San Francisco Public Utilities Commission
Citizens’ Advisory Committee

MINUTES

June 16, 2008

5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
1155 Market Street
4th Floor Conference Room

Members

Alex Lantsberg– Chair	Lurilla Harris	Laurie Schoeman
Nick Carlin	Winchell Hayward	Robert Varni
Jennifer Clary	Art Jensen	Judy West
David Dawdy	Steve Lawrence
Richard T. Hansen	Kimia Mizany

Staff: Tyrone Jue

ORDER OF BUSINESS 
 
1) Call to order - The meeting was called to order by Chair Lantsberg at 5:43pm

2) Roll Call: Present - Chair Lantsberg, Carlin, Clary, Dawdy, Hansen, Hayward, Jensen, Lawrence, Schoeman, Varni, West

3) Approval of minutes of the May 19, 2008 Meeting

Moved by J. Clary, seconded by L. Schoeman on a motion to approve of the minutes of the May 19, 2008 Meeting. – Motion carries by unanimous vote of all members present with two amendments.

4) Public Comment

Mr. David Drabkin, a District 5 San Francisco resident, introduced himself, his desire to serve on the Citizens’ Advisory Committee, and interest in water and wastewater issues. 

5) Report from the Chair

Chair Lantsberg reported on Mayor’s submitted budget that provides general fund city departments a subsidy on municipal power rates. He also mentioned his meetings with Board of Supervisors members Alioto-Pier and Chu, and the Mayor’s Appointment Secretary Jason Chan regarding vacant CAC appointments.

        Chair Lantsberg will be setting up a meeting with all Committee Chairs and General Manager Ed Harrington 
        in the coming weeks prior to GM Harrington’s attendance of the July CAC meeting.

6) Presentations

a) City and County of San Francisco Sunshine Ordinance Laws for Board Members Annual Training.

City Attorney John Roddy gave a presentation and answered questions regarding San Francisco Sunshine Ordinance Laws and Brown Act requirements. 

7) Discussion and possible action regarding a revised resolution from the Water Subcommittee to support the City’s recycled water program.

Moved by J. Clary. Seconded by B. Varni.

J. Clary outlined proposed recycled water resolution for CAC members that included changes from last month’s CAC meeting and last CAC Water Subcommittee meeting.

B. Varni expressed concerns about passing a resolution supporting a program that the CAC members did not know enough about.  There to be additional analysis and background to justify the need and cost of the program.

A. Jensen stated there should be a clear distinction about public outreach.  The program should not sell the project the public, but truly educate them about the issue so they can make an informed decision.

S. Lawrence discussed the changes in the recycled water program over the last 16 years.  Current costs recycled water will amount to $12 per unit.  Expressed concern that the proposal supports further development in the city.  SFPUC is completely committed to doing recycled water so what is the purpose of the resolution.  Questioned public outreach as there are no members in the public that do not accept recycled water, with the only concerns about cost.

J. Clary responds that the purpose of the resolution is to start the dialogue about recycled water in attempt to proactively address concerns that have been raised in other cities.  The resolution raises questions about technologies, goals, purple piping ordinance, and public outreach.

Continuing discussion among members about the marginal costs of water, the San Francisco ordinance to prevent the paving of the front of homes, and global warming.
 
Amendments made to the proposed resolution. 

Question called. Voting aye: Lantsberg, Carlin, Clary, Dawdy, Hayward, Jensen, Schoeman, Varni, West .  Voting no: Lawrence.  Resolution as amended passed, 9 votes to 1.

8) Subcommittee Reports:

      a) Water
          J. Clary mentioned that motion supporting legislation SB 1258 to expand State’s gray water standards
         did not make it on the agenda.  Next meeting is on a water quality, chloramine, and San Francisco
         property management

b) Power
      N. Carlin stated that the subcommittee had a presentation regarding the new green civic center and the
      Board of Supervisors’ passage of the solar incentive program.

c) Environmental Justice 
     L. Schoeman announced as new Chair for the committee.  Schoeman discussed experience working and
     living in communities of need and looks forward to advocating for positive policies for the residents in the
     Bayview Hunters’ Point and the entire city. 

d) Wastewater
     Chair Lantsberg stated the Commission approved the Master Plan to move forward into environmental 
     review and development of a task force to comment and decide upon the site and design of the new 
     Southeast Plant Digesters.  Next subcommittee meeting will be about the stormwater programs.

9) Discussion of potential future agenda items

Water Supply Improvement Program update addressing Programmatic Environmental Review and water needs at next meeting to coincide with the attendance of PUC GM Ed Harrington.

10) Announcements/Comments

D. Dawdy stated that he has been hired as a sub-consultant for the Turlock Irrigation District to study effect of global warming on the Tuolumne basin.  Will be resigning from the CAC.

J. Clary announced that the recycled water public meeting taking place at the Richmond Senior Center on June 18.

A. Jensen announced a tour of Hetch Hetchy by the Water Education Foundation sponsored by PUC and BAWCA.

11. Adjournment

Moved – J. Clary Seconded – N. Carlin.  Meeting adjourned at 7:07 pm.
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RECYCLED WATER RESOLUTION FOR THE WATER SUBCOMMITTEE
Passed by the Water Subcommittee on April 23, 2008.
Submitted to the CAC on May 19, 2008.
Amended May 28, 2008.
Approved by the CAC on June 16, 2008

WHEREAS the SFPUC Regional Water System has regional vulnerabilities to external factors such as droughts, seismic events and global warming, and

WHEREAS because of the continuing growth of our region the future supply of clean drinking water in sufficient amounts to satisfy the stakeholders and consumers of the SFPUC water system is becoming a topic of increasing concern, and

WHEREAS the SFPUC has embarked through its water system improvement program (WSIP) to begin study and evaluation of ways to produce recycled water, and

WHEREAS recycled water must inevitably and increasingly become a substitute for uses that now employ potable water, and

WHEREAS it is the purpose of the SFPUC Water Subcommittee to encourage, advocate and promote water management practices that improve the reliability and sustainability of its water system

WHEREAS some communities have seen recycled water programs delayed or derailed due to public controversy and lack of information

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the SFPUC Water Subcommittee supports the ongoing development of recycled water projects in San Francisco;

THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the SFPUC Water Subcommittee urges the SFPUC to immediately begin the education and community outreach programs necessary to inform the public debate of recycled water as a valuable substitute for many uses that now consume potable water.

THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the CAC Water Subcommittee will begin a detailed review of the recycled water segment of the WSIP, including establishing need for the program, cost versus benefit, public education, and the marginal cost of recycled water versus other supply alternatives,. for a 3-month period and communicate the committee findings to the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission and the Board of Supervisors.