CCMIN012015 - Laserfiche WebLink

Mr. Smith confirmed, citing the exchange with Contra Costa Water District and purchase from Yuba County's irrigation district as two examples. The liaison committee is encouraging Zone 7 to continue to examine options like this, though they are not always realistic or prudent. Councilmember Olson asked and Mr. Smith confirmed that a fixed rate can be negotiated as part of the purchase contract. Councilmember Narum asked how staff plans to communicate both the suspension of penalties and the continued restrictions. Mr. Smith stated that a press release has been drafted notifying people of the changes, reminding them of the prohibitions that are still in place, reminding them that 2013 continues to be the benchmark year, and encouraging them to continue their conservation efforts because mandatory reductions will likely resume in April. The website will also be updated with this information. Councilmember Pentin said he supports the temporary penalty suspension but is particularly concerned that the public may misread it as an excuse to relax their efforts. He stressed that they are by no means out of the woods yet, noting that there was no snow to be found during his recent visit to Lake Tahoe. He asked if access to Zone 7's 10,300 acre feet of carryover water is guaranteed. Mr. Smith said "yes," provided the Delta remains open though did acknowledge that the state is not without the authority to change those rules during a drought. Councilmember Pentin asked if there is any concern that state may say that water, nor the 15% allocation, is available come April. Mr. Smith did not think so based on current conditions. He estimated that if it continues to stay dry between now and April, we would likely see 25-30% mandatory reductions in effect throughout the year. Councilmember Pentin asked if Zone 7 has been able to recover the paper water sent south to other agencies in prior years. Mr. Smith explained that that is exactly what those 10,300 acre feet represent. Councilmember Pentin said he wanted to be very clear for the benefit of the public that the next 90 days will be very carefully scrutinized and at any sign of concern, the penalties will be reinstated. Mr. Smith concurred, stating that staff has no intention of jeopardizing the hard work the community has made thus far. Throughout the process the public was promised that the penalties would be relaxed if the situation changed, which staff is recommending, but they will be reinstated at the first indication that those efforts are endangered. Vice-Mayor Brown requested an update on the Smart Meter program. Mr: Smith said that as an almost fully funded and Council prioritized program, it is his goal to implement the program this year. He explained that the drought workload and fast tracking of the Recycled Water Program, which were not anticipated, have set that project back some but that it is still a very high priority. MOTION: It was m/s by Pentin/Narum to approve a 90-day suspension of the current City drought emergency declaration mandating 25% water reduction with the understanding that the City Council will reevaluate the declaration at its April 21, 2015 meeting. Motion passed by the following vote: City Council Minutes Page 4 of 12 January 20, 2015