City Council
MEETING DATE: 2/25/2015
TITLE:
Title
Resolution Authorizing a 2014 Water-Energy Grant Program Application
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FROM:
Pat Milos, Community Development Director
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2015 - ______ authorizing an application for the 2014 Water-Energy Grant Program and conditionally accepting the grant if offered, and designating project representative, contract manager and fiscal agent; and authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute required documents and agreements associated with the 2014 Water-Energy Grant Program.
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BACKGROUND:
Funding for the State of California Department of Water Resources (DWR) 2014 Water-Energy Grant Program was approved by the Governor on March 1, 2014, through Senate Bill (SB) 103, Section 11 (2013-2014 Reg. Sess.), which appropriated funds from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (Health and Safety Code 39710 et seq.) to DWR to establish a grant program. DWR is making $19 million in funding available through the 2014 Water-Energy Grant Program solicitation. The maximum grant award is $5 million per applicant. There is no minimum cost share required.
The goal of the Water-Energy Grant Program is to fund residential, commercial, and institutional water efficiency projects that reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and also reduce water and energy use. The grant program is being managed as part of DWR's Regional Water Management Grant Program.
DISCUSSION:
The Cathedral City application to the Water-Energy Grant Program proposes to convert turf on city-owned / maintained property to desert landscaping and upgrade existing irrigation systems from lawn irrigation to drip irrigation.
The following four sites were selected.
Location 1: Century Park, Project Detail: Remove approximately 822,250 square feet of turf along the perimeter of Century Park and replace with desert landscaping.
Location 2: Alicante Parkway, Project Detail: Convert grass lawn area to drought-tolerant landscaping.
Location 3: Tapestry Parkway, Project Detail: Remove blow sand and damaged plants from the perimeter of the Tapestry Parkway. Salvage healthy plants as possible and augment with new drought tolerant plant material. Replace old irrigation system with new drip system.
Location 4: Landau Homes Parkway, Project Detail: Convert grass lawn area to drought-tolerant landscaping.
The following factors were considered in the development of the budget for the project:
Water savings was calculated at 55 gallons per year per square foot based on review of literature and turf removal incentives offered by the Desert Water Agency.
Cost estimates were calculated at $3.00 per square foot based on past project experience.
Energy savings were based on converting from lawn irrigation to drip irrigation and thereby reducing the number of valves needed to irrigate the same square footage.
Once the City is awarded the grant funds, staff will present the City Council with a detailed report identifying project details, proposed expenditures and funding sources.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total cost of the project is estimated to be $270,000. The grant application is requesting $250,000 leaving a City share of $20,000.
ATTACHMENTS:
Draft Resolution 2015 -