HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 11/28/2001November 28, 2001 Vol. 37, Page 37
1 City of Petaluma, California
2 Minutes; of a Special
3 City Councif Illleeting
4 Wednesday, November 28, 2001
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8 ~ ROLL CALL 7::0.0 PM
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11 PRESENT:: O'Brien, Healy, Torliatt, Cader-Thompson, Thompson,
12 Maguire, Moynihan
13 ABSENT: None
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16 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
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18. At the request of Mayor Thompson, Vasco Brazil led the Pledge of Allegiance.
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20 MOMEfVT OF SILENCE ,
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22 At the request. of Mayor Thompson, a moment of silence was observed.
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24 PIJBL[C COMMENT
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26 Director of Water. Resources,and~ Conservation Tom Hargis, representing the City of
27 Petaluma in San Francisco today' and accepted one of thirty-one awards from the
28 United. States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The City received the award
29 in recognition of its Industrial Water Efficiency Program. Through this program, the
30 City has taken an innovative approach. to help local. businesses use less water and
31 energy, thereby reducing costs as well as discharge. of polluting byproducts. The
32 City was also. given a certificate of appreciation from- Senator Barbara Boxer. Mr.
33 Hargis thanked Ned Orretf of Pacific Technologies, wflo had not yet arrived, for his
34 major contributions to the program.
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36 Mayor Thompson thanked Mr. Hargis for accepting the award on behalf of the City
37 -and said he'was one of fhe finest representatives' for the City he has known.
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39 COUNCIL COMMENT
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41 Mayor Thompson:
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43 ® Announced'thaf he would dedicate the meeting to Dick Lieb, who died last
44 weekend at his ,home in Petaluma. Mr. Lieb was .one of the. area's most
45 active architects, a community leader, and "an all around, good-hearted
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Vol. 37, Page 38
No~emb.er 28, 2001
C.O'UNCIL C-OMMENT, continued
soul.:" Services will be; held Saturday, December 1, at 11:00 a.m. at.the Parent-
Sorenson IVlgrtuary, 850 Keokuk Street:
Councilmember Maguire:
• Noted that many. ,past. Councilmembers have. been proud ofi Petalu.ma's
affordabae housing program. Mr. Lieb was of significant :assistance in the.
City's efforts to build the affordable housing program:
Councilmember Torliatt:.
• Attended,. along with Vice Mayor Caller=Thompson,. a tribute to .Ron. Walters,
newscaster for local. radio station KTOB. An .amazing number of people.
showed up to thank Ron `for all he has done for the community:
• Expressed concern about ,speede'rs on Bodega .Avenue, and asked those
who drive or Life on. Bodega Avenue. to slow, down, -there are children goring
to a from elementary and junior high school in the area: She would. like to see .
additional speed limit signs ,posted.
Vice, Mayor Caller=Thompson:
• Enjoyed the Ron 1Nalters tribute and agreed that Ron has contributed a great
deal to the community.
• Noted that.. Dick Lie.b will b,e sorely missed and expressed. appreciation for his
~rnany efforts on, behalf of affordable housing and senior citizens.
Councilmember O'Brien:
• Echoed the other Councilmembers' comments regarding- Dick Lieb, add'i'ng.
that, "Dick ..was always at his bes_ t when he was doin. g something for someone.
else:'"
Councilmember Maguire:
• Noted that Ned Orrett had arrived and acknowledged hire for his work on the
City's Industrial Water Efficiency Program...
Councilmember Moynihan:
• Was.also saddened to hear of. the death of Dick ~Lieb and said he would be
greatly missed. -
November 28, 2001 Vol. 37, Page 39
1 LAICEVILLE HIGHWAY'WATER RECYCLING FACILITY PROJECT
2
3 Presentation;` Discussion and Possible Direction. on the Resolution for the. Water
4 Recycling Facility and Selection of the Preferred Approach for Algae Removal.
6 Engineering Manager Mike 'Ban explained 'that tonight was the second of three
7 planned. meetings about the Water Recycling Facility. The first was held November
8 14t", and the third is scheduled for December 1~7t"
9 .
10 He introduced the project team: Susan Stutz-McDonald, Doug. Wing, Lydia Holmes,
11 and Bill Knopf of Carollo Engineers; Chris McAuliffe of U.S. Filter; Sandy Reed of
12 ZAC Landscaping, Ned Orrett, Pacific Technologies; Patricia Johanson,
13 multidisciplinary designer who combines art, ecology; landscaping, and functional
14 infrastructure; Bob Gearheart, Professor Emeritus,. Environmental Engineering,
15 Humboldt State University and recognized wetlands expert; and Tom Hargis,
16 Director of the City's Department of Water Resources and: Conservation.
17
18 There are six areas of the project. on which staff is seeking Council direction or
19'concurrence:
20
21 1. Recycled -Water System:
22 Recommend construction of water system. capable of producing 4 million
23 gallons per day (mgd) of Tertiary Recycled' Water.
24 Increase capacity of the recycled water system in the future to meet
25 increase demand for Tertiary Recycled Water.
