Desk Item1pW N OF
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
DATE: JUNE 2, 2015
MEETING DATE: 06/02/15
ITEM NO. 10
DESK ITEM
TO: MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
FROM: LES WHITE, INTERIM TOWN MANAGER
SUBJECT: WATER CONSERVATION
INTRODUCE AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING ADDITIONS TO CHAPTER 27
(UTILITIES) OF THE TOWN CODE RELATING TO WATER
CONSERVATION AND WATER MANAGEMENT AND ESTABLISHING
REGULATIONS PROHIBITING NONESSENTIAL USE OF POTABLE
WATER AND ADOPTING PENALTIES AND FINES
A. MAKE THE REQUIRED FINDING THAT THERE IS NO POSSIBILITY
THAT THIS PROJECT WILL HAVE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON THE
ENVIRONMENT; THEREFORE, THE PROJECT IS NOT SUBJECT TO
THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (SECTION
15060 (C)(2) AND SECTION 15060 (C)(3)).
B. MAKE THE REQUIRED FINDING THAT THE PROPOSED TOWN CODE
AMENDMENTS ARE CONSISTENT WITH THE GENERAL PLAN AND
ITS ELEMENTS.
C. MOVE TO INTRODUCE THE ORDINANCE BY TITLE ONLY AND
WAIVE THE READING OF THE ORDINANCE.
REMARKS:
After the initial Staff Report was distributed on May 28, 2015, staff received the attached public
comment.
Attachments 1 -3 (Previously received with staff report on May 28 2015)'
1. Staff report from May 5, 2015 Council meeting including Attachments and Addendum
2. Draft Urgency Ordinance Adopted at the May 5, 2015 Council Meeting
3. Draft Ordinance adding Town Code Chapter 27 Article VI
Attachment 4 (Received with this Desk Item):
4. Public Comment received from 11:01 a.m. Thursday, May 28, 2015 through 11:00 a.m.
Tuesday, June 2, 2015.
�-
PREPARED BY: Matt Morley -4r-
Director of Parks and Public Works
Reviewed by: Assistant Town Manager -w4aTown Attorney Finance
From: Handrsi [mailto:handrsi,_&aoI.com]
Sent: Tuesday, June 02, 2015 10:24 AM
To: Steve Regan; Marcia Jensen; BSpector; Steven Leonardis; Marico Sayoc; Rob Rennie; Council; Town
Manager
Cc: 11 rd si a,aoI coto
Subject: Citizins concersn for Bachman Park
Please find attached Concerns for Bachman Park - Los Gatos:
Please see attached Petition listing Citizens Opposing the Cessation of Water to the Ellenwood %z of
Bachman Park. This was obtained in a 2 hr effort and I am certain the concern is wide spread.
1) Neighbors feel the Park /City decision to stop the water was hasty and without community
involvement . They Parks department did not involve residents as the Park web site states is its goal.
2) The Park Plan April 28 was reviewed and discussed. It is apparent that the water was not distributed
equally or equitably to all parks. You letter indicates that you will continue watering the town Plaza and
Town Hall Building Grass 3 days a week, while the Ellenwood 1/2 of Bachman park may receive no
water and be replaced with drought tolerant plants which would not affect the use of the park ". This is
not in keeping with the SCWD reduction of all outside watering to 2 days per week, not 3. Neighbors
feel we should get our share of the 2 days /wk water for our neighborhood town park.
3) Residents were less interested in saving the Town Plaza Grass or the City Hall Grass for the Music
Festival Use than saving our local parks. Your letter indicates the reason to save these parks over
others is due to the Music Festival use.
4) Some of the thoughts expressed included the following: Many residents are aware of the excessive
number of times the town Plaza grass has been replaced over the past ten years (3 -5x) . They object to
the cost of multiple replacements, poor care, and the destruction to the grass caused by the Music
Festival. They do not think that paving the Plaza with stone or gravel would limit the Music Festival or
town use. The Music Festivals were given priority over residential use of our local parks. Many
residents stated they never attend and some attend the Festivals infrequently. They do not feel it
would harm the town "image" to have gravel, paving or artificial turf as long as well done. Many
suggested that chairs can sit on paved surface or artificial turf without damage to them. The Music
festivals are an extra, and should not be considered in drought management designed to save our park
infrastructure.
4) The Ellenwood 1/2 of Bachman Park is a precious neighborhood and town resource over 35 years old.
Residents in the area do not feel a planted surface of drought tolerant plants will give the same use . It is
cherished by residents providing: 1)serenity /green surfaces for walks 2) loved by children for rolling
down hills, 3) use by families for picnics, young lovers and teens 4) used for weddings 5) high school
graduations /dinners and 6) by those who walk their dogs or play off leash catch. Many of the dog
walkers gather in the evening or morning around the bench at the bottom of the hill and let dogs play
on the grass hill away from the children's area. Many said they come for the grass surface and open
area and do not want draught tolerant landscape which will be dusty and dirty.
ATTACHMENT 4
5) The Park letter to Town council of April 28, 2015 mentions $65,000 for drought management. This
has been approved by council . You also told me on the phone there is a large improvement proposal
for Bachman already on the books for fall of 2015 , about which residents have not been informed. You
stated on the phone that after the grass is dead that the plan is to put in a few drought tolerant trees
and re -pave the path. In Park Department records it notes $225,000 proposed fall improvement
package for Bachman . It is not clear if this is budgeted. Residents think that $290,000 could pay for a
lot of water, even if it is grey water trucked in by tanker to keep the parks grass from dying. Once the
asset of this beautiful green lawn is lost, it is obvious there is no intention on the part of Parks Dept /Los
Gatos Town to revive it or replace it. Money could also have been used for a rain water catch system
for the creek in the park to catch and store water for irrigation of the park grass and for future
generations. None of the residents expressed concern over the walkway in the park scheduled for re-
paving. All expressed that although a bit worn the funds to repave would be better used to keep the
historic park's beautiful green lawn .
6) Residents are aware of the Towns new planting that was done 2014 -2015 around the new town
parking lot and in the center of highway 9. It was improper for the town to add additional plants for
new landscape and water use in a drought year. The water should be saved for existing landscapes
that need maintenance. Perhaps you should let the new landscape die. Last in and first to be turned off
. This "beautifying the town ", versus useful planting for public use seems inappropriate. As you letter
states the town made the 25% goal of 2014 and the current goal not yet in effect is 30% these small
changes might help.
SUGGESTIONS/ALTERNATIVES:
1. Immediately restore water 2 days a week at Bachman after a full soaking. This must be done now as
it is becoming permanently irretrievable quickly.
2. Water all outside areas 2 days week all lawns in parks and town
3. Shut down all or 1/2 the town Plaza and 112 City hall lawn and divert it to neighborhood parks.
4. Replace City hall plants with drought tolerant plants or paved festival area.
5. Let town plaza grass die and replace with stone pavers (very European), gravel or artificial grass
6. Obtain grey water by Tanker truck for 16 -20 weeks until fall. Perhaps $20,000 from drought
management . Check with Campbell and Santa Clara for extra grey water or Livermore Drought Saver
Company. (Why wasn't this explored and reported to residents)
7. Hold a meeting for residents immediately in the Park or elsewhere regarding water, park plans for
planting and path to get more community input on plan and budget.
8. Divert some of the approximate 20,000 gallons from Blossom hill Park 1,2 and Live Oak to Bachman
now under 2500 cu feet of use.
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