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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 04/01/2003 - SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 048, 2003, SUPERCE AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY ITEM NUMBER: 13 DATE: April 1, 2003 FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL FROM: Michael Smith Wendy Williams SUBJECT: Second Reading of Ordinance No. 048, 2003, Superceding Emergency Ordinance No. 112, 2002, and Prescribing Temporary Restrictions on and Requirements for the Use of City Treated Water Pursuant to a Water Supply Shortage Response Plan to Be Effective April 11, 2003. RECOMMENDATION: Staff and the Water Board recommend adoption of the Ordinance on Second Reading. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Current projections for water supply from the Poudre River and the Colorado-Big Thompson(CBT) Project for this and coming years indicate that supply may not be sufficient to meet unrestricted demand. Ordinance No.048,2003,was unanimously adopted on First Reading on March 25,2003, { prescribing temporary restrictions pursuant to the Water Supply Shortage Response Plan. I Ii i • ORDINANCE NO. 048, 2003 OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS SUPERCEDING EMERGENCY ORDINANCE NO. 112, 2002, TO PRESCRIBE TEMPORARY RESTRICTIONS ON AND REQUIREMENTS FOR THE USE OF CITY TREATED WATER PURSUANT TO A WATER SUPPLY SHORTAGE RESPONSE PLAN TO BE EFFECTIVE APRIL 11, 2003 WHEREAS, on July 16, 2002, the City Council adopted Emergency Ordinance No. 112, 2002, which prescribed certain restrictions on the use of City-treated water for lawn watering, in view of the current conditions and projections for future municipal water supplies in Fort Collins; and WHEREAS, on September 3, 2002, the Council adopted on second reading Ordinance No. 118, 2002, amending Emergency Ordinance No. 112 to increase the-time allowable for watering of new sod and seeded areas, and to make other clarifying changes; and WHEREAS, on September 17, 2002, the continued drought conditions in the region had resulted in increased concerns regarding future municipal water supplies for Fort Collins and, as a result, the Council adopted on second reading Ordinance No. 135, 2002, which limited lawn watering with City-treated water to one day per week, as of October 1, 2002; and WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 112, 2002, as amended by Ordinance No. 118 and Ordinance No. 135, continues in effect as of the time of this Ordinance; and WHEREAS, in light of the continued threat of drought conditions in Fort Collins, and the evolving condition of the City's municipal water supply and the information related thereto,the City Council desires to establish a system by which water use restrictions shall be determined administratively; and WHEREAS, the City Manager has recommended that the City Council adopt a four-tier Water Supply Shortage Response Plan, attached hereto as Exhibit "A" and incorporated herein by this reference(the"Response Plan"),which upon adoption by the Council will provide a system of water supply shortage response levels and corresponding water restrictions and conservation measures to be implemented administratively based on the projected water supply shortage; and WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that the adoption of the Response Plan will enable the City Manager to respond appropriately to changing water supply conditions based on the Council's directions set forth therein. NOW,THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS as follows: Section 1. As of April 11, 2003, Ordinance No. 112, 2002, as amended, shall be superceded by the terms of this Ordinance. Section 2. The City Manager is hereby authorized to determine, based upon the most current available estimated water supplies available to the City, water consumption data, and climatological forecasts, the projected water supply shortage for Fort Collins. The City Manager is further authorized and directed to declare,based on that determination,the appropriate Water Supply Shortage Response Level, as set forth in the Response Plan attached hereto as Exhibit"A". Upon such determination and declaration, the City Manager shall cause to be published in the local newspaper of record a notice of the restrictions and requirements corresponding to that Water Supply Shortage Response Level, as set forth herein, and the effective date of said restrictions and requirements, which shall be no more than fourteen(14)days and no fewer than ten (10)days after the date of such declaration. The