HomeMy WebLinkAboutRESO 9448Resolution No. 9448
Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Implementing Outdoor
Water Use Restrictions in Compliance with the State Water Resources
Control Board's July 15, 2014 Emergency Drought Regulations
RECITALS
A. On January 17, 2014, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. issued Proclamation No. 1-
17-2014 declaring a State of Emergency to exist in California due to severe drought conditions
and calling on Californians to reduce their water usage by 20 percent.
B. On April 25, 2014, the Governor issued an Executive Order to strengthen the
state's ability to manage water and directed the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB)
under its authority in California Water Code Section 1058.5 to adopt emergency regulations as
it deems necessary to address water shortage conditions.
C. On July 15, 2014, the State Water Resources Control Board adopted California
Code of Regulations, Title 23, Sections 863, 864, and 865, emergency regulations finding a
drought emergency in California and imposing water conservation measures on individuals and
water suppliers.
D. Section 864 applies to all Californians and prohibits certain activities in
promotion of water conservation, many of whiCh are already required by Palo Alto Municipal
Code 12.32.010.
E. Section 865 requires mandatory outdoor irrigation restrictions and reporting by
water suppliers, including urban water suppliers like the City of Palo Alto.
F. The City of Palo Alto receives 100% of its potable supplies from the San Francisco
Public Utilities Commission (SF PUC).
G. The SFPUC has requested a 10% voluntary water consumption reduction in
response to the drought and their determination of available supplies in the regional water
system.
H. The SFPUC has not declared a water shortage emergency nor imposed
mandatory cutbacks upon Palo Alto or any of SFPUC's wholesale customers.
I. The City of Palo Alto has responded to SFPUC's voluntary water consumption
reduction request and has achieved an approximate 17% reduction in water use relative to
2013.
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J. The City's Municipal Code and Urban Water Management Plan (approved by the
City Council on June 13, 2011) include a Water Shortage Contingency Plan and other tools to
encourage responsible management of the City's water resources.
K. The City supports the SWRCB's efforts to encourage conservation, with an
emphasis on outdoor water use, to the extent it may do so within the context of its Council-
approved Urban Water Management Plan and the Palo Alto Municipal Code.
The Council of the City of Palo Alto RESOLVES as follows:
SECTION 1. The following outdoor water use restrictions are hereby adopted, in
compliance with the State Water Resources Control Board's July 15, 2014 emergency drought
regulations (collectively, the "Outdoor Water Use Restrictions"):
a. No outdoor irrigation of ornamental landscapes or turf with potable
water is permitted between the hours of lOam and 6pm, except for drip
irrigation, soaker hoses and hand watering;
b. The application of potable water to driveways and sidewalks is
prohibited, except where necessary to address an immediate health and
safety need or to comply with a term or condition in a permit issued by a
state or federal agency; and
c. The use of potable water in a fountain or other decorative water feature
is prohibited, except where the water is part of a recirculating system.
SECTION 2. The c;ouncil finds that the Outdoor Water Use Restrictions implemented as
a result ofthis action were taken from Stage II ofthe City's Water Shortage Contingency Plan,
which is itself a part of the City's Urban Water Management Plan, approved by the Department
of Water Resources July 8th, 2014. The Outdoor Water Use Restrictions are intended to
complement the City's existing and permanent water use restrictions, codified in Palo Alto
Municipal Code Section 12.32.010.
SECTION 3. The Council finds that adoption of the Outdoor Water Use Restrictions
meets the requirements of California Code of Regulations, Title 23, Section 865(b)(l).
SECTION 4. The Outdoor Water Use Restrictions will remain in effect for the 270 day
period specified in SWRCB Resolution No. 2014-0038, or as extended by the SWRCB.
SECTION 5. Council directs staff to further promote water conservation by preparing
and submitting to the SWRCB the monitoring reports described in California Code of
Regulations, Title 23, Section 865(d). Council also directs staff to monitor compliance and to
explore increased enforcement in the event the desired response is not being achieved.
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SECTION 6. Council's adoption of the proposed Outdoor Water Use Restrictions is
categorically exempt from CEQA under CEQA Guidelines 15307 (Actions by Regulatory Agencies
for Protection of Natural Resources).
INTRODUCED AND PASSED: August 4, 2014
AYES: BERMAN, BURT, HOLMAN, KLEIN, KNISS, PRICE, SCHARFF, SCHMID, SHEPHERD
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTENTIONS:
ATIEST:
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APPROVED:
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