26 2. Disinfection Process:.
27 Reeo.mmend UV disinfection for filtered effluent.
28 Continue using liquid hypochlorite/sodium bisulfite system for disinfection
29 of effluent that is not filtered.
30 3. Solids Han. dlirig System
31 4. Algae Removal:
32 ® Recommend Carollo's blended. flow alternative utilizing wetlands for algae
33 removal.
34 5. Access to the Site:
35 Recommend construction of access road from the adjacent
36 Oakmead/Northbay Business Park.
37 6. Wetlands Park Options:
38 Develop as presented as part of recycling facilify project.
39 ® Develop as a separate: project.,
40 ® Do not- pursue development.
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42 Councilmember Torliatt thought that December 17t"'s meeting on the subject should
43 take place in -the evening. There have been many.members of the public present at
44 previous meetings, and they may not pe able to attend an afternoon meeting.
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Vol.. 37, Page 40
November 28,.20.0:1
1 LAKEVILLE HIGHWAY'WATER' RECYCLING FACILITY PROJECT, continued
2
3 City Manager Stouder said. he had assumed that. Council rriight want to .refine :the
4 time of meeting -that's why the agenda said `possible acfion."
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6 Councilrnember Maguire supported scheduling the item in the. evening.
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8 Councilmember Healy concurred that eue;ning vvas. more appropriate, but was, not
9 sure many people would be able to come eight. days before Christmas. He
10 wondered if the, date could be changed.
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12 Vice Mayor'Cader-Thompson asked if the item could be agendzed for the January
13 7, 20.02. -
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15~ Mayor Thompson asked fo discuss this at end of tonight's meeting.
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17 Mr. Ban introduced Doug Vying of Carollo Engineering.
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19 Mr. Wing ,explained that he was present to answer some of the questions raised by .
20 Council at the November 14th meeting on the following issues:
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22 ~ Constructb'ility Issues:
23 o Pond/Aerated lagoon diversion.,.
24 0 .Construction stagi'ng' area (10+ acres).
25 0 Site access.
26 o High groundwater.
27 0 Fill material.
28 o Bay mud.
29 Class A Biosolids Treatmenf:
30 o What; would; be necessary to achieves Class A'biosofids treatment.
_ _.
31 o Store/.dry in paved area for one year.
32 o Associated costs.
33 ® Energy Usage in Facility:
34 o Average kw/hour for 1Netland and DAF alternatives.,
35 0 DAF alternative about 10% higher..
36 ® Access Alfernatives:
37 0 Preferred alternative: construction of road providing .access from
38 Parcel A/B and bridge across Ellis :Creek: requires easement, land
39 acquisition. Provides safer access from 'Lak"eVille ,H.ghway..
40 0- Existing access: Lakeville Highway' ("East Gate') requires. additional
41 right of way. Left- turn difficult, info site. Cost is 'lower; but constructibilty
42 is an issue because work o.n Lakeville Highway would impact
43 commuters on that road.
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November 28, 2001
Vol. 37, Page-41.
LAKEVILLE HIGFIWAY WATER RECYCLING Fi4CILITY_PROJECT,
continued
_,
o Safety ..issues ~ with Lakeville Access: In the last three years,
CalTrans has recorded twenty accidents in that two-mile section of
Lakeville Highway.
o Estimated costs fo"r the two alternatives.
• Ekisting Reuse7Storage, of Wastewater -water must be stored during
river disclarge.;;prol%btion periods.
• Revised Urban R1N~ -System. Cost Comparison: -compares Complete
Urban Reuse ;and 1'nitial PhaseUrban Reuse. City can offset operating
cost of tertiary facility with sale of~recycled water:
• Enhancemenf Wetlands Costs .` ".
Bob Gearheart, Humboldt State University Professor Emeritus, explained his
involvement with the project and the issues;he. dealt with. He spoke regarding:
• Guiding Principles for VVetlands,Creation:.
o The economic and cultural: environment .is ripe .for acommunity-based
integrated%innovative/sustainable/multi-objective ecological restoration
project. `
o Highquality reclaimed wastewater is the most available and reliable
source. of water for maintaining constructed wetlands.
o Space is available for a passive land: based treatment/reuse system -
under-utilized, trashed industrial and mun"icipal land.
® Project Approach:
o Incorporation of wetland treatment in facility planning process.
o Request and analysis of weflarid performance data.
o Open discussions and full consideration. of options,and alternatives.
o The sense that the team 'was professionally interested in wetlands
systems.
• Lessons Learned from-the Arcata Water Recycling Facility Project:
o Arcata Overview
® Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary.
® Public Access-1Net Edges..
® Wildlife Habitat;; Bird.lNatch'ing, and Environmental Education..
o Inlets and outlets are .critical for-maximizing removal. processes.
o Open water ;i5 as important or more 'important than densely vegetated
areas for treatment.
o Fifteen years of performance data from sixteen Sampling points for five
water qualify parameters.
• Wetlands. Treatment Capability:
o Removes and reduces algal solids.
o Reduces-:dissolved biodegradable organic compounds.
o Oxidizes ammonia and reduces nitrates.
o Plant. and' periphyton uptake and release..
