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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Water Resources Advisory Committee - 05/09/2013 Minutes Water Resource Advisory Committee Thursday, May 9, 2013—2726 Holly Road, Water Utilities Building Members present: Scott Kucera, Sally Gill, Lillian Riojas, Robert Kunkel, Paula Stanley, and Jeff Edmonds. Staff members and guests: Brent Clayton,Joanne Salge, Debbie Lindsey-Opel (Three Dimensional Development), Rocky Freund (Nueces River Authority). Mr. Edmonds called the meeting to order at 11:32 am. The minutes of April 18, 2013 were reviewed and approved as written. Scott Kucera made the motion to approve and Robert Kunkel second. Review of the Reservoir System Statistics: Brent Clayton reviewed the current statistics.The combined lake level is at 34.1%and some recent rainfall has prevented any steep declines. Lake Texana is at 99.4% capacity. Lake levels from the duration of the drought cycle were reviewed. Drought conditions are present across the State. The current Drought Contingency Plan/Water Conservation Plan has been revised to better promote water conservation and make conservation an everyday practice, help reduce the overall demand of water, strengthen drought measures to reach goals for reduction and bring clarity to the process.The committee reviewed and discussed specific areas of the plans and recommendations.The Water Resource Advisory Committee approved the plan with comments, as follows: (1) Review and strengthen the exemption/variance process (2) consider a discounted rate for customers that use less than a base amount(3) review the process in Stage 4 that addresses new connections (page 15) and (4) consider delay of Stage 3 until the combined lake levels are at 30%. The first reading of the proposed changes to the plans will go to City Council on Tuesday, May 14, 2013. The second reading is scheduled for Tuesday, May 28, 2013.The Water Resource Advisory Committee will send a representative to the City Council meeting to endorse the adoption and implementation of the plans. Rocky Freund will also attend the meeting to endorse the plan representing the Nueces River Authority. All agreed that communication with the public and continued outreach and marketing were important in the process. Sally Gill also noted the Green Industry is doing all they can to educate the public about water wise gardening and landscape. The next meeting of the Water Resource Advisory will be held on Thursday,June 20, 2013 at the Water Utilities Building, Choke Canyon Room. The meeting was adjourned.