02-20-15 BPU RPT 10 - Laserfiche WebLink

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IN VA Y F. R F 8N F;R.15'M RIVERSIDE PUBLIC UTILITIES Beard Memorandum PUBLIC UTILITIES BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES DATE: FEBRUARY 20, 20'15 ITEM NO: 10 SUBJECT: ACCEPTANCE OF SECOND REIMBURSEMENT FOR RESIDENTIAL TURF REMOVAL PROGRAM THROUGH 'WESTERN MUNICIPAL 'WATER DISTRICT MEMBER AGENCY ADMINISTERED INCENTIVE PROGRAM - SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION ISSUE: The issue for Board of Public Utilities consideration is acceptance of a second round of reimbursement funds from Western Municipal Water District for the continuation of residential turf removal programs in Riverside Public Utilities service territory. Additional funding is needed to maintain the program at current incentive levels through the end of Fiscal Year 2014115. RECOMMENDATIONS: That the Board of Public Utilities recommend that the City Council: 1. Authorize the Finance Director/Treasurer to accept an additional reimbursement up to $1 million for a total of $1,600,000 deposited to the Water Conservation Fund (521) from the Member Agency Administered Incentive Program for residential turf removal; and 2. Approve a second supplemental appropriation up to $1,000,000 for a total of$1,600,000 for the un-programmed Water Conservation Fund from the Western Municipal Water District through the Member Agency Administered Incentive Program for residential turf removal programs. BACKGROUND: California is currently in the third year of a significant drought that has severely impacted California's water supply and its ability to meet all of the demands for water in the State. On January 17, 2014 Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr. declared a state of emergency due to the impact of the statewide drought, In March 2014, Governor Brown signed SB 104, a drought relief package, which expanded the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) authority to adopt emergency regulations as it deems necessary, pursuant to Water Code Section 1058.5, to ensure that urban water suppliers implement drought response plans to limit outdoor irrigation and wasteful water practices. In recognition of the SWRCB's action, the City Council adopted emergency Water Conservation Ordinance 7255 on July 22, 2014 which includes restrictions on ornamental landscape irrigation. To stimulate increased program participation, Riverside Public Utilities (RPU) increased incentive levels for turf removal programs to $2.00 per square foot for residential and $3.00 for commercial without limits on square footage. Previous incentive levels were at$01.40 cents per square foot with varying limits on square footage. The Metropolitan Water District (MWD) is currently offering $2.00 per square foot of turf removed and has reserved additional funding for member agencies to help address California's current drought conditions. RPU is eligible for member agency funding through Western Municipal Water District's (WMWD) Member Agency Administered Incentive Program. On November 6, 2014, RPU received an allocation totaling up to $3.1 million in reimbursement funds to support and maintain the increase of RPU's turf removal program incentives at$2.00 per square foot.