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VoL 37, Page 42
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November 28, 2-OQ1
G F;
o ,Detrital mass serves as physical substrate for. bio=film developmenf.
o Metalssequestration.
o Public health significant organisms/particles.. ~ - -
0 1Netlands treatment is effective, efficient:; :and, reliable,. has complex,
staged biogeochemical cycles, and is sustainable.
• Ancillary`Wetland Benefits: - '
o Uldlife sanctuary. ~ -
o Passive recreation -wide range: of public use.
o Environmental education: . ' -
o Open apace/greenbelts/corridors/eornections. -
• Long-Term: Benefits Associated with Wetland`s:
o ,Future- water storage capacity. -
0 Increased treatment capacity. -
o Carbon sequestration. -
o Potential. to meet future discharge requirements.:
• Region 1's Priority-List.of Planning Issues::
o Basin Plan to recognize California's. toxic rule. -
o Revision. to water quality objective for toxicity. ~ - .. °~_
o Chemical objectives Title ;22. _ -
o .Addw._ater quality objectives for ammonia and chlorine.
o Expand antidegradation policy.
o Add biocriferia objectives: -
® Carbon. Sequestration
• Value. of Constructed Wetland Treatment S;ys'tem with Multiple Benefits
o -Summary of, total :annual community value - of the Arcata Marsh:
Wildlife Sanctuary. -
Arguments -for Maximum.. Wetland Area,
o Addresses preambae to the ..Clean 1Nate.r Act.
o Increased wastewater treatment capability and''capacity.
o Wide. range of ancillary benefits, which are added values to the land
wastewater development cost..
o Increased potential storage volumes for reuse.
and
and.
o Integrated public ;infrastructure protects come infrequently or not. at all to
most communities:.
o Citizens need outlets for their needs to contribute time, effort;- .money; -and
creativity to the community. Atmosphere of support and. involvement
needs leadership. ~ .
o Open spaces disappear at an alarming rate around Bay' Area - ;and
opportunities #or future expansion are questionable.
Mr. 1Ning then concluded the presentation with. the following Lal<e~ille Highway
Water Recycling Facility Vision:, "Develop an economically and ecologically
sustainable. water~recycling facility.
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November 28, 2001
Vol. 37, Page 43
LAKEVFLLE HIGHWAY WATER RECYCLING FACILITY PROJECT,
continued
Councilmember Torliatt asked Mr. Wing if costs for meeting seismic stability
requirements were included in the estimates for the ponds.
Mr. Wing confirmed that all design work meets current, code and- beyond.
Councilmember Torliatt asked if the existing ponds would be retrofitted.
Mr. Wing replied that the existing ponds meet code requirements.
Councilmember Torliatt- asked if the acquisition costs. were included in the figures
for the preferred access alternative.
Mr. Wing replied. thaf they were not.
.,, -,
Councilmember Torliatt; nofed that she would like to see those, costs. Referring to
the table entitled, "Revised Urban RlN System Cost Comparison," she asked if the
current. agricultural reuse component was factored into the: Initial Phase figure: She
thought the cost/potential value of th_e 4~ mgd secondary treated. -water for
agricultural use needed fo be included to provide an "apples #o apples"comparison.
Mr. Ban replied that the figures assumed along-term demand for 8 mgd of tertiary
treated water; 4 mgd demand in the near term. ~ .
Councilmember Maguire clarified that. in the right-hand column,, "Initial Phase Urban
Reuse 4 mgd;." the cost/value of the 4 mgd secondary treated water for agricultural
use was not included. That would provide the comparison of 4 .mgd secondary/4
mgd tertiary with 8 mgd tertiary.
..
Mr. Ban said he understood.
Councilmember Moynihan asked how much, irrigation with tertiary treated water
would be required - at schools, for example. He would like to see a cost/benefit
analysis of other than tertiary urban. reuse... He added that there: were other, cheaper
lands available for this project. He thought the City could :realize a huge savings 'in
capital and operating costs.
Councilmember Maguire asked Mr. Ban if parks and schools :required tertiary for
reuse, and if the 4 mgd figure came from an assessment of what was now being
irrigated with potable water and could be .not be irrigated with secondary treated
water.
Mayor Thompson .pointed out that according to the table, on the hottest day of
summer, the maximum amount of water Rooster Run used was 450,000 to 500,000
Vol. 37, Page 44
November 28, 2Q01
1 LAKEVILLE.HIGHWAY WATER REC°Y.CLING FACILITY PROJECT,
2 continued
3
4 :gallons:. Last year's total use was 123 million gallons. He: asked where idea that
5 they used 1' million gallons, a day came from.,
6
7 Councilmember Moynihan remarked that, questions of volume aside,.. he ,thought
8 there was no reason to freat with tertiary-what could be treated with secondary.
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10 Mr. Ban noted that, Rooster Run could use secondary, but preferred. tertiary.
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12 Mayor Thompson asked ~if Adobe Creek Golf Course was currently using
13 secondary.
