2015-04-02 Development & Transportation

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Nabil Saba provided an update on the water drought and conservation which included the Governor's Executive Order to achieve statewide 25% reduction, the emergency regulations, water supply conditions and Santa Ana's conservation efforts. Discussed the reduced usage of residential customer use by 14-16% in December & January, the 25% reduction mandated by the State, the prohibition of irrigation of potable water on ornamental turf on public streets, noted the city has a two-tier water rate structure with penalties for exceeding the target reduction, and reviewed the emergency regulations timeline. Noted the need to add to the ordinance to prohibit irrigation during and 48 hours after measurable rainfall, discussed the fines for non-compliance, the water supply allocation with the Orange County Water District (OCWD) and Metropolitan Water District (MWD), noted the population trend low per capita water use and various water conservation efforts which includes new ways to report water wasting and joined other water agencies on outreach and rebate programs. Staff recommends that the city remain at Water Shortage Level 1 which was declared earlier last year with penalties, coordinate with regional water entities on implementation of the Executive Order and continue with outreach and update the Water Conservation Ordinance. Committee member Benavides /eft the meeting at 6:39 p.m. and did not return. Chairman Sarmiento noted we as city should be grateful to residents that we conserve at a much higher rate than our counterparts, we have own ground water wells and imported water we rely on, and the OCWD recycling system GWRS (Groundwater Replenishment System) we benefit from and noted the discussion on a desalination plant in Huntington Beach. Mr. Saba noted staff will be evaluating medians with assistance from MWD on converting medians to low drought tolerant landscaping. Vice Chair Martinez noted the need to include a water element into the general plan which will be vital as we move forward. Noted concern of irrigation use by the SAUSD and Santa Ana College and suggest to partner with them on steps to help reduce water consumption and use recycled water for irrigation; and noted the need to do more outreach on the Channel 3 in all three languages. Chairman Sarmiento noted the opportunity for education on recycling and conserving water with the SA Zoo trying to partner with OCWD, Discovery Science Center and Friends of the Santa Ana Zoo to rehabilitate Amazon's Edge. 8. DISCUSSION ON THE PROPOSED CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM/ TRANSPORTATION COMPONENT {Strategic Plan Nos. 3,2C; 3,4A; 5, 66; 6, 1B; 6, 1 C} William Galvez provided an update on the Transportation Component of the Capital Improvement Program focusing on the street and traffic improvements. Reviewed the $16.7 million budgeted in street improvements which include planning, streetscape improvements; curb, gutter & sidewalk improvements; alley Development & Transp. Council Committee Minutes 5 April 2, 2015