The Natural Resources & Environmental Commission voted unanimously on July 22 to forward a package of recommended changes to South Pasadena’s FY 2025–26 water conservation program that would raise several city rebate amounts and co‑funding levels intended to spur water‑saving projects.

Danielle (staff), the city’s water conservation program lead, told commissioners the program is funded through a water efficiency fee and supplements Metropolitan Water District (MWD) rebates with city funds. “The city’s water conservation program is funded through the water efficiency fee of about 14¢ per resident. Per unit of water billed to all customers,” she said. She outlined the program’s outreach, which included a six‑session Landscape Academy (more than 200 attendees), mulch and compost giveaways and mailings to roughly 10,000 residents.

Commissioners discussed the FY25–26 allocations and asked staff to increase incentives in several categories to drive participation. The commission’s recommendations — made after discussion and public comment — are:

- Increase the city co‑funding for residential turf removal from $2 to $4 per square foot, for a combined city+MWD total of $6 per square foot for eligible square footage. Staff noted MWD and city per‑applicant square‑foot limits remain in MWD’s control.
- Increase the city rebate for flow‑monitor devices from $100 to $200.
- Match MWD’s incentives for rain barrels and cisterns (city to provide the same per‑unit amounts as MWD for those items).
- Increase the city rebate for Energy Star dishwashers to $750.
- Increase the city rebate cap for drought‑tolerant plants (the city program cap referenced in the packet) to $2,000.

After commissioners discussed administrative details and whether funds are available, Chair Ng called for a motion to recommend the changes; the commission approved the recommendation by roll call: Chair Ng yes; Vice Chair Siegel yes; Commissioner Noe yes; Commissioner Rayevsky yes; Commissioner Yee yes.

Staff said the city’s rebates are designed to supplement MWD’s SoCal WaterSmart rebates; some city rebates require preapproval (for example, the plant and tree rebates) while others ask for before‑and‑after documentation. Danielle said current outreach includes direct mail, workshops, grants application assistance and on‑site assessments for multifamily and commercial properties. She reported that during FY 2024–25 the city processed about 56 MWD rebate applications representing roughly $26,000 in city investment and that the city and MWD combined committed about $36,000 in rebates during the year.

Commissioners urged staff to improve feedback loops so the city can better track why residents do or do not use rebates, to focus outreach on property owners with large turf areas and to pursue multifamily opportunities (a multifamily clothes‑washer rebate is under feasibility review). Staff said some pilot programs — for example, a graywater laundry‑to‑landscape pilot — remain under evaluation and would be returned to the commission for approval if staff recommends rollout.

The commission also approved routine minutes and other consent items later in the meeting.