09 - Laserfiche WebLink

BACKGROUND California's record drought has resulted in declarations of emergency by the State of California as well as the City of Pleasanton. On March 17, 2015, the State Water Resources Control Board adopted emergency water conservation regulations applicable throughout California. On March 27, 2015, these regulations were confirmed by the State Office of Administrative Law. DISCUSSION The City's Water Conservation Plan (Municipal Code Chapter 9.30) already includes most of the water use restrictions adopted by the State Board. One difference is the State Board's regulation requiring hotels to offer guests the option to not have towels and sheets laundered daily. This is proposed to be added to the City's conservation measures. Existing conservation measures in the City's code are also proposed to be amended to clarify the prohibition on irrigation runoff, as well as restrictions on washing cars, outdoor irrigation timing limits, hose nozzle shut-off devices, pool cover requirements, restaurants not serving water unless asked, and that water dependent industries needing to coordinate with City staff regarding irrigation schedules. Such amendments are intended to prevent any confusion between State Board regulations and City conservation measures. After gaining experience from the past year's implementation of the water conservation plan and Stage 3 mandatory reductions, staff also proposes amendments regarding timing for customers to seek adjustments to allocations. The proposed amendments align with other appeal periods in the municipal code, providing thirty days for the request for an adjustment, and then fifteen days for an appeal of the decision. Amendments are also proposed for Municipal Code Chapter 14.04 Regulation of Water System and Water Service Fees, subsection 14.04.060 Use of Water. These amendments align the City code with the State Board's regulations restricting water use. Finally, these amendments are proposed as an urgency ordinance to be effective immediately (if approved by 4/5th of the Council) to ensure City regulations coincide with the State Board's emergency regulations. Sub- t .•l y/ Fisc review: Approved by: Daniel Smi h ina Olson Nelson Fialho Director • Operations Director of Finance City Manager Services Attachment: 1. Urgency Ordinance to amend Municipal Code Chapter 9.30 Water Conservation Plan and Municipal Code Chapter 14.04 Regulation of Water System and Water Service Fees [Note: Amendments are shown in track changes format to allow the reader to more easily see the changes. Codified version will be in final clean form.] Page 2 of 2