CC - Item 6C - Modification of Stage III Water Conservation Measures and the City's Response to Mandatory Conservation Requirements E M
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ROSEMEAD CITY COUNCIL
11414CIVIC PRIDE STAFF REPORT
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COaPORATED V9y9
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: JEFF ALLRED, CITY MANAGER /ik$
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DATE: MAY 12, 2015
SUBJECT: MODIFICATION OF STAGE III WATER CONSERVATION MEASURES
AND THE CITY'S RESPONSE TO MANDATORY CONSERVATION
REQUIREMENTS
SUMMARY
On November 10, 2014 the City Council adopted Resolution 2014-57 implementing
Phase II water shortage conservation measures. Subsequently, on April 1, 2015
Governor Brown issued an executive order mandating additional water conservation of
25% statewide compared to 2013 usage figures. Based upon the additional mandates,
the City's current Phase II restrictions are not sufficient and the City's current code section
13.04.060 regulating Phase III restrictions also are not sufficient. Therefore, Urgency
Ordinance 953 is being presented to completely amend code section 13.04.060 to ensure
compliance with the Governor's mandate and the intended response of the six (6) water
companies that supply water to Rosemead. Additionally, Resolution 2015-24 has been
drafted to implement the two days per week irrigation restrictions mandated under Phase
III.
Staff is also seeking direction from the City Council regarding the proposed landscape
and water use plan for City facilities. This plan has been developed in an effort to meet
the 25% water conservation target established by the Governor while maintaining, to the
greatest extent possible, the City's valuable parks and open spaces.
Staff Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council take the following actions:
1) Adopt, as an urgency measure to comply with the Governor's mandated water
conservation requirements, Ordinance 953 "An Urgency Ordinance of the City
Council of the City of Rosemead, California, amending Chapter 13.04.060 of the
Rosemead Municipal Code concerning Phase III Water Shortage — Mandatory
Conservation."
2) Adopt Resolution 2015-24 designating irrigation schedules under Phase III water
shortage conditions.
3) Provide direction regarding the proposed turf replacement on the Garvey Avenue
Medians.
ITEM NUMBER: CQC_
City Council Meeting
May 12,2015
Page 2 of 6
4) Provide direction regarding the proposed landscape and turf maintenance plan for
City owned or operated facilities.
Water Shortage Ordinance
On April 1, 2015 the Governor issued an executive order mandating water conservation
of at least 25% statewide. Subsequently, the State's Water Resources Control Board has
developed implementation requirements along with conservation targets for each retail
water provider based on region. City staff has been meeting with the various water
providers, both individually and as a group, to develop regulations that can be
implemented city-wide and are enforceable.
The City's current water conservation regulations are based on various levels of supply
shortages. In speaking with the water purveyors servicing the City, drought and
conservation requirements in the State are no longer announced based on supply
shortages, but rather have changed to conservation requirements based on usage. As
such, the water purveyors would not issue letters to the City regarding water delivery
shortages. Additionally, the Governor and the State Water Resources Control Board have
issued specific water conservation requirements that are not included in the City's existing
Code. Therefore, as an urgency measure, it is being proposed that the City amend its
Phase III Water Shortage regulations of Code Section 13.04.060 to reflect the State's
conservation requirements and the water purveyor's intended response. The amended
code will mandate the additional conservation measures of:
1. The restrictions on watering lawns, landscaped or other turf with potable water by
methods other than drip irrigation or microspray shall be limited to no more than
two (2) days per week on a schedule posted by the City and is strictly prohibited
between the hours of 8:00a.m. and 6:00p.m.;
2. Irrigation with potable water of ornamental turf on public street medians is
prohibited;
3. Irrigation with potable water outside of newly constructed homes and buildings
not in accordance with emergency regulations or other requirements established
in the California Building Standards Code is prohibited
4. Application of potable water to outdoor landscapes during and within 48 hours
after measurable rainfall is prohibited;
5. Water used on a one-time basis for purposes such as construction and dust
control, shall be limited to that quantity identified in a plan submitted by the user
which describes water use requirements. The plan shall be submitted to the City's
Community Development Department for approval. Water sources other than
potable water shall be utilized where available;
6. The use of water from fire hydrants shall be limited to fire fighting and related
activities and other uses of water for municipal purposes shall be limited to
activities necessary to maintain public health, safety and welfare.
