Poway stops funding of supplemental turf removal rebates

Poway will stop making financial contributions to increase rebates available to residents replacing turf, the City Council decided Tuesday night, saying the money can be better used for other water conservation measures.

For most of last year the city was supplementing the Metropolitan Water District’s turf replacement program by increasing the rate from $2 per square foot to $2.50 per square foot. Last year the council appropriated $99,000, all of which was spent by the end of the year. In December city staff asked for more money but the council instead asked for a report on whether the extra 50 cents makes a significant difference in the number of residents applying for the rebates.

A report prepared for Tuesday night’s meeting said a survey of other similar programs in the state provided mixed findings.

“With or without Poway supplemental funds, the MWD’s turf replacement program continues to attract applications from within Poway,” the report said. “Overall, the program has replaced more than 465,000 square feet in Poway, so far.” In April, 136 residents submitted rebate applications, the council was told.

The city is under orders from the state to reduce water consumption by 32 percent in light of the four-year statewide drought. Its response so far has been to restrict outdoor watering to two days per week (10 minutes per station) and to adopt a turf-removal program at several parks and fire stations.

“Ultimately, the city must determine the best use of city resources to reduce overall water use ...” the report said. “There are competing priorities that require funding in order to accomplish this, such as increased education and outreach, increased monitoring, conversion of turf and landscaping in city parks and facilities, retrofitting of irrigation and fixtures, and capital improvements to increase efficiency of water use in the community.”

Councilman Dave Grosch appeared to speak for the other members when he said the best thing to do now about the supplemental rebate funding is nothing.

In a related matter, the council approved appropriating $100,000 from the water fund to cover the costs of enhanced water conservation efforts.

In other matters, the City Council:

• Heard a budget update covering the third quarter of the fiscal year. General fund revenues are outpacing expenditures and the city is now expecting a year-end surplus of $915,000, according to Scott Edwards, the city’s director of administrative services.

• Approved a request for a variance allowing the owner of residential property at 16752 Espola Road to exceed the city’s 6-foot fence height limitation by adding two feet. The 8-foot-tall fence was built last year without a city permit. Council members said the variance was justified due to the uniqueness of the property, including the fact that its grade is below the level of Espola Road. The property owner will be required to adjust the fence to a uniform height.

• Approved a request for a stay for project approval on a tentative map to convert an equestrian boarding ranch on the east side of Tierra Bonita Road, south of Twin Peaks Road. Owner Harry Rogers wants to build custom homes on the properly but the council’s Aug. 20, 2013 approval of the tentative parcel map is being challenged in court on environmental grounds by a group calling itself “Preserve Poway.” A Superior Court judge ruled partly against the city and that decision is being appealed. Rogers told the council he believes that some of the people contributing to the legal costs of the challenge are involved with the Poway Valley Riders Association, which has property across the street.

• Listened to two students representing Advocates for Change Today, a Mid-City youth advocacy coalition, talk about their “Ask Me About Social Host” program, designed to discourage house parties where adults permit the consumption of alcohol. The city has a social host ordinance prohibiting such behavior.

• Listened to a presentation on a proposed San Diego Association of Governments transportation plan covering the next 35 years. The draft plan calls for lanes to be added to Highway 56, but not until 2040.

• Saluted retiring San Diego Sheriff’s Reserve Sgt. Robert “Bob” Brown for his eight years of service at the Poway station.