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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSR - LMD-86-2 - LANDSCAPE EFFICIENCY DESIGN0 W AGENDA ITEM Date: April 14, 2015 TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council THRU: Rick Otto Interim City Manager FROM: Marie Knigh Community ery ces Dire for ReviewedNerified By: City Manager XP j Finance Direct To Be Presented By: Marie Knight X Cons Calendar _ City Mgr Rpts Council Reports _ Legal Affairs Boards /Cmtes _ Public Hrgs Admin Reports Plan/Environ t. SUBJECT Appropriation transfer from Fund 291 Unreserved Fund Balance to Professional & Consulting - Santiago Hills Landscape Assessment District (SHAD) Efficiency Design. 2. SUMMARY This transfer is necessary to fund the cost associated with the landscape efficiency design in the Santiago Hills Assessment District. 3. RECOMMENDED ACTION Authorize the appropriation of $11,970.00 from Fund 291 (Irvine — 86 -2 Landscape Maintenance) unreserved balance to 291.7026.51670.20180 (Professional & Consulting — SHAD Efficiency Design). 4. FISCAL IMPACT Upon appropriation, funds will be available to cover the cost of the Santiago Hills Assessment District Efficiency Design as follows: 291.7024.56015.20180 Bldg. & Improvements — SHAD Efficiency Design $12,260.00 291.7026.51670.20180 Prof. & Consulting — SHAD Efficiency Design $11,970.00 Total: $24,230.00 5. STRATEGIC PLAN GOAL(S) 3a. Refurbish, maintain, develop and /or expand public use places and spaces. ITEM 6. 4/14/15 6. GENERAL PLAN IMPLEMENTATION Infrastructure Element Goal 3.0: Ensure adequate maintenance of public rights -of -way to enhance public safety and improve circulation. Policy 3.2: Provide sufficient levels of street sweeping, landscaping, graffiti abatement, shopping cart and bulk item removal from streets, sidewalks, alleys, and other public rights -of -way. Land Use Goal 6.0: Advance development activity that is mutually beneficial to both the environment and the community. Policy 6.3: Establish and maintain greenways, and pedestrian and bicycle connections that complement the residential, commercial and open space areas where they connect. 7. DISCUSSION and BACKGROUND Background The Santiago Hills Landscape Assessment District (SHAD) comprises over 32 acres of landscape, lighting, and other infrastructure maintained by the City under service agreements. Funds supporting the maintenance of District landscape and other infrastructure are derived from an annual assessment of property owners within the District. In recent years, the cost for all maintenance in the District, including irrigation water, has steadily increased. The irrigation system within the District is extensive, providing water to turf, shrubs and trees in medians, parkways, and common area landscapes within the community. Costs for water have risen significantly over the last three years, and will continue to increase annually through 2017. These anticipated annual increases will result in a total estimated expenditure increase of as much as 40% over the current budget if reductions in use are not made. A significant reduction in water use is now the only viable option for reducing costs without wholesale elimination of landscape. Discussion In an effort to accomplish ongoing reductions in water consumption for the landscape, the design firm Moore Iacofano Goldsman (MIG), Inc. was selected to prepare design plans for re- landscaping of a demonstration project in the District. This demonstration project would remove areas of turf and replace these areas with drought - tolerant plants and landscape materials that are aesthetically pleasing. The demonstration project could also serve as a template for the future re- design of other areas in SHAD should additional funds become available, resulting in a significant reduction in the water use requirements for these areas. The Department's goal for this demonstration project is to replace approximately 40,000 square feet of turf area with drought - tolerant materials. Partial funding in the amount of $12,260.00 is available to fund the design services contract with MIG, Inc. An additional $11,970.00 is needed to fully -fund the contract from unreserved fund balance in SHAD Fund 291. Since the total contract amount of $24,320.00 is within the threshold ITEM 4/14/15 for City Manager approval, no City Council action is necessary to approve the contract with MIG, Inc. Once design has been completed, construction of the proposed improvements will be determined at a later date, based upon availability of funds. If funding becomes available through grants or other sources, the design template created through this demonstration project can be utilized to expand the effort in other areas throughout the District. 8. ATTACHMENTS None. ITEM 4/14/15