Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Water Supply topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council receives water-supply update amid debate over Bell Canyon use and safe-yield estimate
Summary
Staff presented the annual water-supply disposition report; public commenters and council members pressed staff on a new safe-yield estimate and the strategy to conserve Bell Canyon water for fire flow. Council voted to receive the report for information.
City staff presented the Fiscal Year 2024-25 water-supply update required by the municipal code, outlining storage, projected demand and a preliminary update to the city—s safe-yield analysis.
Assistant City Manager Joe Leach (presenting the item) described storage levels and the role of Bell Canyon for fire flow. Public commenter Mister Bell raised concerns about a new safe-yield figure — citing a West Yost analysis that, "after 15% water loss," recommended a new safe-yield estimate of about 1,360 acre-feet — and asked how a lower safe yield would affect declarations of phase 1 and phase 2 water emergencies and potential rate penalties.
Leach said the report tracks rainfall, Bell Canyon and Stonebridge wells usage and that the exhibit in the staff PDF shows current Bell Canyon storage (about 1,700+ acre-feet). He explained Bell Canyon is being conserved in part to maintain fire-flow reserves and that the safe-yield report has not yet been adopted as policy; staff will present the adopted policy proposal at an upcoming council meeting.
Council asked for more detailed follow-up materials. After public comment and discussion, a motion to receive the water-supply update was made and approved by voice vote.
Ending: Staff agreed to provide additional detail to address questions about safe-yield methodology and the operational triggers for phase 1/phase 2 emergency declarations, and to return with clarifying exhibits and policy proposals as needed.
