Agenda Item No. 9B February 23, Honorable Mayor and City Council Attention: Laura C. Kuhn, City Manager

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1 Agenda Item No. 9B February 23, 2016 TO: FROM: SUBJECT: Honorable Mayor and City Council Attention: Laura C. Kuhn, City Manager Royce W. Cunningham, Director of Utilities (Staff Contact: Royce Cunningham, (707) ) RESOLUTION EXTENDING CURRENT WATER CONSERVATION REQUIREMENTS THROUGH OCTOBER 2016; INCLUDING (1) LIMITATIONS ON OUTDOOR IRRIGATION; (2) IMPLEMENTATION OF SEASONAL RESIDENTIAL WATER USE ALLOCATIONS; (3) IMPLEMENTATION OF SEASONAL WATER USE ALLOCATIONS FOR PARKS, SCHOOLS AND SPORTS FIELDS; AND (4) IMPLEMENTATION OF FINES FOR VIOLATION OF WATER USE PROHIBITIONS, AND PENALTIES FOR EXCESSIVE WATER USE DISCUSSION: This item is a continuation of the City of Vacaville s response to emergency drought regulations adopted by the State Water Resources Control Board (Water Board) on May 5, 2015, and extended on February 2, The extended regulations take effect March 1, 2016, and will extend through October 31, 2016, unless modified or eliminated by the State due to significant precipitation between now and the end of winter. Information from the Water Board indicates the regulations will only be lifted if snowpack in the Sierra Nevada exceeds 150% of the normal statewide average on April 1, The current snowpack is approximately 115% of normal. The State s 2015 emergency drought regulations assigned the City of Vacaville a mandatory 32% reduction in water use through February 2016 in comparison with water use in The recently extended regulations have revised Vacaville s water conservation standard to a 29% reduction in comparison to 2013, to account for warmer climatic conditions in Vacaville in comparison to coastal communities. An additional reduction in the water conservation standard, of perhaps 1% or 2%, may be granted to account for population growth over the past two years. Application for the additional growth-related reduction will occur in March, following a schedule and methodology developed by the State. Currently, the City has implemented Stage 3 - Severe Drought, of the City s 2014 Urban Water Shortage Contingency Plan (UWSCP), with a mandatory 35% reduction in water use, the lowest stage of the UWSCP that meets or exceeds the State-assigned goal. The City has adopted several prohibitions and restrictions on water use in addition to the standard Stage 3 requirements. Residential/Commercial/Industrial Outdoor Water Use. The City has placed a prohibition on all outdoor watering using sprinkler irrigation systems between the hours of 10AM to 6PM. Additionally, the City has placed limitations on outdoor sprinkler irrigation of residential, commercial, and industrial properties to no more than two days per week, with the following assigned specific days based upon location: Residential Properties North of I-80: Residential Properties South of I-80: Commercial/Industrial Properties Citywide: Institutional: Water on Mondays and Thursdays Water on Tuesdays and Fridays Water on Wednesdays and Saturdays Two days per week without specified days

2 The City has implemented prohibitions on other specific outdoor water use activities, such as washing down sidewalks and driveways, or washing a vehicle without a control nozzle on the hose, that were specified in the Water Board s adopted regulations. The City has also adopted policies that allow customers to selectively hand irrigate, without restriction, specific plants and shrubs, outdoor potted plants, and similar containers using a hose with a control nozzle, or with the water containers brought outside from saving household water. These types of plant arrangements will typically not survive on only two days per week of water, and the volume of water used is typically fractional in comparison to the large volumes used for lawns and large areas by sprinklers Residential Seasonal Water Use Allocations. The City has implemented a seasonal, residential water use allocation system that is designed to maximize the City s opportunity to achieve the State-mandated water conservation standard. Under the water allocation system, the City was able to attain a reduction in water use of 31.2% between July 1, 2015 and January 31, Therefore, staff believes keeping the current allocation system in place will allow the City to meet the newly assigned 29% water conservation standard through October Table 1 shows the current seasonal residential allocations by month, based upon an occupancy of five persons per household. Table 1 Seasonal Residential Water Allocations Month January February March April May June Units Month July August September October November December Units Note: One unit of water is equal to 100 cubic feet, and is also equal to 748 gallons In the event households are able to demonstrate a higher number of permanent (6 months or longer) occupants, the City provides an additional allowance of 2 units per person up to a maximum of 6 additional units, or 8 occupants total per household. Similarly, the City provides additional allowances on a case-by-case basis for verified medical conditions requiring significant water use above the allocations. Additional documentation verifying these conditions is required, and the customer is required to complete a residential water survey. For multi-family residential dwelling units (MFR), the seasonal allocations are equal to approximately 67% of the single-family residential allocation, or 8 units in the winter months, 12 units in the spring and fall months, and 16 units in the summer months, respectively. Parks, Schools, and Sports Fields Seasonal Water Use Allocations. The City has also implemented a seasonal allocation system for parks, schools, and sports fields. The system allows parks, schools, and sports fields to water up to four days per week, but that watering volumes must be kept within the allocation limits, or penalties for excessive water use will apply. Table 2 shows the current allocations for parks, schools, and sports fields. Table 2 Seasonal Parks, Schools, and Sports Fields Water Allocations Month January February March April May June Gal/sf/mo

