REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
January 26, 2017
FROM: THOMAS C. ESQUEDA, Director
Department of Public Utilities
SUBJECT
Title
RESOLUTION - Authorizing an application, in cooperation with the Department of Public Works and Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services Department, to the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation for a FY2017 WaterSMART: Water and Energy Efficiency Grant in the amount of $505,420, to upgrade and enhance the water efficiency of the irrigation systems at park sites, median islands, greenways and large irrigated turf areas in the City of Fresno public water supply service area(Council Districts 2,3,5 and 6)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff Recommends the City Council adopt a Resolution authorizing an application to the Department of Interior, Bureau of Reclamation (Bureau) for a WaterSMART: Water and Energy Efficiency Grant (WaterSMART Grant) in the amount of $505,420 to upgrade and enhance the water efficiency of the irrigation systems at park sites, median islands, greenways, and large irrigation turf areas in the City of Fresno public water supply service area, and authorize the Director of Public Utilities or designee to execute all application documents on behalf of the City.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City of Fresno provides potable water supply service to residents, businesses, industries, and institutions within a geographic area that extends across approximately 110 square miles. Within the City’s water supply service area, the City provides water to landscaping along median islands, parks and other large irrigated turf areas such as greenways. Several of these irrigation systems are in need of improvement to improve water system efficiency and conserve available water supply.
As drought conditions have continued to worsen in California, the City has been actively engaged in water supply planning and coordination efforts to conserve water use. The planning and coordination has focused on opportunities to reduce water use through the installation of more water efficient irrigation systems from spray to micro-spray and drip; installation of smart controllers; installation of soil moisture sensors; and installation of rainfall sensors - all intended to reduce potable water consumption. The total estimated cost of the projects is estimated at $1,010,840. The projects are estimated to reduce the total annual water consumption at the project sites by approximately 15 percent.
Fortunately, the Bureau provides 50/50 cost-share grants for water saving projects such as the irrigation system upgrade projects planned. As the water purveyor, the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) will apply for the WaterSMART grant directly, and if awarded, the Department of Public Works (DPW) and Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services Department (PARCS) will implement a series of projects utilizing the funding. The total estimated cost of the water conservation projects is estimated at $1,010,840, and if awarded 50% will be funded through the WaterSMART grant with DPW and PARCS providing matching funds for their respective projects.
In 2016, the City successfully secured a $300,000 grant through this program for Fresno Unified School District to perform similar irrigation system improvements at various school sites.
Staff recommends Council adopt the attached Resolution authorizing the City to submit an application to the Bureau for a WaterSMART Grant in the amount of $505,420. The proceeds from the WaterSMART Grant will be used to make water conservation projects at City facilities such as median islands, parks and large irrigated turf greenways within the City’s water supply service area to reduce water demands on the City’s public water system.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378, submitting this grant application is not a project for the purposes of the California Environmental Quality Act.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not considered because this action does not include a bid or an award of a contract.
FISCAL IMPACT
Project construction costs will be funded by DPW from Community Sanitation Utility Fees, and PARCS from Proposition 1C Funds and General Funds. The reduction in water use will result in energy savings and chemical savings from reduced groundwater pumping. The projects are located in Council Districts 2, 3, 5 and 6.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1- List of Proposed Project Locations
Attachment 2 - Resolution