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for diversification was the obvious choice to ensure Zone 7 looked at other supplies of safe <br /> drinking water. She cited the 72.3% support for Measure J as evidence the residents were heavily <br /> against potable reuse. She stated science also brought PFAS, so it is not always wonderful. She <br /> expressed her support for Zone 7 looking into the Delta Conveyance to bring snowmelt into the <br /> Tri-Valley. <br /> Mayor Brown questioned why neighboring communities have higher quality water than <br /> Pleasanton. She stated the City's water supplier should fight for a diversified water supply which <br /> was the point of the Roundtable. She stated she would not want to feed a newborn baby potable <br /> reused water. She believes the residents want better water quality and they deserve it. She listed <br /> a series of ways $300,000 could better serve residents and noted her surprise anyone would say <br /> anything other than focusing on PFAS and cleaning the City's wells. <br /> City Attorney Sodergren advised voting on the substitute motion first. <br /> Councilmember Balch agreed with Mayor Brown's quest for better drinking water and expressed <br /> his appreciation for her passion towards that goal. He added the $300,000 is to improve the <br /> overall water reliability, quality, and management including PFAS-related issues. He commented <br /> they are working towards the same goal which is improved water reliability and will be voting for <br /> the item. <br /> Mayor Brown advised the $300,000 request was done in 2018 before the City knew about the <br /> PFAS issues. Councilmember Balch stated the 2018 staff report mentions PFAS and his goal is to <br /> eliminate drinking water issues. <br /> Councilmember Arkin expressed her continued opposition to potable reuse due to costs and <br /> health concerns which are acknowledged by science. She noted her interpretation of the General <br /> Plan as forbidding potable reuse. She added the main concern right now is PFAS and stated this <br /> money should be put towards PFAS. She commended Zone 7 for looking at other options such as <br /> desalinization but stated potable reuse is different. She cited pandemic recovery for businesses <br /> as a better and more urgent use for the money. She stated the study is unnecessary because <br /> other options exist which are worth studying. <br /> Vice Mayor Testa noted her surprise that Councilmembers would suggest $300,000 should be <br /> spent unnecessarily. She stated this action would express support for potable reuse when she <br /> has no support for it and thus views this expenditure as unjustifiable. <br /> Councilmember Narum expressed her desire for good quality drinking water and reiterated it is a <br /> priority to her and Councilmember Balch. She stated regarding the 2000 Measure J vote, both <br /> she and Mayor Brown are on the record in 2018 saying they would want to go to the ballot again <br /> for an advisory vote if potable reuse were ever revisited. She noted the money is from the Water <br /> Enterprise Fund and expressed her belief it cannot be spent on other matters previously <br /> expressed in the discussion such as pandemic relief. She stated $300,000 is a drop in the bucket <br /> relative to the $25-40 million anticipated PFAS expenses and is a small price to pay if the study <br /> finds benefits. She reiterated her support for the study and honoring the City's commitment to its <br /> regional partners. She stated she would be disappointed if the City does not honor its <br /> commitment. <br /> Mayor Brown stated PFAS changes commitments. <br /> MOTION: It was m/s by Balch/Narum to continue to participate with regional agencies on studies <br /> of water supply alternatives including potable reuse. Motion failed by the following vote: <br /> City Council Minutes Page 8 of 12 February 2, 2021 <br />