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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 101390 - Special Mtng • . MWING AMDA DATE. O Z30/90 ITEM I ATASCADERO CITY COUNCIL Approved as submitted 10/30/90 MINUTES SPECIAL MEETING: WATER SHORTAGE October 13, 1990 The Special Meeting was called .to order by Mayor Lilley at 3 : 05 p.m. , pursuant to Government Code Section 54956, which authorizes the calling of special meetings based upon 24 hours public notice. Roll Call : Present: Councilmembers Borgeson, Dexter, Nimmo, Shiers and Mayor Lilley Staff: Ray Windsor, City Manager; Greg Luke, Public Works Dir- ector; Art Montandon, City Attorney; Battalion Chief, Vern Elliott, AFD; Lt. Bill Watton, APD; Cindy Wilkins, Admin. Secy./Dep. City Clerk. Council Comments : Mayor Lilley noted the purpose of the meeting as being for discus- sion on the content and ramification of correspondence received October 12, 1990 from the Atascadero Mutual Water Company (AMWC) advising of the breakdown of several wells, resulting in a request to suspend all outside watering until the situation improves. He indicated that several members of the AMWC Board were present to respond to questions and concerns, including the current President, Gordon Davis . He acknowledged that the AMWC is a separate entity, a non-profit corporation, and expressed the hope that the Council determines whether any measures ought to be considered which would require legislative action governing any operations of the City with respect to water. Councilman Nimmo expressed the hope that, in this and any subse- quent proceedings on this matter, a spirit of cooperation between the City and the AMWC will be maintained Several Councilmembers indicated that they had received calls from concerned citizens, with Councilwoman Borgeson noting several she received desired clarification on the "ping-pong" affect of the emergency vs . non-emergency state of the water supply situation. Gordon Davis expounded on the well equipment failure situation: Due to low water levels, sand and air were being pumped, which ate out the well "bowls" ( impellors which bring the water up) , causing the shut down of four wells for repairs . He indicated that City officials were contacted immediately and apprised of the need to impose outside watering restrictions . As of yesterday morning, the AMWC was 1 . 5 million gallons short of the volume of water to meet the present demand of 5-6 million gallons a day. Total storage capacity of the system is 13 million gallons; water levels are now 1 at approx. 40o capacity, which leaves about one and one-half days of stored water if production does not increase. Water company staff are working 24 hours a day to correct the situation. Mr. Davis reported that, according to Supt. Bob Hamilton at 2 : 00 p.m. today, two million gallons in production have been regained as a result of getting Well ##' s 3 & 10 back on line and from hooking into the Atascadero State Hospital water system as of 1 :00 a.m. A dramatic decrease in consumption, through the public' s coopera- tion during the moratorium on outside watering, should allow for an increase back to safe storage levels. He indicated records re- flect that it has been since the 1880' s that there have been this many dry years in a row. The water company doesn' t really know what to expect due to the fact that wells have been lowered; there may be a recurrence of this type of breakdown, because the pumping equipment takes a lot of abuse under these conditions . They are taking it day by day and asking the public' s patience and cooper- ation with the watering restriction. He noted that 10% of a municipality' s water usage is for household use, 90o for landscap- ing and outdoor use. He expressed that, even with an average rainfall year, he doesn' t personally feel that water levels will be restored, and he urged public consciousness of the four-year drought effects and the need for ongoing water conservation. He mentioned, as information, the alternative of hauling non-potable sewer water by truck in situations where landscaping is of critical . concern, noting there is a flourishing business in San Luis Obispo which has provided this service during that city' s water rationing period. Mr. Davis then responded to questions and concerns from Council . Councilwoman Borgeson asked if the water company has notified all its customers . Mr. Davis responded, yes, that letters were mailed out yesterday to all (7 ,074 ) customers, in addition to public an- nouncements via the news media. He added that nurseries are exempt from the moratorium, because the company has taken the position that it would be unfair to penalize a business . Councilwoman Borgeson expressed that she feels the Council should attempt to clarify how significant the lower water levels are, since the pumping equipment is sucking sand and water into the system, which appears quite significant. Mayor Lilley asked if, from the City's standpoint in considering` long-term needs, Mr. Davis feels it' s appropriate to begin evalu- ating the possible use of non-potable water and locating sources in the