REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on Sixth Amendment to Agreement A4220S with the Santa Clara Valley Water District (Valley Water) and the City of Santa Clara for Cost-Sharing of the Landscape Rebate Program
Report
COUNCIL PILLAR
Promote Sustainability and Environmental Protection
BACKGROUND
In response to developing conditions and in recognition of actions taken by the City’s water supply partners, the City Manager, in her role as Director of Emergency Services, acted on July 12, 2021 to proclaim that the City of Santa Clara was in emergency drought conditions. Section 2.140.060 of the City Code requires that the City Council take action within seven (7) days to ratify such action. Council took action on July 13, 2021 to approve the emergency declaration and to implement actions that encourage and achieve water conservation as outlined in Stage 2 of the City’s Water Shortage Contingency Plan approved on June 22, 2021, as part of the City’s Urban Water Management Plan.
As part of its water conservation drought response, Water & Sewer Utilities has expanded, supported and promoted its Landscape Rebate Program in partnership with Valley Water. The unprecedented public response has expended the majority of the budget allocated through June 30, 2024.
DISCUSSION
Agreement A4220S, the City’s cost-sharing with Valley Water, was first enacted in 2018 to administer Home Water Use Reports and Landscape Rebate Programs. Since then, Water & Sewer Utilities enacted several amendments to meet Landscape Rebate Program participation levels that exceeded the original budget. We now request Council’s consideration for additional cost-sharing with Amendment No. Six.
Amendment No. Six increases the City’s cost-sharing by $300,000 for a revised not-to-exceed maximum of $550,000 to fund the Landscape Rebate Program through June 30, 2024 or until committed funds are depleted, whichever comes first.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5) in that it is a governmental organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
The cost of this cost sharing agreement can be absorbed in the adopted operating budget for the water utility.
COORDINATION
This report was coordinated with the City Attorney’s Office, Finance Department and Valley Water.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov> or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Authorize the City Manager to execute the Sixth Amendment to the Agreement with Santa Clara Valley Water District (Valley Water) to increase the amount of the agreement by $300,000 for a revised not-to-exceed maximum of $550,000.
Staff
Reviewed by: Gary Welling, Director, Water & Sewer Utilities
Approved by: City Manager’s Office
ATTACHMENTS
1. Sixth Amendment to the Agreement with Santa Clara Valley Water District