06-27-11 Regular Meeting of La Porte City Council

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REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM Agenda Date Requeste .Tune 27, 2011 Requested By: David Mick Department: Public Works Report: Resolution: Ordinance: XX Exhibits: City of La Porte Plan (markup) Exhibits: City of La Porte Plan (clean) Exhibits: proposed Ordinance Appropriation Source of Funds: N/A Account Numbe N/A Amount Budgeted /A Amount Requeste Budgeted item: N/A SUMMARY & RECOMMENDATION The City of La Porte's Water Conservation and Drought Contingency Plan is adopted by City Council ordinance. The plan was most recently Updated in 2009 by Ordinance 2009 -3136. Council is aware that the city water Usage surpassed the plan trigger for Stage 1 "Mild Conditions" drought contingency on June 15, 2011. Staff is recommending three changes to the current plan in the event that it becomes necessary to proceed with Stage 2. Revision #1: Add a provision to the Stage 2 "Moderate Conditions" plan providing for a surcharge in the User's water bill of 50% with a violation of the mandatory water use restrictions outlined in the plan. There are already provisions in the Stage 3 "Severe Conditions" component of the plan for a surcharge of 100% - 200% for excessive water Lase. The current plan does not include a penalty associated with Stage 2. Note that a typical residential water bill is approximately $70 /month. Revision #2: The current plan includes a lawn watering schedule for the Stage 2 condition of every other day during restricted hours with the odd - numbered addresses watering on even - numbered dates, even - numbered addresses watering on odd - numbered dates. Staff would like to revise this to an odd /odd, even /even lawn watering schedule. Revision #3: Update the public notification process outlined in the Information/Education component of the plan to reflect the media outlets now available to the City. Other considerations: This is a change to the City of La Porte plan. Staff will advise the La Porte Area Water Authority (LPAWA) of the revisions to the city plan and route any future revisions the Water Authority plan through their board before bringing that plan back to City Council. As of June 16, the total Water Authority Usage remains well below the Stage 1 plan trigger because the LPAWA Plan considers surface water consumption only. This differs from the City plan which considers both surface and ground water consumption. Staff has been advised by the City Attorney's Office that any city employee can likely qualify as a witness to confirm a violation of the mandatory components of the plan as long as they document each episode in writing.