Citizen’s Advisory Committee
Water Subcommittee

MINUTES

February 12, 2007
5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
1155 Market Street
4th Floor Conference Room

Members

Jennifer Clary - Chair	Richard Hansen
David Dawdy	Art Jensen
Heather Dempsey	Robert Varni

Staff: Maureen Barry

ORDER OF BUSINESS

Roll Call 
Present: Clary, Dawdy, Dempsey, Hansen, Varni
Absent:  Jensen

Other guests included Kevin O’Connell, North Coast County Water District; Daniel LaForte and Katie Petrucone, SF Recreation & Parks; Stan Kaufman, MD, and
Brent Plater

1. Call to order 

Meeting was called to order at 5:11pm by Jennifer Clary.

2. Minutes of January 8, 2007 meeting were approved with the following notes:
Brian Sadden's seismic report gave a figure of 70% of turnouts being operational after a seismic event.  David Dawdy and Art Jensen requested that probability figure be broken down by turnout.
 
3. Announcements

None.  The meeting started late and the Chair moved into the program presentations.  

Chair Clary and H. Dempsey would like the final summary from the first day of the SFPUC Climate Change Summit as well as the final summary when it was available.
David Behar will provide summary at the March meeting.

4. Public Comment
None.

5. Presentation/ Discussion and Possible Action

A. Water Enterprise Emergency Response Planning: Greg Suhr

Mr. Suhr and his deputy John Rodgers outlined the Emergency Operations Plan and how they are trying to consolidate 16 individual emergency preparedness plans under one umbrella plan.  The 16 division plans would be added as appendages to the overall plan.

Suhr explained that California adopted post-9/11 an emergency plan based on the National Incident Management System (NIMS) template that illustrates how all critical staff plug into emergency response.  On February 22, the City held its first emergency workshop with key staff from all departments focused on the Sustained Incident Management System (SIMS) in which NIMS is based.   SFPUC is really taking the lead in getting the agency plan perfected.  The overall plan includes a gap analysis by an outside consultant as to where SFPUC needs to reinforce emergency preparedness and response within the enterprises.  

There were questions about the agency’s response to an earthquake as well as how we would react should a reservoir collapse.  Both Mr. Suhr and Michael Carlin assured the Committee that these issues have been thoroughly addressed in past plans and in emergency practice activities.   This also includes participation in the CA Water Response Network regarding sharing water supplies.

Mr. Suhr invited a representative to attend an agency emergency planning meeting at Water Supply and Treatment later in the week.  Committee member R Hansen expressed interest.    Chair Clary suggested that Mr. Suhr report back to the full CAC in July when his report was finalized.

B & C. Recycled Water – Paula Kehoe & Sharp Park & Recycle Water Project 

Paul Kehoe of the Water Enterprise provided an overview of the recycled water program to date, and noted that the public process was just commencing.  She said agency staff looks forward to hearing from the public.  She noted that a report has been filed, as required, with the State Water Resources Board.   

This presentation led to a discussion regarding recycled water in northern San Mateo County, and a partnership with SFPUC and North Coast County Water District.   Stan Kaufman, an interested stakeholder, presented objections to this process explaining natural areas concerns about the designated tank site.   Mr. Kaufman claimed that the tank would affect critical species and vegetation as well as natural recreation areas.   He also was concerned that the process was proceeding without a full EIR.

Kevin O’Connell of North Coast County Water District disputed some of Mr. Kaufman’s claims noting that the location was preferred by the Natural Areas Program of SF Recreation & Parks when selected a few years ago.  He also said the project would save 50 million gallons of potable water annually. 

Chair Clary noted that this issue pointed to the need for increasing education about recycled water.   R.  Hansen asked about the additional costs of running a recycled water system.   It was noted that Rec & Parks does not currently pay for water to irrigate.  Rec/Parks would pay for recycled water offsetting operations and maintenance costs of providing this water.

While some members questioned how meaningful it was to save 50,000 gallons annually, H Dempsey reminded the group that every drop saved means the overall system will draw less from the Tuolumne River.  It was also noted that these savings contribute the overall reliability of system. 

As a follow-up attorney Brent Plater, reviewed the performance of the Sharp Golf Course and questioned its viability.  In the end, members discussed a possible resolution regarding this recycled water project and natural areas stewardship.  The Chair opted to withdraw the resolution at this time.

D.  Long Term Strategic Planning -  AGM Michael Carlin

Mr. Carlin noted that the Water Enterprise is reviewing and elevating numerous factors for planning and budgeting purposes.  He said the first document the Committee will see is a draft sustainability report addressing how we do things and what we need to be doing to operate the water system effectively and as good stewards. 

He explained the enterprise is delving into many aspects of the business such as 1) How much it costs us to deliver a gallon of water?  2) How much it actually costs to fix a leak?  This is data not currently available.

The enterprise is looking at revenue over the longer term as debt service rises as the agency rebuilds the regional water system.   Overall, he explained that the enterprise will make a business case for how we will ultimately sustain the system.

He responded to questions about the Operations & Maintenance Plan that he said would address asset management over a 20-year period.  

6. Future Meetings

The Committee agreed to change the meeting date to the 4th Wednesday in the month, pending Mr. Jensen’s approval.  He has subsequently agreed to this date.  The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 28, 2007. 

7. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 7:18 p.m.