development of water efficient landscapes. The program will include, single family homes, homeowner association and commercial properiy with landscapes adjacent to city streets. Both the CVWD and the City may choose or elect to not participate in any phase or component of this agreement. No party will be held at fault. This program is sponsored by the Coachella Valley Water District and the City of Palm Desert. For more information or quesrions, call the Coachella Va11ey Water District 760.398.2651 ext.3460 �� City of Palm Desert 'w'/�►TE v• R Coachella Valley Water District 73-510 Fred Waring Drive 75515 Hovley Lane East Palm Desert,CA 92260 Palm Desert,CA 92211 f7601346-0611 O�STR�G'C 760-398-2651 2