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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/03/1989363 M I N U T E S SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 1989 - 9:00 A.M. ' COUNCIL CHAMBER, CITY HALL, 990 PALM STREET SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA ROLL CALL Councilmembers Present: Vice -Mayor Peg Pinard, Penny Rappa, Jerry Reiss, Allen R. Settle and Mayor Ron Dunin Absent: None City Staff Present: John Dunn, City Administrative Officer; Roger Picquet, City Attorney; Pam Voges, City Clerk; Michael Multari, Community Development Director; Toby Ross, Assistant Administrative Officer; Bill Hetland, Utilities Director; Bill Statler, Finance Director; Glen Matteson, Associate Planner; Tina Metzger, Water Conservation Coordinator; Allen Short, Water Division Manager; Hal Fones, Utilities Engineer ' The purpose of the Special Called Meeting was to discuss: 1. Rationing of water in the amount of 258 increasing to as much as 50% depending on the summer.months; 2. Contacting the State Water Resources Board to ask if they would suspend the life stream release during the rationing period; 3. Suspend building permit allocations through next quarter pending the outcome of further water resource studies; and 4. Discuss early review of the 18 provided for in the Growth Management Ordinance. Councilwoman Pinard and Councilman Settle made opening comments. John Dunn, City Administrative Officer, stated the purpose of the meeting was to review the City's current situation and the need for some mandatory water conservation or rationing program. He stated that it was staff's opinion that if the City got into a water rationing situation then building permits for new construction should also be limited at least until an adequate supply of water is available. The City of Salinas Reservoir is at 28.85 %, the City share of the Whale Rock Reservoir at 56.8 %. Assuming continued drought conditions, this would leave the City with a 2 -4 year supply of water depending on rainfall runoff .and conservation.. 364 City Council Meeting Page 2 Friday, March 3, 1989 - 9:00 A.M. Mandatory Water Conservation Programs have been identified by the City in the water Management Plan and the Annual Water Operational Plan and the Water Allocation Ordinance. it is now projected that without significant rainfall, the City's reservoir levels will be entering a critical period sometime in the fall or winter. The City has developed one well at Laguna Golf Course which is in operation, four other wells are under construction and should generate over 500 -acre feet a year. The City is working toward construction of two additional wells by using informal bidding procedures which should generate another 500 -acre feet. The first wells would be on line by the end of March and the later by May. Mayor Dunin read into the record a letter from Andrew Merriam, representing the Dalidio family, who were offering up to 2,000- 3,000 -acre feet of water per year for undisclosed terms and conditions. Bill Hetland, Utilities Director, then provided a lengthy review of the current water situation providing an overhead presentation and going through the staff report (see File # 517 ). Tina Metzger, Water Conservation Coordinator, reviewed four possible mandatory water conservation methods that could be adopted by the Council to help during this drought period (see File # 517 for specific outline). Mike Multari, Community Development Director, then reviewed the current situation as it related to building permits and how building would be affected by these various methods. Mayor Dunin declared the public hearing open. Don Smith urged the Council to be careful when they review the scenario that it was important that no additional development be allowed during this drought period. Doug Caldwell, representing he and his wife residents of San Luis Obispo County, expressed concerns that whatever action was taken by the Council, that those people who have purchased property in the City and are going through the pipeline process not be denied building permits as it could mean extreme financial hardship in some situations. John Merriam, 235 Chaplin, stating that he has worked on water issues for most of his life and has reviewed the Dalidio water resource, urged that the City not go into a moratorium at this time, look at its alternative resourses and believed that the City could come through this without causing undue hardships. Jim Warden, 2679 Johnson Avenue, felt that the situation did not warrant a moratorium; that this would have a significant impact to the construction industry and could hurt the City for a long time if these extreme measures were put into effect. Richard Warren, 1342 Garden Street, who has recently purchased a lot in San Luis