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In response to Councilmember Brown's inquiry, Finance Director Olson confirmed these projects will <br />continue to carry forward unless there is City Council action to add or remove an item but added current <br />balances may be different than the June 30th figures because work is ongoing on some of the projects. <br />Councilmember Brown proposed removing the Tri -Valley Potable Reuse Study for $300,000 and <br />redirect them to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) removal which takes a higher priority than <br />earmarked funds for potable reuse. She cited Policy 3 of the Water Chapter in the General Plan, "do <br />not utilize water reclamation techniques, including reverse osmosis, which could adversely affect or <br />have potentially negative impacts on drinking water quality, surface water or groundwater resources." <br />Councilmember Brown stated her second issue with this line item is the Water Roundtable received a <br />presentation stating potable reuse is four times the cost of water through the state water project. She <br />showed a chart of the availability of wastewater required to create potable reuse but in the summer all <br />the water is being used for purple pipe irrigation water. She advised water is not needed at four times <br />the price in the winter and noted her desire to see PFAS be the focus of the City Council moving <br />forward. <br />Councilmember Narum expressed concern about being caught off -guard by this discussion and her <br />recollection the City had committed at the Tri -Valley Roundtable with the other cities to do the second <br />phase of the Potable Reuse Study partly to understand the flow of the aquifer. She requested more <br />information on the ramifications of withdrawing Pleasanton's support of the measure in conjunction with <br />the other cities. <br />In response to Councilmember Narum's inquiry, City Manager Fialho offered to agendize this matter <br />soon as it is a policy discussion unrelated to closing the books on FY 2019/20. He recalled the <br />discussion was paused because of the time and energy expended on dealing with the new concept of <br />PFAS so the City never agreed to participate further in the regional study. He noted it was not done for <br />a pivot in the City Council but rather a need to focus on something more pressing. City Manager Fialho <br />suggested a discussion in December or January about the project status and whether the money <br />should be reallocated, but it is not for tonight's discussion on a financial document which accounts for <br />balances as of June 30. <br />Councilmember Brown stated her surprise the funds are still on the books when a decision was made <br />not to move forward. Councilmember Narum agreed potable reuse is worth discussing although her <br />recollection does not include deciding not to support the project but rather deciding it was a matter to <br />continue. Councilmember Narum stated she is not comfortable taking the line item out now without <br />discussing the possible ramifications of that action. <br />In response to Councilmember Narum's inquiry, City Manager Fialho could not confirm if Pleasanton is <br />the only Tri -Valley municipality not to fund its share of the study but expressed it is his belief. <br />Councilmember Narum agreed with Councilmember Brown in expressing her support for bringing this <br />item back in a future meeting. <br />Councilmember Testa expressed her interest in bringing the matter back but recalled having a <br />discussion where the City Council said it would not participate in the study. <br />Mayor Thorne opened the public hearing, there being no speaker the hearing was closed. <br />Councilmember Brown made a motion to accept staff recommendation on Item No. 21 for budgetary <br />consideration and approval. She added she will condition her approval on bringing back the issue of <br />potable reuse funding in the value of $300,000. Councilmember Narum seconded the motion. <br />Councilmember Pentin expressed support for the motion. <br />City Council Minutes Page 11 of 13 November 17, 2020 <br />