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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 07/12/1984 - Joint7/9.(,t MINUTES SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING JOINT MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL & THE WATER ALLOCATION & REVIEW COMMITTEE JULY 12, 1984 7:30 A.M. PRESENT: Mayor Luther Jones Mayor Pro Tem Betty N. Turner Council Members: David Berlanga, Sr. Leo Guerrero Joe McComb Frank Mendez Mary Pat Slavik WATER ALLOCATION & REVIEW COMMITTEE: Mr. Bryan Davis Mr. Chuck Akers Doug Matthews Dr. C. M. G. Buttery ABSENT: City Manager Edward A. Martin City Attorney J. Bruce Aycock City Secretary Bill G. Read Council Members Welder Brown & Charles W. Kennedy Mayor Luther Jones called the meeting to order in the Council Chamber of City Hall. City Secretary Bill G. Read called the roll of required Charter Officers and verified that the necessary quorum was present to conduct a legally constituted meeting. Mayor Jones recognized the members of the Water Allocation & Review Committee and expressed the City Council's appreciation for their efforts. He then requested that the City Manager provide background information on water conservation and allocation. MICROFILMED Mir Spec_ Joint City Council/ Water Allocation & Review Committee July 12, 1984 Page 2 City Manager Edward Martin explained the ordinance that was passed by the City Council that set forth a series of stages for water allocation and rationing. He referred to the Water Allocation and Review Committee which has two basic assignments as follows: (1) to develop a rate program which will charge for use of water over a certain amount; and (2) to basically, act as an Appeal Board to review appeals based on hardship, etc. He explained that the City Council has discussed some of the issues and has twice heard from Members of the Lawn Service and Sprinkling Industries. Mayor Jones noted that the ordinance allows for the Water Allocation Committee to act on appeals to the ordinance or to recommend amendments to the ordinance. Mayor Jones then asked for the accomplishments that have been made since the ordinance has gone into effect. City Manager Martin explained that the goal of the ordinance was to achieve a 30% water reduction to achieve the goal to operate with the current supply of water until September of 1984. He informed the Council that the City has achieved the reduction of 25% to 30%. He explained that other efforts are being made to obtain additional water and stated that the Campbellton wells have been opened and the water from Choke Canyon has been released to flow to Lake Corpus Christi. He pointed out to the Council that the evaporation of the Lake has been extremely high, but the City Staff is monitoring it very closely. He summarized by stating that what the City expected to achieve in water cutback has been accomplished. City Manager Martin continued by stating that there is a need to go ahead to develop the rate schedule for the next stage which will limit the amount of water that can be used by residents. He pointed out that residential rate setting is difficult but commercial rates will be even more difficult, but he agreed that the Staff needed to move ahead with this very quickly. He expressed the opinion that the City should allow the Lawn Services to operate in accordance with the methods they have explained. He agreed that it will create confusion among the homeowners but this lack of water adversely affects 50 to 60 small landscape businesses. He stated that this should apply to new installations of lawns only; it should not be on a permanent basis; and the watering must be accomplished under the monitoring of the contractor. Mr. Matthews stated that the water needed for this purpose would be about 300,000 gallons a month. He pointed out that if we reach September and have still had no rainfall, the situation will drastically change. Mayor Jones inquired if this could be accomplished by the Water Allocation and Review Committee, and Mr. Martin stated that it is a rather large type of appeal which could be done by the Committee if they have the Council's support or it could be accomplished by an amendment to the ordinance. Mi] Spec_ _ Joint City Council/ Water Allocation & Review Committee July 12, 1984 Page 3 Mayor Jones called for comments from the Committee Members. Dr. Christopher Buttery stated that his concern is if we have an extension of this drought for several months that we have enough water for hygienic purposes. He referred to a situation that existed when he was in the Armed Services, at which time, each person was allocated 6 gallons a day in the field in the desert. He stated that he estimated that one person could exist on ten gallons of water a day. Dr. Buttery stated that he has been told that there are many small companies in the lawn care business that have been adversely affected by the rationing. Mr. Douglas Matthews, Director of Public Utilities, stated that his primary concern is the yard water consideration because as far as the nursery business is concerned, the City has not done anything to prevent people from buying plants, etc., but he agreed that the industry is in very bad condition even though people are allowed to water plants on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and on the day that plants are purchased. He explained that the Committee felt that if this is allowed on new lawns, it will probably not increase the landscape business a great deal because people know that in month or so they will not be able to water the new lawns. He pointed out that if rains do not occur before September, he did not see how water could be available for any lawn. Council Member McComb referred to item 4 of Condition III and suggested that consideration be given to going ahead and adopting that rate which might deter people from using so much water. He noted that action should be taken that would be the best for the entire community because the City Council has as much responsibility to extend the supply of water for people in the lower income areas. He noted that the rate penalties assume that there is an alternate water supply available and that will not work in the supply and demand theory. He stated that he is