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Councilmember Cook-Kallio referred to the quality of water and pharmaceuticals and <br />questioned how this impacts the City's water supply. Ms. Namath agreed she would follow-up <br />with the General Manager to answer the question. <br />Councilmember Sullivan referred to the Wanger ruling and the 30% cut-back for one year and <br />confirmed with Ms. Namath that they will learn more this year as to what impacts the reduction <br />in pumping have for the fish, but she did not believe there was a lot of confidence in the fish <br />rebounding during the next year due to the complexity of the science of fish, their habitat and <br />water quality. She further discussed the peripheral canal and evaluation of the needs of fish <br />species. <br />Councilmember Sullivan said the DWR was starting a 30-month study on the peripheral canal <br />which he confirmed was the required environmental review process associated with the <br />conservation plan. <br />Councilmember Thorne voiced concern when the courts begin making policies that they should <br />be based on sound science. Ms. Namath agreed this was the challenge; the conservation <br />planning process is meant to deal very explicitly with some of the scientific uncertainties so <br />research can be done that really matters for the fish, and so that actual decisions can be made <br />to stabilize the water supply and recover the fish. <br />Councilmember McGovern questioned if there were additional measures the City could require <br />to conserve water, such as encouraging drought tolerant plantings versus installation of lawns, <br />landscaping, low flow toilets for remodels, or others. Mr. Wilson said conditions could be <br />reviewed, staff has not been active in enforcing landscaping conditions, removal of lawns, but <br />low flow toilets were already a standard, as well as low flow shower heads and believed the City <br />was very active in offering incentives of commercial and industrial conversions of their <br />landscape systems. She believed the City should re-consider this and questioned whether it <br />was time to look at utilizing recycled treated wastewater. Mr. Wilson said the City is currently <br />contributing its effluent water outside the city which is used for landscaping, but does not utilize <br />it within its city limits. Staff could review the CIP because the City does not have existing <br />infrastructure/pipes to provide it to parks and large landscaped areas and an in-ground system <br />would need to be installed. <br />Councilmember Sullivan noted the City's Green Building Ordinance includes water conservation <br />points from a checklist as well, and suggested possibly strengthening it. <br />The Council thanked Ms. Namath for her presentation. <br />14. Accept the Kane Family Donation and presentation of a Certificate of Appreciation for their <br />generous contribution to support trail expansion on the Bernal Property <br />Director of Parks and Community Services Jim Wolfe said Jim's wife, Marilyn, passed away <br />suddenly in November 2006 and who was called the "sandwich board lady". She promoted the <br />idea of Bernal Park being developed similarly to the Lithia Park in Ashland, Oregon, she was <br />very active in community affairs, the Bernal Block Party and led tours on the west side of the <br />property which he displayed. He said the trail would be taken from its terminus up to Bernal <br />Avenue close to the roadway, which will entail 1.3 miles, it will involve a 10-foot wide trail with 2 <br />feet of decomposed granite for runners and there are 3 vista points that allows people to go off <br />the trail close the Arroyo to take advantage of views. He said Jim and Marilyn walked the trail a <br />lot and there is a staging area with 10 parking spaces with a water supply. He said the check <br />Mr. Kane will present is the largest individual contribution by an individual or family in the City's <br />history, and he introduced Mr. Kane. <br />City Council Minutes 5 March 18, 2008 <br />