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benefit of working with the Sustainability Circle and encouraged other businesses and organizations to <br /> do the same. <br /> Mr. Smith reminded the Council and public that Governor Brown recently announced an Executive <br /> Order mandating a 25% reduction of water consumption throughout the state, though cautioned that <br /> actual reduction targets are determined using a sliding scale based on gallons per capital per day. The <br /> Executive Order contained several other minor changes that must be incorporated into the local <br /> drought ordinance. These include requiring that restaurants serve water only upon request, requiring <br /> that hotels offer guests the option to refrain from receiving freshly laundered bedding towels each day, <br /> prohibiting the irrigation of public medians containing only grass turf, and mandating that golf courses, <br /> cemeteries and certain educational institutions not be exempt from these regulations. The Executive <br /> Order is also expected to include a mandate that irrigation of new development be limited to drip or <br /> micro-spray systems. <br /> He reported that water levels at Lake Oroville are lower than in 2014, although the State Water Project <br /> is still projecting delivery of 20% of the normal demand. Including water trades and purchases, Zone 7 <br /> continues to anticipate being able to deliver a total of 60% of normal demand. He noted that Zone 7 has <br /> advertized the ability to meet the full demand but has not been clear in that it would require <br /> groundwater pumping to fill the remaining gap. <br /> Councilmember Pentin said it has been reported that this is the earliest the California Delta has been in <br /> balance, which means that no additional water can be run through the system, and asked how the city <br /> will be able to access the water obtained through purchase. <br /> Mr. Smith explained that while the Delta being in balance does jeopardize the ability to put through any <br /> additional water transfers, the 20% allocated by the State Water Project is already available. He did <br /> note the somewhat remote possibility that the federal courts may shut down the aqueduct due to low <br /> water levels in order to protect the fish residing there. <br /> Vice Mayor Brown asked and Mr. Smith confirmed that the mandated reduction refers to 25% over <br /> 2013 consumption and not in addition to those savings achieved in 2014. <br /> Mayor Thorne asked Mr. Smith to discuss some of what is occurring at Shadow Cliffs. <br /> Mr. Smith explained that Shadow Cliffs is really a window to the condition of the local groundwater <br /> basin. Zone 7 has stopped releasing water into the area and residents are now finding that one of their <br /> water sources has dried up. He noted that one resident out on Old Vineyard called him yesterday to <br /> report that his neighbor's well had just run dry. <br /> Councilmember Olson asked if the conversion from pop-up to drip or micro spray irrigation systems is <br /> relatively simply. <br /> Mr. Smith explained that some systems can be retrofitted whereas others cannot. He advised that there <br /> are rebates available through both the city and Zone 7 for irrigation retrofits, noting that system retrofits <br /> are limited to commercial users whereas residents are eligible for irrigation controller rebates. <br /> Nonetheless, the increasing cost of water means that even residential retrofits will realize a fairly rapid <br /> return on investment. He also advised that city staff would be happy to walk residents through the <br /> retrofit and rebate process. <br /> Mr. Smith continued to review the Governor's Executive Order, which requires a statewide reduction in <br /> water consumption through February 2016 with compliance monitoring to begin June 2015. In addition <br /> the requirements described earlier, the city is now required to report monthly to the State Water <br /> Resources Control Board on a number of new measures regarding commercial, industrial and <br /> recreation activities as well as any citations issued. He also reported that this last Saturday the <br /> City Council Minutes Page 4 of 11 April 21,2015 <br />