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presented tonight as a sign that their work is done but did assure her that expenditures will decrease <br /> once the appropriate momentum has been established. <br /> Councilmember Brown asked how someone would report a violation, such as watering mid day. <br /> Mr. Smith said the drought hotline during business hours, the Mobile Citizen app, or the police <br /> department after hours. <br /> Mayor Thorne invited public comment. <br /> Christine Steiner said that while the current drought situation is serious, it is not the first nor will it be the <br /> last the city has faced. She recalled the costly and time consuming lawsuits brought by developers in <br /> the 1970s when the city was unable to provide the promised sewage capacity. She said that like many <br /> in the community, she is annoyed that Pleasanton is the only city instituting severe penalties while <br /> many nearby communities are under no restriction at all. She asked what they could do as a community <br /> beyond saving water this year. She asked why the Council would continue to approve new <br /> developments that will surely impact water usage and questioned the cost to the community if the city is <br /> unable to provide this water. She asked that the Council and Zone 7 hold a joint community workshop <br /> to discuss the current issue and put forth a long term plan to address it. <br /> Mayor Thorne closed the public comment <br /> Councilmember Cook-Kallio acknowledged Ms. Steiner's point. She asked if it would be accurate to <br /> state that other communities have elected to raise rates without controlling the use of water whereas <br /> Pleasanton has elected to penalize the worst users. <br /> Mr. Smith clarified that the real concern is with ensuring there is enough water, not simply discouraging <br /> its use. He noted that if the alternative approach of higher rates does not adjust usage appropriately, <br /> those other jurisdictions will be left without water and forced to shut down. <br /> Councilmember Brown reiterated her earlier point, noting she received one email asking why the city is <br /> not using its own in house services for marketing. <br /> Mr. Smith said the city is currently using a combination of both. He explained that while staff is helping <br /> to write press releases, create and edit website content and other ancillary activities, a good deal of the <br /> public information officers' time is also targeted to other areas. The contracted marketing firm is helping <br /> staff with research and strategic development but once that is done, long term work will transition <br /> internally. <br /> Councilmember Cook-Kallio said the community's youth are a proven conduit for this type of <br /> information and suggesting that working with the school district to identify advertizing activities and <br /> programming within the schools could be quite useful. <br /> MOTION: It was m/s by Cook-Kallio/Pentin to ratify execution of a professional services with Carol H <br /> Williams Advertizing for drought education, advertising and marketing services not to exceed $200,000; <br /> approved payments to Dublin San Ramon Services District for $7,560 and Comcast Corporation for <br /> $16,500 for local advertising; and to introduce and waive first reading of Ordinance No. 2104 to amend <br /> the Municipal Code §9.30 regarding outdoor irrigation restrictions and prohibition against decorative <br /> water features not recirculating water. Motion passed by the following vote: <br /> AYES: Councilmembers Brown, Cook-Kallio, Narum, Pentin, Mayor Throne <br /> NOES: None <br /> ABSENT: None <br /> City Council Minutes Page 5 of 14 June 17,2014 <br />