Signal Hill Public Works director recommends various water-conservation measures

Cory Bilicko:
Managing Editor

Water usage was the topic to which the most time was dedicated during the Signal Hill City Council meeting on Tuesday, April 7, as Public Works director Steve Myrter gave a presentation on Gov. Jerry Brown’s executive order B-29-15, which calls for mandatory water conservation.
Myrter began by outlining Brown’s order, which, for the first time in state history, directs the State Water Resources Control Board to implement mandatory water reductions in cities and towns across California to reduce water use by 25 percent. The Governor’s office calculates that this reduction amounts to about 1.5 million acre-feet of water over the next nine months, or nearly as much as is currently in Lake Oroville.
Myrter explained that the executive order mandates that the State water board: impose restrictions to achieve a 25-percent reduction; partner with local agencies to replace 50 million square feet of lawns with drought-tolerant landscapes; prohibit irrigation with potable water of ornamental turf on public street medians; ensure that landscaping for construction on new homes or buildings only utilize drip irrigation systems; have water purveyors report to the State Water Resources Control Board monthly system-wide water-usage totals; and develop rate structures to maximize water conservation.
Myrter said that in June 2009 the Signal Hill City Council adopted municipal code chapter 13.03, which calls for permanent water-use restrictions, including: landscape watering-hour limits that occur before 9am and after 4pm; limits on landscape watering duration to 15 minutes per station; no excess runoff; no washing down hard or paved surfaces; and drinking water being served in eateries only when customers request it. The ordinance also called for ascending levels of water-supply shortage restrictions— level 1 up to level 3— and penalty provisions.
On May 20, 2014, the City Council declared by resolution a level-1 water-supply shortage requiring that additional water-conservation measures be followed, including limits on watering allowances to three days per week and an obligation to fix leaks within 72 hours.

Myrter also discussed reduced irrigation to City-owned facilities. He said the City irrigates a total of 32 acres of open space and parks, and as of May 2014 the City has reduced watering to three days per week for all City-irrigated facilities. As of December 2014, the City further reduced irrigation of all its facilities to one day per week, he said. The City has also minimized road median irrigation to two days per week. Myrter also said that City-owned facilities have decreased water demand by 15 percent since 2013.
The Public Works director also explained that Signal Hill received a $2.87-million grant as part of the Governor’s Drought Emergency Grant Program in November of 2014 to construct an advance water-treatment plant at Well 9. When complete, the new groundwater production facility will have the ability to treat and supply 2 million gallons of water per day.
As for educating residents, Myrter recommended a public-outreach work plan that includes: a comprehensive drought brochure in a special City Views newsletter; publishing drought requirements; publishing informational press releases in the Signal Tribune; using bill inserts and short conservation messages printed on utility bills; and having new customer monthly water bills that show water-usage data.
He also proposed revisions to the City’s current water-conservation program, stating that level-1 water-supply shortages require additional measures such as determining watering days based on the seasons. Although the current program limits watering days to three times a week, he suggested that those days be limited to two times per week in winter and three times per week in summer months. He also recommended that the current limit on watering duration, which is 15 minutes, be reduced to seven minutes.
His additional recommendation was to require residents to fix leaks within 48 hours rather than 72. At this time, the City does not issue fines for water wasting— only “informational” letters.
“In terms of residents’ idea of what can be done to help out at the meter level— at the customer level— we’re asked to encourage anything to reduce landscaping [watering],” Myrter said, adding that residents can find helpful information on the website socalwatersmart.com . “All the incentive programs to help reduce water are there. It’s a Metropolitan [Water District] program, but, as a resident, you are essentially able to access those programs.”
He pointed out that the site also addresses what businesses can do to conserve water.
Councilmember Michael Noll asked Myrter if the City’s recent 15-percent reduction would count toward the Governor’s 25-percent water-use reduction goal.

