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3. Public Facilities and Communltv ProGrams Element of the General Plan: Review and provide comments on a Draft Public Facilities Element of the General Plan. (SR 06:147) Janice Stern presented the staff report. Mayor Hosterman indicated the issue of water was extremely important to her. She noted 62% of the city's water came from the snow pack and to date there is no plan to protect the property across the Sierra to protect the water supply. She wanted to include a Water Element in the General Plan. The State of California will soon mandate a water element in all cities' general plans. She referred to a set of water principles that was recently passed by the Local Government Commission that deals with water availability and water quality. Every agency in California is being asked to ratify these principles. The State Water Control Board has already ratified these principles and has indicated the funding to agencies will be based on whether they had ratified the principles. She asked Council to keep an open mind regarding a water element. She noted the Local Government Commission was developing a template for water elements to make ratification of the same an easier process. Pleasanton is a water retailer and she felt it was even more imperative to consider the element. Mr. Sullivan completely supported the idea. He felt water quality, supply, disposal, wastewater and storm water runoff were all one issue. There is an element for transportation, air quality, and soon for energy. He felt adequate supplies of clean water and dealing with storm water and disposal were some of the most critical infrastructure challenges for the city. As the State and the Valley continues to grow with more demands on those resources, it becomes more important to have good planning guidelines. He supported the Ahwanhee Water Principles mentioned by the Mayor, which are good management practices for water use and disposal. He presented comments on current policies: Under Policy 9, he wanted more language about water conservation strategies for the long term. For instance, work with Zone 7 to develop conservation plans and strategies for the long term. He further suggested reexamining the tiered rate structure for residential and commercial users to encourage conservation. He noted Pleasanton has a representative on the water retailers board to address water quality issues. He wanted that listed in the General Plan as something to continue to do. He suggested a policy to "encourage water retailers to continue to work with Zone 7 on water conservation and quality issues." Over the last few years, real progress has been made in working with Zone 7. On page VI-12, it indicates storm water runoff issues are to be covered under the conservation and open space element. If there were a Water Element, these issues would be taken care of. He felt all the water issues should be looked at from the same General Plan Element because they are all interrelated. He felt there should be some mention of the new Zone 7 Stream Management Master Plan. The city should review it and give input. There is also a newly commissioned study for improvement of stream flows to support steelhead habitats in Zone 7 streams. The city should also be involved in that. Those two issues should be part of the Water Element. He asked about the status of the construction and demolition ordinance as referred to on page VI-17. Mr. Fialho indicated it is in draft form and was reviewed by the Planning Commission several years ago. It was not presented to Council due to some problems with the city's hauler. It will come to Council in the future. Mr. Sullivan referred to page VI-45, Program 24.4, under the Wi-Fi policy, he felt it should "explore Wi-Fi opportunities" because he did not think a decision had been made to provide Wi-Fi downtown. General Plan Workshop City Council 6 OS/23/06