Summer is winding down slowly for the City Council, which will
tackle its second very brief agenda in as many weeks.
Summer is winding down slowly for the City Council, which will tackle its second very brief agenda in as many weeks.
Wednesday’s meeting includes the unveiling of Further Adventures in Water Conservation, the city’s attempt to address ongoing water shortages.
Council also will follow up on its Aug. 18 decision to rezone about 4.5 acres in the Morgan Hill Ranch Business Park giving Venture Corp. permission to build physician-owned medical offices, but without an MRI facility Rob Eves originally asked for.
Council was reluctant to allow any business project that would threaten the new DePaul Health Center, which was counting on an MRI facility to underwrite costs.
But it is stress on the city’s water supply caused largely by perchlorate that will be the primary focus of council attention. The city not only had to shut down three wells but it has had trouble finding new sources of clean water, even north of Tennant Avenue, the line where Olin Corp. says its responsibility ends and where hydrologists claim good water is to be found.
A test well drilled on Peet Road turned up dry despite geologic hopes of good water. Construction of a second well, on Butterfield Boulevard, is nearing completion and Public Works Director Jim Ashcraft has said he thinks this one will be a success.
In the meantime, water saving methods are up for approval.
• Landscape accounts – businesses with large amounts of lawn – would have a new rate structure. Currently they do not pay more if they use more water.
•New developments would be required to landscape in a water efficient manner.
• Multi-family residences would have one meter for each unit – tests have proved less water is used.
• Waterwise retrofitting – low-flow shower heads and toilets, could be required when a house or business is sold, but not before.
• City could provide loans to home and business owners wanting to relandscape in water efficient ways
• The lawn-heavy landscaping at City Hall would be partially replaced with a water-efficient demonstration garden, also reducing the city’s water costs.
City Council meets at 7 p.m. Wednesday in City Hall Chambers, 17555 Peak Ave. Details: www.morganhill.ca .gov or 779-7271.
Carol Holzgrafe covers City Hall for The Times. She can be reached by e-mail at ch********@*************es.com or phoning (408) 779-4106 Ext. 201.
