SR-512-002 (4)
EPWM:CP:BJ:f/EPWM/ADMIN/Staffrpt/07-22-03/CITYMAKEOVERStaffReport.doc
Council Meeting: July 22, 2003 Santa Monica, California
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: City Staff
SUBJECT: Contract with the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California for the
City Makeover Grant to Install Two Comparative Gardens
Introduction
This report recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate
and execute a one-year grant contract with the Metropolitan Water District of Southern
California (MWD) to accept a $20,000 City Makeover Grant to install and compare
water usage of a water-thirsty (traditional) garden and a water-efficient (native) garden
at the Santa Monica College.
Background
In 1989, the City began its Sustainable Garden Program to promote installations of
native and drought-tolerant landscapes and low-water volume irrigation systems. The
Program includes tours of sustainable residential gardens in Santa Monica, as well as
workshops on plant selection, installation and maintenance. The program also features
sustainable demonstration gardens located in front of City Hall and at the corner of
Main Street and Pico Boulevard. These gardens were installed in 1989 with drought-
tolerant plant species, are passive in nature and do not provide an inter-active
experience for the viewer.
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Based on surveys taken during the 2002 tours, most participants stated that they had
not visited the City?s current demonstration gardens. Most participants stated that they
were interested in additional workshops, tours and garden programs offered by the
City.
In 2002, the Environmental Programs Division (EPD) began developing and
implementing new programs as a result of the ?2002 Water Efficiency Strategic Plan.?
The Plan calls for new sustainable demonstration gardens that will assist the City and
public in achieving the City?s goal of reducing water consumption 20% by year 2010,
which is a savings of 2.6 million gallons per day.
Discussion
In May 2003, the City was awarded a $20,000 City Makeover Grant from MWD for its
Smart Garden Project Proposal. As a component of the proposal, Santa Monica
College (SMC) has donated the use of two properties for two demonstration gardens,
which will be installed in the front yards and parkways of two adjacent 1940?s style
bungalow houses located on Pearl Street. The properties currently serve as SMC
offices. The goal of the Project is to inspire and help residents and businesses to
retrofit their water-thirsty gardens with sustainable landscapes by providing them with
examples, ideas and information.
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These gardens will provide an interactive experience for visitors who can compare and
contrast the two. One ?heritage,? or native, garden will consist entirely of native plants,
the most efficient irrigation equipment, and permeable paving and infiltration elements.
A ?traditional? garden will consist of turf and more water-thirsty plants and spray
irrigation. On-site signage will provide information detailing the plant material, and
urban runoff mitigation features, as well as the cost to install, irrigate and maintain.
Staff anticipates that the ?heritage? garden will cost approximately 40% less than the
?traditional? garden to maintain and irrigate.
The City?s Sustainable Garden Program will provide hands-on tours and workshops at
the two sites. Professor Doug Allen, Professor of Biology in the Life Science
Department at SMC, will collaborate with City staff and provide students, including
work-study students and volunteers from Sustainable Works crews, to act as docents
and lead tours and assist in maintenance of the traditional garden; the Environmental
Programs Division (EPD) will be responsible for maintenance of the heritage garden.
Installation of the gardens is scheduled to begin in August 2003 and end in December
2003.
This staff report authorizes the City Manager to negotiate and execute a contract to
accept the grant. Staff will return to Council following a competitive bid process for the
installation of the gardens.
Budget/Financial Impact
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The total cost of the Project is estimated at $61,400, which includes removal of existing
landscapes, installation of new irrigation systems and plant materials and development
of educational materials. The City was awarded a $20,000 grant from the MWD to
provide partial funding of this Project. Therefore, revenue account 31662.406760 is
proposed to be established in the amount of $20,000. The FY02-03 budget
appropriated $61,400 for this project, which was unspent. Therefore, a new
appropriation needs to be made in this amount at account 31662.555060 for FY03-04.
Future ongoing maintenance will be budgeted in the EPD?s operating budget.
Recommendations
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate and
execute a grant contract with Metropolitan Water District of Southern California for the
City Makeover Grant, and implement budget changes identified above.
Prepared by: Craig Perkins, Director, Environmental and Public Works Management
Brian Johnson, Manager, Environmental Programs Division
Neal Shapiro, Senior Administrative Analyst -Water Resources
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