REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
DATE: November 6, 2014
TO: FRESNO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, MAYOR, CITY MANAGER AND CITY ATTORNEY
FROM: COUNCILMEMBER BRAND AND COUNCILMEMBER CAPRIOGLIO
City Council Offices
SUBJECT
Title
***RESOLUTION - Adopt the "Water Conservation Act", which will develop policies and practices that will conserve water usage by all City water customers and provide better overall management of City water resources
Body
Background
For the past six years the "Great Recession of 2008" has taken a toll on City of Fresno services and the maintenance of City properties. This is particularly evident in the condition of City parks. The PARCS Department staff has been decimated by budget cuts and is only starting to rebuild this year.
The City of Fresno is currently in stage two of its Water Shortage Contingency Plan. Both privately owned properties and publicly owned properties are now feeling the stress of limited watering schedules as evidenced by dying trees and browning landscapes.
Both City residents and businesses are being asked to sacrifice by reducing water consumption. The overriding goal of this Act is to incentivize water conservation measures to all City water customers by offering cash rebates. This Act will also implement policies and practices to better manage City water resources. It will evaluate alternative water pricing strategies (i.e. tiered rates) to encourage and promote water conservation. The City's Water Shortage Contingency Plan must also be updated.
Salient policies included in the Act include the following:
Enterprise Water Conservation Rebate Fund: This Act will establish a Water Conservation Rebate Fund of $250,000 per year for two consecutive years for a total appropriation of $500,000. It sets out policies for fund replenishment, eligibility for property owners and renters, procedures, site inspections and fund priority. The funds will be a restricted fund for use only as water conservation rebates.
Residential & Commercial Property Water Conservation Incentives: The Act includes a specific list of water conservation incentives for all City water customers. There is a limitation of $1,000 per property. The City currently only offers a limited list of water conservation incentives including $50 rebates on low flow toilets and washers. All incentive rebates are on a first come first serve basis until the fund is depleted.
New construction landscape standards: Policies and practices identified in this Act should be integrated into the 2035 General Plan. There needs to be detailed planning for long-term drought conditions. With the prospect of a prolonged drought, it is imperative for the City to layout landscape guidelines for future developments.
Prioritizing City Water Resources: One goal of this Act is to implement a more efficient irrigation system citywide and provide cost-efficient maintenance. It will also prioritize sustaining large, mature trees and park areas. There is a major issue of large, mature trees dying at City properties.
Implementing More Efficient Irrigation and Maintenance Practices: The current irrigation system for landscaped areas on City properties needs to be upgraded. This Act will implement best practices and new technology to improve our City properties while conserving water.
Tiered Water Rate Structure: This Act will direct City staff to review and evaluate alternative water service pricing strategies to encourage water conservation. A water conservation pricing structure is more commonly referred to as a tiered water rate structure or inclining block rate structure. The number of tiers can range between 2 and 5. There are many cities in California using a tiered water rate structure. A tiered rate system offers lower rates for customers who conserve water and addresses some of the affordability issues brought up in the water rate debate.
Assisting Low Income Customers: This Act will direct City staff to review and evaluate the legal, financial and institutional requirements associated with offering water users the option to average out a one-year water utility bill using equal payment installments similar to what PG&E offers its customers. This program would be offered to customers that request the option. Lifeline rates will also be evaluated to provide relief to low income water customers. Per Proposition 218, funds for a lifeline rate would require alternative funding sources such as the General Fund.
Re-Evaluation of City Water Shortage Contingency Plan: The City currently uses a four-stage water shortage contingency plan that escalates water conservation policies based on certain conditions. This Act will direct City staff to review, evaluate, and prepare recommendations as necessary to update the City's Water Shortage Contingency Plan and Section 6-6520 of the Fresno Municipal Code. An examination of water emergency plans offered by other cities suggests the City's current policies can be updated to promote and encourage more efficient outdoor irrigation practices so that users of public water can conserve water without severely degrading landscaped areas of the community. This Act recommends that the City Manager have the discretion to approve exemptions to the Water Shortage Contingency Plan.
Recommendation
It is recommended that the Council pass this Act to encourage and promote water conservation, better management of City water resources, and evaluation of alternate water pricing strategies and updating the City's Water Shortage Contingency Plan.
Attachments
Water Conservation Act
Resolution :