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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGrnt Application - EPA $500,000REQUEST: SUBMITTED BY: DATE: CONTENTS: Recommendation CITY OF PALM DESERT DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT STAFF REPORT AUTHORIZE STAFF TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION FOR A CLIMATE SHOWCASE COMMUNITIES GRANT OFFERED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY IN THE AMOUNT OF $500,000 AND TO ALLOW THE CITY MANAGER TO SIGN AS THE AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE Missy Grisa, Assistant Planner July 8, 2010 Overall Site Plan Alessandro Alley City / Agency Owned Property Map By Minute Motion, that the City Council authorize staff to submit an application for a Climate Showcase Communities Grant offered by the Environmental Protection Agency in the amount of $500,000 and to allow the City Manager to sign as the authorized representative. Background The Environmental Protection Agency is offering 20 to 30 Climate Showcase Communities grants in amounts up to $500,000. This program was designed to assist local governments in developing, implementing, and conducting demonstration projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions while additionally achieving economic, public health, and/or community benefits. The Climate Showcase Communities program's overall goal is to create replicable models of sustainable community action that generate persistent, cost-effective greenhouse gas reductions while improving the environmental, economic, public health, or social conditions within a community. A requirement of the grant is that the applicant match 50% of the funds requested. Staff is proposing to submit a program titled Sustainable City - Neighborhood Revitalization Plan, which would be tied into an existing area of work in Redevelopment Project Area No. 1. The neighborhood plan would encompass a 160-acre area surrounded by Fred Waring Drive to the north, San Pablo Avenue to the east, Highway 111 to the south, and Monterey Avenue to the west. The Alessandro Alley project is also located within this 160-acre area. Since a 50% match is required and finances are limited, staff is proposing to work in connection with Redevelopment since several properties have already been purchased and are being held for future use. The value of these properties cannot be used as a price match, but staff time, overhead expenses, equipment and supplies can be allocated towards the 50% match. Additionally, staff is anticipating designating a small amount of funding from the recycle funds and/or housing funds to pay for recycled content materials and housing related expenses. Additional funding requests will be explained in the following description of the project program. The Sustainable City - Neighborhood Revitalization Plan (Sustainable City-NRP) designates a 160- acre area defined above as a case study area to implement, test, and demonstrate how to transform Staff Report Authorization to Submit Grant July 8, 2010 Page 2 of 4 an existing community into a sustainable neighborhood. This program is based on the Environmental Protection Agency's livability principles of: 1) providing more transportation choices; 2) promoting equitable, affordable housing; 3) enhancing economic competitiveness; 4) supporting existing communities; 5) coordinating and leveraging federal policies and investment; and 6) valuing communities and neighborhoods. The program, based on these principles, within the overall goal of reducing greenhouse gases, incorporates the following programs within one neighborhood community: 1. Turf Buy -Back Program a. The Turf Buy -Back program was initially designed to offset homeowner's costs in offering residents a $2 per square foot rebate (up to 1,000 square feet) to remove grass turf and replace it with drip irrigated desert plants. Overhead spray irrigation used for turf installations requires a great deal of water in the desert heat and much of it is lost to evaporation. Desert residents use 80% of water outdoors and by switching to desert landscape residents can save up to 75% on their water bills. In addition, nuisance water or runoff water is often eliminated with the removal of turf adjacent to streets and public right-of-ways. This program would revolve around the existing requirements with a couple of minor changes. Currently, homeowners would obtain a design and hire a contractor to perform these services or self -perform the improvements. Staff is proposing that applicants meet with staff to create a design plan and review plant choices, unless they choose and have the monies available to hire a designer. This program would remain a first come, first served basis and an applicant list would be formed to inform residents they've been accepted into the program based on availability of funds. One change would be that applicants must find