Title
Discussion regarding the proposed Drought Contingency Plan.
Summary
This item has been included on the City Council worksession agenda to allow for discussion. No action will be taken at the worksession. A public hearing will be held and the ordinance will be considered for action on first reading at the regular meeting.
Due to extreme drought conditions and rapid reduction in the combined storage of the Highland Lakes, Lakes Travis and Buchanan, the need to modify the Drought Contingency Plan was evident. The first major change to the plan changed the trigger points for the city's water restriction stages to reflect the level of the lakes as measured by the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA). The former plan used aquifer levels but since the city no longer uses ground water from the wells as its major water source, it makes sense to use surface water levels. The second major change is to use an administrative charge to utility bills for watering violations rather than citations through the municipal court. This will be much more efficient and will allow better tracking by the Utility Department. The Public Works Department will act on behalf of the City to implement the actions stated in the Drought Contingency Plan.
Please find the Ordinance and Exhibit A attached. The City Attorney has reviewed both documents and approved as to form.
Prior City Council Action
City Council approved the current drought contingency plan dated April 26, 2011.
Deadline for City Council Action
Action is requested on first reading on June 25, 2013 and second reading on July 9, 2013.
Projected Future City Council Action
The Drought Contingency Plan must be updated at a minimum of every five years per Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) /LCRA requirements. Due to the continued drought conditions, staff recommends approval by the City Council and submittal to TCEQ/LCRA of this revised plan at this time. Following Council approval, this revised plan will be submitted to the LCRA and TCEQ with the next update required in 2018.
Staff Recommendation
Discuss only at the worksession. Hold a public hearing and consider the ordinance on first reading at the regular meeting.
Drafter
James Wills
Director of Public Works