WATER DEMAND COMMITTEE
ITEM:		ACTION ITEM
2.	CONSIDER REQUEST FOR PHASE TWO PROJECT FUNDING: BROADWAY WATER CONSERVATION GARDEN AT MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. ELEMENTRY SCHOOL, 1713 BROADWAY AVE., SEASIDE
Meeting Date:			September 18, 2018	Budgeted: Yes
From:			David J. Stoldt,	Program/	Water Conservation
			General Manager	Line Item No.:	4-2-2-F, 4-2-2-H
Prepared By:			Stephanie Kister	Cost Estimate:	$30,000
General Counsel Review: N/A
Committee Recommendation: N/A
CEQA Compliance: This action does not constitute a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines section 15301.

SUMMARY: During Fiscal Year (FY) 2017-18, MPWMD partnered with Monterey Peninsula Unified School District (MPUSD) and others to remove a highly visible sloped section of lawn, ice plant, and juniper along Broadway Avenue in Seaside at Martin Luther King Jr. School (MLK) and replaced it with a community water conservation demonstration garden (Exhibit 2-A).

MPUSD is requesting $30,000 during FY 2018-19 to complete the water conservation garden. Funding for this community demonstration project is available in the Fiscal Year 2018-19 project budget from School Retrofits (26-05-781184) and Graywater/Rainwater Demo Project (26-05-781185). Staff has requested additional detail on the budget for this project and will present that information at the meeting.

The Board of Directors approved $30,000 in FY 2017-18 for the project which consisted of drought tolerant plants, storm water infiltration features, a rain watering system, drip irrigation and interpretive educational signage. In the first year of the project, the funds enabled the removal of all turf, ice plant and juniper. The upper section of the hillside was planted with drought tolerant plants, two cisterns where installed, a rain garden was built, and high-quality benches were installed. This year’s request for an additional $30,000 would allow the lower two sections of the project to be completed.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The hillside has been fully scraped and is presently covered with mulch. The unfinished lower two sections will be planted with drought tolerant plants and be fully incorporated into the first phase design. MPUSD will provide the staff and equipment to install decorative and functional rock, a split rail fence, build storm water infiltration basins along the bottom of the hillside, and a rainwater harvesting system will be installed along the front of the building to irrigate the area by gravity feed. Additional drought tolerant plants will be selected and sourced with the help of Return of the Natives (RON) from California State University Monterey Bay. RON will also organize, promote, and lead two garden parties where community members are invited to help install plants and help maintain them in the future. MLK students will be invited to assist with the project by adding artwork and helping with planting. An efficient irrigation system may be installed to augment rainwater supplies during the establishment period. Signage about the demonstrated water conservation practices will be installed throughout the project, recognizing MPWMD as a major sponsor.

In addition to funding from MPWMD and over 600 hours of MPUSD staff time and volunteer hours, the water conservation garden has been financially supported by both MPUSD and a State Water Resources Control Board Drought Response Outreach Program for Schools (DROPS) grant. When the project is complete, the landscape will be maintained by MPUSD staff, with support from periodic volunteer work groups from Shoreline Church, RON, and school staff/students. The project will leave a lasting educational experience for visitors for years to come.

EXHIBIT

2-A Water Conservation Garden Proposal

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