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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Water Resources Advisory Committee - 09/26/2002 • Minutes Water Resources Advisory Committee September 26,2002 11:30 A.M. Water Department Conference Room • Members Present included Lena Coleman*,Herman R. Johnson,Bob Kent, Jon Kiggans, Carola Serrato (Chair), and Kimberly Stockseth(Vice Chair). Visitor: Capt. Paula Ringer *arrived approx. 12:30 pm Staff Present: Ron Massey, Assistant City Manager Eduardo Garana, Water Director Danny N. Ybarra, Asst. Water Director Mucio Garza, Water Production Director Max Castaneda, Water Resources Management Advisor Ted Nelson,Public Information Media Yolanda Marruffo,Public Education and Marketing Coordinator Rosie Cortez,Recording Secretary The meeting was called to order at 11:50 a.m.by Yolanda Marruffo. It was determined that a quorum was present. Approval of Minutes Ms. Marruffo asked if everyone had a chance to review the July 26, minutes and called for a motion. Ms. Carola Serrato made a motion to approve the minutes. Mr. Herman Johnson seconded the motion and motion passed unanimously. Election of Officers Ms. Marruffo stated that the committee needed to elect a Chair and a Vice Chair and asked if there were any nominations. Ms. Serrato stated that at the previous meeting her name was mentioned to fill the Chair position and she was willing to accept the nomination if everyone was in agreement. Mr. John Kiggans made a motion that the Committee accept Ms. Carola Serrato's nomination as Chair. John Kent seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously. Ms. Marruffo stated that the position of Vice Chair was open and that Ms. Kimberly Stockseth had offered her services as Vice Chair at the previous meeting. Mr. Herman Johnson made a motion to accept Kimberly Stockseth's nomination as Vice-Chair. John Kent seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously. At this time,Mrs. Marruffo passed the Chair to Ms. Carola Serrato. Water Supply The first item on the agenda was Water Supply. Mr. Ron Massey stated that Max Castaneda, Water Resources Management Advisor, had recently given a presentation before the Council on SCANNED 1 available water supply and projected demand. Mr. Castaneda presented the PowerPoint presentation to the Committee. Mr. Castaneda stated that the demand covered different models that were used to determine the projections. The water supply portion would show the calculations on how the firm yield was calculated. Mr. Massey stated that the Coastal Regional Water Planning Group used information from contracts. Mr. Castaneda stated that the firm yield is based on use until empty and safe yield is leaving a volume of reserve. He stated that Choke Canyon was built based on the rainfall that was experienced over time until the mid-60's. The majority of water comes from Nueces River and not from the Frio River. If Lake Corpus Christi was always full,we would not be able to catch much of the water that comes down the river. Mr. Massey stated that Mathis residents complain about the decrease in recreational opportunities in Lake Corpus Christi. Ms. Serrato asked if the study was expected to change. Mr. Garana stated that it should not have much impact. There is a change in total capacity and that we are using 259,000 acre-feet at Lake Corpus Christi. Mr. Massey stated that this does not translate into a firm yield, only an increased in storage capacity. Mr. Castaneda stated that once information is entered into the model, the firm yield should change. Mr. Castaneda continued with the presentation. On the total supply portion, Ms. Serrato asked what safe yield was used. Mr. Castaneda stated that 6 months was used, but that there is an option to use 12 months, etc. Mr. Castaneda stated that the City would continue to use these planning methods and use the information to optimize new sources. Ms. Serrato stated that she was aware that the City of Corpus Christi is going to submit a desalination plan to partner with other agencies. Ms. Serrato asked Mr. Castaneda if he wanted to add anything else to the presentation. Mr. Castaneda stated that the idea was to take care of existing demand and to make water available to other cities/agencies on a temporary basis and added that if the City submitted the proposal alone, it would not qualify, and that obviously we do not have an immediate need. Mr. Massey stated that it identifies when you need to have your next water supply on line. Because of the desalination initiative on the part of the Governor, and because of interest, the City decided to put together a proposal even though we do not have a need. He stated that it makes sense to put in a desalination plant in Corpus Christi because we have a population that will use it. He stated that the City is willing to work with other partners in the state. If we are successful in bringing a desalination plant that might be able to better transport water to another city,we can reach an agreement. Mr. Kent asked if Corpus Christi would give up its rights. Mr. Massey stated that we would not give up our water rights. However, if we did not need the water, this would be a way to make some money and put it to use. Mr. Massey stated that the City has the ability to expand; that if we had water on loan, we could make a choice to pull that water and to expand capacity. It does not make sense to build a plant before you actually have a need. Corpus Christi might not be selected; however, officials felt that we needed to submit a proposal. It would be placed at the Barney Davis site location. Ms. Coleman stated that she had attended a meeting on Monday stating that a plan was being instituted with Austin and San Antonio and asked what San Antonio would have to offer. Mr. Massey answered that San Antonio has money to offer, that they need water, and the City has water and we need fmancial participation. Mr. Kent asked if the 2 desalination plant would be built with City funds. Mr. Massey stated that the financial plan still has to be developed; that the State had not decided to contribute funds. He stated that there are still a lot of questions that need to be answered. Mr. Kent stated that if the State is not going to help fund, why do we need the State. Mr. Castaneda stated that the Texas Water Development Board is charged with coming up with a recommendation to the Legislature to free up