HomeMy WebLinkAbout8385RESOLUTION NO. 8385
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF REDLANDS
IMPLEMENTING A WATER EFFICIENCY REBATE PROGRAM AND
RESCINDING RESOLUTION NO. 7655
WHEREAS, pursuant to the State's Water Conservation Act of 2009, the City of Redlands
is required to reduce per capita water use 20 percent by the year 2020;
WHEREAS, on February 21, 2012, the City Council of the City of Redlands ("City
Council") approved Resolution No. 7125 establishing a water efficiency rebate program in an
effort to encourage water conservation;
WHEREAS, on July 29, 2014, the California State Water Resources Control Board
("Water Board"), in an effort to increase water conservation during the current drought, required
mandatory watering restrictions, which have since been modified by the Water Board, but continue
to be observed locally;
WHEREAS, on May 19, 2015, the City of Redlands adopted Resolution No. 7523
amending a water efficiency rebate program and rescinded Resolution No. 7125;
WHEREAS, on June 21, 2016, the City of Redlands adopted the 2015 Regional Urban
Water Management Plan which identifies programs and demand management measures to reduce
per capita water use;
WHEREAS, on July 5, 2016, the City of Redlands adopted Resolution No. 7655 amending
a water efficiency rebate program and rescinded Resolution No. 7523;
WHEREAS, pursuant to the March 28, 2022, Executive Order the California Water
Resources Control Board ("Water Board") adopted an emergency water conservation regulation.
The new regulation bans irrigating at commercial, industrial, and institutional properties;
WHEREAS, the City desires to maintain water conservation efforts during times of drought
and modify the water efficiency rebate program ("Program") incentives; and
WHEREAS, after a careful review of the Program, this City Council specifically finds that:
A. The Program will continue to assist the City in complying with the mandates in the
Water Conservation Act of 2009 and assist in continued water conservation efforts
needed as a result of drought; and
B. The City's Program may be modified from time to time to improve its effectiveness
and to meet the changing needs of the City and its customers.
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
REDLANDS as follows:
Section 1. Resolution No. 7665 is hereby rescinded; and
Section 2. The Water Efficiency Rebate Program attached hereto as Exhibit "A" is
hereby established and approved by the City Council.
ADOPTED, SIGNED AND APPROVED this 15th day of November 2022.
Paul T. Barich, Mayor
ATTEST:
Donaldson, City Clerk
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I, Jeanne Donaldson, City Clerk of the City of Redlands, hereby certify that the foregoing
resolution was duly adopted by the City Council at a regular meeting thereof held on the 15th day
of November 2022, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Tejeda, Davis, Guzman -Lowery, Gallagher; Mayor Barich
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAINED: None
e Donaldson, City Clerk
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EXHIBIT "A"
Water Efficiency Rebate Program
Program Details
Qualifications and Rules:
1. Participants must be a City of Redlands (City) water customer, and the project site must be located
within the City's service area.
2. Rebate eligibility requires pre -inspection prior to beginning of work and post -inspection after work
commences to ensure implementation and use of rebated products. Inspections are provided free of
charge to customers.
3. Customer must provide the City with itemized dated purchase receipt(s) for any product included
in this program.
4. All applications must be complete and signed for rebate eligibility.
5. Complete applications must include a completed Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Form W-9. If a
customer receives more than $600 in rebate credit within a calendar year, the IRS requires a Form
1099 be issued. This line item is subject to change pending IRS requirements.
6. Rebates will not exceed the purchase amount of the product.
7. Rebates will be processed on a first -come, first -served basis until funds for the fiscal year are
exhausted. Eligibility lists for future incentives/rebates will not be maintained.
8. Additional eligibility requirements listed within the incentive item description must be met to
receive rebate for items.
9. After validation of purchase and installation of eligible product, customer will receive a rebate in
the form of a credit to their utility bill. Providing customer remains an active customer, the credit
will roll over onto the next bill until exhausted.
10. If an account is closed and a balance credit remains, a cash credit will not be given. However, a
balance credit can roll over to a new account providing the new account is opened at the closing of
the first account and the account holder is the same.
11. Work must take place within 90 days after pre -inspection clearance. If post -inspection or request
for extension is not completed within 90 days, money allocated for the customer's project will be
redirected back into available funds and another rebate. Upon request, one 30-day extension will
be given.
Disclaimer:
The City reserves the right to deny applications if any conditions or qualifications are not met. Pre -
inspections, post -inspections; and submission or possession of a rebate application does not guarantee a
rebate/bill credit. The City reserves the right to change the terms of this program at its discretion at any
time. By participating in this program, you waive and release the City from any and all claims and causes
of action arising out of the installation or use of rebated item. Any claim based upon defect or failure of
performance of rebated item should be pursued with the manufacturer/distributor. The City is not
responsible for receipts or paperwork lost in the U.S. mail. The City does not guarantee any participation
in this program will result in a lower water utility bill. Customer is responsible for complying with local
ordinances, restrictions, rules and regulations prior to beginning work. At any time this program can be
subject to change or termination without prior notice. If awarded a rebate, rebate is expected to show as a
credit on the customer's next billing cycle following the date of rebate awarded.
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INCENTIVE ITEM DESCRIPTIONS
High Efficiency Sprinklers:
High efficiency sprinklers are designed to reduce water waste and can be either rotary or spray heads.
Instead of a fixed stream of water, rotary heads deliver multiple streams, reducing water waste. Rotary
heads also deliver a wider stream and distribute less precipitation, decreasing overspray and runoff. Newer
spray heads are designed to distribute water more efficiently and with more precision while using less water.
