CCMIN05152018 - Laserfiche WebLink

In response to Mayor Thorne's question regarding the point at which it would be best to let voters decide, City Manager Fialho explained it would be early in the process, including initiating CEQA procedures and investigating the supply and demand in the region. Much information is needed before discussions can occur about going to the ballot. He added there is an advisory measure, rather than a more-binding option the City and region could take, based on CEQA and the environmental review. Ms. Holmes presented a Potable Reuse Conceptual Timeline for Implementation of the plan. Councilmember Olson commented on the California Water Fix providing additional water to the Tri-Valley and potentially to Southern California and commented on Zone 7 being considered part of Southern California. Ms. Holmes understood it is to improve reliability and not necessarily provide a new supply of water. Director of Operations and Water Utilities Yurchak reported the Zone 7 Board has supported the California Water Fix and stressed the program is about improved reliability, not an additional source of water. Valerie Prior, General Manager, Zone 7, reported it is generally thought that Southern California is the only region that imports water from Northern California, but many Bay Area agencies import as much water from Northern California as Southern California. In terms of the California Water Fix and reliability, it maintains a source of supply when reliability may be reduced. Councilmember Olson referenced the Sustainable Ground Water Management Act and understood it set up regions that are responsible or developing plans to manage ground water. Additionally, he understood the lead agency would be Zone 7 and asked for verification. Ms. Prior responded affirmatively. Councilmember Narum inquired regarding ground-water and raw-water augmentation and Ms. Holmes reported they are considered equally safe and addressed the benefits and the specific treatments performed under each. She added Zone 7's water treatment plants are very robust and have recently implemented adding ozone at both of their treatment plans and it is another treatment process that addresses contaminants such as hormones and pharmaceuticals. Councilmember Brown addressed the water availability chart and felt it goes counter to logic as acquiring purified water through the system at a time when water is most available. Ms. Holmes stated it is about when water is available and that is why they carried the option of a lower yield but also considered high-yield options. It was noted the availability of water from the State Water Project does not vary seasonally, however they get an allocation for the entire year and the water is delivered as needed. Discussion followed regarding differences in costs in Zone 7, revisiting a supply and demand study, and water supply reliability. Ms. Prior reported the new sources of water are expensive, and at this time, they are diversifying the options to create a more-diverse portfolio. If reliability goes down or there are extended drought periods, Zone 7 may need to access more-expensive sources of supply. Councilmember Brown noted in 2014, voters approved Measure 1, a $7.5 Billion project, and asked whether Zone 7 expects to get some of that money. Ms. Prior reported Zone 7, along with many other agencies, is participating in some of those projects and the California Water Commission has released final scores and Sikes Reservoirs will receive funds as well as the Los Vaqueros Reservoir. Ms. Prior stated Measure 1 is not paying for the Orville Spillway. City Council Minutes Page 9 of 11 May 15, 2018