HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 2a - Water Efficient Landscaping Recognition
DATE:
September 1, 2015
TO:
Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM:
Dominic Lazzaretto, City Manager
By: Linda Garcia, Communications, Marketing and Special
Projects Manager
SUBJECT:
ADDITION OF A WATER EFFICIENT LANDSCAPING RECOGNITION
ELEMENT TO THE ARCADIA BEAUTIFUL PROGRAM
Recommendation: Provide Direction
SUMMARY
At the August 18, 2015, City Council meeting, Council Member Beck asked for and
received support to place on a future agenda consideration a new program to recognize
property owners for exceptional efforts to maintain aesthetically pleasing exterior
landscaping during the drought. This was thought to be an additional recognition, which
would take place between the Spring Arcadia Beautiful Awards and the Holiday
Decorating Awards in the winter. It is recommended that the City Council provide
direction on establishing a new program to recognize water-efficient landscaping efforts
through the Arcadia Beautiful Commission.
BACKGROUND
The Arcadia Beautiful Commission currently operates two recognition programs: the
Arcadia Beautiful Awards in the spring and the Holiday Decorating Awards in
December. The Arcadia Beautiful Awards relate specifically to the exterior of a property
and, as defined in the policy adopted by the City Council in June 2005, include
evaluation of structures based on landscaping, general property maintenance, design,
architecture, color, and other elements related to general beautification.
In recent years, when selecting the awards, consideration has been given to properties
that have water- efficient landscaping. This year, in light of the significance of the
drought, only water-efficient homes were selected; however, there is no specific
requirement in the policy to mandate the selection of a particular number of properties
that use drought tolerant materials.
On August 18, Council Member Beck requested support to consider recognizing homes
with water-efficient landscaping as a specific event. This would be a third set of awards
for the Arcadia Beautiful program. It was suggested that this set of awards could take
place between the Arcadia Beautiful and Holiday Decorating Awards.
DISCUSSION
If a water efficient recognition program is requested by the City Council, it would be
recommended that the Arcadia Beautiful Commission be tasked with developing
guidelines and parameters for implementing it. The Commission will be charged with
establishing judging criteria, timeframe, number of honorees, and type of recognition.
Once the program guidelines are developed, they would be brought to the City Council
for approval prior to implementation.
If it is the City Council’s desire to establish a new program specifically tailored to
drought-tolerant landscaping, then additional direction should be provided on how the
existing Spring home awards should be differentiated. If desired, this task could also be
assigned to the Commission.
FISCAL IMPACT
Costs would be minimal to implement this program. Advertising would be conducted
using current publications such as the City Newsletter, Hot Sheet, press releases, and
City social media sites; yard signs or other awards for the winners cost less than $50
each; and staff time to oversee the program would be absorbed within existing budgets.
The most significant impact would be on the Commission, which typically does not have
much activity during summer months.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council discuss and provide direction on adding a water
efficient landscaping recognition element to the Arcadia Beautiful program.