neighbors on this applicant list within the designated neighborhood willing and able to assist them to complete the work. Since this is a low to middle class income area, rebate monies would be credited to allow the purchase of necessary equipment and plant material necessary to complete the job. Additionally, if monies are available, staff may propose increasing the rebate to $3 per square foot for this study only. Any additional costs would be identified before the install date and be the responsibility of the homeowner. Staff, upon approval, would request that the Coachella Valley Water District contribute funds to this program to assist the City of Palm Desert in reaching its goals in water conservation. i. Greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction would be achieved through water conservation; pumping less water requires less energy consumption which is the largest category of GHG emissions in Palm Desert. 2. Community Gardens a. A community garden would be built within the existing neighborhood on an existing City- or Agency -owned parcel adjacent to Alessandro Alley. This would allow the City to not incur further costs from acquiring property. Although community gardens exist on the west side of San Pablo Avenue, this new garden would offer first availability to residents within the designated 160-acre area. Currently, residents within the designated study area use 3 out of the 151 garden plots. Also, a waiting list exists as of now for more plots indicating demand is there. If the spots were not filled, they would be offered to residents outside of the proposed program area. This facility would promote walking and biking to the gardens from residential homes within the district without having to get into a car and driving. i. GHG's would be reduced through fewer vehicle trips while promoting healthy living and food production. a \ Planning \Missy Grisa\Sustainability Plan\EPA Climate Showcase Communities Grant\Staff Report.doc Staff Report Authorization to Submit Grant July 8, 2010 Page 3 of 4 No harmful chemicals would be used within the community gardens. 3. Fruit Share Program a. Many of the homes within the neighborhood have mature fruit trees that produce more than each resident can consume. If you take a look around the neighborhood, fruit continually falls and attracts bothersome pests. A fruit share program is designed to allow residents to harvest and drop off fruit in a designated location where people can swap or share different fruits. A space can be designated within the community gardens for this to take place. A board would allow residents to date their drop off with any additional information they deem necessary. Additionally, within the community gardens enclosed compost facilities would be maintained for gardening and fruit waste. These enclosed units do not attract pests and do not emit any foul odors. Various seminars can be used to educate residents on green gardening principles. i. GHG's would be reduced by decreasing the amount of fruit and vegetative matter thrown into the solid waste stream each year. Composting could in turn be used to add nutrients to soil periodically throughout the year. 4. Bike, Walk, Bus Guides a. Biking, walking and bus guides would be distributed to promote adjacent neighborhood businesses reasonably reachable by each mode of transportation. This not only helps promote neighborhood businesses and keeps tax dollars within neighborhoods, but again reduces car trips and promotes healthy living. i. GHG's would be reduced through eliminating short car trips. 5. Affordable Net -Zero Demonstration Home a. The City of Palm Desert owns nine single family residential lots that are currently vacant or planned for demolition. An attached map illustrates the acquired properties along Alessandro Alley associated with a single family residential lot. Staff is proposing using one of these lots for an affordable net -zero demonstration home. This home would be designed and built to use for a 30-day period as a community demonstration home providing various tours to valley residents of the sustainable features built into the home and site. Various businesses would be requested to donate materials of recycled content or energy efficiency equipment where tour leaders could additionally promote Palm Desert businesses and show other homeowners where this material and equipment is available locally. After this educational period ends, it would be turned over to a homeowner as designated by the Housing Authority. Staff also anticipates collaborating with College of the Desert students to successfully complete this project as an additional educational tool for students studying in the corresponding course work. i. GHG's would be eliminated over the long term through the sustainable design and implementation of an affordable house. Additionally, this would be used to educate and encourage other homeowners to do the same in their house. 