3 Month July August September October November December Gal/sf/mo Note: Gal/sf/mo is gallons per square foot per month applied to the turf grass area Since the City reads its water meters and bills customers on a bimonthly basis throughout the year, the monthly allocations will be applied and enforced according to the City s billing cycles. It should be noted that the City s finance billing system does not start and end the billing cycle on exactly the first or last day of the month for every customer. There are multiple billing cycles with varying start and end dates. Therefore, the allocation system does have slight variations from the straight monthly approximate schedule shown above. Implementation of Fines and Penalties. A system of fines for violations of water use prohibitions are included in the City s Urban Water Shortage Contingency Plan (UWSCP), and in Section 13.20, Water Conservation, of the City s Municipal Code. The City has been implementing a system of public education for a first time violation, a $50 citation for a second violation, and each subsequent violation increasing by $50 up to a maximum fine of $500. Second-time violators can also choose to take an on-line Water School in lieu of paying the stipulated $50 citation. Violations are issued by the City s Code Enforcement Section. Penalties for excessive water use are also included in the City s UWSCP, and in Section 13.20, Water Conservation, of the City s Municipal Code. Customers whose bimonthly water use exceeds the applicable allocation will be subject to the established penalties for excessive water use on their water bill. FISCAL IMPACT: There is no impact on the General Fund as a result of the recommended action other than impacts on staff time in various departments to prepare for the City s compliance with the State mandate. Reductions in water use typically will result in corresponding reductions in revenue to the Water Fund. The City s recently enacted water rate increase assumed a consistent 20% reduction in water use over 2013 levels for the next five years. For every month the City reduces water consumption over the assumed 20%, there will be a corresponding reduction in revenues to the Water Fund. Staff will be tracking water conservation and Water Fund revenues carefully, and will keep the Council informed. RECOMMENDATION: By simple motion, adopt the subject resolution. ATTACHMENTS: Resolution Action Item

4 RESOLUTION NO RESOLUTION EXTENDING CURRENT WATER CONSERVATION REQUIREMENTS THROUGH OCTOBER 2016; INCLUDING (1) LIMITATIONS ON OUTDOOR IRRIGATION; (2) IMPLEMENTATION OF SEASONAL RESIDENTIAL WATER USE ALLOCATIONS; (3) IMPLEMENTATION OF SEASONAL WATER USE ALLOCATIONS FOR PARKS, SCHOOLS, AND SPORTS FIELDS; AND (4) IMPLEMENTATION OF FINES FOR VIOLATION OF WATER USE PROHIBITIONS, AND PENALTIES FOR EXCESSIVE WATER USE WHEREAS, on May 5, 2015, the State Water Resources Control Board (Water Board) adopted emergency water conservation regulations, including assigning urban water suppliers a mandatory water conservation standard, and requiring suppliers to implement certain water conservation actions; and WHEREAS, the regulations adopted by the Water Board assigned the City of Vacaville a mandatory water conservation standard of a thirty-two percent (32%) reduction in water use from 2013 levels; and WHEREAS, the regulations adopted by the Water Board are specifically focused on significant reductions in the irrigation of ornamental landscaping and lawns; and WHEREAS, the City has determined that limitations on outdoor landscaping should focus on turf grass lawns and large areas irrigated by sprinkler systems, which use large volumes of water and have high evaporation rates compared to selective hand watering, and WHEREAS, on May 26, 2015, the City Council directed staff to implement Stage 3 Severe Drought of the City s 2014 Urban Water Shortage Contingency Plan (UWSCP), with a mandatory thirty-five percent (35%) reduction in water use and additional limitations on outdoor landscape watering with sprinkler irrigation systems of two days per week; and WHEREAS, on June 23, 2015, the City Council amended the water use limitations for sprinkler irrigation systems based upon the following geographic locations and days of the week: Residential North of I-80: Residential South of I-80: Commercial/Industrial: Institutional Mondays and Thursdays Tuesdays and Fridays Wednesdays and Saturdays Two days per week without specified days That a Residential Seasonal Water Allocation Program be developed and implemented, with associated penalties for excessive water use, and that fines for violation of the water use prohibitions and penalties for excessive water use be implemented per the City s Urban Water Shortage Contingency Plan and the Municipal Code; and WHEREAS, on September 8, 2015, the City Council further amended the water use limitations such that outdoor landscape watering with sprinkler irrigation systems is prohibited between the hours of 10 am to 6 pm, and that schools, parks, and sports fields be allowed to water using sprinkler irrigation systems four days per week, and that a Seasonal Water Allocation Program be developed and implemented for schools, parks, and sports fields; and WHEREAS, on February 2, 2016, the Water Board extended the emergency water conservation regulations adopted on May 5, 2015, including adjusting the mandatory water conservation standards assigned to urban water suppliers; and

5 WHEREAS, the extended regulations adopted by the Water Board assigned the City of Vacaville a mandatory water conservation standard of a twenty-nine percent (29%) reduction in water use from 2013 levels. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Vacaville that a continued drought condition is declared in Vacaville. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Vacaville that the water use limitations currently in force, without exception, shall be extended through October 31, 2016 unless otherwise modified or rescinded by the City Council. I HEREBY CERTIFY that the forgoing resolution was introduced and passed at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Vacaville, held on the 23rd day of February, 2016 by the following vote: ATTEST: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Michelle A. Thornbrugh, City Clerk