City Council Meeting
May 12,2015
Page 3 of 6
The City's staff has met with all six purveyors and they are supportive of the proposed
regulations. Each of their governing bodies will be adopting similar regulations along with
sending notices to all of their customers.
In combination with the revised Phase III regulations, the City must declare the exact
watering schedule. After working with the six water purveyors it was determined that a
weekday only schedule was the simplest to follow and easiest to enforce. The intended
initial schedule for the watering days in item #1 is to permit watering of even numbered
addresses on Monday and Thursday and odd numbered addresses on Tuesday and
Friday. In Rosemead even numbered addresses are generally on the South or East side
of a street and odd numbered addresses are generally on the North or West side of a
street. This will aid in enforcement as only one side a street should be watered on a
particular day. The duration of watering will be permitted at 15 minutes per station with a
recommended guideline of 3 cycles of 5 minutes each, at least one hour apart. It is
recommended that these specific guidelines be approved by Council Resolution rather
than the Ordinance, as the purveyors made need to reduce these water schedules
depending on the conservation figures they experience.
Garvey Median Turf Replacement Project
As the Council may recall, as part of the mid-year budget update process it was approved
to remove all of the turf along Garvey Avenue and replace it with synthetic turf. The project
is to be funded through turf removal rebates offered by the water district along with the
General Fund. It was recently brought to the staff's attention that there was some concern
regarding the use of synthetic turf by a Council Member(s). Prior to going out to bid for
the project, staff is seeking direction to either continue with synthetic turf or pursue the
planting of simple drought tolerant plants. It's important to note that along with the water
conservation efforts, this plan was originally planned due to the large amounts of irrigation
system damage due to tree roots in the medians, so the only regular water source on the
medians is a quick coupler hose bib. If drought tolerant plans were put in place of the
synthetic turf, they would require hand watering.
Landscape Maintenance Plan for City Facilities
The City must develop a plan to meet the 25% conservation target and the majority of the
City's water usage is related to landscape irrigation. City staff has been developing a plan
to maintain the turf at critical City locations while letting turf at other non-essential parks
or facilities go dormant. Staff is seeking direction from the City Council regarding this plan
with the intent of moving forward as soon as possible.
Civic Center
Staff has reviewed the entire civic center complex as one facility. Recommendations
include the removal of all the turf along Valley Blvd. in front of the County Library and City
Hall. This turf will be replaced with drought tolerant landscaping similar to the plant palette
currently surrounding the turf in front of City Hall. The turf in the Public Plaza, corridor,
and parking lot area will be maintained as it is irrigated with Netafim drip irrigation below
the surface. Lastly, the turf surrounding RCRC will be maintained as possible with the
City Council Meeting
May 12,2015
Page 4 of 6
irrigation standards of two days per week. It's possible that the turf surrounding RCRC
may turn yellow or go dormant due to the minimal amount of water.
Garvey Center
Almost all of the turf at Garvey Center has been removed as part of the recent landscape
improvements at this facility. A very small amount of turf still exists in the rear parking lot
and is used by the residents of the senior housing complex. This turf will be maintained
per the water regulations of two days per week. All of the remaining irrigation at the
Garvey Center has been converted to drip irrigation.
Dinsmoor House
The irrigation system will be set to the requirements of two days per week and staff will
evaluate how the turf responds. As the Council is aware, there is a tremendous amount
of turf surrounding the Dinsmoor House and it requires a great amount of water. It's
possible that the turf will turn yellow or go dormant due to the minimal amount of water. If
additional conservation measures are required, staff would recommend turning off all
irrigation to the front yard and try to maintain the backyard for special events and rentals.
Rosemead Park
The focus for Rosemead Park is to maintain the athletic fields and heavily used picnic
areas as best as possible. In trade for this, staff is recommending eliminating some turf
all together in the lesser used area to achieve the water reductions necessary. Per the
attached overhead photos, staff recommends eliminating the turf on the northern most
section of the park outside of the outfield area of the baseball field along with eliminating
the turf in the triangle area just south of the preschool building between the two concrete
paths. If additional reductions are necessary, staff would recommend further reduction
along between the jogging trail and the aquatics center parking lot and the area
immediately to the west between the parking lot and the service road.
Garvey Park
Similarly to Rosemead Park, the focus is to maintain the turf on the athletic fields and
heavily used picnic areas. Staff recommends eliminating the small patches of turf in and
around the tennis court parking lot and the Public Works building, the small area of turf
behind the softball field backstop, and the several small turf areas near some of the picnic
shelters. Overhead photos are included for reference. If additional reduction is necessary,
staff recommends eliminating the turf to the South of the gym and surrounding the Splash
Zone.