6. Bike Share Program a. A bike share program or a community bicycle program allows residents shared use of a number of bicycles that are not individually owned. These programs allow people to shift to various modes of transportation efficiently. These programs enhance healthy living through exercise and are designed to promote free access for short trips within the city, ideally lessening traffic congestion, noise, and air pollution. i. GHG's would be reduced through eliminated short car trips. G:\Planning\Missy Grisa\Sustainability Plan\EPA Climate Showcase Communities Grant\Staff Report.doc Staff Report Authorization to Submit Grant July 8, 2010 Page 4 of 4 7. Set to Save a. A part of the Set to Save program is a free energy audit. Staff would like to establish a goal to visit every residence or business within the designated 160-acre area to meet with individuals to discuss the program and benefits. Cost saving measures at home through energy savings contributes to the City goal to reduce energy consumption and demand, as well as helping to build community wealth. i. GHG's would be reduced through the upgrades of outdated equipment, materials, and systems. 8. Energy Independence Program a. As a part of the energy audits proposed above, staff would endeavor to fully educate each resident involved about rebates and programs available to them to reduce their energy needs, specifically the Energy Independence Program. i. Greenhouse gases would be reduced through equipment, materials, and system upgrades. These eight tasks above are designed to fully impact one specific target area to study the effects on what parts of the plan are more successful than others to reduce greenhouse gases, and how much they were taken advantage of by the local residents. If monies exist in the final breakdown, staff may include the Housing Improvement Program into the proposal based solely on energy and sustainable improvements. Fiscal Impact Staff believes all of these can be achieved with the $500,000 requested from the EPA grant, along with staff time and associated partnerships. If necessary, staff would anticipate using small amounts potentially from the recycle funds and/or housing funds if applicable partnerships are not possible. City Council approval to move forward would allow staff to further define the costs and greenhouse gas reductions associated with each of these items and produce a final budget as necessary for the grant application. Staff would like to leverage these funds with partners as described above to get the most impact for the money. Partners may include CVWD, COD, and many local businesses. The grant package is due July 26 and staff believes this program has a great start to addressing sustainability at a community level within minimal cost impact, other than staff time, and requests approval to move forward with the application. Submitted by: V y Grisa sistant Planner Approval: fo' Paul Gib Director S ina e Department Head: C ;4 e--7374(di Awe/ Lauri Aygian Director of Community D2velo• ent 4 McCarthy r Redevelo John M. Wohlmuth City Manager G:\Planning\Missy Grisa\Sustainability Plan\EPA Climate Showcase Communities Grant\Staff Report.doc REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL JULY 8, 2010 XIV. NEW BUSINESS, J. REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZATION TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION FOR A CLIMATE SHOWCASE COMMUNITIES GRANT OFFERED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY IN THE AMOUNT OF $500,000 AND ALLOW THE CITY MANAGER TO SIGN AS THE AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE FOR THIS PURPOSE (JOINT CONSIDERATION WITH THE PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AENCY AND THE PALM DESERT['HOUSING AUTHORITY). Rec: By Minute Motion, authorize staff to submit an application for a Climate Showcase Communities Grant offered by the Environmental Protection Agency in the amount of $500,000 and to allow the City Manager to sign as the authorized representative. Action: Approved the recommendation. 4-0 (Kelly ABSENT) CITY COUNCILACTION APPROVED w' DENIED RECEIVED O a'la? MEETIJTG DATE AYES. 7 )), NOES: - ABSENT: : ' it ,i ABSTAIN: A ())' VERIFIED BY: loll? %in Original on File with City rk's Office %. Aryi .17).' BY HOUSG AUTH "1-0 VERIFIED BY: Original on file with City Jerk's Office )Gz BY RDA '7 a ON, 7 iCro VERIFIED BY K`k /fir Original on file with City Clerk's Office MONTEREY AVENUE Sustainable City Neighborhood Revitalization Plan 2 iRED WARING DRIVE HAHN_ROAD z 4 W 1- z 0 HAHN-RPAD MONTEREY AVENUE SANTA.RO.S W J d JWAY SANJf11CHOLASAVEN.U.E CATAIONAJNAY GUADALUP_EAVENUE SAN GORGONIO WAY 1 ALESSANRRO ALLEY_ P nESFRT IRRISLF �l ROYAL PALM DRIVE C ALINA WAY AN PABLO A — Circulation Network r City Boundary I- IGHWAY 1 1 PALM DESERTJ]RIVE s Legend WYAY�! 1: 4,933 O Streets Palm Desert Parcels (4/20' Notes