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Home My WebLink About1997-01-28 - AGENDA REPORTS - WATER INFORMATION GROUP (2)AGENDA REPORT Ciryanager pproval Item to be presented by: Lynn M. Harris wi-NI-2 Qfm. 0 : MSIQNA3I DATE: January 28, 1997 SUBJECT: POSSIBLE FORMATION OF INFORMAL WATER INFORMATION GROUP OR COMMITTEE DEPARTMENT: Public Works BACKGROUND The City has, since incorporation, placed a high priority on being a resource of information to our citizens on a wide range of issues. The Council has previously received requests from citizens to form a water committee that could provide information and education on water issues through a single source. This item sets forth options for Council consideration and seeks direction. Although the City does not have any responsibility in the supply and distribution of water in the Santa Clarita Valley, the City does have a planning role and responsibility, outlined in the City's General Plan document, to ensure orderly growth and availability of essential services such as water during the development process. This role was recently strengthened by the passage of Senate Bill 901, which requires stronger coordination and consultation between water suppliers and municipal planning agencies. The staff of the Castaic Lake Water Agency (CLWA) have proposed an Integrated Water Resources Plan (IWRP) to their Board for the entire Santa Clarita Valley area, including watersheds. The goals in Phase One of this Plan is to assess water supply and demand with all entities, including the City, County and water retailers. In an effort to seek a consensus with the stakeholders in this community, the CLWA took action at their last Board meeting to form an Ad Hoc Water Committee of 15-20 people, comprised of community members, with a limited term of 90 days, as part of the IWRP. ALTERNATIVES The attached memo from staff analyzes a possible City role in water issues more thoroughly. In considering the importance of water issues in this community and the aforementioned CLWA activities, the following options should be considered: era Idem.—t55 Option 1: Pursue the creation of an informal City Water Information Group or Committee as described in the agenda report attachment. Option 2: Seek City representation on the CLWA Advisory Committee. Option 3: Do both Options 1 and 2 concurrently, integrating information from the CLWA ad hoe committee into a City Information Group upon disbandment of CLWA group. Option 4: Take no action at this time for a City group or committee and continue monitoring CLWA. There are several pros and cons to be taken into account with regard to formation of a City water information group or committee. These include: a Continuation of City role in water issues begun with the Drought Committee in 1991 and expanded to the community. Clearinghouse for existing and future watershed management issues City is already involved in. Possible vehicle for implementation of City SB 901 responsibilities. Resource for the City Council. Responsive to community requests. RECOMMENDATION Staff requests direction from the City Council. U-0NETS) . OUT 10NA CONS Administrative costs accrued to General Fund associated with City Committees. Possible perceived duplication of effort with existing water wholesalers and retailers in the Valley. Possible CLWA disagreement that a role exists for the City in water issues. Increased staff time devoted to water issues. Memo: Recommendations for Formation of Informal Water Information or Committee dated October 3, 1996 SACCAGENDAIADI IGCWTE.VA CITY OF SANTA CLARITA INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM TO: George Caravalho, City Manager FROM: Lynn M. Harris, Deputy City Manager, Public Works DATE: October 3, 1996 SUBJECT: RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FORMATION OF INFORMAL WATER INFORMATION GROUP OR COMMITTEE I. BACKGROUND The City Council has expressed interest in the development of an informal group or committee to provide an ongoing forum for public input concerning Santa Clarita's water issues. The primary purpose of such a group would be to provide credible, factual, objective information from neutral source on water issues. This memorandum summarizes several current efforts underway by various parties and makes a recommendation to proceed with formation of an informal water group. U. WATER ISSUES AND CURRENT CITY RESPONSES The most frequently mentioned water issues brought to the City's attention through written correspondence, public participation at Council meetings and various committees include: water supply, water availability, impact of future planned development on existing water resources, wellhead protection of groundwater and use of reclaimed water. The City's current response in several departments includes: Attendance and monitoring of Castaic Lake Water Agency (CLWA) board meetings monthly. Monitor and report on Sanitation Districts Nos. 26 and 32 activities. Liaison to Newhall County Water District (NCWD) in development of wellhead protection plan. NPDES monitoring and review of watershed areas. WADHOC.927-1 George Caravalho, City Manager Recommendation for Formation of Informal Water Information Group or Committee October 3, 1996 - Page 2 ]II. WATER ISSUES AND RESPONSES OF OTHER GROUPS AND ORGANIZATIONS_ NCWD is preparing a Groundwater Management Plan under the Groundwater Management Act (AB 3030) guidelines for their