HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 2021-103 N.C.S. 6/21/2021 Resolution No. 2021-103 N.C.S. Page 1
Resolution No. 2021-103 N.C.S.
of the City of Petaluma, California
RESOLUTION REPEALING RESOLUTIONS NO. 2016-104 N.C.S. AND NO. 2021-063 N.C.S. AND
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO IMPLEMENT THE CITY’S 2020 WATER SHORTAGE
CONTINGENCY PLAN, STAGE 3 WITHIN THE AREA SERVED BY THE CITY OF PETALUMA
PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM
WHEREAS, the City of Petaluma is empowered to provide water service within certain boundaries; and
WHEREAS, the Sonoma County Water Agency (Sonoma Water) is a wholesaler of water to the City; and
WHEREAS, the City’s primary source of water supply is from Sonoma Water, which delivers imported water
from the Russian River and from groundwater wells in the Santa Rosa Plain to the City of Petaluma; and
WHEREAS, Lake Mendocino and Lake Sonoma, Sonoma Water’s water storage reservoirs, are at
unprecedented low levels due to two consecutive critically dry years; and
WHEREAS, the historical dry conditions have resulted in severely low storage levels in Lake Mendocino
(44% of capacity) requiring a Temporary Urgency Change Order to be issued by the State Water Resources
Control Board enabling lower in stream releases to the Russian River and preserving lake storage; and
WHEREAS, storage level in Lake Sonoma (55.0 % of capacity as of June 14, 2021) is significantly below
average and it will be necessary for Sonoma Water to file a Temporary Urgency Change Petition to address Lake
Sonoma storage conditions; and
WHEREAS, the Restructured Agreement for Water Supply, executed on June 23, 2006, by and between
Sonoma Water, the Cities of Cotati, Petaluma, Rohnert Park, Santa Rosa, Sonoma and Forestville, the North
Marin and Valley of the Moon Water Districts and the Town of Windsor, collectively known as the Water
Contractors, creates the Water Advisory Committee (WAC) and Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), and
WHEREAS, on May 3rd the WAC requested all water users increase water use efficiency by fixing leaks and
eliminating water waste to help protect and preserve reliable drinking water supplies stored in Lake Mendocino
and Lake Sonoma; and urge water customers to reduce water use by 20%; and
WHEREAS, on March 22, 2021, the State Water Resources Control Board reported that 95% of California
is experiencing Moderate to Exceptional Drought and called upon all water users to prepare for drought impacts;
and
WHEREAS, on April 21, 2021, Governor Newsom declared a drought emergency; and
WHEREAS, on April 27, 2021, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors adopted Resolution Proclaiming
a Local Emergency to Drought Conditions in the Sonoma County Operational Area and Requesting the Governor
to Seek a Presidential Declaration; and
WHEREAS, Sonoma Water will require water contractors including the City of Petaluma to reduce demands
by 20% for the months of July through the middle of December 2021 compared to similar months in 2020; and
DocuSign Envelope ID: 6DCFEAC2-FD58-4899-9F45-7A7FDDCD8D92
Resolution No. 2021-103 N.C.S. Page 2
WHEREAS, the City has the authority and responsibility to adopt water demand reduction measures within
its area of service; and
WHEREAS, on May 3, 2021, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2021-063 N.C.S. Implementing Stage
1 of the City’s 2015 Water Shortage Contingency Plan; and
WHEREAS, the City Council declared a drought emergency within the area served by the City of Petaluma
Public Water System in 2015 and 2016; and
WHEREAS, on June 20, 2016, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2016-104 N.C.S. establishing a
voluntary goal of 10 percent reduction of City water demand, marking the end of the 2016 water shortage
emergency; and
WHEREAS, Public Works and Utilities staff is recommending the implementation of Stage 3 of the City’s
Water Shortage Contingency Plan to help conserve our regional water supply and ensure water supply reliability
for the City of Petaluma; and
WHEREAS, this action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because it is not
a project which has a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably
foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment, pursuant to CEQA Guideline section 15378 as Stage 1
is entirely voluntarily; Additionally, this action is exempt pursuant to CEQA Guideline sections 15307 and 15308
as the reduction of water is an action for the protection of the environment and natural resources; Moreover, this
action is exempt pursuant to the “Emergency Exception” CEQA Guideline section 15269(c) as this action is
necessary to mitigate an emergency.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Petaluma hereby:
1. Declares the above recitals are true and correct and hereby declared to be finding of the City Council of the
City of Petaluma.