very sympathetic with the landscaping industry but he felt that the Council should really abide by Dr. Buttery's and Mr. Matthews' remarks. He expressed the opinion that the large industries should be requested to reduce shifts or the number of days they are in operation if water is an essential requirement. Council Member Guerrero expressed the opinion that this is an industry that is really being hurt by the water rationing in that the lawn and turf businesses are making a total contribution, and in fairness to all, the City should be asking for commitments from other businesses, including large industries. Council Member Mendez explained what ASARCO is doing to conserve water. He stated that they had taken several steps in an effort to conserve water and a billboard type sign has been installed to tell how much water they are consuming daily at the plant. He assured the Council that the plant is attempting to recycle the water, including the air conditioning water, and other things. Mi: Spec—s Joint City Council/ Water Allocation & Review Committee July 12, 1984 Page 4 Mr. Hal Fessler, President of the Board of Trades of the Port of Corpus Christi, representing the industries associated with the Port, admitted that they use large quantities of water. He commended the Council and the Staff for their recognition of this problem. He assured the Council that they have been in action since Mr. Matthews approached them to inform them of the situation in that they have reduced consumption of water in the millions of gallons. He stated that this is a short term effort, but additional savings could be made if they obtain funds from their headquarters to make improvements to conserve water. He expressed the opinion that something needs to be done about evaporation at the Lake and offered the Technical Committee of the Board of Trades to meet with the City Staff to consider that problem. He stated that a long term solution would be to urge the companies to design facilities to reduce the requirement for the use of water. Mayor Pro Tem Turner agreed that the immediate problem is the evaporation and while that is being examined, consideration should be given to desalinization plants and transport of wastewater effluent. Mr. Fessler reiterated that they would be glad to have their technical people meet with the City Staff, but pointed out that anything that is done to prevent evaporation at the Lake could be detrimental to the wildlife. Mayor Jones asked Mr. Matthews what is known about control of evaporation, and Mr. Matthews explained that they have not been able to find anyone who has successfully treated large bodies of water. He stated that any films placed on the surface of the water create a jelly-like mess. He stated that through the use of the City's computers, they have gone through the data banks of many cities and have not been able to find anything on successful prevention of evaporation. Council Member Slavik stated that she would like to implement Condition III of the ordinance much sooner than projected. City Manager Martin stated that that was to occur at a point in time when the Lake had 100,000 acre feet and the Staff predicted that that would occur about September 1st. Council Member Slavik again urged that Condition III be phased in as soon as possible. She also urged more study on desalinization and suggested that the Federal Government be contacted. City Manager Martin pointed out that the City of Corpus Christi is not alone in the drought because it has affected all of South Texas and West Texas. He pointed out that many cities in the United States have gone through this many times before. He informed Mrs. Slavik that the City is already working with the Texas Department of Water Resources and the Bureau of Reclamation and stated that although the technology of desalinization is available, the economics are Mit Spec -1 Joint City Council/ Water Allocation & Review Committee July 12, 1984 Page 5 unbelievable. He stated that the City cannot implement Condition III yet because the rate control has not been completely devised because of the problems with businesses. He stated that he had grave concerns about taking the next step to limit use because the residential users would be the ones to suffer unless some plan can be worked out for the industries and businesses. Mr. Martin then referred to the landscaping business and assured the Council that the point is not to save grass and lawns, but to save companies and jobs. Mayor Jones pointed out that the discussion is on the conditions to be established to get the City through September of 1985 but pointed out that there is a need to be concerned about the effect of this in attracting industries to Corpus Christi. He asked if the City did not receive any rain at all, how long the water in the Lake would last. Mr. Matthews stated that it would possibly last until next Spring. Council Member Mendez referred to household use and in particular, to swimming pools being filled. He expressed the opinion that this should be discussed by the Council or the Committee. He stated that he is already hearing derogatory comments about swimming pools being allowed to be filled. He inquired in particular, about the municipal swimming pools, and City Manager Martin explained that water in those pools is recirculated and the only additional water required is to replace that which splashes out. He stated that he felt that the swimming pools should remain in operation because the lack of water and the intense heat creates tension among people and they need this recreational activity. He assured the Council that the Staff is considering additional swimming pools and stated that if construction of swimming pools are not started today or tomorrow, they cannot be filled. Council Member Mendez stated that some citizens are suggesting that if they are limited to 5,000 gallons they should be allowed to use it the way they want to. Mr. Martin stated that it must be limited with the rate penalty plus limit the type of use because people should not be allowed to use all of the water they want just because they have the ability to pay for it. Council Member Berlanga summarized by stating that the main problem is how water is going to be allocated