Agenda Item Wording:
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Water Management Plan - Consider approval of 2024 Water Management Plan submitted by the Visalia Water Management Committee.
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Deadline for Action: 8/19/2024
Submitting Department: Administration
Contact Name and Phone Number: Jennifer Gomez, Management Analyst, (559) 713-4053
Department Recommendation:
It is the recommendation of staff that City Council approve the 2024 Visalia Water Management Plan.
Background Discussion:
In 2001, the City of Visalia (City) partnered with the Kaweah Delta Water Conservation District (KDWCD) for the purpose of water resources management, supplemental surface purchases, and necessary or opportunistic projects on behalf of the City’s benefit. The contract (Contract) is valid for a term of 40 years, at which time both parties have the option to re-negotiate terms.
According to the terms of this agreement, KDWCD will perform these tasks on behalf of the City in exchange for $100,000 annually at the time of the agreement, adjusted annually for inflation. The funds are designated for beneficial purchases and/or projects, when such purchases are considered economically feasible. As a result of unpredictable and alternating wet and dry years, opportunities to purchase additional water supplies are not constant and highly volatile. Years in which reasonable supplemental resources are unavailable, un-utilized funds are rolled over into the following year.
As per the Contract, KDWCD is obligated to provide a management plan for the incoming year for the City Council to approve. Below is a description of the 2024 Visalia Water Management Plan (Plan). A copy of the Plan has been included as an attachment.
A majority of the Plan is comprised of pre-existing goals outlined by the Management Committee and includes basic actions such as location and purchase of supplemental surface supplies, further assessment of potential water recharge facilities, and investigation and pursuit of available water rights for the purposes of groundwater recharge. The Plan also includes a contingency for the KDWCD to be authorized to purchase a maximum of $300,000 worth of water supplies not to exceed $150 per acre-foot for the benefit of the City with consent from by the District General Manager and the Visalia City Manager. This authorization is to prevent a delay of purchase when action is required sooner than the Management Committee has the ability to convene.
Fiscal Impact:
In Fiscal Year 2023/24, the City paid $14,251.55 a month, totaling $171,018.62. With an adjustment for inflation, the City is paying $14,750.72 a month in the current fiscal year. These costs are paid from multiple revenue sources including Ground Water Extraction fees collected through Cal Water, and City fees collected from Ground Water Mitigation impact fees and Water Recharge fees.
Prior Council Action: City Council approved the 2023 Visalia Water Management Plan in March of 2023. City Council approved the original Plan in December of 2001.
Other: N/A
Alternatives: The City Council may choose to not approve the Plan in which case the Management Committee would be required to re-convene and submit a modified plan.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
Recommend to approve the 2024 Visalia Water Management Plan as submitted by the Kaweah Delta Water Conservation District.
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Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Attachments: 2024 Visalia Water Management Plan