2. Finds that this action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because it is not a
project which has a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably
foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment, pursuant to CEQA Guideline section 15378 as Stage
1 is entirely voluntarily. Additionally, this action is exempt pursuant to CEQA Guideline sections 15307 and
15308 as the reduction of water is an action for the protection of the environment and natural resources.
Moreover, this action is exempt pursuant to the “Emergency Exception” CEQA Guideline section 15269(c)
as this action is necessary to mitigate an emergency.
3. Repeals and replaces Resolutions No. 2016-104 N.C.S. and No. 2021-063 N.C.S. with this Resolution.
4. Directs the City Manager to implement a program of demand management as defined in the City of Petaluma
Water Shortage Contingency Plan (2020) Stage 3 to realize a mandatory Citywide, water use reduction of 25
percent, based upon average use from 2018-2020.
5. Orders that this resolution shall become effective immediately.
6. Orders that under the water shortage conditions existing in Stage 3, Stage 3 of the City’s Water Shortage
Contingency Plan shall be implemented with the following modifications:
a. Water served in restaurants on request only. (Stage 2, currently in effect)
b. No application of potable water for washing down pavement, except for health and safety, including
sanitation. (Stage 1, currently in effect)
DocuSign Envelope ID: 6DCFEAC2-FD58-4899-9F45-7A7FDDCD8D92
Resolution No. 2021-103 N.C.S. Page 3
c. Irrigation of landscaping with potable water shall be prohibited except overnight on Tuesday from 7:00
p.m. to Wednesday at 8:00 a.m., Thursday from 7:00 p.m. to Friday at 8:00 a.m., and Saturday from 7:00
p.m. to Sunday at 8:00 a.m. for all customers except for the City of Petaluma and City Schools. City of
Petaluma and City Schools irrigation of landscape with potable water shall be prohibited except overnight
on Monday from 7:00 p.m. to Tuesday at 8:00 a.m., Wednesday from 7:00 p.m. to Thursday at 8:00 a.m.,
and Friday from 7:00 p.m. to Saturday at 8:00 a.m. (Stage 2 Modified).
d. Vehicle washing at commercial facilities only. (Stage 2)
e. Operators of hotels and motels to provide guest with option of choosing to have towels and linens
laundered daily. (Stage 2)
f. Recycled water must be used for dust control when available. (Stage 2)
g. No new water hauler accounts permitted to purchase potable water, or as determined by City Manager.
(Stage 2)
h. Operating ornamental water fountains and water features prohibited. (Stage 3)
i. Frequency and type of landscape irrigation with potable water at parks, golf courses, landscape assessment
districts, schools, medians, and frontages to be determined by City Manager. Landscape irrigation
frequency defined in item (c) above and may be modified by City Manager as determined.
j. Filling new swimming pools and spas prohibited. (Stage 3)
k. Number of recycled water haulers permitted to use recycled water for purposes other than construction to
be determined by City Manager. (Stage 3)
l. Potable water meters for construction limited to use for compaction of roadways, building pads, and
trenches, and for water line hydrostatic testing and chlorination. Water meters for construction will be
evaluated on case-by-case basis. (Stages 2 and 3)
m. Current potable water hauler accounts will not be allowed to haul more than current allocation, and load
accounts will be monitored for monthly usage. No new potable water hauler customers will be permitted,
or as determined by City Manager. (Stage 3)
Under the power and authority conferred upon this Council by the Charter of said City.
REFERENCE: I hereby certify the foregoing Resolution was introduced and adopted by the
Council of the City of Petaluma at a Regular meeting on the 21st day of June
2021, by the following vote:
Approved as to
form:
__________________________
City Attorney
AYES: Mayor Barrett; Vice Mayor Barnacle; Fischer; Healy; King; McDonnell; Pocekay
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
ATTEST: ______________________________________________
City Clerk
______________________________________________
Mayor
DocuSign Envelope ID: 6DCFEAC2-FD58-4899-9F45-7A7FDDCD8D92