HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 4.B 04/06/2015(iD
DATE: April 6, 2015
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: John C. Brown, City Manager
SUBJECT: Discussion and Possible Direction for a Temporary Moratorium on Construction
Due to the Drought Conditions
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council consider the addition of this item to the agenda; and if
added, provide direction to staff.
BACKGROUND
Pursuant to Rule II (A)(3) of the Council's Rules, Policies and Procedures, after the draft agenda
has been approved by the City Council, and before the posting of said agenda for the City
Council meeting in which the items will be addressed, additional items shall be placed on said
agenda when the City manager receives a request by two Councilmembers, either verbally or in
writing, that an item be added to the agenda. An item added in this manner will be addressed by
the Council if a majority of the Councilmembers present at the meeting votes to address the item.
DISCUSSION
The attached request was received from Mayor Glass and Councilmember Barrett asking that
this item be agendized for Council consideration.
ATTACHMENTS
Email request
Subject: FW: drought...a request for discussion with possible action for a temporary moratorium
on construction due to the drought conditions we are continuing to experience
From: Brown, John
Sent: Friday, March 20, 2015 9:26 AM
To: Teresa Barrett'
Cc: Dave Glass
Subject: RE: drought ... a request for discussion with possible action for a temporary moratorium on construction due to
the drought conditions we are continuing to experience
I'll add the item as a request from council members to add an item, on the April 6`h city council agenda.
JB
From: Teresa Barrett jmailto:teresa4petalumaCabcomcast.netl
Sent: Friday, March 20, 2015 8:07 AM
To: Dave Glass
Cc: Brown, John
Subject: Re: drought ... a request for discussion with possible action for a temporary moratorium on construction due to
the drought conditions we are continuing to experience
As the council member who asked for this, I clearly support this direction.
I would also like to add thatjust as the federal government is taking the leadership on slashing its energy use throughout
the entire operation of governance, I believe we should look at installing rain catchment systems on our public
buildings—you would be amazed at how much they collect even when it "isn't raining." Also, there should be some
recycling system put in place for the fire (and police? I assume they wash their cars) department for their vehicle
washing.
Teresa Barrett
Petaluma City Council
Voice: 707.953.0846
E-mail: teresa4petaluma(cDcomcast.net
On Mar 20, 2015, at 4:39 AM, Dave Glass <daveglass(@comcast.net> wrote:
The season in which we can logically expect rain is coming to a conclusion. There are a lot of folks in the community that
are concerned about continued building as the effects of the drought become more severe.
I think it is at the point where the city council should have a discussion and possible action on a temporary building
moratorium. Without such action it is going to be very difficult to ask and achieve the mandatory reductions of water
consumption the state is going to be demanding. As I understand it, the capability of a moratorium is a two year period
through the course of multiple steps which would need to take place.
That duration or less, would give us time to improve water storing capacity, enhance conservation programs, and
logically request existing residences and businesses to cut their consumption. I would like to see this item added to our
agenda for the first meeting in April.
This is an item that has been alluded to from time to time in council discussions. Precipitation levels have been
substandard once again this year, and I think it is extremely important that we demonstrate to the community we have
indeed done everything we can do to save water as we will no doubt be demanding from the public they do the same.
Thank you.
David Glass