Report Prepared by: Leah Brown, Water Conservation Specialist, Public Works - Water
Title
SUBJECT: Consider an Application to the Institutional Turf Program for the Applegate Rose Garden
REPORT IN BRIEF
Consider applying to the Department of Water Resources (DWR) and California Conservation Corps (CCC) for the Institutional Turf Program for a pilot project at the Rose Garden in Applegate Park to enhance the water efficiency of the garden.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion authorizing Staff to apply for a project for water efficiency upgrades at the Rose Garden funded by the DWR and CCC up to $20,000 in materials and labor; and if accepted, authorize the City Manager to execute the necessary documents.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommended by staff; or
2. Approve, subject to other than recommended by staff, or
3. Deny, or
4. Refer to staff for further reconsideration of specific items, or
5. Continue to a future meeting.
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Section 200 - Powers
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
As provided for in the 2015-16 Adopted Budget
DISCUSSION
During the midst of this historic drought, the state DWR implemented a Residential Turf Replacement program to encourage home owners to replace existing grass landscaping with water efficient plants, ground covering and more efficient irrigation systems. In December 2015, DWR, in partnership with the CCC, launched the Institutional Turf Replacement program for public areas to save water and serve as an example to the public.
The program targets underserved counties, like Merced. They aim to have potential project partners with school districts, city and county governments, water agencies, and integrated regional water management groups. They have $3 million available in Prop 1 Water Efficiency funds to work with. Each project should be 1/4- to 1/2-acre in size and no more than $20,000. The number of projects that can be funded depend...
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