HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-02-2015 PH3 AshbaughCOUNCIL MEETING: OIe &Z zojs-
ITEM NO.: p1{
Via �Amyo-r
r r'Y tt
City ®f San Luis Obispo — City Council
June 2, 2015
RE: Comments on proposed Drought Response Strategy JUN - 3 2015
Dear colleagues,
Lq CITY CLERK
staff I have reviewed the report in our Agenda Item PH3 and have the following comments:
1. There is no reference in this report to any financing program by which the City could
encourage developers, homeowners and business owners to expend the often - considerable
sums required to retrofit their landscaping, install greywater systems, or complete LID
stormwater management features that would conserve water. I have advocated for many
months that the City, together with the County OR SEPARATELY, initiate a PACE -based
financing program that can enable our community to save BOTH water and energy. One such
program with which I am familiar is the HERO program offered by the San Bernardino
Council of Governments. Our staff has been briefed on this program, and to my knowledge
there are no objections to it.
Recommendation: The City should initiate the HERO program for PACE -based financing at
our earliest opportunity; additionally, we should invite the County to participate in this
program as well, but we should proceed whether or not the County decides to move forward on
its own track to do so.
2. There is no mention in this report of the City encouraging the installation of greywater systems
and landscape conversions among the four water - conserving items that would be eligible for
the $100,000 in incentives (toilet /faucet /shower heads, high - efficiency washing machines,
high - efficiency sprinkler heads and weather -based irrigation controllers). It would appear that
greywater systems hold the highest potential for enabling water savings, or at least AMONG
the highest water savings available.
Recommendation: We should specifically add the installation of greywater systems and /or
landscape conversions to the water - saving measures that would qualify for the City's incentive
program.
3. There is no mention in the report of the City's commitment to our own turf reduction measures.
Recommendation: We should direct staff to return to the Council promptly with specific areas
within the City where turf or landscaping will no longer be irrigated. Explain how the public
will learn about this turf reduction program, as well, through a public engagement strategy.
4. The report does not address how the City might be able to maintain some additional
landscaping by accelerating the development of our "purple pipe" program to reach areas of
the City not now served.
Recommendation: Direct staff to return to us with an accelerated program for expansion of our
recycled water system.
5. The strategy contains no proposal to look long -term at the feasibility of desalination to
supplement our supply from Whale Rock.
Recommendation: Direct staff to meet with representatives from the Whale Rock Commission
and the City of Morro Bay to conduct a preliminary investigation of the feasibility of
rescusitating the desal facility at the Morro Bay Power Plant, possibly using solar power from
the new BHE Parkfield solar farm, and sharing desalinated seawater between the City and
members of the Whale Rock Commission.
There may well be other recommendations that I will add to this list as we hear public testimony this
evening, but this is my "best guess" going in to the meeting.
Thanks,
John Ashbaugh