HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/06/1990, 8 - REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL WATER ALLOCATION ADJUSTMENTS FOR PUBLIC RESTROOMS II �sa I„ MEETING DATE:
4111�I�1P,f I city of luis oBiS� RHEA Nu ry 6. lqQn
j COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
FROM: William T. Hetland cr PREPARED BY: Allen Short
Utilities Director Water Division Manager
SUBJECT: Request For Additional Water Allocation Adjustments for
Public Restrooms
RECOMMENDATION:
Do not approve the request for an increase in water
allocation adjustments to participating businesses for
public restroom usage.
BACKGROUND:
The lack of adequate public restrooms in the downtown area has
been a very sensitive issue which has been continually discussed
prior to and subsequent to the Mandatory Water Conservation
Program. City staff with the assistance of the business
community and the BIA, conceptually developed a program to
mitigate the current shortage of public restrooms in the downtown
area during Farmers Market and special events. The goals of the
program were to:
1. Provide additional public restrooms throughout the downtown
area with the assistance of the private sector.
2. Provide an increase in water allocation for those businesses
which are selected (by the BIA) and identified as public
restrooms.
The BIA would be the lead agency and designate businesses in the
downtown area which would open up their restrooms for public use.
The City would establish the allocation of water which would be
appropriate for each business. The increased water allocation
would be based upon a set of assumptions which would allow staff
to calculate an estimated quantity of water for restroom use
during each billing cycle. That quantity of water would be
equally distributed to those businesses that were identified as
public restrooms. The intent of the revised water allocation
would be solely to offset additional water use due to a "public
restroom" designation; no "bonus" would be provided as an
incentive to businesses to participate in the program.
City staff initially felt that the program had merit and was
viable. The BIA conducted a survey among the downtown businesses
to determine interest and found six businesses interested in
participating in the proposed program.
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j city of san Luis oBispo
COUNCIL AGENOA REPORT
Additional Water Allocation for Public Restrooms
February 6, 1990
Page 2
Further investigation by staff raised a number of issues and
concerns regarding this program. Those issues and concerns
include:
o The possible liability the City might incur.
o The difficulty from the City perspective in administrating a
program of this type.
o The right of the business to refuse access vs the public
right to utilize a public restroom.
o The likelihood that the City will implement increasing
levels of mandatory conservation.
Based upon the above concerns and current reservoir storage
levels and availability, staff does not recommend this program at
this time.
However, if Council chooses to approve this type of program it is
recommended that:
1. The City require adequate indemnification, evidence of
insurance, and a disclaimer indicating that the City is not
entering into any kind of agency or joint venture with the
property owners. This is strictly a private activity.
2. City involvement is only to increase the water allocation in
recognition of a voluntary private contribution to the
public benefit in an amount not to exceed the additional
water use that reasonably could be expected to occur as a
result of this "public restroom" designation.
3. The City periodically conduct inspections of the property to
insure handicapped accessibility and safety.
4.. The business would be required as part of the qualification
process to meet handicap requirements, retrofit the existing
facilities with low flow toilets and automatic shutoff
valves for sink use.
5. The business must make restrooms available to the public
without any right of refusal.
6. The agreement should also be terminable at will by either
party upon 30 day written notice, in which case the
increased allocation would be terminated as well. .
7. The increase in water allocation is only for the amount of i
water actually used or reasonably projected because of
expected public access.
MY Of San 1US OBISPO
WMIGNMOUNCILAGENOAREPOFM
Additional Water Allocation for Public Restrooms
February 6, 1990
Page 3
S. The business will still be responsible for any excess water
surcharges and waive any appeal based on participating in
this program.
If the current rainfall trend continues, the possibility exists
that a higher level of water conservation will be required. As
such, allowing selected businesses an increase in their water
allocation for public restroom usage is contrary to the current
direction of the program. Therefore, staff does not recommend
this option.
CONSEQUENCES OF NOT TAKING ACTION
Without the construction of additional public restrooms, there
will continue to be a shortage of public restrooms in the
downtown area.
RECOMMENDATION:
Do not approve the request for an increase in water allocation
adjustments to participating businesses for public restroom
usage.
I
D"
q i MY of Safi tins OBlspo
UNIGN COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
Additional Water Allocation for Public Restrooms
February 6, 1990
Page 4
APPROVED:
TY NISTRATIVE OFFICER
T Y,XTTC,&NE
FI CE DIRECTOR.
UTILITIES DIRECTOR
WATER DIVISION MANAGER
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