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Tracy responded to its dwindling water supplies by installing a series of pumps from San Luis Rey up to <br /> pump water that was transferred south through the State Water Project back up north, although the cost <br /> has been prohibitive enough to severely limit their use. <br /> Mr. Smith reported that Proposition 1 funds are starting to come available through state funded rebates <br /> and incentives, including a $2 per square-foot turf replacement program targeted at low income <br /> households. The California Energy Commission is offering water appliance rebates of $100 that can be <br /> combined with local rebates typically ranging from $50 to $125. In the queue at the state level are new <br /> requirements surrounding turf installations on new development. Specifically, new development of 500 <br /> square-feet or more will be subject to water efficient landscape ordinances that outline efficient design and <br /> irrigation measures. City staff will host a public workshop on September 12, 2015 at the Operations <br /> Service Center to educate the public on these new rules from the state and how to improve efficiency. <br /> DSRSD has awarded the city with a grant to cover the cost of the workshop and will also be bringing in <br /> some subject matter experts. He also reported that DSRSD's recycled water station has proven to be <br /> such a success that the program is now only accepting new applications from Tri Valley residents. <br /> Mr. Smith provided an update on the recycled water program. He acknowledged some of the difficulties in <br /> resolving loan and permit applications through the state, which he attributed largely to the rather <br /> condensed and expedited process the city pursued. He shared a copy of both the permit and loan <br /> approval and announced that construction is expected to commence mid August 2015. He reviewed the <br /> project funding, noting that the original budget and loan request of $19.9 million was lowered to $17.4 <br /> million after the project bids were received. The city also simultaneously applied for and was awarded <br /> approximately $5.2 million in Proposition 1 grant funds which effectively reduced the loan amount to $12.2 <br /> million. He explained that the grant monies actually total 35% of the project receipts, with the remaining <br /> 65% covered by loan monies. In addition, legislation currently being pushed through Congress has the <br /> potential to yield another$4 million in federal funds that would further reduce the $12.2 million loan. <br /> Locally, staff continues to meet with Zone 7 and other local retailers for the purpose of developing a more <br /> diversified and sustainable water plan. Tomorrow night is the next meeting and the group is expected to <br /> continue its efforts to move forward with a study of indirect potable water reuse. Livermore will host the <br /> meeting at 5 p.m. in the Sycamore Room at its community center and the public is welcome to attend. <br /> Mayor Thorne said he understood that if the state had been more expedient with the recycled water <br /> program permits and the system were already in place, the city would actually have conserved something <br /> closer to 60% so far this year. <br /> Mr. Smith acknowledged that the state could have been faster but also thought that staff had <br /> overestimated how quickly the project could be pushed through. Despite what additional savings may or <br /> may not have been realized, he said the most critical deadline was to ensure that the loan and all of the <br /> necessary permits were obtained this year. <br /> Vice Mayor Brown asked if staff has received any response to the Council's letters asking regional and <br /> staff officials for some relief from the current housing mandates in light of the drought. <br /> Mr. Fialho said "no." <br /> Mayor Thorne reported that Senator Glazer has verbally acknowledged the request and is committed to <br /> helping navigate the waters, though it is unlikely there will be any movement on this until January 2016. <br /> He explained that some cities from around the state are not at all interested in this kind of relief; in fact <br /> many of them are very excited to have new development coming on line. <br /> 22. Consider introduction of ordinance to amend Chapters 9.24 and 13.08 of the Municipal Code <br /> banning smoking in parks and on trails within the city, except the golf course, as proposed by the <br /> Youth Commission <br /> City Council Minutes Page 5 of 17 July 21, 2015 <br />