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HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 423-07City of Palo Alto City Manager’s Report TO: FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL CITY MANAGER DECEMBER 3, 2007 DEPARTMENT: CITY MANAGER CMR: 423:07 STATUS REPORT ON IMPLEMENTATION OF AHWAHNEE WATER PRINCIPLES This is an information report and no Council action is required. BACKGROUND On October 17, 2005, the City Council adopted the Ahwahnee Water Principles (Principles) for Resource Efficient Land Use as revised for implementation in Palo Alto (Attachment A) [CMR:393:05]. The City’s Environmental Stewardship Committee formed a subcommittee to work on ensuring that all City departments were aware of the Principles and to take the next steps to implement them. The subcommittee comprised of staff from many City departments, reviewed the Principles and determined what the City is already doing in compliance with the Principles as well as additional steps the City could take to implement the Principles. Attachment B lists Palo Alto’s existing programs and new programs that could be implemented for each of the Principles. The new programs identified are classified as either: Category 1: Ready to be adopted or implemented now; Category 2: Could be accomplished in 2-3 years; Category 3: More research is needed; or Category 4: Does not appear practical or cost-effective at this time. CMR: 423:07 Page 1 of 7 DISCUSSION New programs that can be adopted or implemented in the next 3 years (Categories 1 and 2) were identified to support implementation of each of the nine Principles. Staff is actively working on the actions below in Category 1. The lead Department is shown after each of the Category ! actions. 1. Minimize Vehicle Miles - Community design should be compact, mixed use, walkable and transit-oriented so that automobile-generated urban runoff pollutants are minimized and the open lands that absorb water are preserved to the maximum extent possible. Programs to address this principle are being incorporated into the Climate Protection Plan and are therefore not listed here. 2. Preserve Natural Resources - Natural resources such as wetlands, floodplains, recharge zones, riparian areas, open space, and native habitats should be identified, preserved, and restored as valued assets for flood protection, water quality improvement, groundwater recharge, habitat and long-term water resource sustainability. Category 1 activities to implement this principle include: A. Develop regional trails to connect neighborhoods with open space areas. A near term location for such a regional trai! is along Matadero Creek under Highway 101. Staff intends to prepare a feasibility study and conceptual plan for this trail connection and to seek grant funding for implementation. (Planning) B.Improve compliance with provisions of the Guidelines for Public Works Maintenance in Rural Areas in order to reduce erosion a!ong trails, fire roads, and service roads in open space areas. The Guidelines are contained in the City’s Urban Runoff Management Plan. The Enviromnental Compliance Division is increasing inspections of rural roads to identify and ensure correction of potential erosion. (Public Works/Utilities) C.Actively seek grants for the preservation of areas of high environmental sensitivity as well as funds to restore degraded habitat areas. Conserve sensitive habitat areas from over use, including for recreational purposes. (Community Services/Planning) A Category 2 activity that could be completed in 1-3 years is applying the provisions of Palo Alto Municipal Code (PAMC) Section 18.40.140 (Stream Corridor Protection) to single-family residential ministerial permits. Currently, the stream protection measures apply only to discretionary permits. Since this PAMC section is relatively new, Planning expects that it will take two to three years to gain the experience necessary to make a recommendation on whether to extend the provisions to ministerial permits. Council approval to extend the provisions will be sought at that time as appropriate. 3. Preserve/ Establish Water Holdin~ Areas - Water-holding areas such as creek beds, recessed athletic fields, ponds, cisterns, and other features that serve to recharge groundwater, reduce runoff, improve water quality and decrease flooding should be incorporated into the urban landscape, while meeting best practices for mosquito control and groundwater pollution prevention. CMR: 423:07 Page 2 of 7 A Category 1 activity to implement this principle is promote pilot residential and commercial projects using cisterns. Funding for this activity is currently available in the Innovative Storm Drain Improvements CIP (Storm Drainage Fund). Options include running a pilot program, offering rebates, or demonstrating the use of cisterns in City projects where feasible (e.g., libraries, plazas). (Public Works) 4. Establish Low Water Demand Landscaping - Al! aspects of landscaping from the selection of plants to soil preparation and the installation of irrigation systems should be designed to reduce water demand, retain runoff., decrease flooding, and recharge groundwater. Category ! A. Co activities to implement this principle include: Encourage the use of synthetic turf for public sports playing fields. (The Santa Clara Valley Water District (SCVWD) is conducting a water quality analysis of synthetic turf runoff water and results