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`15 Mr. Ban replied. that.:Adobe is 'irrigating ~/2 with secondary, aril '/2 from their wells.
16 He added that, they get more odor complaints about the well water.
17
18 Co.uncilmember Torliatt_ added. -that the: reason they don't irrigate the other nine
19 holes of Adobe is because they are so .close to homes that they would- have to be
20 i'rr`igated with tertiary. .
21 ...
22 Councilme,mber Moynihan said that h'is point was that `jumping fro-n secondary to
23 tertiary is veryrexp'ensive:" . _
24 `
25 Gounclmember Healy asked Mr._ Ban if some tertiary ability was needed to meet the
26 discharge requirements during the winter months.
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28 Mr. Ban replied that if it were: up to ;regional board, there would be.
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30 Councilmember Healy concluded. thaf the terfiary system would .only have to be run
31 in the summer during non-discharge months.
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33 Couneilmember Torliatt thought that if the City could use secondary treated water
34 and receive: economic benefit close to. that of fertiary treated water,. it should be
3'S pursued. The goal should; be to reuse water as many times as possible. ,She,
36 believed the project should be viewed as part of a complete system: 1Nater comes.
37 to. Petaluma. from the Sonoma `County Water Agency. How does; the City use. if?
3:8 .How does the City deal with it after it has been used, and what can the. City do to
39 reuse it? Referring 'to the map showing the. preferred access from the business
40 park, she. thought~some reuse opportunities which could be cost effective had been
41 overlooked: a p;ipeli;ne under' the access road could provide treated water for--the
42 business: park, ands could :connect with Shollenberger Park. S,he would also like to
43 see Council approve double piping.
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45 Vice Mayor Cadet-Thompson thought, after reading the material,,. that the wetlands
46 should be erilarged, as.an "insurance policy''againstfutute, -more stringent
November 28, 2001 Vol. 37, Page 45
1
2 LAKEVILLE HIGHWAY WATER RECYCLING FACILITY PROJECT,
3 continued
4
5 regulations... She asked how many acres of parcel B were actually available for
6 wetlands.
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8 Mr. Wing answered that about fifteen. acres were avai able on parcel B.
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10 Vice Mayor Cader-Thompson asked at ,what elevation the wetlands could be built.
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12 Mr. Wing replied seven feet:
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14 Vice Mayor Cader-Thompson asked Mr. Gearheart what the elevations were in
15 Arcata.
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17 Mr. Gearheart poinfed out that there was more of a floodplain issue in Petaluma.
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19 Vice Mayor Cader-Thompson thought the wetlands in Petaluma could probably go
20 down to a lower elevation.
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22 Mr. Gearheart noted that seven feet would be about four feet above mean high. tide.
23
24 Vice Mayor Gader=Thompson said she still thought there must be more land
25 available on Parcel B.
26
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27 Mr. Wing replied that fifty acres were available ``if you wanted to extend down to
28 existing jurisdictional wetlands:"
29
30 Vice Mayor Cader-Thompson asked the, difference between densely vegetated and
31 open wetlands.
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33 Mr. Gearheart explained that vegetated wetlands provide a canopy to prevent more
34 algae growth by blocking out sunlight. Open wetlands pump oxygen into the water.
35'
36 Vice Mayor Cader-Thompson asked how the end ,product in Arcata compared with
37 what the end product would. be from Pefaluma's facility.
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39 Mr. Gearheart answered that the treatment wetlands would ,polish solids to the
40 secondary standard.
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42 Vice Mayor Cader-Thompson asked if water from the ponds were pumped into a
43 enhancement wetland, would the treatment continue?
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45 Mr. Gearheart agreed that it would; however, in winter, ammonia issue could be an
46 issue.
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Vol. 37, ,Page 46
November 28; 2001
LAKEVILLE HLGHW4Y WATER RECYCLING FACILITY' PROJECT,
continued
Councilmember Torliatt asked how the quality of water :from. the ,proposed wetlands
d fferent le a s' of tert a compare with Arcata water. "IS tertiary tertiary.; or are there
~„
ry
Mr. Wing; replied that it would meet. 30 mg/l_ (milligrams per liter) and might.. be
better.
Couneilmember Torliatt asked for confii.rmation that Arcata~was producing 5 mg/L..
Mr. Gearheart agreed.
Vice- Mayor Cader-Thompson asked 'if' more treatment wetlands we're added, on.
parcel B, would the'City'end up with a better product?
Mr.; Wing agreed.
Vice Mayor Cader-Thompson thought it would be prudent to have more wetlands.
As far ,as UV disinfection for water for, agricultural .reuse, she understood that.. for
vintners, sodium Jewels were a concern. She .asked if sodium .levels in secondary
water treated with. UV would be ,low enough - or would it be necessary to go to
tertiary water?
Mr. 'Ban explained that whenever UV disinfection is used, filtering is necessary
Vice Mayor Cader-Thompson asked if the facility; as designed, could be inereas.ed
by 25% for future' demands, and if so, how?
