Project Update

XERISCAPE UPDATE

(scroll down for the Submeter Update)

Update for 28 June 2024

On June 28, 2024, HOA #1 received a rebate of $68,502 for Phase 2 of the xeriscape project. This completes the project. 

Total area xeriscaped: 82,422 square feet

Total net cost to the HOA: $46,118

Total water savings vs. past year: Submetering - approximately $30,000 annually (85%) . Xeriscaping - With Phase 1 installed for 12 months, and Phase 2 installed for four months, approximately $9,500 (26%). Note that irrigation water savings is for total water, not just areas that were xeriscaped.

Update for 30 Apr 2024

HOA #1 received a notice that our Xeriscape Phase 2 rebate was approved by SoCal Water Smart for $68,502. That amount will cover 73% of the total installation cost of $94,190.25, leaving the HOA an out-of-pocket cost of $25,688.25 to convert 32,251 square feet of grass on Santiago Rd. E. to xeriscape. The final step in the rebate process is receipt of the rebate payment which we anticipate will be in 4-6 weeks.

Update for 11 Apr 2024

Water Wise conducted the final inspection of Xeriscape Phase 2. We are awaiting the results.

Update for 29 Mar 2024

Green Valley Landscape completed installation of Xeriscape Phase 2 and requested a final inspection by Water Wise to confirm rebate eligibility.

Update for 29 Feb 2024

A community meeting was held Feb. 28 at the community center to provide home owners and residents with an update on Phase 2 of the xeriscape project. Green Valley Landscape continues to prepare lawn areas for plant installation by adjusting the irrigation system, installing a storm water drain system of swales and drain pipes, and lowering lawn areas next to sidewalks to retain mulch.   

Update for 15 Feb 2024

Phase 2 - Rebate-eligible areas along Santiago Rd. E. were sprayed by Green Valley Landscape to remove grass from areas to be converted to xeriscape.

Update for  31 Jan 2024

Phase 2 - Pre-approval for the Phase 2 rebate was received from SoCal Watersmart and the Green Valley proposal for xeriscape installation was approved by the board. (Pre-approval means rebate funds are held for 180 days to provide time for xeriscape installation. Final approval follows a post-installation inspection.)

Update for 15 Jan 2024

Phase 2 - WaterWise inspected and measured Phase 2 property to determine areas and square footage eligible for a rebate.

Update for 30 Aug 2024

Phase 2 rebate application was submitted to SoCal Watersmart


Update for 24 July 2023 - Phase 1 completed.

Phase 1 rebate received. 

Update for 13 June 2023

The Phase 1 rebate was approved by SoCal Watersmart.

Update for 16 May 2023

Green Valley Landscape (GVL) applied for a rebate upon completion of Xeriscaping Phase 1 in late February to pay for a majority of Phase 1 of the xeriscape project. Water Wise, the contractor for the Metropolitan Water District, inspected Xeriscaping Phase 1 on April 19, 2023, to determine compliance with xeriscape rules.  In early May GVL added  plants in select areas to fully comply with the rebate requirements and requested another inspection. Water Wise has not yet scheduled a re-inspection.  

Update for 24 January 2023

Phase 1 of the xeriscaping project (Meandro Drive, Court, and Road) began January 18, 2023. Green Valley Landscape (GVL) sprayed grass areas slated for xeriscaping to kill existing grass and began capping irrigation sprinklers in the xeriscape areas. Also, bushes incompatible with xeriscaping are being removed. Soil next to some walkways is being removed to accommodate mulch. The xeriscape plan, plant photos, the community meeting PowerPoint presentation, and answers to questions raised by homeowners at the January community meeting are posted.

Update for 14 January 2023

Phase 1 of the xeriscape project will start on Wednesday, January 18, 2023. Phase 1 consists of common areas on Meandro Drive, Road and Court. Green Valley Landscape (GVL) will spray areas designated for xeriscaping with a herbicide to kill grass on Wednesday, January 18, starting at 7:30 AM. 

