HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/13/2001, A1 - MARCH 13, AGENDA ITEM # A-1, APPOINTMENT TO REGIONAL WATER AGENCIES PLANNING GROUP MEETING13_p( AGENDA
,,EMo.
MEMO
March 11, 2001
TO: Council COIlea IL ❑❑FIN `Cl
From: Ken Schwartz ❑FIR: :::;_:
Re: March 13,Ag da Item#A 1, ❑FW D i
CRKIORIG o rOLI';CHF
Appointment to Regional Water Agencies Planning Group ❑u TE ❑ DIR
DIR
Copy. Ken Hampian, John Moss O PERS DIR
I have absolutely no objection to the appointments of John Ewan and John Moss as
elected and technical representatives of our City to this group. I do have,however, a
concern that this appointment will mean that.four of the five of us will be involved with
separate groups dealing with water issues: John with this Regional Water Agencies
Planning Croup (which I understand is made up of reps from Paso Robles, Templeton,
and Atascadero water purveyors);Christine with the County Water Advisory Committee;
Allen with the Whale Rock Commission;and myself with the North County Water
Forum.
I think that it willbemcumbent on each of us to speak from a policy base that represents
the majority position of the entire Council even though we individually may take
exception to what that `policy base may represent. Said in a-different way,we must be
consistent in expressing our City's position when we are talking with North County
-representatives. I have added Allen and the Whale Rock Commission in this because
there still remains a potential, albeit small,that Morro Bay and Baywood:Los Osos could
still be connected into the Nacimiento project vis-a-vis Whale Rock
It is essential that we establish a "drop dead"date for the North County communities to
come to a decision about contracting for Naci water. Theyneed to understand the
importance that the Naci and the Salinas projects have to the continued orderly growth of
SLO as projected in our one percent growth rate.
My sense is that we favor the Naci project, and my sense is that the North County
-deplores the Salinas-project. If I am correct;it-means-everyone favors the Naci project—
no big surprise. Nevertheless, if Naci water cannot be delivered to us by a date certain
we have no-choice but to turn down all development proposals-and stop all orderly
growth. I don't think our constituents would stand still if SLO were stopped dead in the
water—excuse the pun.
I-would like to-request that we ask staff to develop a simple time line chart that works
backward. Using Affs best estimates, I think we need to know how long it will take to
actually construct the facilities needed to deliver-each-source of water to our treatment
plant. Before construction can start,flow much time is required to prepare the
construction documents and acquire all of the necessary permits to go to bid?How much
Page 2
-time will be required to-prepare the needed-EIR and have it reviewed and approved?
What amount of time will be required to obtain County contract approvals? How much
time might be required for each contracting water purveyor to obtain approval oftheir
jurisdiction's constituents? Etc., etc.
-I suspect-that-our-staff-has already thought-about-thesethings, but Ido believe that it
would be in our best interests to have such a reference document in our hands as we work
with each of these four water groups.
What are your thoughts?