City Manager shall inform the City Council promptly of any such determination and declaration. Section 3. The following terms shall be defined as set forth herein for the purposes of this Ordinance: A. "Lawn watering"shall mean the use of treated or potable water obtained from the City to irrigate or water any lawn, grass or turf areas, but shall not include: i. irrigation or watering of flowers, flower beds, trees, shrubs, or vegetable gardens; or ii. irrigation or watering of lawn, grass or turf areas with privately owned well water or raw water, provided that the user of any such well or raw water for irrigation or watering within the service area of the city water utility has requested a permit and posted a public notice of the same in the watering location in a manner visible from the street. B. "Dealership vehicle" shall mean any unregistered vehicle on display or awaiting sale by a vehicle dealer or other person holding or selling vehicles in the normal course of business. C. "Designated landing area" shall mean that area of any golf course hole that is determined by the Utilities General Manager, in consultation with such other officials and experts as he or she deems appropriate, to constitute the portion of said golf course hole in which golf balls hit by the average golfer on said hole will land. D. "Health and safety reasons"shall mean as reasonably necessary to remedy an accidental or unavoidable unsanitary or dangerous condition that poses an immediate health risk or danger to the public or to the occupants of a particular property.The spraying of impervious surfaces forhealth and safety reasons shall only be permitted in the event that the unsanitary or dangerous condition may only reasonably be remedied by the use of sprayed water. E. "Landscape watering"shall mean the use of treated or potable water obtained from the City to irrigate or water any flowers, flower beds, trees, shrubs, vegetable gardens,or other landscaped plantings or plants,but shall exclude lawn watering, as defined herein. F. "Low-volume efficient irrigation" shall mean an irrigation system that includes only bubblers,drip emitters,soaker hoses and subsurface irrigation such as deep probe irrigation, as well as micro-spray irrigation. G. "Medical hardship" shall mean an exceptional hardship imposed upon an individual residential customer by the restrictions set forth in this Ordinance. H. "Private" shall mean not public. I. "Public"shall mean operated for use by the general public or publicly owned and operated. J. "Religious objection" shall mean an objection to the specific application of the requirements of this Ordinance due to a conflicting religious belief that precludes watering on an assigned day. K. "Residential' shall mean a single-family or duplex residential property or account. L. "Spraying impervious surfaces"shall mean rinsing,washing or spraying with a hose impervious interior or exterior surfaces, including but not limited to surfaces such as garage floors, siding, windows, sidewalks, driveways, or patios. The term spraying impervious surfaces shall not mean powerspraying of painted surfaces to remove paint. M. "Sprinkler system maintenance" shall mean the operation of an automatic watering system to the extent reasonably necessary for repair or maintenance. N. "Water fountain" shall mean a water feature that either causes water to be sprayed into the air, or is a waterfall or fountain for public display.The term waterfountain shall not mean a water feature of a pond or basin that performs a function essential to the support of fish life in that pond or basin. Section 4. When the City Manager has declared the City to be in a specified Water Supply Shortage Response Level condition, it shall be unlawful, and a violation of the terms and conditions upon which the City shall provide treated water to its customers, for any person to undertake or permit activities or use of City-treated water in a violation of the water restrictions and requirements associated with that particular Response Level, as set forth in Exhibit "A". Section 5. Each person, including any natural person,entity,organization, partnership, association or joint venture, with legal or actual control of any property, business or other establishment,water account,or water system serving any of the same,shall have an affirmative duty to cause said property, business or other establishment, water account, or water system to operate and act in a manner consistent with the restrictions and requirements of this Ordinance. Section 6. In the event that the Utilities