City of Gonzales
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
STAFF REPORT
TO: Honorable Mayor Rios and City Council
DATE: October 2, 2023
FROM: Taven Kinison Brown, Community Development Director THROUGH: Carmen Gil, City Manager
SUBJECT: Resolution No. 2023-63 Water Supply Assessment for the Vista Lucia Specific Plan
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council Adopt Resolution No. 2023-63, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Approving the Water Supply Assessment for the Vista Lucia Specific Plan, per the requirements of SB610.
BACKGROUND
On February 21, 2023, the City Council received a thorough presentation of the Water Supply Assessment for the Vista Lucia Specific Plan Area. The City Council acknowledged that that the Water Supply Assessment will be used to inform environmental review for the Vista Lucia Specific Plan Project and may be used as an informational foundation for other development projects under review, including the Rianda Family Cooler Project, the Puente Del Monte Specific Plan, the development of the D’Arrigo 138 acres within City Limits east of Hwy 101, and future buildout of the Gonzales Agricultural Industrial Park. Council was not asked to adopt the report. Recently though, it has been brought to staff’s attention that particular language of SB610 states:
Water Code section 10910 (g) (1) Subject to paragraph (2), the governing body of each public water system shall submit the assessment to the city or county not later than 90 days from the date on which the request was received. The governing body of each public water system, or the city or county if either is required to comply with this act pursuant to subdivision (b), shall approve the assessment prepared pursuant to this section at a regular or special meeting.
AGENDA
ITEM
9 REVIEW AND ANALYSIS
Staff considers this a housekeeping exercise, in that the previous thorough staff and consultant review, and February 21, 2023 review with the City Council, performed all the review and analysis and confirmations necessary by Council, just shy of a resolution to adopt the Water Supply Assessment. The City Council had not been asked to take such an action at that time.
For your information staff has attached the February 21, 2023 staff report, the February 21, 2023, PowerPoint presentation, and the 78-page Water Supply Assessment prepared by Zanjero Consultants and vetted by city-directed independent consultants, Schaaf and Wheeler. Staff has prepared and attached a City Council resolution to memorialize the necessary adoption of this report.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW (CEQA)
The adoption of the Water Supply Assessment report is administrative in nature, does not approve of any specific physical development, and does not have the potential to result in individually or cumulatively significant effects on the environment. Information from the WSA will be included within subsequent environmental review documents, and therefore, as needed, will be placed into the context of specific developments whose total effects on the environment will be analyzed comprehensively. Therefore, the proposed adoption of the WSA is exempt from environmental analysis per California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3).
How the Recommendation Supports the Vision
Gonzales will continue to be a safe, clean, family-friendly community, diverse in its heritage, and committed to working collaboratively to preserve and retain its small-town charm.
Explanation: The City has planned to grow into the Sphere of Influence areas east of the City of Gonzales as negotiated with the County of Monterey in 2014 through a Memorandum of Agreement.
The City will guide development to be consistent with its General Plan and its Vision and will assure that infrastructure and utility systems, such as the provision of municipal water and delivery systems will be in place to serve the new development in a cost effective, revenue neutral manner. Review and acceptance of the reporting included in this Vista Lucia Specific Plan Water Supply Assessment report acknowledges that sufficient ground water is present in the underlying aquifers, and that the conversion of these particular agricultural lands will use less water than historical or present agricultural practices.
Explain how the Recommendation Directly Implements the Mission The City Council and Staff of the City of Gonzales will realize our Vision by providing the leadership, commitment, and resources necessary to provide excellent services that enhance the quality of life of our diverse community. X Yes ____ No____ N/A
Explanation: As above, the City will guide development to be consistent with its General Plan and its Vision and will assure that infrastructure and utility systems, such as the provision of municipal water and delivery systems will be in place to serve the new development in a cost effective, revenue neutral manner.
City services will be delivered in a cost-effective, respectful and friendly manner to ensure the safety and well-being of the residents and the promotion of business, recreational, housing and employment opportunities in an environmentally sustainable manner. X Yes ____No ____ N/A Explanation: As above, the City will guide development to be consistent with its General Plan and its Vision and will assure that infrastructure and utility systems, such as the provision of municipal water and delivery systems will be in place to serve the new development in a cost effective, revenue neutral manner. Additionally, financing systems and cost recovery through property assessments or district levies (or other mechanisms) for services to be provided into the new neighborhoods, including water service in the eventual Vista Lucia Specific Plan area, will assure that no greater financial burden will fall on existing city residents through approval of new developments and residential neighborhoods as contemplated and forecast in the VLSP Water Supply Assessment.
Strong fiscal policies allow us to provide appropriate infrastructure for:
• Public Safety Yes No X N/A
• Housing Yes No X N/A
• Recreation Yes No X N/A
• Environment Yes No X N/A
• Education Yes No X N/A
ALTERNATIVES
• Adopt the Resolution, or
• Request additional information or direct refinement to the Water Supply Assessment, which would continue the matter to a date certain or uncertain.
BUDGET IMPACT
None. The preparation of the SB 610 Water Supply Assessment February 2023 Administrative Draft for the Vista Lucia Specific Plan Project has been paid for by the project proponents Pembrook. City of Gonzales staff time and city consultant and peer reviews have been paid for through Reimbursement Agreements with the Pembrook group. Invoices are billed against the developer’s deposit so that no impact to city budget results.
CONCLUSION
It is recommended that the City Council Adopt Resolution No. 2023-63, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Approving the Water Supply Assessment for the Vista Lucia Specific Plan, per the requirements of SB610.
Attachments:
1. Resolution No. 2023-63
2. The February 21, 2023 City Council Staff Report
3. The February 21, 2023 Power Point presentation
4. Vista Lucia SB 610 Water Supply Assessment