Update for 13 January 2023

The Board signed a contract with Green Valley Landscape for installation of Phase 1 of the the xeriscape project. A community meeting is scheduled for Saturday, January 14, 2023 to update homeowners on the project. It will be held at the Community Center in the community center room (in the building where the workout room is located), starting at 2pm. All homeowners are encouraged to attend. The board will make a presentation followed by a question/answer period.

Update for 26 December 2022

HOA #1 received approval for a $2 per square foot rebate from the Metropolitan Water District (MWD) for Phase 1 of the xeriscape project. Phase 1 covers the common area on Meandro Drive, Court, and Road. This rebate amount will cover most, but not all, of the xeriscape installation cost. The Board is exploring options to lower the out-of-pocket cost as much as possible. The HOA will pay for xeriscape installation from reserve funds that will be replenished from irrigation water savings.

Update for 19 November 2022

On November 18, 2022, Water Wise, a subcontractor for the Metropolitan Water District (MWD) that provides xeriscape rebates, inspected HOA #1 xeriscape phase 1 common areas (Meandro Drive, Court, and Road) to determine rebate eligibility. They will submit their report to MWD who will then notify Green Valley Landscape of the eligible areas and the rebate amount. Green Valley filed the rebate application on behalf of HOA #1. We anticipate receipt of the MWD decision in about three weeks. The Board will determine next steps based on the MWD report.

Update for 28 July 2022

As indicated in the May 28 update below, the HOA was approved for a rebate amount that was below the anticipated amount. Since accepting the approved rebate would not cover the entire cost of Phase 1 of the project, the original application was canceled. We will reapply for a rebate in August, 2022, when additional rebate funds are supposed to become available. This will delay the start of Phase 1. Also, since only one application is allowed each fiscal year (July 1 - June 30) and our second application will fall in FY 2023, the Phase 2 application cannot be submitted any earlier than July, 2023, which is the start of FY 2024.

Update for 28 May 2022

A turf replacement program inspector conducted an on-site inspection on May 2, 2022, to verify the square footage eligible for a rebate. HOA #1 was approved for a rebate amount of $100,000 for Phase 1 of the xeriscape project that includes select areas on Meandro Drive, Meandro Road, and Meandro Court. However, the rebate amount is based on a rebate of $2 per square foot of replaced turf, rather than $3, which was the amount we were told was available when we filed the rebate application. The Board will consider options to make up the shortage.

Update for 2 May 2022

The xeriscape inspection that was postponed from April 25 was completed on May 2. The inspection report will be sent to the Metropolitan Water District who will determine the eligible square footage eligible for a rebate and will notify the HOA. We anticipate hearing from them in late May or early June, 2022.

Update for 28 April 2022

The inspection appointment scheduled for April 25, 2022 (see the 28 March update below) was canceled by the inspector. The HOA is awaiting a new inspection date.

Update for 28 March 2022

An appointment by an inspector from the Turf Replacement Program is scheduled for April 25, 2022. The purpose of the inspection is to verify eligibility of the square footage HOA #1 requested for a rebate of the cost of converting turf (grass) to xeriscape. A determination of the rebate-eligible area is supposed to be delivered to HOA #1 within three weeks after the inspection. Once that determination is received, work can begin to replace turf with xeriscaping. Note that this is two-a phase project. Phase 1 (the current application) includes select lawn areas on Meandro Dr., Meandro Rd., and Meandro Ct. Phase 2 will require a new application after July 1, 2022. (See a map of the two-phase project here.)

Update for 22 February 2022

Green Valley Landscape submitted the turf replacement application, and is waiting for an appointment onsite with the Turf Replacement Program inspector to verify the square footage eligible for a rebate. The board voted to install xeriscape only in areas eligible for a rebate in order to keep the net cost to the Association at $0. Once the square footage is verified, the rebate amount is locked in and Phase 1 of the project will begin. Phase 1 includes lawns on Meandro Drive, Meandro Road, and Meandro Court.

Update for 18 January 2022

The Board voted to adopt a two-phase xeriscape plan to convert selected areas of grass to drought tolerant landscaping. The Board will file an application for a rebate for the cost of Phase 1 with the San Diego Water Authority immediately to begin Phase 1. Phase 2 will begin no sooner than the start of the city's 2023 fiscal year on July 1, 2022.

