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ITEM: |
ACTION
ITEM |
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CONSIDER APPROVAL OF EXPENDITURE OF BUDGETED FUNDS FOR
THE “MULCH MADNESS” CONSERVATION EVENT |
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Meeting
Date: |
April 18, 2022 |
Budgeted: |
Yes |
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From: |
David J.
Stoldt, |
Program/ |
Conservation Program |
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General
Manager |
Line Item No.: |
4-2-2-O |
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Prepared
By: |
Stephanie Locke |
Cost
Estimate: |
NTE $10,000 |
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General Counsel Approval: N/A |
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Committee Recommendation: The Administrative Committee reviewed this item on April 11, 2022, and recommended approval. |
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CEQA Compliance: This action does not constitute a project as defined by
the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines Section 15378. |
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SUMMARY: The District, in partnership with
California American Water (CAW), has planned a spring “Mulch Madness” event to
promote water conservation in the landscape by providing reduced cost mulch to
District occupants. Mulch is a layer of organic material, usually bark/wood
chips, leaves, and grasses, but can include items such as newspaper, straw and
hay. It is applied in the landscape to the surface of the soil to conserve soil
moisture, improve fertility, regulate soil temperature, and reduce weed growth.
Mulch can reduce water use by 20-25 percent. As an organic product, it decomposes
into soil over time and needs to be topped off annually.
As part of the first joint MPWMD/CAW mulch conservation program, staff requests approval of funding not to exceed $10,000 for a mulch giveaway event in late Spring 2022 (Exhibit 18-A). “Mulch Madness” will provide two cubic yards of free mulch to MPWMD/CAW customers, both commercial and residential properties. The mulch will be provided by Tope’s Sustainable Garden Center, 115 Monterey Salinas Hwy, Salinas, at a heavily discounted rate of $15/cubic yard (cu yd) compared to the normal $35/cu yd, for a total cost of $30 per customer, plus tax (two other Peninsula vendors refused to offer a discount). Customers must pick up the mulch or pay a delivery cost. Two cubic yards will fit in a truck bed or in the back of most cars. Tope’s has agreed to offer additional mulch to the customer at $25/cu yd, a discount of nearly 30% off the normal price. Maximum discounted mulch amount will be set by Tope’s and communicated to customers in the advertising. The type of mulch is recycled green waste from local tree trimming/removal vendors, primarily Monterey Pine and Monterey Cypress.
The giveaway will be promoted by email using CAW’s email database, through
MPWMD/CAW social media pages, and with print ads in local papers. To confirm
eligibility, customers will be required to fill out a form on
Montereywaterinfo.org which will be reviewed by CAW staff. Once approved, they
will be issued a voucher to present to Tope’s. Tope’s will bill MPWMD/CAW for
the number of vouchers redeemed. The initial budget proposed for the program is
$20,000 (see estimate at Exhibit 18-B.)
In the event the program is a huge success (as it surely will be!), additional
mulch funding is available from both organizations.
RECOMMENDATION: The Administrative Committee recommends that the Board approve the expenditure of up to $10,000 to partner with CAW for the Mulch Madness conservation program.
IMPACT TO STAFF/RESOURCES: Funds for this expenditure were included in item 4-2-2-O in the Fiscal Year 2021-2022 budget.
EXHIBITS
18-A Mulch Madness Proposal
18-B Quotes from Vendors
U:\staff\Boardpacket\2022\20220418\Action
Items\18\Item-18.docx