WATER DEMAND COMMITTEE

 

ITEM:

ACTION ITEMS

 

 

2.

CONSIDER RECOMMENDATION TO BOARD REGARDING FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 148, AMENDING RULE 141, WATER CONSERVATION REBATES, TO CLARIFY THE PROCESS FOR LAWN REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT REBATES

 

Meeting Date:
March 9, 2011

Budgeted: 

 N/A

 

From:

Darby Fuerst,

Program/

N/A

 

General Manager

Line Item No.:

 

Prepared By:

Stephanie Pintar

Cost Estimate:

N/A

 

General Counsel Review:  Prior to first reading

Committee Recommendation: N/A

CEQA Compliance:  The replacement of existing facilities is a categorical exemption under Class I, §15301 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

 

SUMMARY:  Draft Ordinance No. 148 adds the Lawn Rebate Guidelines (Exhibit 2-A) to District Rule 141, Water Conservation Rebates.  A copy of the draft ordinance will be provided to the committee at the March 9, 2011, meeting.  The Guidelines were adopted by the Board with Resolution 2011-03 on February 24, 2011.

 

RECOMMENDATION:  The Water Demand Committee should recommend the Board approve the first reading of Ordinance No. 148 on March 21, 2011.  The Board adopted the Lawn Rebate Guidelines and directed staff to add them to the Rebate Program rules prior to implementation.  Ordinance No. 148 accomplishes this direction.

 

BACKGROUND:     On January 27, 2011, the Board suspended the receipt and processing of Lawn removal Rebate applications pending approval of revised program guidelines by the General Manager and the renewed availability of Rebate funds.  The suspension was lifted upon adoption of Resolution 2011-03 on February 24, 2011.

 

The Lawn removal Rebate went into effect January 1, 2010.  Eligible applicants may receive up to $1.25/square-foot for removing and replacing up to 5,000 square-feet of Lawn with drought-tolerant plants or permeable surfaces.  During the first twelve months of the program (January-December 2010), 77 applications totaling $130,500 were approved for removal of three acres of Lawn with estimated savings of about 11 acre-feet each year.  Lawn Rebates are deed restricted for 15 years, ensuring continuing water savings over a significant period of time.

 

IMPACT ON STAFF/RESOURCES:  N/A

 

EXHIBITS

2-A      Lawn Rebate Guidelines