Mr. Wing replied that the master plan leaves room for additional tanks., etc. on the
existing site,
Councilmember Torliatt asked if the wetlands component would accommodate an
additional 25% expansion: as well.
Mr: Vlling answered fhat;ponds 9 and 10 would have to increase into pond' 8.
_.
ouncilmember Torliatt asked if the City owned additional land where this could
occur.
Mr. Ban indicated twelve to fifteen acres of'C,ity-owned land on the Green.
Vice Mayor Cader-Thompson asked if pond's could. be added, west of ponds 9 :and
10; towards; the river.
November 28, 2001 Vol. 37, Page 47
1 LAKEUILLE, HIGHWAY WATER RECYCLING FACILITY PROJECT,
2 continued
3
4 Mr. V11ing replied that this would not be possible.
5
6 Councilmember Torliatt understood that those acres were not part of the wetlands
7 component that includes .ponds. 9 and. 10, but were included in the expanded
8 wetlands component currently shown on the screen.
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10 Mr. Ban agreed.
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12 Council took alive-minute break.
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14 Councilmember Maguire thought there was an existing gravel road along the north
15 edge of the ponds. He thought the proposed location of the bridge could be moved
16 and the existing road used, rather than having, parallel roads, on either side of the
17 creek: He asked Mr...lNing .if the cost estimates for retaining the. existing access off
18 Lakeville included a signal at,the intersection.
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20 Mr. Wing said that th~ey~;didcnot.
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22 Councilmember Maguire asked if thaf many accidents wouldn't warrant installation
23 of a signal. -
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25 Mr. Hargis replied than if mighty "gel you. on a CalTrans list but you may be at the
26 bottom of the-list, below roads with more accidents."
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28 Councilmembe~r'Maguire asked Mr. Wing, regarding reuse, and storage, if later year
29 storage was held `year round or was it just stored until it was discharged.
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31 Mr. Wing replied that- it was stored just until,discharge.
32 ~ - -
33 Councilmember .Maguire asked Mr. Gearheart what .California's Toxic Rule was.
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35 Mr. Wing cl'arif,ied that it 'had to do with fhe Department of Health and Title 22
''36 (potable wafer):.
37 -
38 Councilmember Q'Brien 'thought that on Table. 5;, the Rooster Run numbers.,
39' showing season use, gallons per year, average use per day didn't.add up to gallons
40 shown used per year: ~ -
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42 Councilmember Torliatt asked Councilmember O'Brien fo-walk her through what he
43 had just. said.
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45 Councilmember O'Brien explained that on line 2, total irrigation per year, the figure
46 11.2 million gallons per year was shown.. Average daily use was shown as b23
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Vol. 37, Page 48
November 28, 2001
LAKEVILLE HIGHWAY W=ATER REGY_CLIIVG FACILITY-PROJECT,
continued _ '
thousand gallons. However; 112 million divided by 365 days equaled 325 (gallons
per day), , .
Councilmember- Moynihan thought Ghat was, because They only irrigated .during part
of the; year.
Councilmember O'Brien reiterated that 'it was still supposed to be an average per
year.
Councilmember Torliatt thought it.was.only during a certain portion of the year.'
Councilmember O'Brien asked if there were any figures on accidents in t_he.
business park.
M'r: Wing replied. that there were not. -
Councilmember O'Brien continued thaf there was, no way_ o, compare the afety`of
the existing access wifh access through the business park.
Mr.lNing said he would see if any figures were available.
Councilmember O'Brien .asked what presented the water;~from entering the river; as
close as those ponds are to the river. .. ,_
,Mr. 1Ning replied that there was enough pressure in the ponds .to keep the water
from coming up.
Councilmember O'Brien asked if 3-1%2~feet was the mean high~tide.le~el.
Mr.lNing agreed:
Councilmember Q'Brien asked what. would happen:. during. a winter storm when the
tide was above six' feet.
Mr. Wing replied.. that this was the reason. for building the ponds at seven feet.
Councilmember Healy asked if "3Q/30''`was they standard. for'tertiary water for urban
reuse.
Mr. Wing explained that "30/30"was the standard for secondary water.
z
November 28, 2001 Vol. 37, Page- 49
1 LAICEVILLE' HIGHWAY WATER RECYCLING FACILITY PROJECT,
2 continued
3
4 Councilmember Healy asked if one of the tertiary processes, for example, treatment
5 wetlands, was used along with UV treatment, would that water then be ready for
6 unrestricted urban reuse?
7
8 Mr. Wing clarified that it would still have to go through disinfection.
9
10 Councilmember Healy noted that on page 37 of the staff report; there is a brief
11 discussion of the residential/non-residential wastewater rates approved. by Council.
12 The report says these .rates will fund a portion of costs, but additional increases will
13 be necessary. He asked what those rate impacts would be .beyond the $5.00 that
14 will take effect in January 2002.
15
16 Councilmember Torliatt thought user-based fees. were scheduled for discussion in
17 December.
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19 City Manager Stouder confirmed this.
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21 Councilmember Healy said that he would like an idea of what the rate impacts
22 would be.