Obispo stated his is in plan check and was concerned with the financial commitment at stake. His project is not in plan check yet, and 1065 City Council Meeting Page 3 Friday, March 3, 1989 - 9:00 A.M. he too is concerned that the financial commitment would be hurtful to him should he not be able to go ahead. Maxine Warren, 1342 Garden Street, also was concerned that they may be unable to build their home. Bob Davis, 1885 San Luis Drive and owner of the Apple Farm, urged the Council look closely at the employees that could be impacted by such amoritorium, particularly college students and low- income employees or those working in the restaurant business. The only way to cut back would be to cut back administratively and he said this would be harmful to his business and the community. Clair Corni, 151 Orange Drive, also expressed concern that the City Council take into account those people already in the pipeline. James Dilmore, 969 Monterey Street, stated that he was speaking on behalf of other business owners, was concerned about the impacts such a moratorium could have and urged against it. Keith Gurnee, 108 Broad Street, and representing a property owner's association of approximately 110 members in the airport area, urged that the Council look seriously at the Dalidio proposal. Dennis Law, 1304 Pacific Street, spoke on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce, urging that the Council allow opportunity for the Chamber's ' review and input. Sake Reindersma, 1489 Prefumo Canyon Road, urged that the Council look at something other than a building moratorium. Ron Bearse, 1075 Capistrano Court, stating that he was speaking on behalf of 240 members of the Citizen's for Better Government, did not think a moritorium was legal and that the City should look for other alternatives. John Merriam, 235 Chaplin Lane, again urged support of the Dalidio proposal. Richard Dickie, Lizzie Street, urged that the Council not allow the development without additional water resources available. Roy Hanff, 565 Lawrence Drive, also concerned that additional water resources be obtained prior to additional development. Rick Porter, 609 Garrett Place, was concerned that any ordinance allowed for those persons who have already applied for building permits or who have property that would be impacted. Mayor Dunin, closed the public portion of the meeting. Mayor Dunin suggested that a Council Subcommittee be formed with himself ' and Councilwoman Pinard to act as a Council Subommittee Liaison between staff and the Dalidio family to review their proposal and report back to the City Council. It was moved by Dunin /Reiss to appoint the subcomittee of Dunin and Pinard as recommended. Motion carried, Councilman Settle voting no. 366 City Council Meeting Friday, March 3, 1989 - 9:00 A.M. Page 4 Moved by Settle /Pinard to direct staff to come back with recommendations in ordinance form for a rationing program. Motion carried (5 -0). Moved by Pinard /Settle to reaffirm the allocation program with the additional recommendation suggested by staff. To state in summary: "no new allocation of water to development be permitted during the period the City has a mandatory water conservation program in effect." Motion carried unanimously. Councilwoman Rama urged that staff review those applications who have not received their allocation allotment yet and see if there was any way that the City can accommodate them. Councilman Reiss agreed with Counilwoman Rappa and also urged that people already in the system be provided some opportunity for going ahead. He also expressed support of the Dalidio offer. At 11:30 a.m., the City Council adjourned to closed session to discuss personnel matters. At 12:00 noon, there being no further business to come before the City Council Mayor Dunin adjourned the meeting to Monday, March 6, 1989, at 12:10 p.m. APPROVED BY COUNCIL: 4/4/89 slkal -- ---- -------- - - - - -- -Pam Voges, City lerk M I N U T E S ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO MONDAY, MARCH 6, 1989 - 12:10 P.M. COUNCIL HEARING ROOM CITY HALL, 990 PALM STREET ROLL CALL Councilmembers Present: Vice -Mayor Peg Pinard, Penny Rappa, Jerry Reiss, Allen R. Settle (arriving at 12:20 p.m.) and Mayor Ron Dunin Absent: None City Staff Present: John Dunn, City Administrative Officer; Roger Picquet, City Attorney; Pam Voges, City Clerk; Michael Multari, Community Development Director; Dave Romero, Public Works Director; Toby Ross, Assistant Administrative Officer; Bill Statler, Finance Director; Terry Sanville, Principal Planner; Jim -- English, - Traffic - Supervisor; _- Nancy - Knofler,- Transit Manager A. Mayor Dunin requested a prayer of silence for Larry McClave, member of the Architectural Review Commission, who met with a tragic death on Sunday, March 2nd.