Water Resources Commission Minutes - 11/28/2000MINUTES OF WATER RESOURCES COMMISSION MEETING
November 28, 2000
The Water Resources Commission met on November 28, 2000 at 4:00 p.m. at the
Memorial Auditorium, in Room 106. Those in attendance were Water Resource
Members Charles Bentley, Charles Barr, and Chris Neeb. Also in attendance were
Council Liaison James Esther, Scott Taylor (standing in for Staff Representative David
Lehfeldt), Public Works Secretary Gloria Dicken, and a Times /Record News Reporter.
Water Resource Members absent were Elizabeth Martin, and Fred Stangl.
• Charles Bentley opened the meeting by stating his Agenda:
1) Surcharges — Landscape Nurseries
2) Revision of the Drought Contingency Plan
3) Use of Lake Kemp Water
4) Release of the Under 40% Water Restrictions
• Mr. Bentley asked Scott Taylor if he had an up -to -date combined lake level
percentage. Mr. Taylor told the Commission that the combined level was at 47.8%
with Lake Kickapoo's percentage at 54.9% and Lake Arrowhead's at 45.0 %. The
lakes gained a 7.5% capacity in one week.
• Starting with the No. 4 item on the Agenda, it was decided that the Mayor should
announce the release of the 40% level back to the 50% level at the next Council
Meeting.
• The No. 3 item on the Agenda was then discussed. Right now there is only 10% of
the Lake Kemp water blending with the waters from Lakes Arrowhead and
Kickapoo. It was recommended that the Lake Kemp water be discontinued, and
the rental pumps be returned. If we need to get them back, we would be able to do
so within two weeks. Scott Taylor suggested that we keep one pump and send
back the other four, but the one pump left behind would be used for the pilot
programs we have in place. There was some discussion on the use of the pumps
and it was decided to keep the one and send back the other four at this time.
• The No. 2 Agenda Item was then discussed. Mr. Bentley believes that there should
be a revision to the Drought Contingency Plan. Instead of going back time and
again to Council, he suggested that the Plan be revised and sent to Council for
approval once and for all. This way the Commission could go about their other
business. He believes a professional approach to the Council was in order and
hoped for a better relationship with the City Council.
• Last, but not least, the No. 1 topic on the Agenda was surcharges for the Landscape
Nurseries. The landscape nurseries have a serious problem with their use of water.
If they get a commercial account, they have the sewer charge also, and at a flat rate
(not winter averaging like residential) whether they use sewer or not. On the other
hand, if they get a meter for watering only (Utility Collections cannot make the
distinction of a residential or commercial account for this type of meter) they are
charged the same surcharges as the residential customers which is very costly.
They want a break of some kind, so that their water bill is not so high. Chris Neeb
commented that he believed the nurseries needed some relief, and if we can
accommodate the car wash owners then we should help out with the nurseries, too.
It was agreed that the nurseries should be exempt from the surcharges. Mr. Esther,
Council Liaison, asked that the Commission put in writing their recommendation to
exempt the landscape nurseries to all the Councilors.
WRC Meeting
November 28, 2000
Page 2
• Meeting was adjourned at approximately 5:00 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Charles Bentley, Chairm
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE
011 Roil, I