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FINANCE
AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE |
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ACTION
ITEM |
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3. |
CONSIDER APPROVAL OF FUNDING
AND CONTINUATION OF THE “MULCH MADNESS” CONSERVATION PROMOTION |
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Meeting
Date: |
May 12, 2025 |
Budgeted: |
Yes |
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From: |
David J.
Stoldt, |
Program/ |
Conservation Program |
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General
Manager |
Line Item
No.: 4-2-2-O |
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Prepared
By: |
Stephanie
Locke |
Cost
Estimate: |
$12,000 |
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General Counsel Approval: N/A |
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Committee Recommendation: The Finance and Administration Committee reviewed this item on May 12, 2025, and recommended ____________. |
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CEQA Compliance: This action does not constitute a project
as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines Section
15378. |
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SUMMARY: The District,
in partnership with California American Water (CAW), plans to continue the
“Mulch Madness” event to promote water conservation in the landscape by
providing mulch to District occupants. Mulch is a layer of organic material,
usually bark/wood chips, leaves, and grasses, but can include items such as
newspaper, straw and hay. It is applied in the landscape to the surface of the
soil to conserve soil moisture, improve fertility, regulate soil temperature,
and reduce weed growth. Mulch can reduce water use by 20-25 percent. As an
organic product, it decomposes into soil over time and needs to be topped off
annually.
As part of the joint MPWMD/CAW mulch conservation program, staff requests
approval of funding not to exceed $12,000 for the program during 2025-2026. “Mulch
Madness” will provide two cubic yards of free mulch to MPWMD/CAW
customers, both commercial and residential properties. The mulch will be
provided by Keith Day at ReGen Monterey, at a rate of
$16/cubic yard (cu yd) for a total cost of $32 per customer, plus tax. The
mulch supplier has changed from previous years and comes at a lower cost by
$4/cu yd. Customers must pick up the mulch at ReGen
Monterey or pay a delivery cost.
An alternate distribution option for mulch is a one-day event where large quantities of mulch are brought into a centrally located school where customers would be invited to pick up their two yards of mulch on that day. This option is less staff intensive and is being considered. Two cubic yards will fit in a truck bed or in the back of most cars. The type of mulch is recycled green waste from local tree trimming/removal vendors, primarily Monterey Pine and Monterey Cypress. Customers will be eligible to receive free mulch once every year as the nature of mulch is that it breaks down and needs to be topped off.
The giveaway will be promoted by email using CAW’s email database, through
MPWMD/CAW social media pages, and with print ads in local papers. Customers
will be required to confirm eligibility, which will be reviewed by staff. The
budget for the program is $12,000.
RECOMMENDATION: The Finance and Administration Committee should recommend the expenditure of up to $12,000 to partner with CAW for the Mulch Madness conservation program.
IMPACT TO STAFF/RESOURCES: Funds for this expenditure were included in item 4-2-2-O in the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 budget.
EXHIBIT
None
U:\staff\Board_Committees\FAC prev Admin\2025\051225\Action Items\03\Item-3.docx