ITEM:		CONSENT CALENDAR
12.	CONSIDER APPROVAL OF FUNDING AND CONTINUATION OF THE “MULCH MADNESS” CONSERVATION PROMOTION
Meeting Date:			June 17, 2024	Budgeted:	Yes
From:			David J. Stoldt,	Program/	Conservation Program
			General Manager	Line Item No.: 4-2-2-O
Prepared By:			Stephanie Locke	Cost Estimate:	NTE $12,000
General Counsel Approval: N/A
Committee Recommendation: The Finance and Administration Committee considered this item on June 10, 2024, and recommended approval.
CEQA Compliance: This action does not constitute a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines Section 15378.

SUMMARY: The District, in partnership with California American Water (CAW), intends to continue the “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 joint MPWMD/CAW mulch conservation program, staff requests approval of funding not to exceed $12,000 for mulch giveaway during 2024-2025 for mulch and advertising and is seeking approval to allow a customer to obtain mulch under this program once a year. “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 $20/cubic yard (cu yd) compared to the normal $35/cu yd, for a total cost to the District/CAW of $40 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 $29.99/cu yd, a discount of nearly 25% 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. Customers will be eligible to receive free mulch once every year as the nature of mulch is that it breaks down and needs to be topped off.

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 budget for the program is $12,000.

RECOMMENDATION: The Finance and Administration Committee recommends that the Board approve the expenditure of up to $12,000 to partner with CAW for the Mulch Madness conservation program and allow participants to take part in the program once a year.

IMPACT TO STAFF/RESOURCES: Funds for this expenditure were included in item 4-2-2-O in the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 budget.

EXHIBIT

None

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