Each phase includes conversion of approximately 33,500 square feet of turf into drought tolerant landscaping. The total area converted will be approximately 67,000 square feet. The Board anticipates a significant reduction in irrigation water cost as a result of the project. Green Valley Landscape will perform the conversion and handle all administrative tasks, including filing rebate applications, at a cost of $3 per square foot of converted turf. San Diego Water Authority offers a $3 per square foot rebate, so the final cost to the HOA will be $0 unless there are additional non-rebated costs. (None are anticipated.)

Following the rebate application, the Water Authority will inspect areas selected and confirm the square footage that qualifies for a rebate. Once that is done, rebate funds for HOA #1 will be set aside by the Water Authority and work can begin. The Board anticipates work will start in about five weeks and will be completed in about 90 days. Rebates are paid after work is completed and a final inspection is done by the Water Authority. Phase 1 will cover areas on Meandro Drive, Meandro Road, and Meandro Court. The same process will be followed for Phase 2 and will cover areas on Santiago Road East.

See the map on the xeriscape page. Note that the map may change after the Water Authority determines exact areas eligible for rebate.

Update for 28 December 2021

Following is a list of actions taken regarding the xeriscaping project as of December 28, 2021:

Water District.

Ongoing actions:

Next Steps:

Board vote at the January 11, 2022 board meeting on whether to sign a contract to install xeriscape.

SUBMETERING UPDATE

(scroll up for the Xeriscape Update)

Update for 13 January 2023

The first bills from MeterNet were mailed to homeowners on or about January 6, 2023. They included instructions for payment.

Update for 11 November 2022

MeterNet completed submeter installation on November 8, 2022. The first billing cycle will begin on that date. In order to not charge homeowners for water used between submeter installation (when submeters began registering water use) and November 8, all submeters were read by MeterNet on November 8. Those readings will be the used as the beginning reading for the first billing period. This allows all condo bills to cover the same time period. The first billing cycle will end when submeters are read the end of December. Note that due to a delay in submeter installation, this first billing period will be shorter than normal. Please be aware of this when comparing this first bill to future bills. The normal cycle is about 60 days, depending on exact meter reading dates.

REMINDER: If you rent your condo and want the tenant to pay water bills, you must complete a form and send it to MeterNet. Forms were in the welcome packet mailed to homeowners and property managers in October, 2022. If you did not receive the packet or do not have a form, contact MeterNet Customer Service at 800-985-1179.

Update for 24 October 2022

MeterNet will install submeters on each condo water valve October 24-28. The company sent a welcome packet including the installation schedule to all homeowners and select property management companies. Packets were not mailed to renters. Homeowners who rent their condo and want their tenants to pay water bills must complete a duplicate bill form that is in the welcome packet and return it to MeterNet. Otherwise homeowners, not tenants, will be billed. Homeowners who select this option will receive a bill as information. The first water billing period will be from approximately October 28 to December 28. MeterNet will mail Initial bills in early January and payment will be due later in January. All subsequent bills will be for two months. Payment options and instructions will be included in the initial bills. Homeowners and property management companies who did not receive the welcome packet should contact MeterNet Customer Service at 800-985-1179.

Update for 28 April 2022

The HOA paid the down payment to MeterNet to purchase submetering materials. Homeowners will receive their first bill from MeterNet no earlier than January, 2023.

Update for 9 February 2022

The Board voted to hire MeterNet to provide submeter equipment and service. Submetering will shift payment for residential water from a dues-based system to a direct-pay by homeowner system. Due to long lead times for equipment purchase and submeter certification, and to give homeowners who rent condos time to adjust leases if they choose to do so, submeter installation is scheduled for October, 2022. Homeowners will receive their first bill from MeterNet no earlier than January, 2023.

Update for 18 January 2022

The Board postponed the vote on the submetering project until the February 9, 2022, Board meeting.

Update for 28 December 2021

Following is a list of actions taken regarding the submetering project as of December 28, 2021:

Ongoing actions:

Next Steps:

Board vote at the January 11, 2022 board meeting on whether to sign a contract to install submetering.