REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Consider a New Council Policy to Ban the Use of Artificial Turf at City Facilities and Open Space
Report
BACKGROUND
At the February 6, 2024 City Council meeting under Non-Agenda Items, the City Council directed staff to create a policy restricting the use of artificial turf fields on City property. This was in response to comments from members of the public regarding the negative environmental impacts of artificial turf.
On February 15, 2024, the City Council approved Study Issue ESD 24-01 - Evaluate the Use of Artificial Turf versus Living Groundcovers. The Study Issue will analyze the benefits and challenges regarding the installation and use of artificial turf on private properties, including residential and commercial landscapes, and public properties, including athletic fields. The Study Issue will also provide recommendations for the City to develop a policy regarding the use of artificial turf.
EXISTING POLICY
N/A
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” with the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15061(b)(3) because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that banning artificial turf will have a significant effect on the environment within the meaning of CEQA.
DISCUSSION
Currently, the City has artificial turf at Fair Oaks Park; the playgrounds located at the Magical Bridge All-inclusive Playground and Muwekma Park; a small patch at Orchard Gardens Park; and the cricket pitch at Ortega Park. Additionally, the batting cages at Ortega Park are planned to have artificial turf.
The City started using synthetic turf to replace natural ground covering to reduce field maintenance costs, increase water conservation by reducing consumption, save on water costs, and eliminate the use of chemicals like pesticide, fertilizers, and weed killers. Additionally, the use of synthetic fields allows for year-round use, holding up to changing weather conditions. Finally, the wear on artificial turf fields from youth and adult recreational sports is significantly less than on natural turf fields, contributing to reduced maintenance costs and more usable field time.
The 20-year financial plan includes artificial turf for the upcoming park renovation at Ortega Park and for the lawn bowling green at Murphy Park (both planned to begin design in FY 2032/33). The City also has a Capital Improvement Project (832710 - Synthetic Turf Sports Field) that was established to convert existing sports field to synthetic/artificial turf and allows for the replacement costs for existing fields, with the first replacement coming starting in FY 2029/30. The project currently has forecasted funds through FY 2040/41.
Per Council direction, the policy (Attachment 1) would ban the further use of artificial turf at City facilities, and result in any existing artificial turf being replaced with natural turf once it reaches the end of its useful life. As there are no near-term projects beyond the Lakewood Park renovation which has already been rescoped for natural grass based on Council direction, staff recommends adopting a new policy at this time, but revisiting/replacing the policy once the outcome of the Study Issue underway in the Environmental Services Department is known.
FISCAL IMPACT
Banning artificial turf would have a negative fiscal impact associated with increased water usage and field maintenance costs. The FY 2023/24 20-year financial plan has projected water savings for the Ortega Park renovation totaling $181,200 over twenty years. Additionally, while funding totaling $6.8M over twenty years is available for the replacement of artificial turf fields, it is unlikely this would be sufficient to convert and maintain natural grass fields. Additional analysis would be required to fully evaluate long-term fiscal impacts of a full ban on artificial turf.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council meeting agenda on the City's official-notice bulletin board at City Hall, at the Sunnyvale Public Library and in the Department of Public Safety Lobby. In addition, the agenda and this report are available at the NOVA Workforce Services reception desk located on the first floor of City Hall at 456 W. Olive Avenue (during normal business hours), and on the City's website.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve the proposed policy to ban the use of artificial turf on city property and direct staff to revisit the policy upon the completion of Study Issue ESD 24-01- Evaluate the Use of Artificial Turf versus Living Groundcovers.
2. Do not approve the proposed policy and defer the decision pending the completion of Study Issue ESD 24-01 - Evaluate the Use of Artificial Turf versus Living Groundcovers.
3. Provide other direction to staff.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Alternative 1. Approve the proposed policy to ban the use of artificial turf on city property and direct staff to revisit the policy upon the completion of Study Issue ESD 24-01- Evaluate the Use of Artificial Turf versus Living Groundcovers.
Levine Act
LEVINE ACT
The Levine Act (Gov. Code Section 84308) prohibits city officials from participating in certain decisions regarding licenses, permits, and other entitlements for use if the official has received a campaign contribution of more than $250 from a party, participant, or agent of a party or participant in the previous 12 months. The Levine Act is intended to prevent financial influence on decisions that affect specific, identifiable persons or participants. For more information see the Fair Political Practices Commission website: www.fppc.ca.gov/learn/pay-to-play-limits-and-prohibitions.html
A check or “Y” in the checklist below indicates that the action being considered falls under a Levine Act category or exemption:
SUBJECT TO THE LEVINE ACT
___ Land development entitlements
___ Other permit, license, or entitlement for use
___ Contract or franchise
EXEMPT FROM THE LEVINE ACT
___ Competitively bid contract
___ Labor or personal employment contract
_X_ General policy and legislative actions
Staff
Prepared by: Tamara Davis, Senior Management Analyst
Reviewed by: Chip Taylor, Director, Public Works
Reviewed by: Sarah Johnson-Rios, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Tim Kirby, Interim City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Proposed New Council Policy - Council Policy 3.7.3 - Restriction of the Use of Artificial Turf in City Facilities and Open Space