from the study are expected in FY 2007-08.) (Community Sela, ices) Require the use of climate monitoring devices for the regulation of water use on new playing fields and turf areas over 1,500 square feet in non-residential areas. Climate monitoring devices (also called evapo-transpiration (ET) controllers) adjust irrigation controllers depending on climate conditions and the water needs of the landscaping. For example, if rains have recently occurred or are expected, then the controllers will reduce irrigation times or delay irrigation. Cun’ently, Utilities reviews landscaping plans for all new non-residential projects which have landscapes of over 1,500 square feet to assess conformance with the City’s adopted Landscape Efficiency Standards. Implementation of required climate monitoring devices would require an amendment to this standard. (Utilities) Encourage utilization of the ET controller rebate program within the residential and commercial sectors. Currently, Utilities offers a rebate program for replacing old irrigation controllers with ET-based controllers, but participation can be expanded through increased marketing. CUtilities) Encourage participation in existing programs for irrigation efficiency. Utilities currently offers several programs to encourage efficient use of water for turf and landscaping, but participation could be increased. Encourage use of the underlying conservation techniques at new and remodeled City facilities as well. (Utilities) Enforce the City’s water waste prohibition ordinance with those customers that have excessive irrigation runoff. The City currently has an ordinance that prohibits wasteful use of water and disallows irrigation runoff as the irrigation water contains pollutants that should not be allowed to escape to the storm drain system, which ultimately goes to local creeks and the Bay. For residential customers, a door hanger could be used to inform customers of the ordinance prohibiting wasteful uses of water and provide information on residential water conservation programs available to help reduce landscape runoff. For commercial customers, a letter could be sent to the facility manager describing the ordinance prohibiting wasteful uses of water and providing information on commercial water conservation programs available to help reduce landscape runoff. (Utilities) Encourage non-daytime lawn watering. (Utilities) CMR: 423:07 Page 3 of 7 Examine all of the above and other City water conservation measures and consider further measures that may be needed for the summer of 2008. (Utilities) 5. Favor Pervious Surfaces - Permeable surfaces should be used for hardscape where practical. Impervious surfaces should be minimized wherever practicable or runoff water should be redirected so that land is available to absorb storm water, reduce polluted urban runoff, recharge groundwater and reduce flooding. Category 1 A. No activities to implement this principle include: Promote pilot projects using pervious pavement. Funding for this activity is currently available in the Innovative Storm Drain Improvements CIP in the Storm Drainage Fund. (Public Works) Require best management practices for storm water runoff reduction on City-owned parking lots and streets. Implementation of this measure would require the installation of pervious pavements for any new City parking lot or street. During the upgrade or resurfacing of City parking lots and streets, the creation of discontinuous curb sections to allow water runoff to drain into landscaping, if feasible, and opportunities for retrofitting with manageably-sized areas of permeable pavement should be considered. (Public Works) Promote pilot projects using vegetated swales (bioswales). Funding for this activity is currently available in the Innovative Storm Drain Improvements CIP in the Storm Drainage Fund. (Public Works) Category 2 activities that could be completed in 1-3 years include: A. Require the provisions contained in PAMC Chapter No 16.11 ("C.3" Stormwater Pollution Prevention) for private parking lot resurfacing projects larger than 10,000 square feet. Currently, this PAMC section is triggered bythe creation or replacement of over 10,000 square feet of impervious area and specifically exempts resurfacing projects. Requiring compliance with C.3 measures for parking lot resurfacing over 10,000 square feet would require a change to the PAMC and Council action. On a pilot basis, retrofit one or more existing City building rain water leaders and/or parking lots to drain to vegetated swales. 6. Encourage Gravwater Use - Dual plumbing that allows gray water from showers, and non-kitchen sinks to be reused for subsurface landscape irrigation should be encouraged for new and remodeled buildings, and education programs should be developed on the proper construction and operation of systems that use graywater. Category 1 activities to implement this principle include: A. Encourage graywater systems up to the limits in the Plumbing Code for commercial, institutional, and multifamily customers. The Plumbing Code (Appendix G) allows graywater use for subsurface irrigation, but the City has not encouraged applicants to install such systems. (Planning) B.Encourage public education on the use of graywater. To implement this, the City would prepare and distribute a "How To" brochure and provide information on the City’s web site on how to install and manage graywater systems. (Public