District. There are three purposes for preparing the Plan: To preserve and promote local control of groundwater resources; 2. To encourage cooperation among all water users in the basin; and 3. To develop information and other tools for effective groundwater management. CLWA staff has proposed an Integrated Water Resources Plan (IWRP) to their Board for the entire SCV area; including watersheds. The goal of Phase One of this Plan is to assess water supply and demand with all entities (i.e., City, county, water retailers, etc.) and reach consensus with the stakeholders in the Valley. No committee nor form of public participation has been indicated yet. Several community activists have expressed an interest in having a committee organized; recent phone conversations indicate they are considering forming a committee and would ask the City to participate. This is in response to a December 1995 letter they received from the City Manager. The general managers of the water retailers (Messrs. DiPrimio, DiAngelous and Marietta) all express general support for a committee or water group, and would participate with the City. They expressed reservations about the group if it is formed by an entity other than the City. - Our State Water Agency General Manager Sagehom expressed reservations about the usefulness of such committee or group, as he feels the Agency's IWRP will be the definitive source document for all such water issues and questions. He appears amenable to a proposal from the City for participation in the IWRP process. IV. JUSTIFICATIONS FOR CITY'S INTEREST The City does not have any responsibility in the supply and distribution of water in the Valley. No City utility or water company exists. The City has, however, a planning role to ensure orderly growth and availability of essential services such as water during the development process.. This role was recently strengthened by the passage of Senate Bill 901, which requires, effective January 1, 1996, stronger coordination and consultation between water suppliers and H:WDHOC.927-2 'George Caravalho, City Manager Recommendation for Formation of Informal Water Information Group or Committee October 3, 1996 - Page 3 municipal planning agencies for general plan amendments and development projects expected to substantially increase the demand on local water supply. The City Council also has responsibility for implementing the adopted City General Plan. The Open Space and Conservation Elements of the Plan state, in part: GOAL 7: To protect the quality and quantity of local water resources including the natural productivity of all surface and groundwater, and important watershed and recharge areas. L'c: 7.1 Protect and preserve the supply and quality of water resources in cooperation with federal, state, and regional water resource planning programs and regulations.. 7.10 Encourage intergovernmental coordination and cooperation among all agencies involved in the management, conservation and utilization of water resources by jointly developing strategies for a secure water supply. 7.15 In conjunction with Sanitation Districts and their Board of Directors, establish through ordinance, or resolution, policies that equitably distribute and regulate the use of reclaimed water. There is a further role the City has in the Valley that finds its justifications in the fact of Cityhood. Citizens look to their local government as a resource for information. In the City organization, there is not now a recognized source to provide information on water issues. It then becomes even more convoluted for the citizen because of the numerous water districts in the Valley and by the existence of a State Water Agency. The City performs this centralized source of information function in many other areas and it could be found to be reasonable to include water issues. V. FORMATION OF CENTRALIZED WATER INFORMATION GROUP The objectives of the formation of a centralized water source of information would include: - Clearing house of information in SCV. - Facilitate a forum for public information and education on water issues. H:WDHOC.927-3 !George Caravalho, City Manager Recommendation for Formation of Informal Water Information Group or Cormnittee October 3, 1996 - Page 4 - Provide big picture responses to citizens, City Council and other interested parties on questions regarding water issues. - Enhance cooperation and coordination among water interests in the Valley. - Become a recognized participant in the water planning efforts currently underway. VI. RECOMMENDATIONS It appears appropriate for the city to take a lead in forming an informal water information group. Staff recommends such a group be formed under the following guidelines: - The group would meet bi-monthly. - There would be a rotating chairperson. - The group would be informal, and initially appointed by the City Manager. - Appointees would include: - General Managers of the water retailers (3). - CLWA General Manager appointee (1). - City representative (1). - Citizen -at -large representative (not Board members) from each water district (3). - Environmental representative (1). F - The group's initial work plan would be to become familiar with NCWD's Groundwater Management Plan and CLWA's Integrated Water Resources Plan, and participate in plan preparation for both. - Recommendations on these plans and future work items would be made to the City Manager. H:WDHOC.927 HAADHOC.9274