WATER DEMAND COMMITTEE

 

ITEM:

ACTION ITEMS

 

2.

DEVELOP RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD REGARDING FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 140, AMENDING THE REBATE PROGRAM AMOUNTS, DELETING 1.6 GALLON PER FLUSH TOILETS FROM THE REBATE PROGRAM, AND ADDING REBATES FOR LAWN REMOVAL, SYNTHETIC TURF INSTALLATION, AND OTHER COMMERCIAL/ INDUSTRIAL/INSTITUTIONAL RETROFITS

 

Meeting Date:
October 1, 2009

Budgeted: 

Yes.

 

From:

Darby Fuerst,

Program/

 

 

General Manager

Line Item No.:

4-2-3

 

Prepared By:

Stephanie Pintar

Cost Estimate:

N/A

 

General Counsel Review:  Counsel has reviewed the ordinance

Committee Recommendation:  

CEQA Compliance:  This ordinance is exempt as it is not a Project under CEQA.

 

SUMMARY:  Draft Ordinance No. 140 (Exhibit 2-A), an ordinance expanding the Rebate Program, has been referred back to committee by the Board for review of the proposed lawn and synthetic grass rebates.  The Board has requested the Water Demand Committee:

 

  1. Review the definition of “Lawn” in relation to the descriptive qualities that indicate its removal should qualify for a Rebate.   Staff has proposed that a lawn should be alive and healthy to receive immediate and measurable water savings.  One Board member suggested that a lawn should have a built-in irrigation system as qualifying criteria.  Another suggested a two-tier rebate for live and dead lawns.  The Water Demand Committee has recommended that any lawn (alive or dead) should qualify for a Rebate.

 

  1. Discuss lawn replacement criteria.  Replacement of lawn with cement or gravel was mentioned as an undesired outcome of this type of Rebate.  Staff proposes a requirement that 50 percent of the lawn area be covered with low water use (i.e. drought tolerant and native) landscaping.  The 50 percent living plant coverage requirement would be based on the full mature plant value of the plant type to determine coverage.  Synthetic turf could be substituted for living plant coverage.  The other portion of the area could be hardscaped (i.e., patio, walkway, deck, etc.).

 

  1. Discuss maximum rebate for lawn removal and for synthetic turf installation.

 

RECOMMENDATION:  The Water Demand Committee should discuss the items summarized above and provide direction to staff.  The committee should also make recommendations on each to the Board.

IMPACT ON STAFF/RESOURCES:  Increased participation in the rebate program has impacts on staff as the District administers the rebate programs for the District.  However, the District has been able to accommodate the existing program and the new database will enhance staff’s ability to process and issue rebates.  The cost of administering the Rebate Program is contemplated in the adopted Water Demand Division 2009/10 budget.

 

EXHIBITS

2-A      Draft Ordinance No. 140

 

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