HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/23/1999MINUTES
STUDY SESSION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
TUESDAY, MARCH 23,1999 - 7:00 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBER, 990 PALM STREET
SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA
ROLL CALL: The Mayor called the Study Session to order at 7:00 p.m.
Council Members
Present: Council Members John Ewan, Jan Howell Marx, Ken Schwartz, Vice
Mayor Dave Romero, and Mayor Allen K. Settle
City Staff:
Present: John Dunn, City Administrative Officer, Jeff Jorgensen, City
Attorney; Lee Price, City Clerk; Ken Hampian, Assistant City
Administrative Officer; Bill Statler, Finance Director; John Moss,
Utilities Director; Gary Henderson, Water Division Manager; Ron
Munds, Utilities Conservation Coordinator
WATER SUPPLY STUDY SESSION. (File No. 1202 -08)
PURPOSE: To receive and file the report, and provide direction to staff relative to the ,
strategies for acquiring additional water resources.
Study Session Highlights:
Utilities Director Moss and Water Division Manager Henderson provided an interactive
presentation of the staff report, beginning with an overview of current water supply
resources followed by summaries of additional water supply projects being pursued,
including: the Water Reuse Project, the Nacimiento Pipeline Project and the Salinas
Reservoir Expansion Project. Additionally staff described alternative projects not currently
being. pursued, which include increased groundwater extraction, desalination and State
Water..-
Staff outlined a revised strategy including the following components: 1) Complete the
water reuse project, 2) Continue to support the Nacimiento project, 3) Initiate additional
studies and evaluations regarding the Salinas Reservoir Expansion Project, and 4) prepare
additional analysis relating to groundwater supply. Utilities Conservation Coordinator
Munds described water conservation technologies and programs in progress.
Mayor Settle called a recess at 9:28 p.m. The meeting resumed at 9:40 p.m.
Public Comment:
Richard Kreisa commented that he believes the reliability reserve figure is too high and
displayed an overhead transparency demonstrating calculations for reliability reserve to
illustrate his point (on file with the City Clerk). He had questions relating to per capita water
use rates and commented that the City needs improved water conservation efforts.
City Council Study Session Page 2
Tuesday, March 23,1999 - 7:00 p.m.
Richard Schmidt summarized his letter to Council (on file with the City Clerk) which
' discourages consideration of State Water, proposesthe'use of groundwater for reliability
reserve and suggests that the City purchase the Dalidio property to create a local municipal
_ water reserve.
Pat Veesart also had questions regarding the per capita use rates, safe annual yield and
capital costs relating to the Salinas Reservoir and Nacimiento Water projects. He proposed
that the City disregard entirely State Water as an option and suggested that consideration
be given to conducting a City water use audit.
Richard Kranzdorf remarked that there is not sufficient up -to -date information regarding
current water demand and use.
Chris McQueary stated that water resources are limited and voiced concern that new
vineyards draw on the supply in the County. She urged the Council to depend on City
resources and not on the County.
Christine Mulholland proposed that the Council considering changing the General Plan to
ensure that the City does not grow beyond its ability to provide services rather than pursue
new sources of water.
Phil Ashley encouraged greater water conservation efforts and commented in support of
pursuing further analysis of the City's groundwater supply.
Shelly Stanwyck,-Chamber of Commerce, noted that the Chamber supports a long range
plan with a multi -source strategy, including continued water use monitoring, as proposed
by staff.
Stephen Marx urged the Council to follow Mr. KranzdorPs suggestion to do more study of
current water use and to look at alternatives, including gray water.
—End of public testimony—
Lengthy Council discussion followed. By consensus, the City Council directed staff to: 1)
Continue to aggressively pursue the development of the Water Reuse Project, 2) Continue
to support the Nacimiento Water project and conduct additional studies and evaluations
relative to the Salinas Reservoir Project, 3) Bring back an analysis of water conservation
programs; and 4) Undertake additional analysis relative to increasing groundwater
supplies. There was no majority support for staff focus on State Water.
There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Settle ad'oumed the
meeting at 11:00 p.m. to Closed Session, Wednesday, March 24, 1999 at 3:30 p,m. in the
Council Hearing Room, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo.
APPROVED BY COUNCIL: 4/6199
LP:dr '1
Lee P
City Clerk