23
24 Mayor Thompson :asked Councilmember Healy under which scenario he would like
25 to know the rate-impacts.
26
27 Councilmember Healy replied that he meant for what was under consideration.
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29 Mr. Stouder explained that what Council would hear on the rate design study was a
30 first presentation of a yearlong process. The process is complicated, and he wanted
3.1 to be sure it was understandable. He thought Councilmember Healy was asking,
32 given this baseline, what are the rate impacts.
33
34 Councilmember Healy thought revenue. requirements should be determined first,
35 then rates should be established.
36
37 Mr. -Stouder reminded Council that such numbers would not be based on
38 engineering costs, but would be "order of magnitude" numbers for the sake of
39 discussion.
40
41 Councilmember Healy referred to a letter from the County Planning staff raising a
42 series of issues. He would like answers to those by the December 17th meeting; in
43 particular, the issue of consistency with the County General :Plan and LAFCO. He
44 wondered' if a road across that property through the busihess park would be enough
45 to raise the County's concerns.
46
Vol. 37, Page 50
November 28; 20.01
1 LAKEVILLE HIGHWAY WATER RECYCLING FACILITY PROJECT,
2 continued ~ '
3
4 Mr. Stouder suggested inciting the individual from. the County who ,sent the iefter to
5 attend the 'December 17t" meeting.
6
7 Council. concurred.
9 Councilmember Maguire aske:d~ Mr. Wing;. with regard, to enhancement wetlands,, if
10 berms would have to be raised to achieve that acreage of wetlands.
11
12 Mr. Wing said that there'was a: levy around the wetlands. It wou d have to be: raised.
13 to an a evation of twelve feet. That cost was included in the presentation.
14
15 Director of Water Resources and Conservation Tom Hargis said he sensed some
16 confusion:. over secondary/tertiary water treatment and would like to clarify what was
17 being- proposed: Council had. directed staff to design a fertary water recycling
18 facility plant. That has. been provided: Carollo Engineers and Value Engineers are
19 suggesting that'. since current. regulations` .allow discharge of secondary treated
20 water to the river during the winter months, .the City should continue. fo do~so and..
21 save some .money:.. Thee facility, will be capable of providing all tertiary freated water,
22 and will do so when regulations/increased demand; require: The MOU the City
23 signed, as part ofi Amendment 11 .requires offsetting potable water demand
24 whenever possible. Some offset demands can be met with secondary, but parks
25 and schools will 'require the higher standard -tertiary treated water.
27 Mr. Ban the introduced Patricia Johanson.
28
29 Ms.. Johanson noted that her job as designer seems to change on a weekly basis:.,
30 She showed slides of other projects she has done., and explained that while
31 "everything ,is functional;. it ,looks like art." What appeals to her about Petaluma's
32 project'is that it is tidal, so every tune one: visits, it'is different, and. "puts you' in touch
33 with what the .river is doing:;" Her' projects. emphasize access fo nature, education,
34 and hinge on 'infrastructure. "They expand people's :vision outward - so that they
3'S ;become aware of their surroundings."Her projects have been able to tie into various
36 sources of funding. She `fakes a piece of infrastructure and looks to see ho,w many
37 other benefits [she] can hinge onto the project,"
Ms. Johanson continued thaf the benefits of this project are very "layered."This was:
potentially a very significant project in terms of attracting attention and money -:and
showing how visionary. the :City could be while. building a piece of infrastructure it
would` .build anyway.. There were many ways. to bring, money into City 'to. restore:
habitats, and provide recreation opportunities: Her concern with `phis Parcel A/B
thing [was] .that the City doesn'f own the, land. The ball is in your court."
November 28, 2001
Vol. 37, Page 51
1 LAKEVILLE HIGHWAY WATER RECYCLING FACILITY PROJECT,
2 continued
3
4 Ms. Johanson then showed photos of the site taken by Scott Hess. When thinking
5 of economic benefits,. it is important to think about who would come here; and why.
6 Her design for the site includes many different kinds of habitats. To keep the budget
7 low, she has tried to ,use every existing thing wherever possible..
9 She then passed some photos around to Council that showed the site in the context
10 of the Cify.
11
12 Councilmernber Moynihan asked Ms. .Johanson if in evaluating potential for
13 wetlands area, s_he: looked at the lands the City does own.
14
15 Ms. Johanson replied that she looked at every aspect ofi wetlands. Over the course
16 of the project,, the' amounf of wetlands necessary for the project .has dropped. At one
17 point, they fried to get all of the. wetlands on parcel B, by going down to elevation 5,
18 they were able to .get about 50~ acres.
19
20 Councilmember Torliatt understood that staff recommended purchasing both
21 parcels,A and 6, which. could easily accommodate enhancement wetlands but could
22 also include acreage to be used for other' uses of wastewater.