General Manager determines that a permit application meets the applicable eligibility requirements,then he or she shall issue a permit for lawn watering containing such terms and conditions as he or she determines, in his or her reasonable discretion, will allow the minimum watering necessary to carry out the intent of the permit. The Utilities General Manager may, in determining said permit terms and conditions, consider the impacts of the permitted lawn watering on the City's water supply or water system operations. Any determination of the Utilities General Manager hereunder shall be issued within five (5) business days of the submission of a complete application, shall be provided in writing to the applicant, and shall include an explanation of the basis for any determination of denial. Section 7. A written determination by the Utilities General Manager under Section 6 may be appealed to City Manager,provided that notice of any such appeal shall be filed in writing within five (5) days of issuance of the same and shall include an explanation of the basis for the appeal. The City Manager may conduct such investigations as he or she determines appropriate or necessary to determine whether the decision appealed was arbitrary or capricious or otherwise inconsistent with the terms of this Ordinance,and shall issue a written explanation of his or her decision on any appeal within ten (10) days of the submission of a sufficient notice of appeal. Section 8. Use of City treated water in violation of this Ordinance or in violation of a permit issued hereunder shall constitute a violation of City Code Section 26-51, which authorizes the discontinuation of water service in the event of use of water for purposes not authorized. Section 9. Violation of the terms of this Ordinance in the city or violation of the terms of a permit issued hereunder shall be deemed to constitute a violation of the City Code pursuant to City Code Section 1-15(a),and shall be punishable as set forth therein,except that notwithstanding the provisions of Section 1-15(a), fines for violations of this Ordinance shall be as follows: A. Residential Violations i. Violation of any provision of this Ordinance or permit issued hereunder on or for a residential property or use shall be punishable by a minimum fine of fifty dollars ($50) per violation up to a maximum fine of one thousand dollars ($1,000)per violation, if the violation occurs during a Response Level 1 or Response Level 2 condition. ii. Violation of any provision of this Ordinance or permit issued hereunder on or for a residential property or use shall be punishable by a minimum fine of one hundred dollars($100)per violation up to a maximum fine of one thousand dollars($1,000)per violation,if the violation occurs during a Response Level 3 or Response Level 4 condition. B. Non-Residential Violations i. Violation of any provision of this Ordinance or permit issued hereunder on or for any property or use other than a residential property or use shall be punishable by a minimum fine of two hundred and fifty dollars ($250)per violation up to a maximum fine of one thousand dollars($1,000)per violation,if the violation occurs during a Response Level 1 or Response Level 2 condition. ii. Violation of any provision of this Ordinance or permit issued hereunder on or for any property or use other than a residential property or use shall be punishable by a minimum fine of five hundred dollars ($500) per violation up to a maximum fine of one thousand dollars($1,000)per violation,if the violation occurs during a Response Level 3 or Response Level 4 condition. C. Each day during which a violation of any provision of this Ordinance or permit issued hereunder occurs or continues shall constitute a separate misdemeanor offense under this Ordinance. Section 10. The City Manager is hereby directed to present to the Council for consideration a revised water rate structure to reflect revised consumption and revenue projections as soon as reasonably practicable after a change in the Water Supply Shortage Response Level. Section 11. The City Manager shall conduct the business of the City in a manner consistent with applicable provisions of the Water Supply Shortage Response Plan. Section 12. This Ordinance shall remain in effect until such time as the City Council determines that municipal water supply conditions no longer justify the continued implementation of the Water Supply Shortage Response Plan. • Introduced, considered favorably on first reading, and ordered published this 25th day of March, A.D. 2003, and to be presented for