CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE: June 17, 2015
PREPARED BY: Anthony Eulo, Program Administrator/Community Services
APPROVED BY: City Manager
Title
SANTA CLARA VALLEY WATER DISTRICT WATER CONSERVATION MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
END
RECOMMENDATION(S)
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute the Memorandum of Understanding with the Santa Clara Valley Water District.
BODY
COUNCIL PRIORITIES, GOALS & STRATEGIES:
Ongoing Priorities
Protecting the environment
Maintaining fiscal responsibility
2015 Focus Areas
Participate in Regional Issues
Impacts of Drought Conditions
REPORT NARRATIVE:
The City and Water District have a long history of collaboration on water conservation programs. Central to this cooperation is the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that both entities approve annually. The current MOU expires on June 30th. The attached MOU, recommended for approval, addresses the following two programs:
· Landscape Rebates
· WaterSmart Reports
Under the MOU, the Water District will continue to solely administer the landscape rebate program and the City will provide $1 per square foot of landscape retrofitted. The City's contribution is added to the District's current rebate of $2 per square foot. Conversely, the City will solely administer the WaterSmart reporting program and the District will provide 50% of the program's costs.
The attached resolution approves the MOU and authorizes the City Manager to execute the MOU.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Inform
Morgan Hill residents are informed about the availability of rebates from the District and receive WaterSmart reports either mailed or e-mailed to their homes.
ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS:
The Council could choose to not approve or amend the MOU or could delay action. Not approving the MOU would have the effect of reducing the rebates received by Morgan Hill residents and would eliminate the District's 50% contribution to the WaterSmart program. Delaying action on the MOU would interrupt the provision of rebates to Morgan Hill customers and the conversion of their landscapes.
PRIOR CITY COUNCIL AND COMMISSION ACTIONS:
The City Council has approved similar MOU's several times in the past decade. The last action the Council took was to approve an amendment to the past MOU on January 21, 2015.
FISCAL AND RESOURCE IMPACT:
Funding for the City's expenses has been included in the 2015-16 recommended budget for the Water Fund (Fund 650) in the amount of $80,000.
CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act):
Categorical Exemption
This project and its related effects are categorically exempt from environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to California Code of Regulations, Title 21, Section 15307 (actions by regulatory agencies for protection of natural resources.)
LINKS/ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution
MOU