Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-05-2018 Item 09 Amend Resolution Extending Access to Corp Yard Well Meeting Date: 6/5/2018 FROM: Carrie Mattingly, Director of Utilities Prepared By: Mychal Boerman, Water Resources Program Manager SUBJECT: MODIFICATION OF CORPORATION YARD WELL CLOSURE TIMELINE RECOMMENDATION 1. Adopt a Resolution amending Resolution No. 10824 (2017 Series) (Attachment A) to extend limited public access to the corporation yard well until January 1, 2019 and reduce the permit fee to $679.50 in accordance with the shortened permit period. 2. Authorize the City Manager to extend public access to the corporation yard well until July 1, 2019, if continued progress towards an alternative water source by San Luis Obispo County can be demonstrated, at an additional fee of $679.50. DISCUSSION Background The City’s corporation yard well was established during the drought of 1987-1991 to serve as a non-potable alternative source of water for construction-related activities (prior to the City’s recycled water program which began delivering water in 2006). Over the years, word spread about the well and it began to see more use. During the last drought, staff learned that people outside of the City were using the well for non-potable uses such as laundry, livestock, irrigation, and toilet flushing. Between June 2015 and July 2017, Council approved policies which allowed limited and temporary access to the corporation yard well. These policies outlined who was approved to access the well, when access would be terminated, and established fees associated with use of the well. Public access to the well is currently scheduled to end on July 1, 2018. Extended Use At the July 18, 2017 City Council Meeting, Council allowed currently permitted outside -City users to retain access to the well, and further directed staff to work with these users to achieve solutions to their water needs. City staff conducted a series of meetings with affected County residents and County of San Luis Obispo staff. These meetings were productive and resulted in identifying feasible solutions for future water supply and delivery options that may be available to County residents. The solution being pursued would involve the County providing water from its State Water allocation and then wheeling this to a filling station near the impacted areas. The examined future supply options would not require the use of the corporation yard well or other City resources. Packet Pg. 67 Item 9 The County-owned filling station is estimated to be online and available for use by the end of 2018. With the 2017-18 winter producing less-than-average rainfall, affected parties have communicated t hat groundwater levels are dropping, with some properties already losing access to groundwater. With the progress that has been made in the past year, staff recommends extending the period in which the corporation yard well can be accessed by approved property owners until January 1, 2019 with an optional additional extension until July 1, 2019 that can be exercised if County resources are not yet available. Due to the shortened permit period, staff recommends reducing the fee amount to $679.50, reflecting half of the previous fee of $1,359. This six-month extension would provide the time needed by the County to have the facility in operation by the end of the year. The optional six -month extension could be exercised if the County experienced unforeseen dela ys in bringing a filling station online. If the extension is permitted, County residents utilizing the well would be required to pay an additional $679.50 reflecting the full annual permit fee. Current Well Use During the current permit period, only seven parties have signed up for access to the corporation yard well and 2.3 acre-feet of water were consumed from July 1, 2017 through April 3, 2018. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW The proposed modification of Resolution No. 10824 (2017 Series) (Attachment B) related to the use of the corporation yard well is not a “project” under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because the action does not involve any commitment to a specific project which may result in a potentially significant physical impact on the environment, as contemplated by Title 14, California Code of Regulations, Section 15378. Even if the contemplated action is a project under CEQA, it is categorically exempt pursuant to CEQA guidelines section 15301, existing facilities. FISCAL IMPACT The extended access period would allow for the current permit program to continue for six additional months. The $679.50 fee would cover costs associated with program management and staffing, as well as costs related to electricity and pump maintenance fo r the corporation yard well. In 2017, this program generated $9,513 in revenue. ALTERNATIVES 1. Do not extend public access to the corporation yard well. 2. Extend public access to the corporation yard well for a single year until July 1, 2019 and leave existing fees in place. Attachments: a - R-10824 (2017 series) b - Amended Resolution - CY Well Packet Pg. 68 Item 9 Packet Pg. 69 Item 9 Packet Pg. 70 Item 9 Packet Pg. 71 Item 9 R ______ RESOLUTION NO. _____ (2018 SERIES) A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING THE CITY’S PERMIT FEE AND USER REGULATIONS FOR THE USE OF THE CORPORATION YARD NON-POTABLE WELL WHEREAS, the City owns and operates a non-potable groundwater well (the “Well”) located at the City’ s corporation yard; and WHEREAS, the original purpose of the Well was for construction purposes; and WHEREAS, on June 2, 2015, the City adopted Resolution No. 10629 (2015 Series) formally establishing a permit fee and use regulations for the Well. Specifically, the Resolution limited the use of the Well for non-potable purposes for individuals and properties who are locat ed within the San Luis Obispo Valley Groundwater Basin. Use of the Well under Resolution No. 10629 was limited to the period when a drought emergency was declared; and WHEREAS, on June 20, 2017, the City Council formally rescinded the declared drought emergency but directed staff to develop a plan to restrict public access to the Well, update the well permit fee, and work with the County of San Luis Obispo and properties participating in the program to develop a solution that would result in cessation of t he use of the Well by July 1, 2018; and WHEREAS, on July 18, 2017, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 10824 (2017 Series) extending public access to the Well until July 1, 2018 and establishing other rules and regulations such as a permit fee and identifying allowed users of the Well; and WHEREAS, the City worked with the County of San Luis Obispo and properties participating in the program to identify a water source for long-term needs that is not provided by the City. A feasible solution has been identified and is estimated to complete construction by January 1, 2019. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of San Luis Obispo as follows: SECTION 1. Public access to the Well will be terminated January 1, 2019 unless an additional six-month extension is aut horized by the City Manager. The City Manager is hereby authorized to extend such access for an additional six months if continued progress towards an alternative water source by San Luis Obispo County can be demonstrated. In the event the City Manager ext ends such public use, any authorized County residents who desire to use such Well shall pay an additional permit fee in the amount of $679.50. SECTION 2. The six-month fee for each property to access and use the well is $679.50. Packet Pg. 72 Item 9 Resolution No. _____ (2018 Series) Page 2 R ______ SECTION 3. Resolution Number 10824 (2017 Series) is hereby amended and superseded to the extent inconsistent herewith. Upon motion of _______________________, seconded by _______________________, and on the following roll call vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: The foregoing resolution was adopted this _____ day of _____________________ 2018. ____________________________________ Mayor Heidi Harmon ATTEST: ____________________________________ Teresa Purrington City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM: _____________________________________ J. Christine Dietrick City Attorney IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the City of San Luis Obispo , California, this ______ day of ______________, _________. ____________________________________ Teresa Purrington City Clerk Packet Pg. 73 Item 9 Page intentionally left blank. Packet Pg. 74 Item 9