interest of maintaining key landscaping. Mr. Davis res- ponded that he doesn' t think we' re at a point where we need to start this yet, but we do need to be more prudent in our use of water. Councilman Nimmo noted the approach of- seasonal rains, asking if this means we can expect about a month of no outside watering. Mr. Davis responded fortunately we're approaching the rainy season, which may ease the immediate landscaping concerns . Councilman Dexter asked why the former outside watering regulation, 7 p.m. -7 a.m. , wouldn' t work now. Mr. Davis responded that the 2' AMWC feels the system is too stressed at present to allow any out- side watering, however, they will do whatever they can to modify the restrictions as those options become available, again expres- sing that this is an unknown territory. Councilman Dexter asked if the water company has investigated the possibility of retaining an outside consultant to assess the capa- city of the aquifer, from Santa Margarita to Paso Robles . Mr. Davis expressed personal opposition to the time and expense of using a consultant, preferring that crews work day and night to . make the necessary repairs . Councilwoman Borgeson noted that, at a water meeting held Thursday afternoon, County Engineer Clint Milne indicated there was a groundwater overdraft of 30, 000 acre-feet. Mr. Davis indicated that Mr. Milne has been expressing that "opinion" for a number of years in the interest of promoting the State Water Project, omit- ting the point that groundwater is replenished, not gone forever. Mr. Davis added that the AMWC has signed up for State water on a conditional basis--as was requested of the various purveyors by the County--in case they want and need the water at the time. Council- woman Borgeson also noted that Mr. Milne had stated there was a 75% drop in water levels on the east side of Atascadero. Mr. Davis responded that issue is a subject of litigation, and it would not have been prudent of Mr. Milne to discuss it in public, if that is SO. Public Comment Jeff Hook, 4620 San Ardo, expressed concern about his recently- planted landscaping, as well as about the lack of leadership and advance planning on the part of the water company. He noted the stringent water conservation measures taken in other cities in S.L.O. County and voiced the need to think about the long-term. He urged the Council to "keep a close watch on Atascadero Mutual" . Eric Greening, 7365 Valle, asked whether the water company is planning for the General Plan build-out and whether the plan is contingent on receiving State water. Mr. Davis said the wager master plan is based on the Atascadero General Plan, and he invited Mr. Greening to obtain a copy from the water company. Following up on the last comment, in response to question by Coun- cilman Lilley, Mr. Davis added that the master plan does not rely on State water. Jack Townsend, who resides in Creston at the Tank 2 site for the proposed State Water Project, asked why the water company did not have a reprentative in attendance at the October 11th water sym- posium in Atascadero. Mr. Davis responded that the water company is well-informed on the projectandfelt there was no reason to be present at the meeting. Mr. Townsend asked if AMWC is a supporter of the State Water Project. Mr. Davis indicated, again, that ,the company has signed up for State water. 3 Ed Davidson, 8545 El Dorado Rd. , asked why the Council advocates growth with no water to support it, referencing the approval of a large development in his neighborhood. Councilwoman Borgeson clar- ified that the subject project [Bunnell--former mushroom farm] was approved 6 years ago; what was before this Council recently was a request to increase the number of units, which was denied. Mayor Lilley summarized the facts of the situation as they relate to Mr. Davidson' s concerns, indicating that this Council has not willy- nilly approved a 72-unit project without regard to clear and present danger as far as imminent loss of water. Rob Boneso, 4720 Hidalgo, inquired about the maintenance schedule of the water company equipment, to which Mr. Davis responded, again noting that the current situation is directly due to pumping at lower water levels . Evelyn Cava, 8387 Alta Vista, encouraged the Council to accept their responsibility to run the water department. Mayor Lilley explained that the AMWC is a separate entity, owned by the property owners in Atascadero, who collectively must take any such action. Mrs . Cava clarified. that the citizens of Atascadero need to band together, take back the water company and delegate control over it to the City. Mr. Davis noted that the public is continually wel- come and urged to attend Water Board meetings but seldom do; he noted regular meetings are held on the 2nd Wednesdays monthly, 7 : 30 p.m. at the AMWC offices on E1 Camino Real . Renetta Davidson, 8545 E1 Dorado Rd. , expressed frustration and confusion with the unclear responses from Mr. Davis regarding the water company equipment maintenance and water levels . A former S.L.O. City resident, she has taken strict water conservation measures and is opposed