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HomeMy WebLinkAboutcc min 1980/04/28 MINUTES OF A JOINT MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE SWEETWATER AUTHORITY Held Monday - 4:00 p.m. April 28, 1980 A joint meeting of the City Council of Chula Vista, California, and Sweetwater Authority was held on the above date beginning at 4:00 p.m. in the Council Conference Room, City Hall, 276 Fourth Avenue. ROLL CALL Councilmen present: Mayor Hyde, Councilmen Gillow, Cox, Scott Councilmen absent: Councilwoman McCandliss Staff present: City Manager Cole, City Attorney Lindberg, Development Services Administrator Robens, City Engineer Lippitt, Director of Parks and Recreation Hall Sweetwater Authority: Board of Directors: Lloyd Lee, Edwin Steele, R. Zogob (arrived late), General Manager Gary Butterfield, Operations Manager A1Sorenson, and Engineer Ross Miller PURPOSE OF MEETING Mayor Hyde welcomed the members of the Sweetwater Authority to the joint meeting stating the Council wished to discuss the agency's policy regarding the operation and control of the water at the Sweetwater Dam. This concern was brought about as the result of the last rains and flood. Presentation by Mr. Butterfield stated that there are two dams involved: Cary Butterfield Sweetwater Dam and the Loveland Dam. Loveland has a capacity of 25,400 acre feet of water and Sweetwater has 27,700 acre feet. Loveland's spillover reaches Sweet- water in about six to eight hours. As to the control and release of the water at the dams, this is authorized by A1 Sorenson whose job it is to monitor the water levels at all times. Statistics Mr. Butterfield cited the following statistics: 45,000 gallons of water a minute are flowing down through the Chula Vista Municipal Golf Course to the sea; (last week during the rain, it was three times that amount); 21,600 acre feet of water a year is used and delivered to the consumers; 15,700 came from the Sweetwater River; 20,000 acre feet is expected to be delivered this year from the Sweetwater River; there is a 2-1/2 year supply of water in storage; from time to time, water is imported - it is anticipated that there would not be more than five or six days a year that is needed to import water to meet any water demands; it costs $100.00 an acre more for imported water; (Board Member Richard Zogob arrived at this time - 4:15 p.m.) both dams are licensed as water storage structures and not flood control structures; in the fall, water is released from Loveland to make it available at Sweetwater; about 70% of the historical run-off in the water shed of Sweetwater falls within the area that is impounded by Loveland Dam; A1Sorenson works with the Sheriff's Department, National City, San Diego, Chula Vista, CalTrans, County Public Works and the Department of County Preparedness in coordi- nating water activities; Held Monday - 4:00 p.m. -2- April 28, 1980 Statistics (Cont.} the 183 square miles of water shed of the Sweetwater Dam lies outside the area of the Sweetwater Authority - the properties that lie along the river between Loveland and Sweetwater Dams (which would benefit from flood control at Loveland) do not contribute to the cost of operating the dam or replacing any of the water that is released; Board policy is not to release water that would not be replaced by subsequent rains; Sweetwater Authority's position is that land planning agencies along the Sweetwater River should be planning for the historic floods that have occurred along the river without any dam½ what occurred last year was a 25-year frequency flood; in 1927, there was a 500-year frequency flood, and in 1916, there was a 1,000-year frequency flood. General discussion In answer to the Council's questions Mr. Butterfield explained the rates being charged and the Capital Improve- ment program ($14 million between now and 1985). In answer to Councilman Cox's query, blr. Butterfield remarked that Sweetwater Lake will not open up to recrea- tional use for at least another two years due to the State Health Department's requirements for pre-treatment. It would cost approximately $3 ~nillion for expansion of the treatment plant. Storage of water Mr. Lee stated that on the metropolitan level, a great deal of money is being spent in storing water (under- ground basins) as well as working with the Colorado River Board to store water in Lake Mead in order to be able to still s~ply water to Southern California when this area has dry spells. There are some big basins in the desert and it is hopeful that water may be stored there prior to the expiration of their contract with the government which expires in 1987.