HomeMy WebLinkAboutPresent: Water Use Ban
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE:
AGENDA #:
PREPARED BY:
AGENDA ITEM:
JULY 16, 2001
6A
FRANK BOYLES, CITY MANAGER
PRESENTATION: BUD OSMUNDSON, OUTDOOR WATER USE
BAN
PRESENTATION:
We are receiving a considerable amount of questions from the public
regarding the necessity of the Outdoor Water Use Ban. I have asked
Bud to be prepared to discuss the ban and specifically the following
questions:
1. What water conditions made it necessary for the City to
implement a ban?
2. Is the increased water usage due to violations of the even/odd
restrictions?
3. Is the increased water usage due to the rate of new development?
4. Is the City providing a sufficient number of wells and towers to
serve our growing community?
5. Are there any exceptions to the watering ban?
6. What steps have and are being taken to publicize the ban?
7. What is the penalty for violating the ban?
8. How long will the ban last?
If Council members are aware of other questions, Bud will attempt to
address them at the Council meeting. This presentation is part of our
, effort to get the ord ut.
REVIEWED BY:
r:\plancomm\frank6a.doc P 1
1620u Eagle Creek Ave. S.E., Prior Lake, Minnesota 55372-1714 / Ph. (612) 447-4230 / Fax (61~) 447-4245
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
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I. Introduction
A. Name - Tom Becker
B. My wife and I live at - 5620 Parkview Circle SE, Prior
Lake, MN
C. Lived in Prior Lake
1. A little over 2 years
2. This is my 3rd summer here
II. My Experience
A. Summer 1999
1. Became aware of water restrictions -
2. Odd-even
3. Largely unfair because of my work schedule can barely
water on the weekends let alone weekdays.
4. Thought this approach a throwback to gas rationing of
the seventies
B. Summer 2000
1. Water restrictions - "their back"
2. Managed to develop ways to work wI odd-even system
C. Summer 2001
1. Now - we face an outright ban on non-essential use
2. Even I noticed the trend - gee there's less and less
water
3. That in the face of 77" of snow this winter, 4" of rain in
May-June and a flooded Minnesota River
4. We're told that water is being wasted
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5. We're told we're consuming too much
6. We're told there are 3 wells with a fourth coming
7. And its all blamed on the DNR
III. Remarks
A. I'm not here to Monday morning quarterback the
decision to ban non-essential use of water - this decision
was made in the face of public safety issues
B. However, During the 2 plus years I've been in Prior Lake
growth has been nothing less than phenomenal because of
this I don't buy into the City Managers enviro-minimalism
C. Where is the water coming from for these projects, the 3
wells that are running dry?
D. And growth continues
E. Further, the odd-even system really does little to
encourage conservation -
F. Where is the city on the use of drought tolerant
plantings for new construction?
G. Why are swimming pools allowed to be filled from the
water supply system?
H. Why is a large high school being erected in the area to
further encourage growth?
I. What specific steps are commercial water users taking
to conserve water?
J. I do not appreciate being told I'm the problem when it
seems like planning for growth here was done on the back
of paper napkin...
IV. Proposal
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A. Here are some concrete suggestions for this city council
- In the face of this crisis
1. No permit for watering for new sod should be granted
period. Drought tolerant plantings should be used in
place of sod.
2. All swimming pools in Prior Lake should require a
permit to be filled from the city water supply -
3. All new construction should be held in abeyance until
an adequate water supply can be identified - In this case
defined as a water supply sufficient to allow unrestricted
water use
4. The DNR is not an excuse - If DNR does not grant to
this city the ability to adequately provide water for the
citizens of this city then we should be prepared to file a
lawsuit against the state to force the issue.