Works) CMR: 423:07 Page 4 of 7 Co Showcase existing graywater projects. Severa! residents have installed graywater reuse systems. These systems can be showcased by the City and used in a public education campaign. (Public Works) 7. Maximize Recycled Water Use - Community design should maximize the use of recycled water or other nonpotable water supplies for appropriate applications including outdoor irrigation, toilet flushing, and cormnercial and industrial processes. Purple pipe (used for recycled water) should be installed in large, new construction and remodeled ("remodeled", used here, means when the plumbing is being replaced) buildings in anticipation of the future availability of recycled, or other nonpotable, water. Category 1 A. No C° Fo activities to implement this principle include: Continue to evaluate expanding the recycled water distribution system. The City completed a Recycled Water Master Plan in 1992 and completed a Recycled Water Market Survey in June 2006. That study determined that the area with the greatest potential for using recycled water is the Stanford Research Park, primarily for irrigation purposes. Currently, the City is conducting a Recycled Water Facility Plan, including the preparation of environmental documents, to establish the cost and feasibility of expanding the recycled water distribution system. The Recycled Water Facility Plan is expected to be completed by June 2008. (Utilities) Develop an ordinance that requires dual plumbing in new construction or major remodeling projects for the use of recycled water in toilets and urinals in specified structures in specified locations. Alternately, the City could require high efficiency or waterless urinals and high efficiency or dual flush toilets in these applications. The additional cost of installing dual plumbing for toilet flushing is not significant for new construction or major remodeling projects. However, it is not feasible for retrofitting existing buildings. It is prudent to prepare for the future by requiring new construction to use recycled water in applications that do not need potable water. Until recycled water is available, potable water would be used for this application. (Public Works/Planning) Include indoor dual plumbing in all new City-owned facilities above a specified size. (Public Works) Research the use of recycled water in commercial water features (e.g. fountains) and recommend appropriate actions. (Public Works) Require dedicated irrigation plumbing meeting Title 22 requirements for all new and remodeled commercial, institutional and multifamily landscapes exceeding 1,500 square feet. (Public Works/Utilities) Develop a list of plant materials that will tolerate recycled water. This list should be used for new construction projects and any re-landscaping projects, especially in the recycled w~ater target area. (Public Works) For the non-residential sector, require the use of recycled water for irrigation if and when it becomes available to a particular facility. This would be accomplished by City Council adopting (or amending) an ordinance with this requirement. (Public Works!Utilities) CMR: 423:07 Page 5 of 7 8. Conserve Water - Urban water conservation technologies, such as high efficiency toilets and clothes washers, and more efficient water-using industria! equipment, should be incorporated in all new construction and retrofitted in remodeled buildings. Utilities currently offers many water conservation programs to all customers. A Category 2 activity that could be completed in 1-3 years is establishing a program to provide rebates for the replacement of inefficient commercial kitchen food steanaers with more water- and energy-efficient technology. 9. Maximize Local Groundwater Use - Groundwater treatment and brackish water desalination should be pursued as necessary and practical to maximize locally available, drought- proof water supplies. Category 1 A. activities to implement this principle include: Investigate the availability and quality of treated contaminated groundwater (TCG) currently being produced in the Stanford Research Park. Some commercial customers in the Stanford Research Park are conducting groundwater cleanup projects. These projects pump groundwater, clean it up, and discharge it to either storm water sewer or sanitary sewer (depending on the quality of the water discharged). It is possible to reuse the TCG for nonpotable uses such as for irrigation, in cooling towers, or in certain process applications. (Public Works) Encourage reuse of TCG and water used for structura! dewatering for appropriate nonpotable uses. (Public Works) A Category 2 activity that could be completed in 1-3 years is requesting that the SCVWD waive the pump tax for TCG that is reused on site. Currently, the SCVWD charges a groundwater extraction fee ("pump tax") for groundwater extractions in Santa Clara County. Since SCVWD Bo~d policies strongly support recycled water use, it may be persuaded to waive the pump tax for any TCG that is reused for nonpotable uses at the site of extraction. This will involve developing a request to the SCVWD Board after researching the availability and quality of TCG produced in the Stanford Research Park. RESOURCE IMPACT: Sufficient resources exist for many Category 1 activities that are planned for implementation now. Some Category 1 activities require further Council action prior to implementation. When staffremrns with