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Councilmember Narum noted the City Council recently approved the financing plan for the Per- and <br /> polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) which will take some money out of the Water Enterprise Reserve <br /> Fund and expressed concern that the money will not be there if it is needed for this purpose. <br /> Director Yurchak reported the Water Enterprise Reserve Fund stands at $9.6 million which is at 31% of <br /> the reserve policy and does factor in the PFAS project. Staff needs two months to assess community <br /> response to conservation. She noted Zone 7 has not imposed its drought rates, so the City is not being <br /> charged more for Zone 7 water at this point. She confirmed temporary employee funding will come out <br /> of Water Enterprise Reserve Fund and will impact the fund balance. <br /> In response to Mayor Brown, Director Yurchak confirmed there is a fixed cost on all of the water bills <br /> that helps cover the repair and replacement of some of the pipes. She explained that Zone 7 would only <br /> pay for the water it received so they are only paying for the 5% they received. <br /> Mayor Brown opened the public hearing. <br /> Diana Mendenhall expressed support for the 15% reduction in water usage mandate but does not think <br /> it is fair for those residents who have continued to conserve water during and after the last drought of <br /> 2014 through 2016. She noted her in case. there is no more she can do for additional conservation, and <br /> encouraged the City not to fine those who comply. <br /> Olivia Sanwong expressed support for the Tri-Valley working together on water conservation efforts into <br /> the 2021-22 year which officially started on October 1st. She supports staff recommendations and <br /> encouraged the City Council to vote in favor of the item. <br /> Derek Dressler asked the City Council to pass the agenda item in its voluntary non-punitive form. He <br /> encouraged the City to bring back opportunities to alter and improve public water consumption He <br /> encouraged expanding opportunities to allow for residents to use recycled water on their property and <br /> work towards lasting solutions that address and mitigate this enduring problem. <br /> Mayor Brown closed the public hearing. <br /> Councilmember Narum moved that the City Council adopt the attached urgency ordinance declaring a <br /> local drought emergency. adopt the attached resolution declaring a Stage 2 water shortage, and <br /> mandate that Pleasanton water customers reduce their potable water usage by 15%, and modify the <br /> recommendation to request staff bring back an evaluation of Pleasanton's rebate program to make it <br /> more robust, and request staff bring back an update on the Water Enterprise Fund balance. <br /> Councilmember Narum advised she would have liked to have seen the Tri-Valley and Zone 7 get <br /> together on this sooner. She is encouraged that Tri-Valley, the two cities in DSRSD, and Zone 7 are <br /> working together to try to establish consistency on the standards. She noted in the previous drought <br /> residents rose to the occasion and hopes they will do so again. She requested the City do some <br /> proactive education in the next six months before summer to prepare residents for conservation during <br /> the summer. <br /> Councilmember Testa reported she would like to second but inquired if the motion included bringing <br /> back the rebate program with an increased incentive. <br /> Councilmember Narum clarified she requested the program come back, and noted she believes it is the <br /> staff's job to figure out the details but would like to ensure the program is being used as much as <br /> impossible to incentivize residents on front and backyard landscaping and low-water usage appliances. <br /> She would also like an update on the Water Enterprise Fund balance. <br /> City Council Minutes Page 6 of 12 October 5. 2021 <br />