FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
ITEM:		ACTION ITEM
3.	CONSIDER A CONTRIBUTION OF $8,000 TOWARDS RESTORATION OF “ROSIE’S GARDEN,” A WATER EFFICIENT PUBLIC DEMONSTRATION GARDEN IN CARMEL VALLEY
Meeting Date:			October 13, 2025	Budgeted:	Yes
From:			David J. Stoldt, General Manager	Program/ Line Item No.:	Best Management Practices
					4-2-2-A
Prepared By:			Kyle Smith	Cost Estimate:	$8,250
General Counsel Approval: N/A
Committee Recommendation: The Finance and Administration Committee considered this item on October 13, 2025, and recommended ______________.
CEQA Compliance: This action does not constitute a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines Section 15378.

SUMMARY: The District received a request in September from the Rosie’s Garden Advisory Committee for a contribution of $8,000 to $10,000 for the Carmel Valley Garden Club (a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization) to assist with the restoration of “Rosie’s Garden” in Carmel Valley (Exhibit 3-A). District staff has been consulting with Sherie Dodsworth, chairperson of the advisory committee and Carmel Valley native, about the proposed project and recommends a contribution of $8,000 from the “Best Management Practices” fund, particularly as the District will benefit from a water efficient demonstration garden that is open to the public. In the past, the District has supported funding for gardens and demonstration projects at Garland Ranch Regional Park and other public properties.

Rosie’s Garden is located on a 0.10-acre lot owned by the County on the northwest corner of Esquiline Road and Calle De Los Helechos in Carmel Valley (APN 189-311-015). In 2000, the Robles Del Rio residents took the flood-damaged dirt lot and transformed it into a neighborhood green space known as Rosie’s Garden. The garden is located at the entrance to a vibrant neighborhood and across the street from the former “Rosie’s Cracker Barrel,” which is now the Carmel Valley Creamery where artisan cheese is made.

Few viable plants remain in Rosie’s Garden 25 years after it was established, and the garden requires rehabilitation of both landscape and the irrigation system. Rosie’s Garden Advisory Committee’s vision is to offer more than a visually pleasant green space for the nearby residents: The goal is to provide an interactive and peaceful garden space with signage identifying the low water use and deer resistant plants.

Staff has reviewed the proposed project plans: The project is 3,300 square feet and will have four irrigation zones. All plants selected are climate appropriate with low water demand. The project complies with MPWMD Water Efficient Landscape requirements and will be utilizing low volume drip irrigation and an irrigation controller that includes a rain sensor. All planting and irrigation work will be completed by professional landscapers, and a final inspection by MPWMD will be required. The financial contribution will be used to pay for the restoration project and signage around the site, and staff is also requesting a waiver of the processing fee for the Landscape Water Permit.

As the building jurisdictions start to allocate water from Pure Water Monterey, larger remodel projects will affect existing landscapes, requiring more landscape permits. Demonstration gardens such as Rosie’s Garden provide the public with an opportunity to view climate-appropriate plants in a landscape. While much can be learned and viewed online, it still is helpful to see installations in person. Once the project is completed and established, staff will give a presentation on the installation to the Board.

RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the Finance and Administration Committee recommend the Board approval of waiving the Landscape Water Permit fees of $250 and grant the project $8,000 for landscape rehabilitation. Staff also recommends that the District offer assistance from our public outreach contractor with development of the signage.

EXHIBIT

3-A Request for Funding

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