Reso. No. RES-2021-125
RESOLUTION NO. RES-2021-125
RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ROSA DECLARING A DROUGHT EMERGENCY, ADOPTING STAGE 3 OF THE CITY’S WATER SHORTAGE
CONTINGENCY PLAN DIRECTING STAFF TO IMPLEMENT THE WATER CONSERVATION PROGRAM AS DEFINED BY STAGE 3 REQUIRING CUSTOMERS TO REDUCE COMMUNITY-WIDE WATER USE BY 20% AND AUTHORIZING USE OF
WATER ENTERPRISE FUND FINANCIAL RESERVES
WHEREAS, the region is facing the second consecutive year of significantly below average rainfall totals, and, as of today, rainfall is below the single driest water year on record that occurred during the 1976-77 drought; and
WHEREAS, Santa Rosa Water purchases approximately 94% of our water supply from Sonoma Water, the region’s wholesale water supplier; and WHEREAS, the majority of Sonoma Water’s water supply comes from the Russian River; and
WHEREAS, the Governor of the State of California declared a local drought emergency in Sonoma and Mendocino Counties on April 21, 2021; and WHEREAS, the County of Sonoma declared a local drought emergency on April 27, 2021; and
WHEREAS, on May 3, 2021, the Water Advisory Committee to Sonoma Water adopted a resolution requesting all water users to increase water use efficiency by fixing leaks and eliminating water waste and to voluntarily reduce water use by 20% to help protect and preserve drinking water supplies in Lake Mendocino and Lake Sonoma; and WHEREAS, on May 18, 2021, the Council of the City of Santa Rosa adopted Resolution No. RES-2021-098 requesting that all potable water customers of Santa Rosa Water use water efficiently, eliminate water waste, and reduce all non-essential uses of water to achieve a community-wide 20% reduction in water use through voluntary conservation; and WHEREAS, Sonoma Water filed a Temporary Urgency Change Petition with the State Water Resources Control Board on May 14, 2021, requesting a reduction of releases from Lake Mendocino and Lake Sonoma to preserve critical water supply storage; and WHEREAS, on June 14, 2021, the State Water Resources Control Board issued a Temporary Urgency Change Order approving reduced releases from Lake Mendocino and Lake Sonoma and instructing Sonoma Water to reduce their diversions from the Russian River by 20% compared to 2020 beginning July 1st; and
Attachment 2
Reso. No. RES-2021-125
WHEREAS, Santa Rosa Water has the authority to implement water conservation measures included in the City’s Water Shortage Contingency Plan within its area of service during a water shortage; and
WHEREAS, reduction in water sales will result in a reduction in revenue to the Water Enterprise Fund and the City’s Water Shortage Contingency Plan identifies implementation of a Water Shortage Rate Structure and utilization of the Water Enterprise Fund’s Catastrophic Reserve as available approaches to protect the financial stability of the water system; and
WHEREAS, the Water Enterprise Fund currently has sufficient fund balance to absorb the reduction in revenue and therefore implementation of the Water Shortage Charge is not needed at this time; and
WHEREAS, Santa Rosa Water has the authority to employ the Water Enterprise Fund’s Catastrophic Reserve during implementation of the City’s Water Shortage Contingency Plan Pursuant to Policy 000-57 Santa Rosa Water Reserve Policy; and
WHEREAS, Santa Rosa Water is facing a shortage emergency due to reduced deliveries and the implementation of water shortage allocations by Sonoma Water according to Section 3.5 of the Restructured Agreement for Water Supply between Sonoma Water, Santa Rosa Water and the other water contractors; and
WHEREAS, in order to address the deficit created by this shortage of deliveries from Sonoma Water, Santa Rosa Water is recommending the implementation of Stage 3 of the City’s Water Shortage Contingency Plan, consistent with a 20% reduction in water use community- wide; and
WHEREAS, Santa Rosa Water is prepared to institute the prohibitions and restrictions in Stage 3 of the City’s Water Shortage Contingency Plan, and Water Use Efficiency staff are equipped to assist customers meet the community-wide targets in their homes and businesses.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Santa Rosa hereby declares a drought emergency due to the reduced deliveries of water from Sonoma Water to its contractors beginning July 1, 2021.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council adopts Stage 3 of the City’s Water Shortage Contingency Plan and directs staff to implement the water conservation program as defined by Stage 3 to realize community-wide water use reduction of 20%.
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Reso. No. RES-2021-125
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council authorizes Santa Rosa Water to utilize the Water Enterprise Fund Catastrophic Reserve, if necessary.
IN COUNCIL DULY PASSED this 29th day of June, 2021.
AYES: (5) Mayor C. Rogers, Vice Mayor N. Rogers, Council Members Alvarez, Sawyer, Schwedhelm
NOES: (0)
ABSENT: (2) Council Members Fleming, Tibbetts
ABSTAIN: (0)
ATTEST: _________________________ APPROVED: ______________________________ City Clerk Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM: ________________________
City Attorney