and pointed out that there is a need to consider industry to save jobs. He agreed that it is easier to regulate homeowners than businesses and he felt that this should be left up to the Water Allocation and Review Committee and the City Staff because they are experts and they should be allowed to decide what should be done. He recommended that we allow the Committee and the Staff to work it out and provide a report with recommendations. Mi; Spec -1 Joint City Council/ Water Allocation & Review Committee July 12, 1984 Page 6 Mayor Jones stated that there is a need to appoint another member to the Committee. Council Member Slavik reiterated that she would like to see Condition III implemented as soon as possible. She referred to item 3 of Condition III which prohibits lawn watering and that no additional pools be filled. Council Member Slavik then made a motion that the City initiate No. 3 of Condition III on Monday, July 16, 1984. Mayor Jones declared that the motion died for lack of a second. Council Member Guerrero stated that the purpose of the meeting was to give the Committee some direction and one of the directions was to address the relief for the turf and irrigation businesses. He stated that the Council has indicated that they want them to have some water in order to save their jobs. Mayor Pro Tem Turner then nominated Mr. Ted Turner, Jr. for reappointment to the Water Allocation and Review Committee to represent business. She noted that he had chosen to resign but she felt that it was important to have someone from business on the Committee. She stated that Mr. Turner has indicated to her that he is willing to reconsider serving on the Board. Council Member Guerrero seconded the motion to appoint Mr. Turner and it passed unanimously. Mayor Jones stated that he agreed that there was a need to provide some assistance for the landscape industry as long as the watering of newly installed lawns is monitored. City Manager Martin stated that he personally thinks that if the Committee decides to allow lawn watering for the landscape industry, it could be done in two possible ways -- the ordinance could be amended, but he did not think that that was necessary, or the Committee could act if they knew that they had the Council's support for this policy. Council Member McComb referred to the suggestions made by the businesses and suggested that the Committee consider first an interpretation of the term, "commercial nursery" to encompass the plant growing, handling and installation industry and "nursery stock" be interpreted as all commercially grown, handled or installed plants while under the care of a commercial nursery and that a 30 -day off premises limitation would have to be written in and other wording might be needed to clarify the allowance of new landscape establishments. He noted that they had also suggested that if the Water Allocation and Review Committee would prefer not to interpret the ordinance, they would like to request that they consider the establishment of a 30 -day limited exemption for commercial landscapers and affiliated industries for the purpose of establishing new landscaping and irrigation systems. Mr. McComb stated that it should also require a permit and that a sign be displayed in front of the lawn announcing that it is a new lawn and that the property owner will be allowed to water it for 30 days. Mil Specs Joint City Council/ Water Allocation & Review Committee July 12, 1984 Page 7 Council Member McComb then made a motion to amend the ordinance to use a definition as submitted by the landscape industry. City Manager Martin stated that he would like to suggest that the Council direct by motion rather than amending the ordinance that it is the policy of the Council to allow for the Committee to establish guidelines to issue permits with those stipulations. Mayor Pro Tem Turner seconded the motion. City Manager Martin stated that the key to the success of this program would be that the landscape companies will have to obtain a permit. Mayor Jones stated that another key point was that the watering of lawns would have to be done by a representative of the business. Mr. Chuck Akers, a member of the Water Allocation and Review Committee, addressed the Council and stated that when somebody tells him that if nothing happens, water may not be available in the Spring of 1985, he is extremely concerned. He expressed the opinion that the assumption cannot be made that it is going to rain and those factors need to be taken into consideration to assure that the citizens at least have drinking water. He concurred with Mrs. Slavik that additional limitations should be placed according to Condition I11 as soon as possible. Mayor Jones inquired of the Committee Members if they felt that they have enough direction now from the Council to continue their work on the Committee. Mr. Bryan Davis stated that he felt that the Council has given them a great deal of help but possibly, they will need to return to the City Council on other issues. Mr. Ted Turner, Jr. expressed appreciation to the Council for their confidence in him and in the Committee. He expressed the opinion that the Committee should come to the Council with a recommendation prior to Condition III to recommend limitation of water use by residential users and industries as well. Mr. Turner then suggested that a "blue ribbon" committee of movers and doers be appointed to help the City Staff look for additional sources of water. City Manager Martin assured Mr. Turner that the City already has a committee established to work on long term solutions. There being no further business to come before the Council, on motion by Council Member Guerrero, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Turner and passed unanimously, the meeting was adjourned at 8:53 a.m. Mayor Jones reconvened the Council Meeting at 8:54 a.m. in order to take the vote on Mr. McComb's motion. Mit Spec-,1 Joint City Council/ Water Allocation & Review Committee July 12, 1984 Page 8 Mr. McComb's motion in regard to relief for the landscape industries which was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Turner passed unanimously. Mayor Jones then declared the meeting adjourned at 8:55 a.m., July 12, 1984. * * * * * * * * DZ/rr