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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance - 2012-O0022 - Amending Chapter 22 Of Code With Regard To Drought & Emergency Contingency Plan. - 03/06/2012First Reading March 6, 2012 Item No. 6.3 ORDINANCE NO. 2012-00022 Second Reading March 29, 2012 Item No. 5.34 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 22 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES, CITY OF LUBBOCK, TEXAS, WITH REGARD TO RESTRICTIONS ON CERTAIN WATER USES RELATED TO DROUGHT OR SHORTAGES; PROVIDING A PENALTY; PROVIDING A SAVINGS CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR PUBLICATION AND ORDAINING OTHER MATTERS RELATED TO THE FOREGOING. WHEREAS, the City of Lubbock, Texas (the "City"), recognizes that the amount lof water available to the City and its water utility customers is limited; and WHEREAS, the City has adopted a Water Conservation Plan and Drought and Emergency Contingency Plan (the "Water Use Management Plan"); and WHEREAS, the City Council has deemed that the reasonable and prudent filling, emptying, and refilling of swimming pools and hot tubs represents a relatively insignificant portion of overall water consumption, such that said activities need be ,restricted only in certain, more drastic, drought and emergency conditions; WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Lubbock, Texas deems it in the best interest of the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of Lubbock to make the following amendments to Chapter 22 of the Code of Ordinances with regard to amending the Water Use Management Plan to permit the reasonable filling, emptying, and refilling of swimming pools and hot tubs; NOW THEREFORE: BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LUBBOCK: SECTION 1. THAT Section 22.08.079(2)(C)(iv) of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Lubbock, Texas, is hereby amended to read as follows: (iv) Water customers will refrain from or significantly limit aesthetic and non- essential water use. Water shall not be used to wash down hard surfaced areas, including, without limitation, sidewalks, parking lots, gutters, and patios. Water shall not be used for dust control. However, water may be used for construction or to clean surfaces for painting. SECTION 2. THAT Section 22.08.079(3)(C) of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Lubbock, Texas, is hereby amended to read as follows: (C) Water use restrictions for reducing demand (i) Irrigation shall occur without significant water runoff, which can be accomplished by correctly cycling the sprinkler system and allowing time for the water to soak into the landscape between irrigation events. (ii) Landscape irrigation shall not occur more than one day per month and not for more than 1.5 inches per zone. The City Manager, or his/her designee, may designate the irrigation schedule. (iii) Water customers will refrain from aesthetic and non -essential water use. Water shall not be used to wash down hard surfaced areas, including, without limitation, sidewalks, parking lots, gutters, and patios. Water shall not be used for dust control. Pools and hot tubs may not be filled or drained and refilled. (iv) Use of water from fire hydrants shall be limited to fire fighting or other related activities necessary to maintain public health, safety, and welfare. Under the direction of the City Manager, use of water from fire hydrants for construction purposes may be allowed by permit. (v) All City of Lubbock operations shall adhere to the water use restrictions. (vi) Hand watering for landscape irrigation purposes is allowed on a daily basis regardless of the time of year. (vin) The City Manager, or his/her designee, will contact wholesale water customers to discuss water supply and/or demand conditions and will request that wholesale water customers initiate additional mandatory measures to reduce non -essential water use (i.e., implement Stage 3 of the customer's drought contingency plan). SECTION 3. THAT Section 22.08.003, Subsection entitled Nonessential water use, of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Lubbock, Texas, is hereby amended to read as follows: Nonessential water use. Water uses that are neither essential nor required for the protection of public health, safety, and welfare, including without limitation: (1) Landscape irrigation; (2) Use of water to wash any motor vehicle, motorbike, boat, trailer, airplane, or other vehicle of any kind; (3) Use of water to spray or wash down any sidewalks, walkways, driveways, parking lots, tennis courts, or other hard -surfaced areas; (4) Use of water to spray or wash down buildings or structures for purposes other than immediate fire protection; (5) Flushing gutters or permitting water to run or accumulate in any gutter or street; (6) In connection with Stage 3 and Stage 4 Drought Response Stages, use of water to fill, refill, or add to any indoor or outdoor swimming pools or hot tubs; (7) Use of water in a fountain or pond for aesthetic or scenic purposes except where necessary to support aquatic and avian life; and (8) Failure to repair a leak(s) within a reasonable period of time after having been given notice directing the repair of such leak(s). SECTION 4. THAT violation of any provision of this Ordinance shall be deemed a misdemeanor punishable by a fine and in the manner as set forth in Section 22.08.083 of the City of Lubbock Code of Ordinances. SECTION 5. THAT should any paragraph, section, clause, phrase or word of this Ordinance be declared unconstitutional or invalid for any reason, the remainder of the Ordinance shall not be affected thereby. SECTION 6. THAT the City Secretary of the City of Lubbock, Texas, is hereby authorized and directed to cause publication of the descriptive caption of this Ordinance as an alternative means of publication provided by law. AND IT IS SO ORDERED. Passed by the City Council on first reading this 6th day of March 2012. Passed by the City Council on second reading this 29th day of March , 2012. TOM MARTIN, MAYOR ATTEST: Rebec a Garza, City Secretar APPROVED AS TO CONTENT: Marsha Reed, P.E., Chief Operations Officer APPROVED AS TO CONTENT: Aubrey Spea , P.E./birector of Water Resources APPROVED AS -TO FORM: 1 Satterwhite, Assistant City Attorney Water Use Management Plan Amend.2.16.12