CITY OF HALLANDALE BEACH

MEMORANDUM

DATE:                        April 16, 2009

TO: D. Mike Good, City Manager

FROM: William Brant, P.E., Director, Utilities and Engineering

SUBJECT:     Consideration of Approval to Apply for a Water Savings Incentive Program (SIP) Grant CAD# 017/07

PURPOSE:

To request City Commission authorization to apply for a Fiscal Year 2010 water conservation grant through the South Florida Water Management District’s Water Savings Incentive Program.

BACKGROUND:

The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) has established a grant program that encourages agencies to implement water conservation in their communities.  For fiscal year 2009 the District awarded $1.3 million for all cities and counties within the District jurisdiction.  Hallandale Beach received a $25,000 grant during FY2009 for the purchase of low volume toilet retrofits.  Staff wishes to continue and expand this successful program during FY2010, and is requesting a $50,000 grant to be matched with $50,000 from the City.  The grant application was due on April 23, therefore, staff submitted application contingent on City Commission approval

DISCUSSION

The City is currently implementing the FY2009 SIP grant for $25,000 which is already proving to be very popular.  Staff has obtained requests for over 900 toilet retrofit units from various homeowners and condominium units throughout the city.  This program retrofits toilets to use less water for liquid waste disposal. It works for many condominiums and single family residences, and is being offered free of charge.

Because of the popularity of this program and because of its potential for providing significant water conservation, staff proposes to continue and expand this program through its application for a 2010 SIP grant. 

The scope of this project is to replace existing older toilets that use 3.5 or 5.0 gallons of water per flush with the retrofit unit that flushes only 1.8 gallons of water for liquids.

The total cost of the grant program is $100,000.  Of this amount, the City will fund no more than $50,000.  Staff proposes to fund its match of $50,000 from the Water Conservation CIP #093301 under account 450-3590-535-6629.

Because the grant submittal deadline was April 23, staff has already submitted the grant application, contingent upon City Commission approval.

Staff has examined a number of water conservation options, including a rain barrel program and xeriscape.  The City will be implementing a rain barrel pilot project in the current fiscal year.  If the project proves successful, staff may apply for such a program component in the FY 2011 SIP Grant.  Unfortunately, xeriscape is not fundable under the SIP Grant.

The City Commission continues to express strong support for water conservation initiatives.  The proposed grant application offers a cost-effective way to conserve water in the Hallandale Beach community.

RECOMMENDATION:

Authorize the City Manager to apply for the Water Savings Incentive Program in an amount not to exceed $100,000, of which no more than $50,000 will serve as the City’s match.  Further authorize City Manager to execute all necessary documents, establish accounts and make expenditures to implement the project.  If approved, funding is available under Water Conservation CIP #093301 under account 450-3590-535-6629.

Prepared by: _________________________

                                                                                    Rafael A. Perdomo

Reviewed:

_______________________________                                                          __________

D. Mike Good, City Manager                                                                           Date

_____Approved                _____Disapproved                _____Hold for Discussion

Comments: