REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
August 27, 2015
FROM: ESMERALDA Z. SORIA, Councilmember
Council Offices
SUBJECT
Title
BILL - (For introduction and adoption) - Adopt an Emergency Ordinance amending Section 6-520 of the Fresno Municipal Code to provide water conservation exemption for food gardens (Requires five affirmative votes)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that Council approve the emergency ordinance providing a water conservation exemption for food gardens.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On May 21, 2015, the City adopted water conservation regulations in response to directives from the Governor and State Water Resources Control Board. The City desires to create a limited exception for food gardens watered with drip irrigation. Many people in the City of Fresno rely on their vegetable and fruit gardens as an inexpensive and healthy source of food. Consistent watering is required to maintain this food source. The current limitation of two watering days per week does not sustain the production of food gardens. This exemption will assist in sustaining Fresno’s residents with continued food self-sufficiency and reduce the number of food deserts in the community.
BACKGROUND
On April 25, 2014, Governor Brown Jr., issued an executive order to strengthen the State’s ability to manage water and habitat effectively in drought conditions, and called on all Californians to redouble their efforts to conserve water.
In response to the executive order, the City of Fresno adopted City Water Conservation Regulations on May 21, 2015, to reduce the overall consumption of water. A city campaign to conserve water was engaged. The City of Fresno saw immediate results with a range of thirty to thirty-three percent reduction in water use compared to the same months in 2014, exceeding the State of California’s twenty-eight percent water consumption goal for Fresno.
The City of Fresno sits in the middle of the Central Valley, one of the highest-producing agricultural regions in the country, where historical farmhouses, upscale subdivisions, fruit orchards and strip malls coexisting within city limits.
Yet many people here lack access to healthy food. The government recognizes the City of Fresno’s large number of low-income residents and with less disposable income they have lower access to food. For example, West Fresno has been identified by USDA as a food desert because approximately eighty-two percent of its residents have low access to affordable fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and other foods that make up the full range of a healthy diet.
Furthermore, the Food Research and Action Center ranks Fresno as the city with the worst rate of food hardship of any metropolitan area in the United States, and as often happens, hunger coincides with obesity. Thirty-six percent of adolescents, ages twelve to seventeen are overweight or obese.
National and local surveys prove that community and home gardens serve as an important strategy for populations affected by food insecurity and preventable nutrition-related diseases, such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease and encourage individuals to consume more fruits and vegetables, which can lead to much better health and wellness. Community and home gardens increase the quality and variety of healthy foods available to residents as a healthy and economical alternative to fast food.
Adoption of this Emergency Ordinance amending Section 6-520 of the Fresno Municipal Code to provide water conservation exemption for food gardens will allow community and home gardens to continue providing residents a supply of affordable fresh local food. This will not affect the City of Fresno’s ability to regulate water use on city property.
The City Attorney has reviewed the emergency ordinance and approved it as to form.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
N/A
LOCAL PREFERENCE
N/A
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no anticipated fiscal or staff impact. Exemptions will be recognized and processed under the current water conservation protocols.
Attachment: Emergency Ordinance