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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12 - Newport Coast Runoff Reduction - revisedCITY OF NEWPOR-T-1- BEACH �q,FO�NP City Council Staff Report Agenda Item No. 12 February 28, 2012 TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: Public Works Department Stephen G. Badum, Public Works Director 949 - 644 -3311, sbadum @newportbeachca.gov PREPARED BY: Shane Burckle 949 - 644 -3214, sburckleanewportbeachca.gov APPROVED: TITLE: Newport Coast Runoff Reduction Program - Allocate MWD Rebates for Additional Irrigation Controllers ABSTRACT: The City's irrigation runoff reduction program in Newport Coast encourages property owners to install Smart irrigation controllers. These controllers use weather information and site conditions to tailor watering schedules and run times automatically. Staff requests approval to allocate irrigation controller rebates received from Metropolitan Water District (MWD) into the runoff reduction program to install more controllers. RECOMMENDATION: Approve Budget Amendment No. 12BA- 028 recognizing new revenue from Metropolitan Water District up to $250,000 and appropriating up to $250,000 to Account No. 7255 - 05100968 to supplement the irrigation runoff reduction program. Expenditure appropriations should not exceed rebate receipts. FUNDING REQUIREMENTS: The Budget Amendment recognizes up to $250,000 in anticipated revenue from MWD and appropriates these funds to the runoff reduction program as they are received. Revenue will be posted to the MWD Rebate account in the Environmental Contributions Fund, 255 - 48891, and runoff reduction program costs will be expensed to the MWD Rebate Project account in the Environmental Contributions Fund, 7255- C5100968. Revenues will be received over a three year period. Newport Coast Runoff Reduction Program - Allocate MWD Rebates for Additional Irrigation Controllers February 28, 2012 Page 2 DISCUSSION: The City initiated a similar program in 2006 that installed about 600 Smart irrigation controllers in Newport Coast. Water savings of 10 to 25 percent were not unusual for single family residences where Smart irrigation controllers were installed. A study performed by Irvine Ranch Water District of one HOA's common areas that were retrofit with smart irrigation controllers documented a 35 percent reduction in irrigation runoff. The City has now launched a new three -year program to install approximately 800 or more Smart irrigation controllers at residential and commercial locations within the Newport Coast Watershed. The total cost for the program is $1,050,000. The cost for the program's first year ($750,000) is funded by a Proposition 84 grant awarded to the City. Remaining costs for Years 2 and 3 will be shared by Irvine Ranch Water District and the City. The City anticipates approximately $250,000 in MWD irrigation controller rebates throughout the duration of the City's program. Upon City Council approval of the recommended action in this report, MWD rebates will be deposited into Fund No. 255- 48891 and appropriated to a Capital Improvement Program expenditure account to install up to 200 -250 additional Smart irrigation controllers. The expenditures will not exceed the rebate receipts. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW: Staff recommends the City Council find this action is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act ( "CEQA ") pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) (the activity will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment) and 15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as defined in Section 15378) of the CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, because it has no potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly. NOTICING: The agenda item has been noticed according to the Brown Act (72 hours in advance of the meeting at which the City Council considers the item). Riihmittarl hv- Attachment: A. Budget Amendment