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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-09-24 - AGENDA REPORTS - CITY SPONSORED LEGISLATION (2)AGENDA REPORT City Manager Approval_������ Item to be presented b NEW BUSINESS Michael P. Murphy DATE: September 24, 1991 SUBJECT: Proposal for City Sponsored Legislation DEPARTMENT: City Manager BACKGROUND At the.July 9, 1991, regular meeting of the City Council, discussion took place regarding the role of the City of Santa Clarita with respect to water resource management in the region. This topic was further referenced at the August,.13, 1991, City Council meeting, at which. time staff was directed to initiate the process for pursuing legislation which will provide for City of Santa Clarita representation on the Castaic Lake Water Agency Board of Directors. The water supply for the City of Santa Clarita is managed by the Castaic Lake Water Agency (CLWA) and its four retail purveyors, Los Angeles Water Works No. 36, Newhall County Water District, Santa Clarita Water Company and Valencia Water Company. The Castaic Lake Water Agency is the State Water Project contractor for the area, receiving its water from the State Water Project. The four purveyors use a combination of CLWA imported water and local groundwater to sell to retail customers. The Castaic Lake Water Agency, successor to the Santa Clara Valley Water Agency, was established by Legislative statute in 1962 (Chapter 28, Statutes of 1962, First Extraordinary Session). It was comprised of a seven member, popularly elected Board of Directors. In 1986, Assembly Member Cathie Wright authored landmark legislation to change both the scope and composition of the Castaic Lake Water Agency. Assembly. Bill 4175, Chapter 832, Statutes of 1986 was designed to achieve greater coordination of the areas water resources. AB 4175 authorized CLWA to: Purchase water from entities other than the State Water Project, Develop groundwater storage inside and outside the Agency's boundaries, Expand the Agency's revenue raising authority through standby charges, facility capacity fees -and groundwater extraction fees, Expand the Board of Directors from 7 to 11 members with each.of the new members being appointed to represent a water purveyor, Establish a single public forum for developing strategies to optimize local groundwater and imported water resources. Agenda Item: Adopted: 9 Page 2 Among the arguments used in support of the bill was an acknowledgement of the need to bring all local water resource management into a single public forum. One element of the resource management is the authorization, not mandate, for the Agency to develop groundwater management plans. Since AB 4175 became effective on January 1, 1987, two major events have occurred with respect to water resource dynamics in the region. The first is the incorporation of the City of Santa Clarita on December 15, 1987. The second event is the prolonged statewide drought, now in its fifth year. In an effort to maximize water resources throughout the state most local jurisdictions enacted some form of water conservation policy. On .March 13, 1991, the Santa Clarita City Council adopted urgency Ordinance 91-16 relating to water conservation. An important consideration during deliberations on the scope of the ordinance is the inability of the City to have direct and complete information regarding Santa Clarita's water supply. A Drought Committee was established by Ordinance 91-16, charged with the task of monitoringlocal water supply and water consumption and mandated to make periodic recommendations to the City Council and water purveyors. The Drought Committee along with other provisions of Ordinance 91-16 will terminate on January 1, 1992 unless renewed or terminated by an earlier ordinance. The drought issue highlights a need for increased and more formal communication between the City of Santa Clarita and the Castaic Lake Water. Agency. Existing liaison efforts including informal discussions, City staff attendance at CLWA Board meetings and the Drought Committee contribute to improved communications between the two jurisdictions. Long term formal communication between the two entities relative to management of a regional resource can only be achieved through enactment of legislation amending the Castaic Lake Water Agency's Act to provide for representation by the City of Santa_Clarita on the CLWA Board of. Directors. RECOMMENDATION: Adopt Resolution 91-150 authorizing the City Council. Legislative Committee and the City Manager to discuss this matter with the Castaic Lake Water Agency. MPM:jjm 654 RESOLUTION NO. 91-150 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA, CALIFORNIA DECLARING ITS INTENTION TO SEEK STATE LEGISLATION REQUESTING REPRESENTATION ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CASTAIC LAKE WATER AGENCY WHEREAS, the State of California is experiencing the fifth consecutive year of statewide drought; and WHEREAS, the State Water Project remains incomplete and is not anticipated to provide additional state water in the foreseeable future; and WHEREAS, local jurisdictions have been encouraged by the state to work cooperatively in addressing water management issues; and WHEREAS, the Castaic Lake Water. Agency is the State Water Project contractor encompassing the City of Santa Clarita and the entire Santa Clarita Valley; and WHEREAS, Assembly Bill 4175, Chapter 832, Statutes of 1986 was enacted into law with the purpose of coordinating water management throughout the Santa Clarita Valley by increasing the scope of the Castaic Lake 'Water Agency's authority and by adding appointed representatives of the four retail water purveyors to the Agency's Board of Directors; and WHEREAS, the City -of Santa Clarita was incorporated on December 15, 1987, after enactment of this landmark legislation; and WHEREAS, the drought has highlighted the need for increased communication between local water interests and the City of Santa Clarita, particularly with emphasis on usage regulation through ordinance; and WHEREAS, to ensure maximum communication and coordination between those jurisdictions having a legitimate interest in water supply and resource management in the Santa Clarita Valley: NOW THEREFORE, be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Santa Clarita, California, that a member of the City Council Legislative Committee, a member of the City Council Santa Clarita/Castaic Lake Water'Agency Liaison Committee and the City Manager be directed to discuss the issue of state legislation and other options to improve communications with the Castaic Lake Water Agency. PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS day of , 19 MAYOR ATTEST: CITY CLERK STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) as. CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ) I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Resolution was adopted by the City Council of the City of Santa Clarita, at a regular meeting thereof, held on the day of by the following vote of the Council: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: CITY CLERK MPM:jjm MPH 49