HomeMy WebLinkAbout65C - MEDIAN LANDSCAPE ALTERNATIVESREQUEST FOR
COUNCIL ACTION
CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE:
JUNE 2, 2015
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MEDIAN LANDSCAPE ALTERNATIVES TO
COMPLY WITH STATE OF CALIFORNIA
EMERGENCY EXECUTIVE ORDER DUE
TO DROUGHT CONDITIONS
(STRATEGIC PLAN NO. 5, 2)
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CITY MA AGER
RECOMMENDED ACTION
CLERK OF COUNCIL USE ONLY:
APPROVED
❑ As Recommended
❑ As Amended
❑ Ordinance on 1" Reading
❑ Ordinance on 2 n Reading
❑ Implementing Resolution
❑ Set Public Hearing For
CONTINUED TO
FILE NUMBER
Direct staff to comply with the State of California Executive Order B -29 -15 due to drought
conditions and stop irrigation of landscaped medians by June 1, 2015.
2. Direct staff to pursue a replacement landscaping alternative at high - priority locations Citywide,
using a combination of drought - tolerant planting and decomposed granite, and evaluate
options to finance the project via an interfund loan.
DISCUSSION
On April 1, 2015, the Governor of California signed Executive Order B- 29 -15, proclaiming a state
of emergency throughout the State of California due to severe drought conditions, effective June
1, 2015, through February 28, 2016. One of its mandates prohibits irrigation of public street
median ornamental turf (grass) with potable water. Under California Water Code Section
1845(b)(1)(A), noncompliance with conservation measures during a period in which the Governor
has proclaimed a state of emergency is subject to fines of $10,000 for each day in which the
violation occurs
The City's 32 miles of landscaped medians (2.8 million square feet), much of it covered with
grass, are irrigated with potable water and, therefore, such irrigation would be banned during the
9 -month emergency period. Upon City Council direction, staff is prepared to discontinue all
irrigation of these medians to comply with the Governor's mandate.
ALTERNATIVES
The current drought has provided an opportunity to reevaluate and explore different long -term
landscape design concepts that will contribute to ongoing water conservation goals. In
anticipation of continued drought conditions, staff has monitored efforts by other cities and
researched alternatives that may be viable in Santa Ana. Some alternative ground coverings,
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Median Landscape Alternatives
June 2, 2015
Page 2
such as wood chips and mulch, are impractical due to uneven median surfaces and the
associated increase in maintenance costs. However, several alternatives do provide long- lasting
benefits and are presented here for City Council consideration.
Staff analyzed several factors for each alternative. The following table shows the Operating
Savings and the estimated current Capital Cost to implement each alternative:
Alternatives
Savin s*
Est.
Capital
Groundcover Water
FYE 16
How Long?
Cost*
one -time fine
1. Grass (no change /status quo)
Potable
($2.72 M)
unless E.O, is
extended
2. None (not reinstall grass turf)
None
$360 K
until grass
d ies
3 Grass (no change with non - potable
Non-potable
($350 K}
ongoing
water deliver service)
4 Drought - tolerant with decomposed granite; high-priority areas of the city
water = None /Potable
FYE 16 = $577,000
Est. capital cost = $5.0 M
5. None reinstall grass at 2 rs)
None /Potable
$660 K
2 yrs
$5.7 M
6. Decomposed granite (only)
None
$310 K
on oin
$9.0 M
7. Hardsca a combination
None
$310 K
ongoing
$13.5 M
$ Drought - tolerant with decomposed
potable
$110 K
ongoing
$15.0 M
granite
9. Artificial turf
None
$250 K
ongoing
$21.0 M
Present value
** Total fines for 272 days @ $10, 000 /day over the 9 -month emergency period
Shutting off the water in the medians will result in the loss of the City's investment in ornamental
grass (valued at $8 M). To avoid reversion to dirt at every median in the City, staff is
recommending Alternative No. 4 as a way to establishing a new, environmentally conscious
aesthetic citywide. In this option, irrigation of the medians will cease, as ordered by the
Governor, until they are landscaped with drought- tolerant plants. Plans will be drafted to identify
high - priority median locations and replace existing landscaping with a combination of drought -
tolerant plants and decomposed granite.
Council approval of this action will authorize staff to evaluate the feasibility in establishing an
interfund loan for the estimated $5 M implementation cost. This loan will be repaid using the
estimated annual operating cost savings of $577,000. Staff will bring the identified median
locations, total project cost, and loan details for review and approval at a subsequent Council
meeting. Projects to convert remaining median locations will be pursued as additional funding
sources are identified.
65C -2
Median Landscape Alternatives
June 2, 2015
Page 3
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT
Approval of this item supports the City's efforts to meet Goal #5 Community Health, Livability,
Engagement & Sustainability, Objective #2 (expand opportunities for conservation and
environmental sustainability).
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this action at this time. However, it is estimated that
savings generated from the implementation of the State of California's Governor directive will
assist in the funding of this project. Upon final recommendation a financing option to fund the
remaining project components will be provided to the Council for consideration.
Executive Director
Public Works Agency
FM /PG /mlm
-"
Francisco Gutierrez
Executive Director
Finance & Management Services Agency
Exhibits: 1. City of Santa Ana Median Landscape Alternatives
65C -3
65C -4
City of Santa Ana Median Landscape Alternatives
Drought - tolerant Landscape with Decomposed Granite —
Alternatives No. 4 & No. 8
Bristol Street — First Street to Civic Center
Decomposed Granite Landscape — Alternative No. 6
Santa Ana River Trail
EXHIBIT 1
65C -5
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