specific implementation actions for those activities, the resource impact will be addressed. Any additional resources that may be required for Category 2 activities will be requested as appropriate when Council approval for those activities is sought. POLICY IMPLICATIONS Many of the implementation actions recommended will require Council action and may result in a change of City policy. Those will be noted at the time of requested Council action. CMR: 423:07 Page 6 of 7 ATTACHMENTS A.Modified Ahwahnee Water Principles adopted by Palo Alto City Council B.Matrix of Ahwahnee Water Principles Implementation Measures PREPARED BY:Ahwahnee Water Principles Work Group: Greg Betts, Community Services Phil Bobel, Public Works Julie Caporgno, Planning Amanda Cox, Utilities Roger Cwiak, Utilities Dave Dockter, Planning Dan Firth, Fire Bruce Lesch, Utilities Kelly Morariu, City Manager CITY MANAGER APPROVAL: Larry Perlin, Building Jane Ratchye, Utilities Russ Reich, Planning Mike Sartor, Public Works Karen Smith, Facilities Joe Teresi, Public Works Joseph Vallaire, Parks Julie Weiss, Public Works EMILY HARRISON Assistant City Manager CMR: 423:07 Page 7 of 7 ATTACHMENT A The Modified Ahwahnee Water Principles for Resource Efficient Land Use Adopted by the City of Palo Alto-10/17/05 Preamble Cities and counties are facing major challenges with water contamination, storm water runoff, flood damage liability, and concerns about whether there will be enough reliable water for current residents as well as for new development. These issues impact city and county budgets and taxpayers. Fortunately there are a number of stewardship actions that cities and counties can take that reduce costs and improve the reliability and quality of our water resources. The Water Principles below complement the Ahwahnee Principles for Resource-Efficient Communities that were developed in 1991. Many cities and counties are already using them to improve the vitality and prosperity of their communities. Community Principles 1. Community design should be compact, mixed use, walkable and transit-oriented so that automobile-generated urban runoff pollutants are minimized and the open lands that absorb water are preserved to the maximum extent possible. 2.Natural resources such as wetlands, flood plains, recharge zones, riparian areas, open space, and native habitats should be identified, preserved and restored as valued assets for flood protection, water quality improvement, ~oundwater recharge, habitat, and overall long-term water resource sustainability. 3.Water holding areas such as creek beds, recessed athletic fields, ponds, cisterns, and other features that serve to recharge groundwater, reduce runof~ improve water quality and decrease flooding should be incorporated into the urban landscape, while meeting best practices for mosquito control and groundwater pollution prevention. 4.All aspects of landscaping from the selection of plants to soil preparation and the installation of irrigation systems should be designed to reduce water demand, retain runoff, decrease flooding, and recharge groundwater. 5.Permeable surfaces should be used for hardscape where practical. Impervious surfaces should be minimized wherever practicable or runoff water should be redirected so that land is available to absorb storm water, reduce polluted urban runoff, recharge groundwater and reduce flooding. 6.Dual plumbing that allows gray water from showers, and non-kitchen sinks to be reused for subsurface landscape irrigation should be encouraged for new- and remodeled buildings, and education programs should be developed on the proper construction and operation of systems that use grey water. 7.Community design should maximize the use of recycled water or other nonpotable water supplies for appropriate applications including outdoor irrigation, toilet flushing, and commercial and industrial processes. Purple pipe should be installed in large, new construction and remodeled ("remodeled", used here, means when the plumbing is being replaced) buildings in anticipation of the furore availability of recycled, or other nonpotable, water. 8.Urban water conservation technologies such as low-flow toilets, efficient clothes washers, and more efficient water-using industrial equipment should be incorporated in all new construction and retrofitted in remodeled buildings. 9.Ground water treatment and brackish water desalination should be pursued as necessary and practical to maximize !ocally available, drought-proof water supplies. Implementation Principles 1. Water supply agencies should be consulted early in the land use decision regarding technology, demographics and growth projections. 2.City and county officials, the watershed council, LAFCO, special districts stakeholders sharing watersheds should collaborate to take advantage synergies of water resource planning at a watershed level. 3.The best, multi-benefit and integrated strategies and projects should be implemented before less integrated proposals, unless urgency demands 4.From start to finish, projects and programs should involve the public, and increase the sharing of and access to information. The participatory focus on ensuring that all residents have access to clean, reliable and affordable drinking and recreation. 5.Plans, programs, projects and policies should be monitored and evaluated to insure the expected results are achieved and to improve future practices. 0 N’