Sports Complex
This park utilizes recycled water for irrigation. While the new restrictions to not apply to
recycled water, staff will utilize discretion and make every attempt to mirror the two days
per week guidelines while keeping the turf in good shape for athletic events.
City Council Meeting
May 12,2015
Page 5 of 6
Rush Street Medians
The irrigation of these medians will be reduced to two days per week standards or
manually controlled since the system is still utilizing spray heads. It's important to note
that these medians are irrigated with recycled water. There are no regulations prohibiting
irrigation with recycled water, but due to the public perception of different standards, staff
will utilize discretion when irrigating.
Marshall Avenue Medians
These medians are on drip irrigation and do not fall under the mandated two days per
week regulations. However, the irrigation will be set to two days per week and staff will
monitor the health of the landscape.
Freeway Slopes
Staff is currently working with Caltrans to develop a plan since the water and irrigation
system is owned by Caltrans, even though the City maintains the landscape. It is staff's
intent to set the irrigation to the two days per week requirements and see how the
landscape responds. These areas have typically required extra water due to the poor soil
absorption.
Triangle Park (San Gabriel Blvd. and 60 Freeway)
The irrigation to this small park has already been reduced. Staff proposes to remove all
turf at this location and apply for the water district rebate money. The funds could then be
used to do an in-house synthetic turf project or plant with drought tolerant landscaping.
The existing trees and shrub landscape would remain. The main reason for using the
resources to re-landscape this park is the high visibility due to the freeway. Otherwise,
this park does not get recreational use.
Klingerman Park
Transition to the two days per week water schedule for the interim. Due to the antiquated
irrigation system at this park, staff recommends eliminating several small sections of turf
and landscaping along the eastern side along the service road and the small portion of
turf behind the playground area. Staff will also evaluate removing the turf on the back of
the park, but maintain the turf on the front area where the play equipment and majority of
park use is located.
Guess Park
Transition to the two days per week restrictions and see how the turf fares. Due to the
limited use staff believes that while the turf may yellow a bit, it should survive. Staff also
recommends enlarging the barked tree wells surrounding the 6 large trees to improve
water retention for the trees while reducing some of the turf area. If necessary to reach
the 25% target, the second phase of reduction for this site would be to cut irrigation on
the northern portion behind the picnic shelter and the small pocket of turf on the southwest
end of the park. Eliminating turf in these two areas would eliminate approximately 1,750
sq. ft. of turf.
City Council Meeting
May 12,2015
Page 6 of 6
Sally Tanner Park
Transition to the two days per week restrictions and see how the turf fares. Due to the
limited use staff believes that while the turf may yellow a bit, it should survive.
Olney Street Park
Currently on manual watering, which is less than the two days per week restrictions. Staff
recommends that we cut the irrigation at this park completely and let the turf die.
Unfortunately, the rebates wouldn't be sufficient to turn this park into a completely drought
tolerant park, but staff recommends some drought tolerant planting and the use of mulch
to cover the area. The slope area on the western end that drops down to Walnut Grove
has already been modified by eliminating the ivy and replacing with mulch.
Angeles Park
The irrigation at this park has already been set to the two days per week standards. If the
City is not meeting its 25% reduction target, staff recommends that we cut the irrigation
at this park completely and let the turf die. Unfortunately, the rebates wouldn't be sufficient
to turn this park into a completely drought tolerant park, but we would proposed to do
some drought tolerant planting to the area immediately adjacent to the school.
Zapopan Park
This park is irrigated with recycled water; however, staff will still try to maintain the turf
according to the two days per week requirements.
Additional Information
The City of Rosemead did complete the requirements of the San Gabriel Water Wise
Challenge and submitted the application. The City may be eligible for a grant of up to
$50,000, and if received the funds would be used to offset the costs of transforming some
of the turf areas to drought friendly landscape.
PUBLIC NOTICE PROCESS
This item has been noticed through the regular agenda notification process.
