HomeMy WebLinkAbout7.a. Emergency Water Conservation OrdinanceG:\MEETINGS\UTILITY COMMISSION\UC Items and Packets\2020\20200210\7.a. Emergency Water Conservation Ordinance.docx
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Utility Commission Meeting: February 10, 2020
AGENDA ITEM: Emergency Water Conservation Ordinance AGENDA SECTION:
New Business
PREPARED BY: Brian Erickson, P.E. Director of Public Works
/ City Engineer AGENDA NO. 7.a.
ATTACHMENTS: None. APPROVED BY: BLE
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Motion to recommend City Council approval of the new
language for City Code.
BACKGROUND
Currently, the City Code doesn’t not clearly identify the ability of the city to restrict water usage in
response to an emergency. This subject was briefly discussed with the Utility Commission at a previous
meeting with the understanding that it would return to a future meeting for a more comprehensive
discussion.
DISCUSSION
Staff has reviewed information from other cities and the additional emergency conservation language to
the city code is something that can be easily completed. The suggested language that could be adopted is
shown below. This language would then clearly delineate the ability of the Council to enact emergency
measures to restrict water usage if needed.
Emergency water conservation.
1. The city council may adopt a resolution from time to time imposing regulations
pertaining to the conservation of water. Following the adoption of such a resolution, the city
shall publish the regulations and post the regulations at the city hall and at such other public
places as the city council may direct.
2. The city council may, by resolution, approve emergency water regulation whenever the
city council determines that a shortage of water supply threatens the city. The emergency
regulations may limit the times and hours during which city water may be used for
sprinkling, irrigation, car washing and other external purposes. After the publication of a
notice setting forth the emergency restrictions for use of water, no person shall use or permit
water to be used in violation of the resolution.
3. If any customer uses water in violation of the terms of a resolution adopted by the city
council, said customer shall be charged with sums as established by resolution for each day
of violation, and the charge shall be added to the customer's next water bill. Continued
violation shall be cause for discontinuance of water service.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Utility Commission approve the above language and forward to the City Council for
incorporation into the City Code.