final passage on the 1st day of April, A.D. 2003. Mayor EST: VML�AAL, AA City Clerk Passed and adopted on final reading this 1st day of April, A.D. 2003. Mayor ATTEST: City Clerk Water Supply Shortage Response Plan March 20,2003 Response Response Response Response Level Leve12 Level3 Leve14 Water Supply Projected water supply shortage as determined by 1-10% 11-20% 21-30% Greater than 30% the City Manager Regulated Water Use #44 MR' Activities z $9 '�Ak s L ff x,.l; �f tl &�ntr �1 t A Yxn s t 1 ^ 4 � ' ( � fir ' i'i1' ^' 1. Lawn &turf watering ,. a. Non-watering hours No lawn watering between No lawn watering between No lawn watering between No lawn watering between 10 a.m.to 6 p.m. 10 a.m.to 6 p.m. 10 a.m.to 6 p.m. 10 a.m.to 6 p.m. b. Number of watering Residential(even)-Th&Sun Residential(even)-Sun Residential(even)-Sun No watering from 6/1 thru 8/31. days per week Residential(odd)-Wed&Sat Residential(odd)-Sat Residential(odd)-Sat Use Level 3 restrictions from 9/1 (Note:even and odd refers Multi-family&Commercial-Toe Multi-family&Commercial-Fri Multi-family&Commercial-Fri thru 5/31. to the street address) &Fri No watering Monday thru No watering Monday thru No watering on Monday. Thursday. Thursday. c. Time limit per day Unrestricted during watering Unrestricted during watering 2 hours during designated No watering from 611 thru 8/31. hours hours watering day Use Level 3 restrictions from 9/1 thru 5/31. d. Sprinkler system Allowed any time. Minimize water Allowed any time. Minimize water Allowed any time. Minimize water Allowed only from 90 thru 5/31. maintenance used. used. used. Minimize water used. 2. Lawn &turf watering exceptions by permit oteAlt rtptsmtstbdyrlf. rta F ss „,: rMcrh. a. Sod and seed for new Permit required to water other Permit required to water other No exceptions from 5/15 thm lawns than normal watering days for a than normal watering day for a 8/15. No exceptions period not to exceed 3 weeks for period not to exceed 3 weeks for Permit required to water other sod and 4 weeks for seed. sod and 4 weeks for seed. than normal watering day for a period not to exceed 3 weeks for sod and 4 weeks for seed that is installed from 8/16 thru 5114. b. Medical hardship Permit required for a special Permit required for a special Permit required for a special watering schedule to watering schedule to watering schedule to No exceptions accommodate medical hardship. accommodate medical hardship. accommodate medical hardship. No watering on Monday and No watering on Monday thru No watering on Monday thru between the hours of 10 a.m.and Thursday and between the hours Thursday and between the hours 6 p.m. of 10 a.m:and 6 p.m. of 10 a.m.and 6 p.m. Must comply with 2 hr/week restriction. c. Religious objection Permit required to accommodate Permit required to accommodate Permit required to accommodate a different two-day schedule.No a different watering day. No a different watering day. No No exceptions watering on Monday and between watering Monday thru Thursday watering Monday thru Thursday the hours of 10 a.m.and 6 p.m. and between the hours of 10 a.m. and between the hours of 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. and 6 p.m. Must comply with 2 hr/week restriction. 1 Response Response Response Response Levell Leve12 Leve13 Leve14 d. 4 acres or more Permit required for a special Permit required for a special watering schedule to watering schedule to No exceptions No exceptions accommodate areas of 4 acres or accommodate areas of 4 acres or more. Max of 1.00'per week. more. Max of 0.75'per week. No watering on Monday and No watering Monday thru between the hours of 10 a.m.and Thursday and between the hours 6 p.m. of 10 a.m.and 6 p.m. e. City parks&public Permit required for a special Permit required for a special Permit required for a special athletic/playing fields watering schedule. Max of 1.25' watering schedule. Max of 1.00' watering schedule for only select No exceptions using treated water per week. No watering on per week. No watering Monday fields. Max of 0.75'per week. Monday and between the hours thru Thursday and between the No watering Monday thru of 10 a.m.and 6 p.m. hours of 10 a.m.and 6 p.m. Thursday and between the hours of 10 a.m.and 8 p.m. f. Golf courses using Permit required for special Permit required for special Permit required for special Permit required for special treated water watering schedule-No watering watering schedule-No watering watering schedule. Max of 0.75' watering schedule. Max of 0.75' rough. No watering between the rough. No watering between the per week for tees,greens& per week for tees and greens. No hours of 10 a.m.and 6 p.m. hours of 10 a.m.and 6 p.m. designated landing areas. No watering between the.hours of 10 watering between the hours of 10 a.m.and 6 p.m. a.m.and 6 p.m. g. Well or raw water Registration recommended- Registration recommended- Registration recommended- Registration recommended- unrestricled use . unrestricted use unrestricted use unrestricted use 3. Landscape watering Water by hose with shutoff nozzle Water by hose with shutoff nozzle Water by hose with shutoff nozzle trees, shrubs, gardens) Unrestricted or low-volume efficient irrigation. or low-volume efficient Irrigation. or low-volume efficient irrigation. 