March 3, 2026
City Hall Water Conservation
Non-Functional Turf Regulation
AB 1572 was adopted in October 2023, prohibiting the irrigation of Non-Functional Turf (NFT) with potable water.
NFT is defined as turf grass that serves no practical purpose for human activity or recreation.
Staff looking to take advantage of grant incentive for turf replacement for government owned properties, $4 per sqft.
Community Survey Results
Community input on what they would like to see triggered the question of should the City Hall lawn be considered functional or not?
Council Direction
Is the lawn functional?
Leave the lawn as-is
Replace grass with drought tolerant landscape
Leave fountains as-is
Repurpose fountains into planters
Repair fountains
Yes
No
Fiscal Impact
Leave as-is: No fiscal impact
Replace Grass: $370,000* Combination of Water Non-Rate Revenue and Grant Funds, no future general fund impacts Repurpose Fountain: $50,000* Water Non-Rate Revenue, no future General Fund impacts Repair Fountain: $200,000* Water Non-Rate Revenue, future General Fund impact for maintenance and repairs * Staff preliminary cost estimates
Staff Recommendations
Replace the Non-Functional Turf with drought tolerant landscape and repurpose the fountains into planters Aligns with California’s conservation goals
Reduces future maintenance costs
Opportunity to incorporate space for the community
Inspire other commercial and residential turf transformation Actual photo submissions from community survey