Regular-General Government # 39.
Board of Supervisors
County Administrator
- Meeting Date:
- 08/31/2021
- Brief Title
- Drought Update and Drought Response Actions; Introduction of Water Conservation Program Ordinance
From:
Daniel Kim, Interim County Administrator, County Administrator's Office
Staff Contact:
Dana Carey, Emergency Services Manager, County Administrator's Office, x4933
Supervisorial District Impact:
Subject
Receive drought update, consider approval of drought response actions, and hold public hearing to introduce an Ordinance of the Yolo County Board of Supervisors adding Article 7 to Chapter 8 of Title 6 to the Yolo County Code to adopt a Water Conservation Program, and continue to the September 14, 2021 Board of Supervisors meeting for a second reading and adoption. (No general fund impact) (Kim/Carey)
Recommended Action
- Receive an update on the 2021 drought;
- Adopt resolution authorizing the Director of Community Services to submit an emergency drought funding application on behalf of the Wild Wings County Service Area (CSA 15) for the Wild Wings New Well Project;
- Introduce an Ordinance adding Article 7 to Chapter 8 to Title 6 of the Yolo County Code, establishing a Water Conservation Program and continue to the September 14, 2021 board of Supervisors meeting for a second reading and adoption; and
- Consider approval of a Work Order Authorization in the amount of $125,000 with Consero Solutions for emergency drought and infrastructure improvement grant writing, project management, and related services.
Strategic Plan Goal(s)
 |
Thriving Residents |
 |
Sustainable Environment |
 |
Flourishing Agriculture |
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Robust Economy |
Reason for Recommended Action/Background
County staff will provide the Board with an update on drought impacts and proposed actions for drought response, including:
- An update on current groundwater conditions (Yolo Groundwater Sustainability Agency/ Water Resources Association)
- An update on impacts to County residents and infrastructure from the on-going drought emergency (Yolo County Office of Emergency Services)
- An update on various emergency funding streams available for emergency drought response and infrastructure improvements (Yolo County Natural Resources);
- Consider authorizing the Director of Community Services to submit funding applications for the Wild Wings New Well project (Att. A)
- Hold a public hearing and introduce an ordinance establishing a water conservation program pursuant to Water Code section 375 et seq. (Att. B). On July 27, 2021, the Board adopted Resolution No. 21-98 proclaiming the existence of a local drought emergency and further adopted Resolution No. 21-99 confirming the authority of the Director of Emergency Services to implement mandatory water restrictions in the Wild Wings County Service Area if necessitated by water supply conditions. The drought emergency continues and more and more agencies are implementing water conservation measures. Water Code section 375 et seq. empowers any public entity that supplies water at retail or wholesale to adopt and enforce a water conservation program to reduce the quantity of such water use by those within its service area after holding a public hearing and making appropriate findings of necessity for the adoption of the conservation program. As explained in the proposed ordinance, the current drought is impacting domestic wells that serve communities in the unincorporated areas of Yolo County. For example, there are two wells serving the Wild Wings CSA, and as of early Spring 2021, both wells were approximately 18 feet lower than the same time last year. One of these wells had to be turned off this summer for as the pump was no longer stable enough to operate the well and the other well is projected to have three-four months remaining to shutoff if the drought continues and groundwater levels do not recover. California is in its second consecutive year of dry conditions and adoption of a water conservation program is necessary to preserve limited potable water supplies. The proposed conservation program is modeled after the template created by the Department of Water Resources and reflects recent updates to similar water conservation programs adopted by urban water suppliers, including the cities of Davis and Woodland, with six drought response levels that implement increasing conservation restrictions with each level. For instance, if conservation of 20% as compared to the prior year is needed in a particular CSA, the Board may adopt a resolution declaring a Level 2 drought response, which limits water customers to no more than three days of irrigating per week. The ordinance further authorizes the imposition of penalties and declares violations of the ordinance to be a public nuisance subject to administrative citations with fines up to $1,000 per violation per day pursuant to Chapter 5 (Code Enforcement) of Title 1 of the Yolo County Code.
- Consider approval of a Work Order Authorization for Consero Solutions (Att. C), not to exceed $125,000, for grant writing, project management, and related services to assist staff with compiling and submitting funding applications to state/federal agencies for emergency drought and/or infrastructure programs.
Collaborations (including Board advisory groups and external partner agencies)
Staff has collaborated with the Community Services Department, Office of County Counsel, the County Administrators' Office, the Yolo Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Agency, the Water Resources Association of Yolo County, the Westside Sacramento Integrated Regional Water Management Coordinating Committee, and various state and federal agencies on this item.
Fiscal Impact
No Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact (Expenditure)
- Total cost of recommended action:
- $ 125,000
- Amount budgeted for expenditure:
- $ 125,000
- Additional expenditure authority needed:
- $ 0
- One-time commitment:
- Yes
Source of Funds for this Expenditure
- General Fund
- $0
Further explanation as needed:
There is adequate funding in the CAO - Water Resources budget to fund the work order authorization.
Attachments
- Att. A. CSD Drought Funding Reso
- Att. B. Ordinance Conservation Program
- Att. C. Consero Solutions WOA
- Att. D. Presentation
Form Review
| Inbox | Reviewed By | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Kimberly Hood | Kimberly Hood | 08/25/2021 12:25 PM |
- Form Started By:
- Lupita Ramirez
- Started On:
- 07/28/2021 01:40 PM
- Final Approval Date:
- 08/26/2021