4. Non-automated car Shutoff nozzle and bucket Shutoff nozzle and bucket Not allowed from 6/1 thru 6/31. washing required. required. Shutoff nozzle and bucket Not allowed required 9/1 thru 5/31. 5. Washing City fleet Once per week or as approved by Once per month or as approved Not allowed unless approved by Not allowed unless approved by vehicles the City Manager for health or by the City Manager for health or the City Manager for health or the City Manager for health or safety reasons. safety reasons. safety reasons. safety reasons. 6. Dealership vehicle washing Once per week Once per week Upon sale Upon sale 7. Spraying impervious surfaces (siding, Not allowed Not allowed Not allowed Not allowed garages, sidewalks, driveways, patios) except as necessary for health and safety reasons 8. Hydrant flushing& Limited to critical situations as Limited to critical situations as Limited to critical situations as testing Unrestricted approved by the Utilities General approved by the Utilities General approved by the Utilities General Manager. Manager. Manager. 9. Water Fountains Public Display No use allowed No use allowed No use allowed No use allowed Private Unrestricted No use allowed No use allowed No use allowed Response Response Response Response Levell Leve12 Leve13 Leve14 Enforcement 'F. . . . a.,,: W, a , 1. Residential tines per violation $50 to$1,000 $50 to$1,000 $100 to$1,000 $10010$1,000 2. Business fines per violation $250 to$1,000 $250 to$1.000 $500 to$1,000 $500 to$1,000 Water Rate Adjustments Adjust water rates to Recommend adjustment that Recommend adjustment that Recommend adjustment that encourage additional No adjustment reflects a 15%reduction in water reflects a 25%reduction in water reflects a 35%reduction in water demand. demand. demand. conservation 3 AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY ITEM NUMBER: 28 DATE: March 18, 2003 10 FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL STAFF' Michael Smith Wendy Williams SUBJECT: First Reading of Ordinance No. 048, 2003, Superceding Emergency Ordinance No. 112, 2002, and Prescribing Temporary Restrictions on and Requirements for the Use of City Treated Water Pursuant to a Water Supply Shortage Response Plan to Be Effective April 11, 2003. RECOMMENDATION: Staff and the Water Board recommend adoption ofPeOrdinar ce on First Reading. FINANCIAL IMPACT: Estimated costs for 2003 are $120,000 for outreach and $20,000 for enforcement. The potential impact on Water Fund revenues is difficult to predict and will depend upon consumer behavior. u. . i v EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Current projections for water supply from the Poudre River and the Colorado-Big Thompson(CBT) Project for this and coming years indicate that supply may not be sufficient to meet unrestricted 0 demand. BACKGROUND: y Current Supply Outlook Projected supply conditions for 2003 continue to be poor. Water supplies were low in 2002 with Poudre River yields the lowest on record and a Colorado-Big Thompson (CBT)quota of 70%. The supplies available to the City of Fort Collins in 2003 are likely to be even less than in 2002.The City gets its supplies primarily from water rights on the Poudre River and from Horsetooth Reservoir, which is part of the CBT Project operated by the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District (NCWCD). Supplies available to the City from the Poudre River in 2003 are largely dependent on the snowpack received during the next 2-3 months and the City's capability to convey the supplies through its pipeline to the water treatment facility. The existing pipeline capacity limits the amount that can be obtained from the Poudre River, even if it turns out to be a wet year. The amount of water available from Horsetooth Reservoir will be severely limited due to the projected lowest allocation of water since the CBT project became operational. The NCWCD has issued a 30%quota