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Anaheim, CA 92805
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CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
City of Anaheim
COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT
DATE: MAY 24, 2022
FROM: COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: APPROVE THE SUBMITTAL OF AN APPLICATION TO THE
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR, BUREAU OF
RECLAMATION FOR THE WATERSMART SMALL-SCALE
WATER EFFICIENCY PROJECTS GRANT PROGRAM FOR THE
CENTRAL ANAHEIM SMART IRRIGATION CONTROLLER
PROJECT
ATTACHMENT (Y/N): YES ITEM# 25
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council, by Resolution, approve the submittal of an application for approximately $100,000 in grant funds from the United States Department of Interior, Bureau of Reclamation for the Watersmart Small-Scale Water Efficiency Projects Grant Program for the Central Anaheim Smart Irrigation Controller Project (project); authorize the Community Services Director, or designee, to act as the Agent of the City on all matters concerning this grant program; if the grant application is successful and funds are approved, amend the Community Services Department budget accordingly for the fiscal year in which grant funds are awarded; and determine that this project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Class 1, Section 15301 and Class 2, Section 15302 of Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations.
DISCUSSION:
The City of Anaheim (City) is home to 66 parks with nearly 800 acres of parkland. The city continues to focus on maintenance and operating practices to ensure that parks are safe, inviting, and sustainable. In collaboration with the Public Utilities and Public Works departments, Community Services has developed a comprehensive database of existing irrigation equipment and their current condition throughout the park system. Irrigation controllers are the key for the watering systems to properly function and it has been concluded that the controllers at the majority of our existing parks are outdated, inefficient, and do not account for key factors such as changing weather or soil moisture.
Staff has worked with industry leaders to identify the most efficient and appropriate smart controller that fits our park system’s needs. The estimated cost to upgrade all irrigation controllers and associated components throughout the park system is $1.5 million.
City staff from the Community Services, Public Utilities, and Public Works departments have partnered in their search for funding to replace the outdated controllers and have determined that a phased approach will be the most feasible. Staff has identified the United States Department of the Interior’s Watersmart Small-Scale Water Efficiency Projects Grant Program as a potential funding source for the Central Anaheim Smart Approve the Submittal of an Application to the United States Department of Interior, Bureau of Reclamation for the Water Smart Small-Scale Water Efficiency Projects Grant Program for the Central Anaheim Smart Irrigation Controller Project May 24, 2022
Irrigation Controller Project. The project will be the first phase and entails installation of smart irrigation controllers that will improve water efficiency and reduce water usage in 10 of the most disadvantaged communities within north-central Anaheim (Attachment 2).
It is estimated that a total of 7.7 million gallons of water could be saved annually by utilizing the new smart irrigation controller technology within these ten parks. These controllers tailor watering schedules and durations automatically by collecting information from sensors to meet specific landscape needs and the technology has proven to improve outdoor water use efficiencies.
The estimated project budget is $222,430. Staff recommends approval to submit a grant application requesting approximately $100,000 in funding towards this project. The remaining balance of the project cost will be matched with funding from the Community Services budget. Grant awards are anticipated in 2023 and the project can be completed within 18 months, once funded. Community Services will continue to actively seek grants and other funding opportunities to fund the replacement of all irrigation controllers in the park system.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
The Department recommends that the City Council determine that this project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Class 1, Section 15301 and Class 2, Section 15302 of Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations.
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
The Community Services Department budget will be increased accordingly for the fiscal year in which grant funds are awarded. Matching funds are available in the Parksites and Playgrounds Fund.
Respectfully submitted,
Sjany Larson-Cash
Director of Community Services
Attachments:
1. Resolution
2. Project Site Map