HomeMy WebLinkAboutAugust 15
Environmental Initiatives Committee
Meeting Minutes
DATE: Tuesday, August 15, 2006
TIME: 5:30 p.m.
LOCATION: 26379 Fremont Road
Los Altos Hills
Town Hall
1. Call to Order, Roll Call
Attendees: Walt Wilson, Jay Shideler, Mark Jensen, John Harpootlian, Breene Kerr, Ian Ernest
Guests: Dan Siedel, Maury Johnson, Ernie Solomon, Bob Anderson, Patrick Walter (PHWD)
(Note: Melinda Ray of Cal Water was invited but unable to attend.)
2. Water Conservation
Officials from PHWD explained that their customers in Los Altos Hills consume about 35% more water
than PHWD is entitled to under its San Francisco PUC Hetch Hetchy allocation, and that Los Altos Hills’
per-capita water consumption is several times that of most communities on the peninsula. The ongoing
availability of water above PHWD’s allocation is in doubt, at best, thus the need for water conservation
measures. PHWD has data that indicate that over-consumption in Los Altos Hills is attributable to
landscape irrigation, and that there is a small segment of the residences with extraordinary water use
relative to the rest of the town.
PHWD has engaged in several initiatives to promote water conservation:
1. Higher rates for large users
2. Customer Education including information in each bill on each customer’s use in excess of
the PWHD allocation.
3. Advanced Metering that would identify continuously-running meters
4. Landscape Plans - Through the action of the Planning Commission, landscape plans for new
residential developments are now routed to PHWD for their review, so PHWD has the
opportunity to flag plans with the potential for high water use for the attention of the
Planning Commission. PHWD can also estimate the plan’s water use, provide an estimate of
water bills for the development, and let the customer know how much their water supply
would be reduced in a supply emergency. This will help to avoid residents’ “sticker shock.”
John Harpootlian suggested that the water district and the EIC work with the Environmental Design
committee to update their landscape water conservation guidelines in the packed provided to site
development applicants and agreed to lead that.
The committee also agreed to recommend to the town council that it recognize PHWD’s efforts to bring the
water of its Los Altos Hills customers closer to its allocation. The committee also discussed the possible
water conservation discussion as part of the general plan amendment and further education of residents.
3. Single Stream Update
Jay Shideler reported that with the advent of single-stream recycling Los Altos Hills residents are recycling
about the same share of their refuse. He reminded the committee that since the commingled recycling
materials are less valuable than source-separated, the program is costing the town $4,000 to $5,000 per
month while recycling volumes remain at pre-single-stream levels.
4. PG&E E-7 Net Metering Rate Update
Peter Evans reported that CalSEIA is contemplating a protest of the new net-metered rate, and agreed to
distribute a copy of their protest to interested members.
5. Committee Vacancies
Tabled
6. PV/Energy Efficiency Ordinance Update
Peter Evans reported the CEC is reviewing the town’s local residential energy efficiency ordinance.
7. Public Comments
None
8. Adjournment