Prepared By: Submitted By:
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Se. ullivan Matth w E. Ha kesworth
Acting Public Works Manager Asst City Manager/Director of Public Works
Attachment:
A. Ordinance No. 953
B. Resolution 2015-24
C. Park Maps
ORDINANCE NO. 953
AN URGENCY ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF ROSEMEAD, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING CHAPTER
13.04.060 OF THE ROSEMEAD MUNICIPAL CODE
CONCERNING PHASE III WATER SHORTAGE —
MANDATORY CONSEVATION.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD,
CALIFORNIA, DOES HEREBY ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 13.04.060 of the Rosemead Municipal Code is hereby amended to
read in its entirety as follows:
13.04.060 Phase III water shortage — Mandatory Conservation.
A. A Phase III water shortage shall be declared when the City is advised that the
Governor or State Water Resources Control Board has mandated conservation
of more than twenty (20) percent
B. All of the restrictions of Phase II shall apply except that:
1. The restrictions on watering lawns, landscape or other turf with potable
water by methods other than drip irrigation or mircospray shall be limited to
no more than two (2) days per week on a schedule posted by the City and
is strictly prohibited between the hours of 8:00a.m. and 6:00p.m.,
2. Irrigation with potable water of ornamental turf on public street medians is
prohibited;
3. Irrigation with potable water outside of newly constructed homes and
buildings not in accordance with emergency regulations or other
requirements established in the California Building Standards Code is
prohibited
4. Application of potable water to outdoor landscapes during and within 48
hours after measurable rainfall is prohibited;
5. Water used on a one-time basis for purposes such as construction and dust
control, shall be limited to that quantity identified in a plan submitted by the
user which describes water use requirements. The plan shall be submitted
to the City's Community Development Department for approval. Water
sources other than potable water shall be utilized where available;
6. The use of water from fire hydrants shall be limited to fire fighting and related
activities and other uses of water for municipal purposes shall be limited to
activities necessary to maintain public health, safety and welfare.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 12th day of May, 2015:
MARGARET CLARK
MAYOR
ATTEST:
GLORIA MOLLEDA
CITY CLERK
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
RACHEL R. RICHMAN
CITY ATTORNEY
Page 2 of 2
RESOLUTION NO. 2015-24
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD DESIGNATING IRRIGATION
SCHEDULES UNDER PHASE III WATER SHORTAGE CONDITIONS
WHEREAS, on April 1 , 2015 Governor Brown issued an executive order
mandating additional water conservation of 25% statewide; and
WHEREAS, on May 12, 2015 the City of Rosemead declared the need for Phase
Ill Water Conservation Measures; and
WHEREAS, Phase Ill Water Conservation Measures includes Mandatory water
conservation requirements; and
WHEREAS, the City must designate the residential irrigation standards under the
Phase Ill Water Conservation Measures.
NOW THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD,
CALIFORNIA, DOES RESOLVE, DECLARE AND ORDER AS FOLLOWS:
1 . Properties with even number addresses may only be irrigated on Monday and
Thursday of each week.
2. Properties with odd number addresses may only be irrigate on Tuesday and
Friday of each week.
3. The duration of watering will be permitted at 15 minutes per station per
permitted day. The recommended frequency of 3 cycles of 5 minutes at least
one hour apart should be followed when feasible.
PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED this 12th day of May 2015.
Margaret Clark, Mayor
ATTEST:
Gloria Molleda, City Clerk
Rosemead Park - Recreation Building Area
3,740 square feet
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Rosemead Park - Recreation Building Playground Area
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Rosemead Park - Pool Parking Lot Area
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Garvey Park
Area 1—2,027 square feet
Area 2—888 square feet
Area 3—1,371 square feet
Area 4—3,000 square feet
Area 5—805 square feet
Area 6-385 square feet
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Area 3—Phase 2 IF NECESSARY- Propose to f
remove all turf and replace with bark
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existing drought tolerant landscaping
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Garvey Park—Southwest Area
Area 1-775 square feet
Area 2 -554 square feet
Area 3 -490 square feet
Area 4-580 square feet
Area 5—325 square feet
Area 6-212 square feet
Area 7—158 square feet
Area 8—1720 square feet
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Area 6 & 7—Propose to remove all turf and replace with I Area 8—Propose to remove all turf and replace with
drought tolerant demonstration garden and mulch. I mulch/DG. Future improvements could include a drought
tolerant demonstration garden and mulch
Klingerman Park
Area 1 - 423 square feet
Area 2 - 1,175 square feet
Area 3 - 997 square feet
Area 4 - 2,534 square feet
Area 1 - Propose to eliminate
turf area and add mulch.
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Guess Park
Area 1 - 1,438 square feet
Area 2 - 315 square feet
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Angelus Park
Area 1 - 2,819 square feet
Area 2 - 2,830 square feet
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