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Council places water ordinance on calendar after staff clarifies it doesn’t change retail rates
Summary
Council moved to place on the calendar an ordinance authorizing limited potable deliveries to agricultural users and giving the general manager discretion to negotiate wholesale water rates; staff said the measure does not change retail rates and council approved the item with a recorded 4‑0 vote (Bowman absent).
A council motion to place a water ordinance on the calendar passed after staff explained the measure would not increase retail water rates. A resident, Chris Robles, warned the ordinance would “make it that much easier for this city council to raise your water rates.” City staff (Speaker 5) responded that the ordinance addresses two narrow items: occasional delivery of potable water to agricultural users where it makes economic sense with partners, and giving the general manager flexibility to negotiate wholesale rates instead of a fixed double‑rate rule.
City Manager/Staff clarified: “Right now we’re required to deliver recycled water. But because of the obligations to the Santa Ana River and other issues that we have with IEUA, occasionally it may make more sense economically to deliver potable” water to ag users, the staff presentation said. Staff also said the ordinance would not affect retail rates charged to customers.
Council action: Councilmember (Speaker 19) moved to put the ordinance on the calendar; the motion was seconded and passed with a vote recorded as four in favor (Bowman excused). The transcript records the motion to place the ordinance on the calendar and the 4‑0 passage; staff noted the change is a policy‑level tool intended to support regional partnerships and operational flexibility.
Key numbers: Staff also distributed updated assessment materials to council members reflecting revised collections and settlements totaling $172,180.07 related to 67 parcels; $27,645.14 for 24 parcels had been collected, postponed or settled since the agenda was prepared.
Why it matters: The ordinance would give staff administrative flexibility on wholesale arrangements and occasional water‑delivery decisions for agricultural users; staff emphasized it is not a retail‑rate increase. Residents expressed concern; the record shows staff rebutted the claim that the ordinance raises customer rates.
Next step: The ordinance was placed on the council calendar for formal consideration at a subsequent meeting.