Increase in water droplet size in newer spray heads reduces overspray while increasing droplets applied to
vegetation. For rebate eligibility, high efficiency sprinklers must:
• Be new; and
• Have documentation (spec sheet, pamphlet, sticker, etc.) signifying water efficiency.
Additionally, there is no minimum sprinkler requirement to be eligible for rebate, however all sprinklers on
an individual valve circuit must be replaced at the same time with the same model sprinkler for effective
conservation and matched precipitation.
Weather -Based Irrigation Controllers:
Water -based irrigation controllers (WBICs) improve irrigation efficiency by reducing or eliminating
irrigation run times based on weather, thus reducing unnecessary irrigation throughout the City's service
area. WBICs have a weather based component that tracks current weather conditions by use of a weather
sensor and will turn off or modify irrigation if precipitation is present or irrigation is not needed. To be
eligible for rebate, WBICs must be:
• New;
• Capable of odd/even day irrigation scheduling;
• Replace an operable automated irrigation controller;
• Include a weather sensor OR the purchase and installation of a weather sensor that is compatible
with the existing irrigation timer, thus making it a weather -based irrigation controller.
Irrigation -less Groundcover Conversion:
Irrigation -less groundcover conversions are eligible for rebate if replacing living, irrigated turf. Further
eligibility requirements for this rebate are:
• Sprinklers must be capped in turf removal area
• Natural materials like mulch, decomposed granite, gravel, or rock must be used as groundcover
• For conversions in areas zoned residential, the use of decorative rock, gravel, or hardscape in
landscape within the front yard shall be consistent with Redlands Municipal Code Section
18.168.120 (the combination or design may include rock ground cover not to exceed twenty percent
of the total for any landscaped area) and all other applicable codes.
Irrigation -less groundcover must:
• Be water and air permeable*;
• Be installed by the homeowner or licensed contractor;
• Replace living, irrigated turf; and
• Require zero water use.
*Solid concrete and synthetic turf are not eligible for rebate. If bricks/pavers are used, they must be spaced
at least 1/a" apart to ensure water percolation.
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High Efficiency Washing Machines:
High efficiency washing machines (HEWs) yield savings in both water and electricity. HEW's maximum
water factor is 6 (gallons per cycle per cubic foot) and use 40% less water than conventional washing
machines. Reduction in water usage also reduces energy usage. For rebate eligibility, all HEWs must:
• Be new;
• Be a current Energy Star qualified clothes washing machine, as found at www.energystar.gov;
• Have a water factor of 6 or less per load; and
• Replace a unit that uses a higher water factor than 6 per load.
High Efficiency Toilets:
High efficiency toilets (HETs) are toilets that have a low volume flush of 1.28 gallons per flush (GPF) or
less. For rebate eligibility, all HETs must be:
• New;
• WaterSense certified and currently listed on www.epa.gov/watersense;
• Replacing models using 3.5 GPF or greater; and
• 1.28 GPF or less.
Drought Tolerant Plant Conversions:
Drought tolerant plant conversions are eligible for rebate if replacing living, irrigated turf. Further eligibility
requirements for this rebate are:
• Customer must provide list of plants that they will be using at time of pre -inspection;
• All plant material must be low water use and listed on www.ie.watersavingplants.com
• Areas not covered by plant material must be covered with weed block material;
• Base of all plants must be covered with 2" of mulch (minimum) to ensure retention of moisture;
• All sprinklers must be capped and replaced with drip or micro sprinkler irrigation;
• For conversions in areas zoned residential, the use of decorative rock, gravel, or hardscape in
landscape within the front yard shall be consistent with Redlands Municipal Code Section
18.168.120 (the combination or design may include rock ground cover not to exceed twenty percent
(20%) of the total for any landscaped area) and all other applicable codes.
Small Grove Irrigation System Retrofit:
For rebate eligibility, at pre -inspection groves must:
• Currently irrigate using spray heads, rotary heads, rotors, soaker hoses, or flood irrigation;
• Irrigate twenty or more fruit trees;
• Contain healthy trees.
To receive post -inspection approval:
• Grass and mulches must be cleared from the base of the tree (should not encroach within the canopy
line of a tree);
• Installation of weather based irrigation controller (WBIC);
• Capping or removal of previous irrigation system;
• Copy of receipts; and
• Completed water audit with City staff.
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Other:
Additional conversions or products that can prove to reduce water consumption will also be available for
rebate. This allows Redlands customers, particularly in the industrial and commercial uses to explore ways
to improve water efficiency in their businesses. By offering incentives for additional water savings, given
their ability to prove and validate water reduction, customers will be encouraged to practice water
conservation in various methods resulting in additional water savings.
Rebate Amounts:
Incentive items and their rebate amounts are as follows:
Incentive Item
Rebate Amount
High Efficiency Sprinklers
$4/sprinkler
Weather -Based Irrigation Controllers
$150 each
Irrigation -less Groundcover Conversion
$1/square foot, maximum rebate: $1,000
High Efficiency Washing Machines
$200 each
High Efficiency Toilets
$100 each
Drought Tolerant Plant Conversions
$1/square foot, maximum rebate: $1,000
Small Grove Irrigation System Retrofit
Up to $1,000
Other
$1/ 150 gallons saved per year
Note: Total rebate amounts combined shall not exceed $1,000 per customer/per fiscal year.
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