23
24 Ms. Johanson replied that' she would like. to stay "reality-based." She, wanted to
25 separate the wish List `from what is possible:. UVhat was really decaying the. project
26 was `the thorny issue overownershipof the land: That is Job #1. Other than. that,
27 it's just `pie in the sky. "'
28
29 Vice Mayor Cader-Thompson thought what ;were being referred to as "enhancement
30 wetlands" should actually be incorporated"into the sewer plant for a higher quality of
31 water. "If we, were .more creative, and addressed the property issue, we could have
32 more wetlands;, a ,higher quality recycled water; and an insurance certificate' for the
33 future:'" She believed Council: had an opportunity to make a huge footprint.. S.he did
34 not think enough wetlands were included in the design. She saw this as a "once in a
35 lifetime opportunity."
3b
37 Councilmembex Healy thanked, M's.. Johanson for f yng out from '.New York. He
38 thought the bulk of parcel B was probabay not appropriate: for fresh water wetlands
39 but was a great opportunity to .restore brackish wetlands. The Open Space District
40 has offered to support. the City's purchase of parcel B if tiere is ever a willing seller.
41 He thought the City should pursue this: He has asked staff as part of the Genexal
42 Plan Surface Water Element to look at something similar to the Napa model for the
43 south edge of. town: if that proved feasible, the City could have a much larger
44 canvas to work with down the: road.
45
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Vol. 37, ,Page 52
November 28; 2001
1 LAKEVILLE, HIGHWAY VI/ATER RECYCLING. FACILITY PROJECT,
2 continued
3
4 PUBLLC COMMENT
5
6 Bruce ~Hage:n, 145 Gre~illia .Drive, member of thee. Recreation., Music,, and Parks
7 Commission;,, noted that although, the Commission.: was not given the opporfunty,to
8 give input on wetlands use, they did create a list of their priorities; and the.
9 wastewater treatment plant~and wetlands were high on the list. The project would be
10 very attractive to birders. He thought the bottom .line should be acquisition of parcels
11 A and B and inclusion of as much enhancement wetlands as possible.
12
13 Gerald. Moore;, address not given, explained -that he would. be a ,giving. presentation
14 _ at. the Petaluma Lib"rary on December 8 about the Areafa project. If~ the d'es'ign ofi
15 Shollenberger Park all the way down to .the Marina were combined, it would be the
16 largest enhanced marshland habitat north of San Diego Co,unty:: There are 55
1'7 million. ,birders in Unifed States. Petaluma would become: a bird "hot spot."'The
18 average birder spends $`1,000.year on his or her hobby.
19
20 Barry Shapiro; Circle. Gallery, 143: Petaluma Boulevard North,, arid. ,member of the
21 Petaluma Downtown Association:,, saw the project as "a marketing opportunity [he]
22 could work-.all [hisj life," This was tfie most. significant marsh in the' United States.
23 He reminded, Council of the :many world-class projects Rafrieia Johanson has .done,
24 and that it w,as amazing that. Petaluma. had the opportunity to be added o this list.
25 He pointed" out. that many people visit the wetlands in Arcata, which is; four hours
26 north of Petaluma. He `urged Council to `agendize for the item for the January 7tn
27 meeting,
29 Elizabeth Howland., 521 .1Nalnuf .Street, said she generally been very happy with.
30 Council's 'work, .She appreciated how much work City staff has put into this project.
31 She was spe`aki_ng'to Council tonight because she: saw Ms:.Johanson'a presentation
32 a few months ag_o about what could be done here in Petaluma. Sh`e was so excited
33 by that that: she carne.. down here fo urge CounciC fo think strongly about the
34. possip`lityof`combining the wastewater treatment plant and wetlands...
36 Tom Bachman,, Pegasus Ranch, 6525 Lakeville Highway, reminded. Council of the.
37 g - ~ y, rY .. ry
a ncultural comrnunit s desire for tertia water.. With. a commitment for tertia
38 water from the City; they could build pipeline and use City water. Without that water;.
3.9' ;Lakeville Highway was destined for development. If 'the City built the. enhancement
40 wetlands, he hoped it would collect water and,sell it to agricultural users:.
Angelo. ,Sangiacamo, Sangiacomo. Vineyard acid Domains Chandon, P.O. Box 34,
Sonoma, owns ~i'neyards:.on .Lake~i_Ile Highway and is willing to buy tertiary water,.
November 28,~~2001
Vol. 37, Page 53
1 LAKEUILLE~ HIG'HVILAY WATER RECYCLING FACfLITY PROJECT, continued
2 PUBLIC COMMENT, continued
4 Stan Gold, 615 King Road, shared how the Council and Chamber of Commerce of
5 the town of Lodi capitalized on a natural. feature. Lodi is on the Mokelumne River,
6 Nand the Greater Sandhill Crane winters there.. The Annual Sandhill Crane Festival
7 now anticipates about .1,500 out-of-town. registrants for the weekend festival. Each
8 visitor pays for programs, bus trips to the habitat, ,hotel; meals, gas, and souvenirs.
