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Water Resources Advisory Committee
Minutes of December 1, 2011
Members Present: Jeff Edmonds, Ruth Blake, Michael Cox, Don Zimmerman, Mark Scott, Don Roach,
Mary K. Fant, and Frank Brogan.
Members Absent: None
Staff members and Presenters:
Gustavo Gonzalez, P.E., Director of Water Services
Yolanda Marruffo, Public Relations and Marketing Coordinator
Joanne Salge, Management Assistant
Visitors:
Rocky Freund, Nueces River Authority
Mr. Edmonds called the meeting to order at 11:30 a.m. with a quorum of members present. Mr. Edmonds
asked members to review the minutes of August 24, 2011. The minutes were unanimously approved by
the members of the committee.
Notice of Apartment Representative Vacancy
Mrs. Marruffo noted the resignation of Cindy Boston leaving a board member vacancy, specifically for an
apartment representative. Her conversation with Toni Davis of the Apartment Association indicated that
they would ask a local board member to submit an application to the City Secretary's office..
Summary on the High Efficiency Toilet Giveaway Program
Mrs. Marruffo provided a written summary of the High Efficiency Toilet Distribution Program. A successful
distribution event was held on Saturday, September 17, 2011 at the City Hall Parking Lot. Grant funding
was made available by a U.S. Department of Energy. It is estimated that the program helped to conserve
approximately 28 million gallon of water annually. Staff expressed support to conducting future programs
through a voucher program.
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Reservoir Levels
Gus Gonzalez, Water Director, reported the combined reservoirstorage capacity at 54.8 percent, with
Choke Canyon at 61.9 percent and Lake Corpus Christi at 35.3 percent. The drought conditions continue
and the system has had little inflow. Mr. Gonzalez stated that he is working closely with the Coastal Bend
Bays and Estuaries Program and others. All agree that fresh water is important to the bay. Salinity will be
tracked and releases need to occur when they will do the most good. It was also noted that the drought
has caused Lake Texana to fall below 50 percent capacity and is currently at 39 percent. Jeff Edmonds
and Ruth Blake asked what the city's debt obligation would be if there was no water available to pump
from Lake Texana. Mr. Gonzalez stated that the debt obligation would most likely continue to exist. After
discussion, all agreed that the releases must be timed to be efficient and effective. When the combined
lake levels fall below 30 percent, pass thru requirements are suspended. More off channel reservoirs
would help to meet demand. It was also noted that climatologists are anticipating a lengthy drought.
Review of City's Current Drought Contingency Plan
Mr. Gonzalez stated that a goal is to bring clarity and simplicity to the current Drought Contingency Plan.
HDR has been engaged in the process to make more deliberate changes in the plan. The plan will go to
City Council early next year. The plan will be shared with the Water Resources Advisory Committee as it
develops. S
SCANNED . .: 1
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Presentation on the 2011 Regional Water Plan
Mr. Gonzalez presented the 2011 Coastal Bend Regional Water Plan to the committee. This area is part
of Region N, which consists of 11 counties. The purpose of the plan is to identify and best develop the
next water strategies and to meet future demands.
Schedule Next Meeting
The next meeting of the Water Resources Advisory Committee will be held on Thursday, February 23,
2012 at the Water Utilities Building, Choke Canyon Conference Room, 2726 Holly Road, Corpus.Christi,
Texas.
With no further business, the.meeting was adjourned at 12:30 p.m.
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