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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-06-23 - YLWD-City of Yorba Linda Joint Agency Committee Meeting Minutes CITY OF YORBA LINDA i v — a ~CO"ORAfED\9b Land of Gracious Living YORBA LINDA WATER DISTRICT/ CITY COUNCIL JOINT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES June 23, 2015 10:00 a.m. CALL TO ORDER The Yorba Linda Water District/City Council Joint Advisory Committee meeting convened at 10:00 a.m. in the Council Chambers at 4845 Casa Loma Avenue, Yorba Linda. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Gene Hernandez ROLL CALL Committee Members City Council: Gene Hernandez, Tom Lindsey Water District: Ric Collett, Mike Beverage Staff Members: Marc Marcantonio, Mark Pulone PUBLIC COMMENTS None YLWD/CC Board Minutes June 23,2015 Pagel of 4 ACTION CALENDAR 1 . Minutes of the YLWD/City Council Joint Advisory Committee meeting held on May 19, 2015. The YLWD/City Council Joint Advisory Committee approved the minutes of the May 19, 2015 meeting, with Mayor Pro Tern Lindsey abstaining because he did not attend that meeting. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Drought Response, Water Conservation/Drought Penalty Ordinances, and Community Outreach Efforts General Manager Marc Marcantonio said that the Water Conservation/Drought Penalty ordinances each serve a purpose. He stated that the conservation ordinance was developed in 2009 by both the YLWD and Metropolitan Water District of Orange County to respond to "allocations" (rationing) imposed by MET, and the drought penalty ordinance is specifically in response to the "Emergency Drought Declaration." The standing conservation Ordinance requires direct observation for enforcement. The "Drought Penalties Ordinance" assesses administrative penalties on water bills for excessive use based on average consumption of residential, commercial, and irrigation customers. He said the "Drought Penalties Ordinance" will only be effective during the state of emergency to make customers aware of their water usage. Mr. Marcantonio stated that the Water District's goal is to achieve the state mandated 36% water reduction along with help from the community. The Water District will be placing signs throughout the City showing the status of citywide conservation. Public Works Director/City Engineer Michael Wolfe said that Public Works has turned off all watering of ornamental turf in center medians as of May 20, 2015, and restricted outdoor watering to two days a week. He said that Public Works is currently at a 25% water reduction rate, and is working with consultants on a reduction plan to meet the additional 11%. He stated that signs will be placed throughout the City informing and updating the residents of the water conditions, as well as advertisements on the Government Access Channel 3, the City's newsletter, and City website. Julia Schultz, resident, asked how to inform the YLWD of violators without seeming like a tattletale. She also asked if residents can hand-water dry patches of lawn and vegetation, and questioned the average watering of parks and golf courses. Greg Schultz, resident, inquired about the irrigation at the Black Gold Golf course. City Manager Pulone stated that Black Gold uses raw water that is not treated from the Diemer Plant, and does not factor into their overall use. He said that the kikuyu grass used at Black Gold is drought tolerant, and that a consultant is currently reviewing the golf course landscaping. YLWD/CC MINUTES June 23,2015 Page 2 of 4 Yorba Linda Water District President Ric Collett said that residents can hand-water lawns to touch up dry patches, but can only use irrigation systems two days per week (15 minutes max per station). He stated that Orange County is very fortunate and has the best managed groundwater system. General Manager Marcantonio stated that the District's goal is to engage homeowners to change their water usage behaviors rather than to fine them, and encouraged residents to submit their own testimony to the State Water Resources Board regarding the conservation mandate. He said that the state has been unfair with the restrictions and that they gave no concessions for valid reasons YLWD presented. ITEM NO. 6 WAS TAKEN AT THIS TIME BUT IS PRESENTED IN ITS RESPECTIVE PLACE ON THE AGENDA 3. Joint Agency Water Conservation Demonstration Project Public Works Director/City Engineer Michael reported on the water conservation demonstration project located at Savi Ranch. He explained that the project is currently at a standstill as other priorities have changed. He said that designs were provided by college students and will be forwarded to a consultant for further review. 4. Status of Cielo Vista and Esperanza Hills Development Projects City Manager Pulone updated the Committee on the Esperanza Hills and Cielo Vista development projects. He said that the Orange County Board of Supervisors approved the Esperanza Hills EIR and Specific Plan. He stated that the two developments will work collectively to solve their access points and water tank issues being that the developments are adjacent to one another. The Board of Supervisors indicated that they will not move forward with the Tract Map for Esperanza Hills until a pre-annexation agreement is negotiated with the City. Mr. Pulone indicated that the City has been working with both developers on all the related issues, and will update the Committee about the progress in the upcoming months. 5. Sharing of GIS Files Public Works Director/City Engineer Michael Wolfe said there was no update at this time. 6. Water Banking Mayor Pro Tem Lindsey asked whether the Water District intended to deposit penalty fines received from customers into a separate fund to be used to pay back any State fines that the District might incur. Mr. Lindsey also asked about rebates to the residents if no state fines were incurred. General Manager Marcantonio responded that all penalty fines will be placed in a special cost account for anything related to the drought. Any monies generated from fines will be used to offset costs for drought response activities including any YLWD/CC MINUTES June 23,2015 Page 3 of 4 potential fines levied by the State. Mr. Marcantonio also said that legal counsel was still deliberating all the particulars such as customer rebates, and that the Board would also need to weigh in on the matter before any decisions were made. Mayor Pro Tern Lindsey stated that he had recently spoken with two different swimming pool contractors and a representative of the California Pool & Spa Association regarding water banking for pools. He said that he had discovered that although water reconditioning is currently available, the pool industry is not ready for the banking of water. Mr. Lindsey indicated that the City Council was misled during the Council meetings where moratoriums when discussed. Mayor Lindsey left the dais for the remainder of the meeting due to a prior engagement. 7. Potential Future Agenda Items City Manager Pulone stated that the Drought Response and Community Outreach Efforts item should remain on future agendas. ADJOURNMENT City Manager Pulone adjourned the meeting at 11 :15 a.m. to the next Yorba Linda Water District/City Council Joint Advisory Committee meeting at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 21 , 2015 at City Hall. YLWD/CC MINUTES June 23,2015 Page 4 of 4