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Public Works Agency <br />https://www.santa-ana.org/pw <br />Item # 28 <br />City of Santa Ana <br />20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701 <br /> Staff Report <br />April 6, 2021 <br />TOPIC: Grant Application for Landscape Transformation Program <br />AGENDA TITLE <br />Adopt a Resolution Authorizing a Grant Application Submission for the Bureau of <br />Reclamation WaterSMART Small-Scale Water Efficiency Projects for the Santa Ana <br />Landscape Transformation Program (Non-General Fund) <br />RECOMMENDED ACTION <br />Adopt a resolution authorizing the Executive Director of the Public Works Agency to <br />submit a grant application to the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation’s <br />Sustain and Manage America’s Resources for Tomorrow Small-Scale Water Efficiency <br />Programs Grant for the Turf Removal and Irrigation Improvements Program, in an amount <br />up to $75,000. <br />DISCUSSION <br />The U.S. Department of the Interior offers grant funding for small-scale water efficiency <br />projects through the Bureau of Reclamation’s Sustain and Manage America’s Resources <br />for Tomorrow (WaterSMART) Small-Scale Water Efficiency Programs (SWEP). To be <br />considered a small-scale project, total project costs should generally be $200,000 or less. <br />The current Notice of Funding Opportunity includes approximately $3 million for award to <br />agencies, with a maximum award amount of $75,000 per agency. Adoption of the <br />resolution authorizes the Executive Director of the Public Works Agency to submit a grant <br />application. <br />The Public Works Agency, Water Resources Division currently coordinates with the <br />Metropolitan Water District of Southern California to administer a landscape <br />transformation program that offers rebates for projects involving turf-removal and the <br />incorporation of water-saving plants, technology, irrigation and hardware. The program <br />aims to reduce outdoor residential water demand and improve water supply resilience <br />through landscape transformation, education and awareness. The Water Resources <br />Division intends to utilize the SWEP grant funds to expand the program and subsidize the <br />cost of residential turf removal projects for Santa Ana residents living in areas of the City <br />identified by California State Bill 535 as disadvantaged communities (DACs). The Santa <br />Ana Landscape Transformation Program will result in quantifiable water savings for the <br />City as a whole, and financial savings for DAC residents who participate in the program.