Minutes - Minutes - City Council - Meeting Date: 1/19/2010 rata, City of Glendale
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Minutes
January 19, 2010
10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Council Chambers Conference Room B-2
Meeting Attendees
Council Sustainabilitv Committee Members
Present were Councilmember/Chairperson David Goulet (Ocotillo District), Councilmember
Steve Frate (Sahuaro District), and Councilmember Yvonne Knaack (Barrel District).
City Staff Members
Ken Reedy, Deborah Mazoyer, Roger Bailey, Rebecca Benna, Larry Broyles, Doug Kukino,
Paul Li,Jo Miller, Karen Flores, Bob Manginell, and Marilyn Clark.
I. Approval of Minutes
Chairperson Goulet Called for Approval of the December 15, 2009 minutes. Councilmember
Knaack Made a Motion to Approve the minutes as written. Councilmember Frate Seconded
the Motion, and the minutes were unanimously approved.
II. Comprehensive Water Conservation Planning Process
Jo Miller from Environmental Resources presented this item. Covering the results since the
last Council update, the committee received a five page progress report listing the
accomplishments the Water Conservation Division achieved from July 2005 to December
2009. The information contained in this report consisted of various Regional and National
Recognitions and Awards received by the City of Glendale. The report also included the
City's involvement in Rebate Programs, Water Budgeting Programs for HOA's and
Businesses, Adult and Youth Education and Outreach Programs, Water Waste
Investigations, Sustainability/Green Programs and Activities, Water Conservation Volunteer
Programs, and Regional and National Partnerships and Promotions.
Ms. Miller's presentation on Water Conservation Planning evaluated regional long term
trends and identified challenges and opportunities for the City. She discussed various
studies regarding customer behavior and motivations, which included an Arizona Municipal
Water Users Association Study and a 2009 Salt River Project Survey. One study revealed
January 19, 2010
Council Sustainability Minutes
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that Customer behavior change was not necessarily linked to "saving money" and as such,
public motivation for this was linked to rebate appetite.
Other research showed that a portion of identified community based/community specific
behaviors were tied to family and community. Those trends can be measured by individual
choices, based on a pattern of personal values. Other motivations examined were social
norms where behavior was demonstrated by the trends of others.
Ms. Miller also examined the trends in water use in new construction from 1990 to 2008
where water conservation measures have affected water use. New development has been
progressively more water efficient. More efficient appliance and plumbing fixtures are
available now, homeowners are moving toward desert landscaping with smaller lots, and
fewer swimming pools are being built. The response to water and wastewater rate
increases, and more environmental awareness have also contributed to the reduction of per
capita use.
Ms. Miller stated that water conservation efforts are a mandated state requirement and
discussed the differences between the Gallons Per Capita per Day Program (GPCD), Non-Per
Capita Conservation Program (NPCCP), and the Modified Non-Per Capita Conservation
Program for municipal providers, which included categories of Best Management Practices
(BMP). The City of Glendale is currently in the GPCD Program and is on target to move into
the Modified NPCCP Program. Going forward, the City may be required to enter into the
Modified NPCCP Program.
Future challenges identified include, keeping pace with new technologies as public
awareness has increased, and processing more complex information requests. The
xeriscape garden which is over 17 years old is the City's biggest program asset, but it has
some challenges with the amount of changes in landscape techniques and plant availability
that has taken place over the years. Looking into the sustainable future, keeping a gauge on
the increasing levels of public awareness and knowledge of important environmental issues,
and monitoring the current trends will be helpful in strengthening the impact of the public's
expectations and interests.
Ms. Miller concluded the presentation by reviewing some of the opportunities in terms of
cost, time, and effort, such as utilizing grants, continuing internal training programs,
strengthening partnerships, and expanding public outreach through the use of the City
website to name a few,
The committee was engaged throughout the presentation with questions and comments to
staff. Council Member Goulet thanked Ms. Miller for her time, and as this was an
informational item, no motion or vote was called for by the committee.
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III. Urban Irrigation Water Service Study
Roger Bailey from Utilities presented this item to the committee. Mr. Bailey's presentation
provided historical information and a current assessment of the urban irrigation service that
the City of Glendale provides.
As a part of an ongoing effort to implement better business practices, the Utilities
Department completed an assessment of the operational and financial status of its urban
irrigation water delivery system and service. Issues researched were the physical condition
of the infrastructure, operation and maintenance costs, replacement and rehabilitation
costs, benefits to the community, and revenues.
While this study warrants an update to determine the current system condition, any
significant improvements will have an associated capital cost that may impact irrigation
rates, depending on how those costs will be absorbed. The presentation provided the
committee several alternatives that were identified to address rate issues and viability of
the irrigation system.
Through the presentation of this information to the committee, Staff is seeking policy
direction on certain operational and financial concerns related to the urban irrigation
service and are recommending that this item be brought forward to a future Council
Workshop.
IV. Staff Updates
Council Member Goulet asked Staff for an update on the Community Garden, to which
Deputy City Manager Ken Reedy and Ms. Miller responded.
V. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at approximately 12:00 noon.
NEXT MEETING: February 16, 2010
10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Council Chambers Conference Room B-2
TOPIC: Glendale General Plan
Respectfully Submitted,
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Marilyn Clark, Recording Secretary