9 Petaluma has the same potential.
10
11 Terence Garvey,. 83 Maria Drive, was delighted with the "good questions" Council
12 was asking tonight. For Council's reference, he explained that one million gallons =
13 three acre-feet. He was disappointed that the City had not looked at the possibility
14 of using all its water for wetlands. Even with this proposal, the City would still have
15 to send half of its wastewater into the river. He had suggested at one time that the
16 City find out what it would cost to pipe wastewater to the Napa flatlands. He also
17 thought hayfields south. of .Lakeville could become wetlands. There were also farms
18 down there that might be able to use water for itngation. The -idea of the wetlands is
19 to develop vegetation and avoid putting polluting water into waterways.
20
21 Bill Kortum, '180 Ely Road, is a 25-year advocate of reusing .wastewater. He was
22 pleased ,that two farmers got up and. said they want fo use .the wafer. He thought the
23 City should go forward with an "all tertiary system"now. He found Patricia Johanson
24 very inspiring, and th'oughf someday she would have a following. like .Frank. Lloyd
25 Wright. Petaluma. could be the first stop on a, worldwide tour of her works. On
26 Thursday, November 29., the Open. Space: District will consider money, for the Prince
-.
27 Memorial Fathviray in Santa. Rosa -for- construction;`'not just purchase. This was an
28 enormous, change in what OSD has h'isto`rically 'done. Based on this; he thought
29 Petaluma might. be able to get funding from OSD for the wetlands project:
30
31 David Keller, former Councilmember, 1327 `I' Street;~thanlced Council for "continuing
32 the great saga of wastewater treatment." He agreed with Mr. Hargis> that the City
33 should prepare for future requirements. To do otherwise would be to `just put it off
34 to another Council." He does not think the City will have. a choice ~of sending
35 secondary or tertiary water down the pipeline. The .City las urban and agricultural
36 customers for tertiary water; sand it should take advantage of that. I_n terms; of lahd
37 acquisition and the opportunities Ms. Johanson had laid out; ;f1e thought they were a
38 golden opporfunify. ``V1/ater is an extraordinary and valuable commodity. Petaluma
39 can really be puf on the map. Don't waste, the subsidiary benefits. You are
40 `confronted with insurmountable opportunities. "'
41
42 Ned Orrett, 210 Fourth Street, Suite B, thought the City could find lots of partners
43 for the wetlands cost. He was very inspired by the flow of possibilities.
44
45 END PUBLIC COMIIAENT
46
Vol. 37; Page 54
November 28, 2001
1 LAKEUILLE HIGHWAY WATER: RECYCLING FACLLITYPROJECT continued
2
3 Couneilmemb°er Moyrihan wanted. to clarify that land costs were not included in the
4 scenarios Mr. Wing presented.
5
6 Mr. Wing aid that he was correct.
7
8 Councilmember Moynihan would .like, to see fertiary demand evaluated and the
9 cost/benefits worked out in a lot more detail The current system of irrigation is wary
10 expensive and he would like to see acquisition of other lands by the City. He
11 preferred tine existing access fo the .site .from Lakeville. Highway. If fewer staff
12 moved to that location., it could reduce. trip generation. Relative to enhancement
13 wetlands, he asked if disinfection prior to discharge.,into river had.beenlooked at.
14
15 Mr. V11ing,said the water could be disinfected and reused.
16
17 C.ouncilmernber Moynihan asked if',it would it require disinfection before .discharge.
18
19 Mr. Wing replied that it would not:
20 -
_ _.
21 Councilmember Moynihan liked the: enhancement wetlands idea.and the tourist and
22 recreation potential.._He would. like to .:move that project forward as a Parks- and
23 Recreation project; and riot necessarily wait for the plant. He did not think ratepayers
24 should necessarily pay for it. He also suggested Council not focus on just one site.
25 He asked`Mr Gear,heart`if methane: gas was an.issue in Arcata.
26
27 Mr. Gearheart asked Couneilrriernber Moynihan if he meant marsh gas:.
28 _ ,. .
29 Councilmember Moynihan said he did,, and -asked if there was an odor issue.
30
31 Mr. Gearheart said.where:was not. .
32 ~ -
~: -
33 Councilmember Moynihan asked if~there-were any, leakage issues.
34
35 Mr. Gearheart replied that there were not.
36
37 Councilmernber Moynihan thanked Mr. G'earheart for coming down t'o Petaluma. He
38` believes: the facility should be built in phases, should 'start; with no tertiary treatment
39 and .build. up slowly. He hoped Dc. Tchobanoglous ofi Value Engineering :could
40 attend the December 1'7th meeting.. This was a very Targe .investment.: Council
41 needed to explore options and make sure they -were -comfortable with their
42 decisions.
43
44 Mayor Thompson confirmed that the item. would be continued to .the evening of
45 December 17th for more questions and comments.
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November 28, 2001
Vol. 37, Page 55
LAKEUILLE HIGHWAY WATER RECYCLING. FACILITY PROJECT, continued
Mr. Stouder suggested that Council plan to make their decision at the January 7m
meeting, unless they wanted to leave open the possibility of making a decision on
December 17m
Council concurred.
ADJO JRN
The meeting was adjourned at 11::06 p.m.
E. Clark Thompson, Mayor
ATTEST:
Claire Cooper; Clerk Pry Tem
******