Report to Mayor and City Council
Tuesday, January 04, 2022
Consent
SUBJECT:
Title
CONSIDER APPLICATION FOR CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE - WATER CONSERVATION REBATE PROGRAM AND ADOPTING RESOLUTION 21-166 AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2021-2022 BUDGET IN THE AMOUNT OF $97,922.00 (CITY COUNCIL)
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I. SUMMARY
To achieve the water conservation and efficiency objectives of state and local mandates, staff is seeking approval from the Council to submit an application for rebates from California Water Service (CalWater) for high-efficiency sprinkler nozzles and rotors in the amount of $89,020.00 (Exhibit No. 1). This is a non-competitive rebate program, though City Council approval is required to apply. All the City’s proposed sites are below the $25,000 per-site threshold per the CalWater application requirements, which means the $89,020.00 is a reasonable request. CalWater will notify the City of the approval of its application prior to the City beginning work on the project. The goal is to replace all nozzles by May 2022.
Funds for this item were not included in the FY 2021/22 budget; therefore, if the project is approved by CalWater, Resolution 21-166 will increase the budget by $97,922.00 (which includes contingency, described below), which would then be reimbursed/rebated to the City by CalWater.
II. RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
TAKE the following actions:
1. AUTHORIZE staff to submit Commercial Application - Outdoor to California Water Service for Rebates totaling $89,020.00.
2. AUTHORIZE a 10% contingency in the amount of $8,902.00 to be expended, only if necessary, to cover unforeseen conditions that may be required to complete this project.
3. WAIVE further reading and ADOPT Resolution No. 21-166, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARSON AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2021-2022 GENERAL FUND AND SPECIAL REVENUE BUDGET IN THE AMOUNT OF $97,922.00”
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III. ALTERNATIVES
TAKE another action the City Council deems appropriate.
IV. BACKGROUND
Due to the Governor’s declaration of an emergency drought for the entire state in October, reducing water usage is a primary goal for the Public Works Department. A drought is a period of drier-than-normal conditions that results in water-related scarcity and challenges. Having an updated, water efficient irrigation system can assist mitigating the waste of this precious natural resource.
CalWater has a list of conservation rebates and programs currently available to help residents and commercial businesses conserve water. Public Works is applying for the Commercial Rebate to replace normal sprinkler heads with high-efficiency sprinkler nozzles in ten of the City’s parks, City Hall, and the Community Center. (Exhibit No. 2)
High-efficiency sprinkler nozzles save water by applying water more slowly and uniformly which minimizes run-off. A retrofit system can help Carson become more water efficient. The change to high-efficient rotors and sprinklers can allow us to apply water at a rate that decreases ponding, pooling, and/or runoff.
If the application is accepted, the timeline for Public Works grounds workers will be to change out the sprinkler heads in three phases between January 2022 and September 2022, with the goal of completing the major installation project by May 2022. Public Works will invoice CalWater for reimbursement up to the application maximum of $89,020.00.
The first phase is to replace all parks regular nozzles and high-efficiency nozzles as well as large rotary nozzles at the Calas Park sports fields. Staff will replace enough equipment to furnish the sports fields at Calas and evaluate its findings. If successful, staff will begin Phase 2 for the sports fields and continue to replace all large rotary nozzles. CalWater has requested Carson complete the installation by May since water consumption goes up in May and June. The request of the rebate is $89,020.00. The cost of the rebate includes labor plus the equipment.
After installation, in Phase 3 staff will monitor the fields for areas that are not being covered and may need additional sprinkler heads.
V. FISCAL IMPACT
Funds for this item were not included in the FY 2021/22 budget; therefore, if the project is approved by CalWater, the budget will need to be increased by $97,922.00. Since this program refunds work after completion, the City is only advancing the money until receipts are turned in and there is an inspection by CalWater that the nozzles were replaced. There would be no net impact to the General Fund. Funding for the Rebate Program of $89,020.00 plus a 10% contingency of $8,902.00 should be appropriated from the unreserved, undesignated general fund balance to account 101-80-840-105-6019. (Exhibit 3.) The total budget increase will be $97,922.00.
VI. EXHIBITS
1. California Water Service - Commercial* Application-Outdoor (pgs. 3 - 8)
2. Park Equipment Upgrades Data (pg. 9)
3. Resolution No. 21-166 (pgs. 10 - 11)
Prepared by: John Martinez, Grounds Supervisor, Cesar Padilla, Grounds Supervisor, and Ariel De La Paz, LBM Superintendent