CCMIN 10052021 - Laserfiche WebLink

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