“One way to look at it, to really help the state, [is to] look at your [own] water consumption,” Myrter said. “And the goal should be simple— try to get your water consumption… down by 25 percent. By doing that, you will essentially be helping all of us, including the State, accomplish their goal.”
Councilmember Edward Wilson asked that Myrter, in his communication to residents, clarify what seven minutes versus 15 minutes means in terms of “per station.” Wilson also posed whether the City should provide its own incentive program for residents. Councilmember Tina Hansen then asked if businesses should be included in that program.
Though Myrter acknowledged that the councilmembers’ questions were good ones, he said he didn’t yet know all the answers. City Manager Ken Farfsing explained that part of the reason City staff didn’t have all the answers is that the State is still figuring it all out. (See related story on front page.)

“I think there’s a lot of questions that you’re asking that we don’t have answers to, and part of that is because the State is still trying to come up with the answers,” Farfsing said. “So, we’re taking good notes, and we’ll come back to you when things are little more clear.”
Councilmember Lori Woods pointed out that there is likely some confusion among residents regarding watering days because Long Beach and Signal Hill have different policies. She recommended that the City’s watering policy be clarified on future water bills.
“Sometimes it can be confusing,” Woods said. “You look at the Signal Tribune, and there’s one big ad for watering three days a week, and there’s another ad for [another policy], and unless you’re ‘tuned in,’ it looks confusing, because we’ve got a Long Beach ad in there, and we’ve got a Signal Hill ad about the watering times. So putting it in the bill for the residents and for all the homeowners that do get that may help clarify that confusion here.”
She added that she likes the new bill because it makes it easy to show her kids and help them understand their family’s fluctuations in water usage.

Hansen added that, based on previous experience, sending out notices to residents doesn’t always work.
“I think what we all know from being up here (on the city council), whether it’s been two years or 20 years, is that you can send out all the notices you want, but you can’t go into people’s homes and get them to read them necessarily,” Hansen said, adding that perhaps a well publicized seminar or chamber of commerce discussion on the topic would be helpful.
The Council voted unanimously to receive and file.
Other Council highlights
Police staffing Signal Hill Police Department Chief Michael Langston requested that the City Council authorize the hiring of additional cadets to supplement the patrol services program. The Council unanimously authorized an increase in police program staffing levels within patrol services by four part-time police cadet positions.
Historical Society MOU The Council discussed entering into a memorandum of understanding with the Signal Hill Historical Society. Forester moved the recommendation, and the Council voted in favor of the memorandum. Hansen congratulated the historical society for its hard work in reviving itself .
Commission interviews Farfsing said the City will inform residents, as well as existing commissioners who need to reapply, about the opening on the planning, parks and recreation, and civil service commissions. The Council agreed that interviews for commissioners will take place on Monday, May 11 at 6:30pm.
Budget workshop meeting The Council set a date and time of Tuesday, May 26 at 6pm for its annual budget workshop.
City manager’s retirement All five councilmembers commended Farfsing’s dedication and accomplishments over the years, and several of them expressed regret over his retirement. Farfsing expressed his confidence in recommending Deputy City Manager Charlet Honeycutt as the new city manager.
Presentations Mayor Forester presented a proclamation to Patrick T. Steinhauser of Southern California Tae Kwon Do Academy to celebrate its 40th anniversary. Forester also presented a proclamation to the Signal Hill Library staff in honor of National Library Week. Since library staff could not be present, Community Services Director Pilar Alcivar-McCoy accepted on their behalf.
Recognitions Forester recognized former Signal Hill city official Marjorie Grommé, who was selected as the recipient of the national Resident of the Year Award, through the Retirement Housing Foundation. Grommé is currently a resident of the Bixby Knolls Towers. Joking about “keeping it in the family,” Forester then honored two of Grommé’s family members. Her daughter, Neena Strichart, publisher of the Signal Tribune, was chosen as Woman of the Year by 70th District Assemblymember Patrick O’Donnell, and Forester presented her with a proclamation in recognition of that award. Forester then announced the Recreation Committee’s selection for Outstanding Older American— Steve Strichart, Grommé’s son-in-law, who is a civil service commissioner and associate publisher of the Signal Tribune.
The next Signal Hill City Council meeting will be Tuesday, April 21 at 7pm in Council Chambers. ß