private activity bonds. The idea is not to create a new program, but to use those bonds and extend them to this type of project. Mr. Massey stated that there were still many variables. Mr. Herman Johnson asked if we really needed a desalination plant. Mr. Massey stated that the Governor is going to get a large-scale plant up and running, but more importantly they want to solve a demand for water. He stated that it was an exciting opportunity for Texas A&M to get involved in the development. Ms. Stockseth asked if at some point this water could be pumped to San Antonio and Austin. Mr. Massey stated that until we replace our demand with desalinated water, water could not be moved out. He stated that if it was determined that water should be pumped to the Valley,we could pump water and send it to the Valley—we could continue the connection from Lake Texana to send water to the Valley. He stated that we were working to get permitted for additional water from Lake Texana. He stated that the City was trying to get as many resources as possible with the idea of securing our future and if we do not need it, we can use it as leverage. Water Conservation Programs Ms. Marruffo went over the reservoir daily pass through report and reported that the combined reservoir levels were at 99.99% capacity. Mr. Garana stated that once you go to a certain elevation, you can not measure because a lot of it is spilled. Ms. Serrato stated that the way water is spilled is more of a benefit to the environment. Ms. Marruffo stated that she had met with John Sutton, head of the Texas Water Development Board—Water Conservation Section to request cost/benefit data on water conservation programs conducted throughout the state. Ms. Marruffo explained the cost saving analysis in the agenda package. Ms. Marruffo asked if the committee would like to invite Mr. Sutton to make a presentation. Ms. Serrato asked the committee for a vote. The committee voted in favor of having Mr. Sutton to provide a presentation in the future. Mr. Kent asked about the cost of water. Mr. Massey stated that the combined cost of water is around $225-$230 per acre-feet. Ms. Serrato stated that we have usually used the figure of$350 as cost-effective. Mr. Massey stated that the figure did not include treated costs. Ms. Marruffo stated that the Water Department provides showerheads and aerators which is one methods that the City is able to produce quantifiable water savings. This is done continuously year round. Greywater Use Ms. Serrato stated that Ms. Marruffo had worked on developing a greywater brochure. Ms. Marruffo stated that the staff.had met with members of the City's Building Inspections Department and received information on greywater use. A copy of the brochure was distributed to the committee. Ms. Marruffo stated that thebrochure would be inserted with Public Utilities billing statements. Ms. Marruffo stated that committee had asked the staff to develop a Public Utilities welcome kit. Mr. Massey approved incorporating Utilities and other departments to share information on new 3 utility customers. Ms. Marruffo also stated that advertising is part of their marketing role. She stated that ads were developed for the Builders Association as part of an effort to reach homebuilders to use xeriscape, and to know the value of water. She stated that some of the populations they are working with are Botanical Gardens re: development, selecting the entire plant, etc. Ms. Marruffo stated that there is PowerPoint presentation that has been developed to help people select plants that adapt to our climate, and that the program will be initiated in the near future with assistance from the Xeriscape Steering Committee, and Nueces County Extension Service, Corpus Christi Beautify Association, and the Master Gardeners at Texas A&M. She stated that last month staff had attended a workshop to review the education program. Mr. Ted Nelson, Public Information Office, announced that the City had a new program, a different way to do publications. The Public Information Office has been working with City Secretary's Office to come up with bulletin board to run on Channel 20. We are going to implement next Tuesday(October). The board will possibly run every day of the week. A memo has come out to submit information to City Secretary's office. He stated that there would be a 4 pm deadline on Thursdays. Old Business Ms. Serrato stated that at the last meeting, Ms. Marruffo had presented the rules that the Committee would be operating under. Ms. Serrato asked if there were any changes. Mr. Kiggans asked if the Committee really monitored the items as stated in No. 2 under Duties. Ms. Marruffo stated that she would revise that item to reflect that the correct duties of the Committee, i.e. monitor the effectiveness, etc. of the items. Mr. Kiggans stated that he had concerns regarding future water supply that the Committee should encourage the City to keep on doing what they are doing. Ms. Serrato stated that that concern was addressed under No. 5. Ms. Coleman made a motion to approve the Composition, Organization and Duties of the Committee, as revised. Kim Stockseth seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. New Business Ms. Marruffo stated that the subcommittee reviewing the City's landscaping ordinance and that they would like to submit recommended changes to the Committee for review at the next meeting. Ms. Serrato asked if the Committee was still thinking about meeting every other month, rather than every month. Mr. Massey asked if we needed to meet more than every quarter. Ms. Serrato stated that the Committee needed to review the landscape ordinance recommended changes before it went to the Planning Commission. She stated that it needed to go to the local Horticulture Advisory committee to get support from the local nurseries. Ms. Serrato asked if there was a tentative date. Ms. Marruffo stated that the ordinance review was about 90% complete. The proposed ordinance would need to be reviewed by the Planning Commission. Ms. Marruffo suggested bringing the proposed landscape ordinance for Committee review in January, 2003. It was decided that the next meting would be on the 4th Thursday in January (January 23, 2002). There being no further business, motion was made by Herman Johnson and seconded by Capt. Paula Hinger to adjourn at 1:03 pm. 4 Draft minutes as submitted to Committee for approval on 1/10/ 5