ITEM:

CONSENT CALENDAR

 

8.

CONSIDER EXPENDITURE OF BUDGETED FUNDS TO SPONSOR CISTERN

WORKSHOPS BY THE AMERICAN RAINWATER CATCHMENT SYSTEMS

ASSOCIATION

 

Meeting Date:
March 15, 2010

Budgeted: 

Yes

 

From:

Darby Fuerst,

General Manager

Program/

Water Conservation and

Outreach

 

 

Line Item No.: 

4-2-1-A, 4-2-2-L and 

4-2-1-C

 

 

 

Prepared By:

Stephanie Pintar

Cost Estimate:

$5,000

 

General Counsel Review: N/A

Committee Recommendation:  The Administrative Committee reviewed this item on March 9, 2010 and recommended Board approval.

CEQA Compliance:  N/A

 

SUMMARY:  Staff is requesting authorization to expend budgeted funds for two local rainwater harvesting workshops by the American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association (ARCSA) during Water Awareness Month (May 2010).  ARCSA is a non-profit organization that was founded to promote rainwater catchment systems in the United States and offers rainwater harvesting and accreditation workshops.  ARCSA trainers are available to conduct classes in the Monterey area on Saturday, May 15 (Level 100), and Monday and Tuesday, May 17 and 18 (Level 200).  The workshops will be held in California American Water’s (Cal-Am) training room in Pacific Grove and will include information about local water supplies and regulations.

 

ARCSA's 100 Level workshop provides an introduction to rainwater harvesting and is designed for anyone interested in learning more about rainwater collection and application in an intensive setting.  It provides an overview of rainwater harvesting, history, uses and applicability to conserving rainfall as a natural resource.  Concepts, techniques, and demonstrations are also introduced to attendees.  The 100 Level workshop agenda is attached as Exhibit 8-A.


ARCSA’s 200 Level workshops are open to the public, as well as to any industry professional looking to expand their knowledge about rainwater harvesting. This workshop fulfills the coursework requirement for becoming an ARCSA Accredited Professional.  Topics covered in the Level 200 workshop include rainwater catchment design and installation, in-home rainwater use, installation and safety, rules and regulations, guidelines and restrictions, and other pertinent industry topics.  The 200 Level workshop agenda is attached as Exhibit 8-B.


Registration of the workshops is done by ARCSA through their website (www.arcsa.org).  ARCSA requires a minimum of 20 participants in its Level 200 workshop and will provide regional advertising on their website and through direct contact with local professionals.  Recent courses in the North Bay area were in high demand, and ARCSA believes there will be sufficient demand for the courses in this area.  The Level 100 workshop costs $50 per participant, and the Level 200 workshop costs $295 per participant and is a prerequisite for accreditation as an ARCSA Accredited Professional. 

 

The Public Outreach Committee discussed the District’s participation in the ARCSA training at its February 22, 2010 meeting.  The committee supports the training and suggested that the District partially sponsor the Level 100 workshop (at $25 per person or $750), and that the District offer scholarships of $125 to Level 200 workshop participants that reside within the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District. Additional District costs for the workshops include incidentals (snacks, coffee and beverages) for the three days.  District staff will assist with registration and attending the workshops.  Cal-Am will assist with local outreach.

 

Following the Public Outreach Committee meeting on February 22, 2010, staff has had further discussions with ARCSA’s coordinator and has discussed the possibility of sponsoring the Level 100 workshop so that enrollment could be open with no restrictions on the number of participants, other than the room capacity.  Full sponsorship of the Level 100 class ($1,500) would open the workshop to anyone who wants to learn the basics of a rainwater catchment system at no charge and would eliminate the need for pre-registration and a mandatory enrollment of 30 persons to hold the class.  Staff is recommending that the District sponsor the Level 100 course and provide $125 scholarships for participants in the Level 200 class.

 

The Administrative Committee reviewed this item on March 9, 2010.  The committee recommended the Board approve the expenditure of a not-to-exceed amount of $5,000.

 

RECOMMENDATION:  Staff recommends the Board approve District sponsorship and participation in two local Rainwater Harvesting and Accreditation Workshops during May 2010 at a not-to-exceed cost of $5,000.  The recommendation includes sponsoring the Level 100 workshop and providing scholarships of $125 to residents and employees of businesses located within the District who participate in the Level 200 workshop.  The District will also provide beverages for the Level 100 workshop and lunch and beverages for the Level 200 workshop.

 

IMPACT TO STAFF/RESOURCES:  Funds to sponsor the workshops are available in the Fiscal Year 2009-2010 budget.   There are several funding sources for these workshops, including:  Sponsorship of Community Events line item (4-2-1-A), Landscaping for Drought Seminar (4-2-1-C), and Best Management Practices (4-2-2-L).  A portion of the expenditure (approximately $2,500) is reimbursable by Cal-Am through the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) approved conservation budget.  The entire District cost is not reimbursable by Cal-Am, as participants may reside within the MPWMD but may not be customers of Cal-Am:  Reimbursable funds are only available to participants within the Cal-Am service area. 

 

EXHIBITS

8-A      100 Level Workshop Agenda

8-B      200 Level Workshop Agenda

 

 

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