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CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
City of Anaheim
PUBLIC UTILITIES DEPARTMENT
DATE: SEPTEMBER 13, 2022
FROM: PUBLIC UTILITIES DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: RESPONSE TO ORANGE COUNTY 2021-2022 GRAND JURY REPORT REGARDING “ONE VOICE” ON WATER ISSUES IN
ORANGE COUNTY
ATTACHMENT (Y/N): YES ITEM # 06
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council, by Motion, approve the attached response to the Orange County 2021-2022 Grand Jury Report regarding water issues in Orange County needing “One Voice,” and authorize the Public Utilities General Manager to sign and provide the letter response to the Presiding Judge of the Orange County Court and the Orange County Grand Jury.
DISCUSSION:
The Public Utilities Board, at its meeting on August 24, 2022, recommended that the City Council authorize the Public Utilities General Manager to sign and provide the letter response to the Presiding Judge of the Orange County Court and the Orange County Grand Jury.
On June 22, 2022, the Orange County Grand Jury (Grand Jury) released a report entitled “Water in Orange County Needs ‘One Voice’” (Report). The purpose of the Report by the Grand Jury was to revisit its investigation of water management and operations in Orange County and the potential consolidation of the Orange County Water District (OCWD) and Municipal Water District of Orange County (MWDOC) to form a single wholesale water supply agency in Orange County. The Report presents the potential merits and concerns related to the formation of “One Voice” in Orange County concerning wholesale water supply, operations, and infrastructure.
In general, the Report discusses the wholesale water supply and management in Orange County, current challenges and limitations, and the potential benefits and concerns related to the formation of a single countywide agency.
A response to each of the findings and recommendations contained in the Report is due by September 20, 2022, under California Penal Code Section 933. Although the City’s response is “Requested” rather than “Required,” staff recommends that given the importance of these issues to the City of Anaheim, a response should be provided. Staff further recommends that the City Council authorize the Public Utilities General Manager Response to Orange County Grand Jury 2021-2022 Report Regarding “One Voice” on Water Issues in Orange County September 13, 2022
to sign and provide the attached letter prepared in response to the Report.
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
There is no budgetary impact.
Respectfully Submitted,
Dukku Lee
Public Utilities General Manager
Attachments:
1. Orange County Grand Jury Report
2. Recommended Response to the 2021-2022 Grand Jury Report