Water Resources Commission Minutes - 03/28/2000MINUTES OF WATER RESOURCES COMMISSION MEETING
MARCH 28, 2000
The Water Resources Commission met in special session on March 28, 2000 at 4:00
p.m. at the Memorial Auditorium, Room 500. Water Resource Members present were
Chris Neeb, Elizabeth Martin, and Charles Bentley. Water Resource Member not
present was Fred Stangl. Others present were Council Liaison James Esther, Staff
Representative David Lehfeldt, Director of Administrative Services Jan Stricklin, and
Public Works Secretary Gloria Dicken. Representatives from the pool industry in
attendance were: Donna Buckingham from Outback Pools & Spas; Ricky Meadows
and Phil Kerr from Clear Blue Pools & Spas. Representatives from the landscaping
industry were: Paul Dowlearn from Wichita Valley Nursery; and Catto Jackson from
Shade Tree Nursery.
This meeting was conducted by David Lehfeldt.
• David Lehfeldt made introductions to the representatives of the pool and
landscaping industry.
• David Lehfeldt handed out the working, proposed Ordinance (made up from other
cities ordinances) to the WRC members to study.
• David Lehfeldt then turned the attention to the Pool Representatives for their input
and suggestions to help out with the City's water restrictions. There was much
discussion from these representatives relating to the City's swimming pools. Many
ideas, thoughts, and good information were related as follows:
■ Vinyl Liner Pools — cannot let set empty — they will ruin if not kept full
■ Gunnite Pools — staining problems if water is allowed to go down on its own.
However, if it empties all at once, there's the possibility that it will float out of
the ground, busting out plumbing, decks, etc.
■ Evaporation is a big problem
■ There is a cost and a safety concern if using pool covers, solar blankets, etc.
■ Chemical liner is a good and inexpensive choice for pool owners, EPA
approved, non - toxic, very safe, and stops 90% evaporation of pools.
However, there is a danger in storing the chemical cover.
• David Lehfeldt asked numerous questions and encouraged the Commission to ask
questions. Mr. Esther asked questions, and Ms. Martin had personal input of her
own regarding the pool covers.
• There are approximately 3,000 pools in Wichita Falls as reported by pool
professionals.
• David Lehfeldt then asked the Nursery's Representatives for their input. Again,
there was much discussion from these representatives relating to the what could be
done to help with outside watering. Some of the suggestions were as follows:
■ Change times of watering to 2 -3 days per week, but limit time of watering.
■ Educating the public.
■ Odd /even watering days actually increase consumption.
■ Soaker hoses and drip hoses — so much better
■ Do not want irrigation repairs by professional installers to be fined.
Minutes of WRC Meeting
March 28, 2000
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CITY CLERK'S OFFICE
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• Many more businesses affected by this water rationing than most citizens of the
Wichita Falls area realize.
• David Lehfeldt thanked everyone for their input and recommendations.
• David Lehfeldt went over the proposed new Ordinance and wanted the WRC to
make recommendations from what is already there and to make their own
recommendations.
• There will be a Public Hearing at the next City Council Meeting and the WRC will
need to address Council.
• Next Meeting for WRC will be Monday, April 3, 2000 at 4:00 p.m. in the Council
Conference Room.
• Meeting was adjourned at 5:00 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
harles Bentley, Chairman