to the "no-exceptions" clause of the current moratorium on outside watering. Roger Vierra, 12795 Santa Lucia, speaking as a private citizen rather than a Water Board member, indicated that he resides outside City limits . He clarified that the water company is owned by all shareholders in the Atascadero Colony, not just those within the City limits Joe Kunz agreed with the comments of Mrs . Davidson and encouraged the Council to consider a moratorium on additional water hook-ups until the current crisis is resolved. Nathan Koren, a teenage citizen, observed that this is the first major drought that the citizens of Atascadero have had to deal with and he expressed, the hope that a good deal of wisdom comes out of this experience so citizens could cope with future crises . He commented, "Things could be lot worse if NASA were running it" . Discussion then came back to Council. Councilman Dexter suggested further investigation of non-potable water sources and the possible delay of additional building starts until seasonal rains begin. Motion: By Councilwoman Borgeson that the City seek an assessment by an independent hydrologist of the status of the Mutual 4 water Company and water resources for the purpose of planning projects for future years, seconded by Coun- cilman Shiers . There was lengthy Council discussion on the motion, with Coun- cilman Nimmo expressing his reluctance to spend public funds on such a study which might confirm facts already known. There was concern by various Councilmembers about the ambigu- ity of the motion. Councilwoman Borgeson clarified that the water company has not provided a clear assessment of the prob- lem, and the Council is restricted from pursuing options based on the information now available; an independent evaluation of the situation may assist in that regard. Mayor Lilley felt that it would be' a disservice to the water company and the citizens to use information-gathering as a pretext to forward an agenda to take over the water company as a municipal func- tion; he expressed support for verifying--independent of the historical studies performed by the water company--the adequa- cy of the water table for the public concern. Councilman Nimmo asked Mr. Davis if the water company is inclined to up- date its water source test data. Mr. Davis responded that it would be prudent to do that. Councilwoman Borgeson indicated there isno "hidden agenda" , but her purpose in making the motion is in the interest of fact-finding. Mr. Windsor was asked to comment. He indicated that it appears the Council will probably be asking staff to prepare a request for propo- sals based on their specific areas of concern; there needs to be close communication with the water company, and he would like to seek advice from other experts in the field. Motion Amended: By Councilwoman Borgeson to ask staff to review this issue and bring back a proposal for Council review, seconded by Councilman Shiers; passed unanimously. Councilman Nimmo expressed that the City should assist in the en- forcement of the current water restrictions . Council consensus was that the water company personnel should police that effort . Mayor Lilley suggested that a resolution be drafted urging citizens to practice voluntary water conservation methods and directing staff to apply such efforts in the administration of the City' s affairs. Council consensus was to direct that staff prepare such a resolution. Mayor Lilley asked that the water company advise City staff ,immediately of any specific requests or problems which occur that might require City assistance beyond the resolution just discussed. Battalion Chief Vern Elliott, AFD, indicated that the fire-fighting capabilities of the City should be adequate with the conservation measures being taken and their contingency plans . The Fire Depart- ment has maintained a liaison with the water company as to the status of the situation and will continue to do so. Provisions have been made to have a water company representative assist on- site with water supply concerns during a fire. Mayor Lilley - informed the public that, as a result of the water conservation 5 situation which occurred in July, the lines of communication between key City and water company personnel are being well maintained, especially as concerns the needs of the Fire Depart- ment. Councilman Shiers asked if the water company has any plans to re- duce the issuance of will-serve letters . Mr. Davis indicated the current emergency is the priority at the present time and that sub- ject has not been formally discussed. Councilman Shiers then asked if staff could consider the option of not issuing building permits until it is deemed that the water supply is adequate to issue them. Mr. Montandon indicated staff would need additional information as a basis for determining the necessity of taking such an action, which an independent assessment should provide. Motion: By Councilman Dexter to adjourn to 7 : OO p.m. , October 30th, seconded by Councilwoman Borgeson; passed unani- mously. Meeting adjourned at 4 :47 p.m. Minutes prepared by: CINDY WILKINS Admin. Secy./Dep City Clerk 6