Public Works Agency
www.santa-ana.org/public-works
Item # 7
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Staff Report
November 21, 2023
TOPIC: Grand Jury Report: Historic Rain, Yet Drought Remains
AGENDA TITLE
City's Response to Orange County Grand Jury Report: Historic Rain, Yet Drought Remains
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Approve the City of Santa Ana's response to the findings and recommendations of the 2022-2023 Orange County Grand Jury Report, Historic Rains, Yet Drought Remains, pursuant to Penal Code Sections 933 and 933.05.
GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLIES: No
DISCUSSION
On June 9, 2023, the Orange County Grand Jury released a report entitled “Historic Rain, Yet Drought Remains”. The report presents information about the current state of water planning, existing projects to increase the supply of non-potable water for irrigation, and storage issues. Of note, the report makes recommendations for a reliable source of potable water through desalination of ocean water.
In their report, the OC Grand Jury concludes that existing water agencies in Orange County are not adequately structured or managed to implement strategies necessary to create a new source of potable water, specifically through desalination. Further, the OC Grand Jury suggests that a merger of two or more public agencies could assist the county with securing desalinated water, but notes that it might be challenging for such an agency to do so because the agencies would already be performing the functions for which they were created and it might be difficult to assimilate new functions. To that end, the Orange County Grand Jury concludes that the creation of a new agency, a Climate Resiliency District, should be established to develop and manage countywide water resources, while taking into consideration the ongoing statewide drought conditions.
Grand Jury Report: Historic Rain, Yet Drought Remains
November 21, 2023
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In accordance with California Penal Code Sections 933 and 933.05, the Orange County Grand Jury mandates that the City must respond to the conclusions and recommendations outlined in their report. An overview of the Orange County Grand Jury’s findings, recommendations, and the City’s corresponding responses are attached to this report. (Exhibit 2). Once authorized by the City Council, the responses documented in Exhibit 2 will be submitted to the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this action.
EXHIBIT(S)
1. Orange County Grand Jury Report: “Historic Rain, Yet Drought Remains”
2. City of Santa Ana's Response to Orange County Grand Jury Report: Historic Rain, Yet Drought Remains
Submitted By: Nabil Saba, P.E. – Executive Director of Public Works Approved By: Steven A. Mendoza, Acting City Manager