HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - September 16, 2009 K-04AGENDA ITEM V%404
A% CITY OF LODI
COUNCIL COMMUNICATION
AGENDA TITLE: Consider Resolution Opposing Development of a Peripheral Canal and Expansion
of State Authority over Local Land -Use Decisions
MEETING DATE: September 16,2009
PREPARED BY: City Manager
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Consider a resolution opposing the development of a Peripheral
Canal or any other isolated water conveyance facility in the Delta
and the expansion of State authority over local land -use decisions.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION: At the request of Mayor Hansen, this item is provided to the City
Council for action.
Several committees created by Governor Schwarzenegger since 2006 have concluded that a Peripheral
Canal, similar to the one rejected by California voters in 1982, may be a long-term solution to the state's
water problems. Although such a canal may be beneficial to Southern California and other regions that
lack sufficient water supplies, it could have serious consequences for Lodi and other San Joaquin County
communities. A canal would alter the Delta's hydrology, affect the treatment and discharge of wastewater
by Lodi and other communities, impair local road systems, create significant new flood dangers to City
and Northern California Power Agency property at White Slough, and impair the Delta's water quality.
Instead of a costly Peripheral Canal, the State should instead promote alternatives such as using existing
conveyance systems and promoting cost-effective and environmentally sound programs that capture,
recycle and treat water. The San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors and the cities of Stockton,
Manteca and Lathrop have passed resolutions opposing a Peripheral Canal.
Meanwhile, two bills in the State Legislature, AB 458 and SB 12, were heavily rewritten on Sept. 9 and
contain language having the potential to restrict local public agencies' existing land -use authority in the
Delta region. City staff, the league of California Cities and the Assembly or State legislative analysts
have not had time to study the impact of the bills, but both would create new State boards with some
level of authority over local agencies' actions that affect the Delta. Staff believes current State authority is
sufficient.
FISCAL IMPACT: None at this time, but the construction of a Peripheral Canal and additional
State oversight of Delta lands will have adverse financial consequences for
our community.
Blair King
City Manager
APPROVED:
Blair King, anager
RESOLUTION NO. 2009-127
A RESOLUTION OF THE LODI CITY COUNCIL OPPOSING
DEVELOPMENT OF A PERIPHERAL CANAL AND EXPANSION
OF STATE AUTHORITY OVER LOCAL LAND -USE DECISIONS
WHEREAS, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger established the Delta Vision
Commission, a Blue Ribbon Task Force and Stakeholder Coordination Group, to develop a
Delta vision and strategic plan; and
WHEREAS, this effort has revived and calls for studies, modeling, investigations, and
potential development of an isolated water conveyance facility such as the Peripheral Canal,
singularly or as part cf a dual conveyance system; and
WHEREAS, voters cf the State of California in 1982 rejected an attempt to build a
Peripheral Canal to transport water from the Delta to Southern California; and
WHEREAS, the construction and operation of a Peripheral Canal, or a similar facility,
would require the taking cf prime agricultural land for the construction of canal that would sever
and impair utilities and local road systems, create significant new flood dangers to agricultural
lands and City of Lodi and Northern California Power Agency facilities at the White Slough
Water Pollution Control Facility, affect the water rights of water users within San Joaquin
County, impair Delta water quality and supply, and impair the protection of fish, wildlife, and
other recreational resources within San Joaquin County; and
WHEREAS, more viable alternatives to the Peripheral Canal exist; and
WHEREAS, the State Legislature is considering new laws to place greater control of the
Delta in the hands of State bodies that would increase State oversight and restrict existing land -
use authority of local agencies.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Lodi City Council that the City of Lodi
opposes the development of a Peripheral Canal or isolated water conveyance system and
opposes the expansion of State authority over local land -use decisions.
Date: September 16, 2009
hereby certify that Resolution No. 2009-127 was passed and adopted by the Lodi City
Council in a regular meeting held September 16, 2009, by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS — Hitchcock, Johnson, Katzakian, Mounce, and
Mayor Hansen
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS — None
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS— None
ABSTAIN: COUNCIL MEMBERS— None
L
City Clerk
2009-127