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Home My WebLink AboutNB 3 SO. CAL WTR COMM. 02-03-86DATE: JANUARY 22, 1986 TO: FROM: SUBJECT: WILLIAM HUSTON, CITY MANAGER BOB LEDENDECKER, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS/CITY ENGINEER SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WATER COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP RECOMMENDATION: That the Tustin City Council, at their meeting of February 3, 1986, adopt the attached Resolution approving membership in the Southern California Water Committee, Inc. and authorize a supplemental Water Service budget appropriation in the amount of $750.00 for said membership. BACKGROUND: The Southern California Water Committee (SCWC) is made up of members from the eight Southern California counties as well as cities and water agencies. The common goal of SCWC is public education on the upcoming water needs and supplies for Southern California. The attached letter from Supervisor Weider outlines the general concerns/needs of the Southern California area with respect to available water supplies. DISCUSSION: Supervisor Weider has requested the City to consider support of the SCWC by becoming a member of the Committee. The annual membership fee for the City would be $750.00. As a retailer of water to over 13,000 customers, the City must continue to be concerned with imported (purchased) water supplies. Our goal is to pump 60% of the City's water needs from the Orange County underground basin anU to import 40% of the needs from out of the Southern California area from either Northern California or the Colorado River. The attached Resolution provides City support to the Southern California Water Committee as a member and approves an amount of $750.00 for annual membership dues to the Committee. Bob Ledendecker Director of Public Works/City Engineer BL:jr Attachment 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ll 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 RESOLUTION NO. 86-17 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUSTIN, CALIFORNIA, TO APPROVE MEMBERSHIP IN THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WATER COMMITTEE, INC. WHEREAS, the Supreme Court has ruled that the State of Arizona be awarded nearly 60% of the Metropolitan Water District Colorado River water entitlement, and WHEREAS, the amount lost is equivalent to the needs of some 3-1/2 million people per year and Southern California's population is projected to increase by 13% to over 15 million people by the year 2000; and WHEREAS, future water demand in Southern Califonia will require dependable and reliable water supply be established and maintained; and WHEREAS, there exists a need for Southern California local governments, businesses, and water agencies to cooperatively identify and assess the future water needs in Southern California; and WHEREAS, the Southern California Water Committee, Inc., was formed to apprise the public by integrating cities, counties, water agencies, and the )rivate sector into a cohesive organization to address the future water needs of Southern California; and WHEREAS, the Southern California Water Committee's budget is funded by annual membership dues, and membership in the Southern California Water Committee will include either active participation and/or representation, if so desired, in all planning and relevant activities. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Tustin supports the goals of the Southern California Water Committee, Inc. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Council approves membership of the City of Tustin at a cost of $750 for membership dues in the Southern California Water Committee, Inc., and that copies of this document and the annual membership fee will be transmitted to the Southern California Water Committee, Inc., 17752 Skypark Circle, Suite 120, Irvine, CA 92714. PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Tustin, California, this 3rd day of February, 1986. Mayor ATTEST: City Clerk ]~4/{RIETT ~. ~EDER The Hc~..~.i~E~la Kennedy Mayor, City of Tustin 300 Centennial Way Tustin, California 92680 Dear Mayor Kennedy: January 14, 1986 RECE!VED ~3~r'~.~ ~.';~ ir' ~?.¥',,~- ~fi}' One of the most important issues facing Californians in the next decade will be how to address the regional water needs of our diverse State. Southern California, an area of more than 13 million people, has experienced rapid urbanization since the end of World War ii. This is partly due to the uninterrupted flow of water from projects that import this resource into our region from distant parts of the State. Because these systems exist, Orange County has grown to expect relatively inexpensive, plentiful water supplies. In my opinion, this expectation could prove harmful to future economic vitality of our County. As a member of the Board of Trustees of the Southern California Water Committee, Inc., my colleagues from eight counties--Kern, Ventura, Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernard- ino, Riverside, San Diego, and Imperial-- have banded together to form a nonprofit, public benefit corporation designed to educate the people of our region about our water problems. As you are aware, Southern California imports its water from three sources--the Sacramento Delta, the Colorado River and Owens Valley. Owens Valley water, of course, is imported by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and is delivered only in the City of Los Angeles. Further- more, a U.S. Supreme Court decision in 1964 awarded to Arizona more than half of the water we have been using from the Colorado. Arizona's aqueduct system was dedicated in November and within a few years they will be using their full entitlement of water. The loss to our region, is more than 662,000 acre-feet per year. Finally, the State Water Project from Northern California is incomplete and not capable of making up losses on the Colorado. Needless to say, future water shortages could lead to an economic crisis. CYPRESS - GARDEN GROVE · HUNTINGTON 8EACh · LOS ALAMItOS · ROS~MOCR . SEAL BEACH · ~tANTON · SUNSET 8EACH - WESTMINSTER You can understand why we can no longer take our water supplies for granted. Unfortunately, the public-at-large is unaware that a problem exists. The Southern California Water Committee was created to 'get the word out' on this critical issue by creating a public water awareness that can lead to a positive consensus of opinion. Over the past year, SCWC has solicited members from the eight Southern California counties as well as from individual cities, water agencies, and the private sector to form a coalition working toward a common goal of public education. This is the first time such a comprehensive organization has been formed to communicate this issue. Using this base, SCWC has begun to conduct extensive water forums in our eight county membership area. We have developed tools such as a professionally produced film highlighted by Governor Deukmejian's appeal to come together to forge solutions to a problem that has eluded Californians over the past 20 years or so. Water issues are complex. The economic and public policy ramifications of a diminishing water supply will touch all of us if we do not get involved with the activities of SCWC. I believe as public servants we have a responsi- bility to take a leadership role in educating our respective constituencies on the prospective water problems and solutions facing all of us. I would ~ike the City of Tustin to become involved in the efforts of SCWC. As I mentioned earlier, SCWC is funded by memberships. As a nonprofit public benefit corporation charged with a strictly educational mission, its incorporation status allows for public sector membership participation. I hope you will agree that a strong public/private sector alliance will facilitate a positive solution in this critical issue. Because I believe the City Council will recognize the need and see the merits of $CWC and wish to become involved, I am requesting your Council's consideration of the enclosed Resolution confirming your support of our mutually beneficial efforts. The annual membership fee for the City of Tustin is $750. Shortly, you will be contacted by the Committee so we may answer any questions that may arise. In the meantime, I thank you, in advance, for your timely consideration of this request. Sincerely yours, Enclosures Supervisor County of Orange