HomeMy WebLinkAboutRESO 7986RESOLUTION NO. 7986
RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PALO ALTO RECOMMENDING THAT THE SAN FRANCISCO
PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION TAKE PROMPT ACTION
TO IMPROVE REGIONAL WATER SUPPLY RELIABILITY
AND QUALITY
WHEREAS, the City of Palo Alto ("City") provides water
to 62,000 residents and 2,200 businesses providing jobs for
91,000 people; and it has purchased water for these customers
from the City and County of San ·Francisco ("San Francisco")
since 1939; and
WHEREAS, the Hetch Hetchy water system ("System") is
like an artery carrying an essential element of the lifeblood of
the community, and the community's economic power provides an
important foundation for the Bay Area's vitality and way of
life; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor of San Francisco has publicly noted
the regional importance of upgrading the System and, in January,
he released a certain Facility Reliability Report, citing the
potential for extended interruptions in supply from San
Francisco's regional water system for up to 90 days, endangering
an economic vitality and job potential that are the envy of the
rest of the world; and
WHEREAS, in February, 2000, the California State Auditor
issued a report criticizing the San Francisco Public Utili ties
Commission's ability to implement capital improvements to the
System and suggests that the Commission may be unable alone to
raise sufficient funds to pay for them; and
WHEREAS, in April, 2000, the San Francisco Public
Utilities Commission approved the Water Supply Master Plan
("WSMP"), a welcome indication of the Commission's desire and
intention to meet System-wide demands expected over the next 30
years, and, in so approving, stated its intention to adopt
coordinated long-term financial and capital improvement program
plans; and
WHEREAS, these
sufficient in themselves
000712 cl 0071899
steps, while
to assure the
1
necessary, are
suburban agencies
not
that
their concerns will be addressed, or that they will be addressed
in a lasting manner;
NOW, THEREFORE, the Council of the City of Palo Alto
does RESOLVE as follows:
SECTION 1. In light of the above-stated concerns, and
in order to provide the San Francisco Public Utili ties
Commission with a clear statement of its neighboring customers'
expectations, the Council of the City of Palo Alto joins with
other similarly situated agencies, collectively responsible for
supplying water to over 1.4 million residents and to industries,
businesses and institutions which provide jobs for over 800,000
Californians (including many San Franciscans), in respectfully
urging the Commission to do the following:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(g)
000712 cl 0071899
Take immediate
against damage
hazards.
steps
from
to safeguard
earthquakes
the
and
System
other
Secure negotiated water transfer agreements
back-up supplies during dry years in order
"drought proof" the bverall service area
existing customers.
for
to
for
Implement diligently the elements of the WSMP so
high priority short-term projects are built on
the schedule contained in the WSMP.
Commit to operating the System to produce water
as the first priority, with electric power as a
byproduct.
Continue to protect the purity of Hetch Hetchy
water and commit to providing its wholesale
customers with water that meets applicable EPA
and State of California drinking water standards.
Commit to fair water rationing methods; a new
shortage allocation system is needed which does
not penalize long-term conservation efforts or
development of alternative supplies such as
recycled water. It should be in effect by the end
of this calendar year.
Commit to maintaining cost-based pricing on a
long-term basis, after 2009, with the cost of the
2
wholesale water system continuing to be allocated
between San Francisco and its wholesale customers
based on their proportionate use.
SECTION 2. To the extent independent actions by the San
Francisco Public Utilities Commission can accomplish these
objectives, we urge the Commission to undertake them now and
pursue them diligently to completion; and
SECTION 3. To the extent accomplishment of these
objectives requires agreements between the City and County of
San Francisco and its wholesale customers, we urge the San
Francisco Public Utili ties Commission to promptly begin formal
discussions with the Bay Area Water Users Association, which
represents our interests, and pursue them in good faith so that
mutual and reciprocal commitments of both San Francisco and
wholesale customers can be incorporated into durable and
enforceable contracts on which all parties can prudently rely in
ordering their affairs.
SECTION 4. The Council finds that the adoption of this
resolution is not a project under the CEQA Guidelines and,
therefore, no environmental review is required.
INTRODUCED AND PASSED: July 10, 2000
AYES: BEECHAM, BURCH, EAKINS, FAZZINO, KNISS, LYTLE, MOSSAR,
OJAKIAN
NOES:
ABSENT: KLEINBERG
ABSTENTIONS:
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
/
(__Jl;\__ ......... ----···-"'""'
Senior Asst. Ci~tebrney
000712 cl 0071899 3