So first, let me ask if there board members who have any statements of abstention. Seeing is no study. Sessions. So let's take up the meetings next the minutes next. We have one set of minutes. The August 17, 2023 regular meeting minutes and I'd like to know take public comment on the minutes approval. If you wish to make a comment via please raise your hand if you're dialing via telephone. Please dial star 9 to raise your hand. >> And we have no one in chamber wishing to make public comment. No hands worries on zoom and no email or voice mails were received. >> Very good Thank you very much. means the minutes will be approved as submitted.
takes us to staff and the first F you please introduce the first anything? Acting Director McNeil from item? >> Thank you. Vice chair and members of the board. I'm excited introduce a Clare normally to talk on the water supply update. >> Thank you. Good afternoon. Vice chair Noni members of the board. I'm Claire, North Lee and I'm going to be presenting the water supply update today on behalf of Deputy Director Martin is up to >> So I know you all have seen this graph many times. This is lake tells Barry >> Right now, storage curve is about 44,000 acre feet, which is about 70 per 6% of the storage curve.
>> For this time of the year, it is declining at a rate of about 1500 acre feet per week. PG E has filed a variance request to reduce the releases into the East Fork of the Russian River. From the mandated 75 cubic feet per second to 25 cubic feet per second potentially lower actually to the minimum critical minimum of 5 cubic feet per second. If conditions warrant As of today, though, hasn't yet responded back to that variance. So therefore flows still haven't change and they're under normal operating conditions.
Here is Lake Mendocino. So again, reservoirs remain very full for this time of year, which is great news and cinema waters expecting healthy carry over to the next water year, which begins October 1st. So water does have an existing temporary urgency change petition in place until October. 15th, which does allow them to reduce the minimum in stream flows to meet the biological opinion requirements. And as you see here, we're about 72% of the storage current curve capacity. And then finally, Lake Sonoma, again, a very full. about 92%, a full of euro enhance storage pool. And this is actually the highest orange level ever recorded for this time of year since operations began in 1983. So that's great news for us. >> I also wanted to provide an update. Will I have a the floor to describe our direct install program. So this is a a program that we launched just a few months ago to provide free high-efficiency toilets to customers along with high efficiency fixtures.
The rfq get responsive. ready to install these fixtures. was released in July and the deadline was August. 2nd, we did get 6 response of plumbers, which is great news, including 3 plumbing companies, which is exciting. So since June of 2023, about 1500 toilet installations have been preapproved and those are being installed currently. And that does mean that all of our phase one funding, which is 1.5 million dollars have been committed at this time. So a lot of money committed in a very short times. There's definitely customer interest in this program. Additionally in mid to late 2024, we're going to be receiving funding from a grant that we applied for through the U.S.
Bureau Reclamation. And we're going to be receiving an additional 1.8 million dollars. So we'll be able to install several 1000 additional toilets. Also, while I'm up here and wanted provide an update on a new piece of legislation. Well, the legislation was adopted in 2018, but a new rule making process for this legislation. This is currently drafting the legislation is called making Conservation California way of life. And it basically directs the state Water Resources Control Board to adopt water, use efficiency standards and performance measures for commercial industrial and institutional water use. It requires that urban water suppliers need a specific water use objective beginning in 2027. And we're actually required to start reporting a January.
First of 2024. So that reporting deadline is coming right up. Despite that reporting deadline coming up, this framework is actually still in and all be sharing through some slides on the draft regulations as they're currently proposed by the state Board. So this urban water use objective has several components different targets basically. So there's an indoor residential water use target and outdoor residential water use target a commercial industrial institutional dedicated irrigation meter target and a water loss threshold. And then there's also several ways in which we could adjust our target. For example, if we had, you know, a large percentage of our service area supplied by recycle water or direct potable reuse, for example. The indoor residential standard is based on a gallons per capita per day. Target. You can see currently through 2025. That standard is at 55 gallons per person per day and drops down to 42 in 2030. That standard is multiplied by our population times 365 to give us this residential budget. Just to clarify this target is not going to be a studied under individual parcel basis. So we don't plan on confirming that each one of our customers is meeting this target.
It's overall target for our entire service area. There's also a target for outdoor residential use and our dedicated irrigation meters. Both of those are based off of planned water factor. How much water the plants irrigation efficiency. The landscape irrigation effective precipitation and outdoor landscape factor. That decreases over time. So the square footage of one irrigated area for the residential side was provided to us by the Department of Water Resources.
They flew over our service area in 2018 and provided aerial image to which provided a square footage for the dedicated irrigation meters. We've actually been measuring for many years. All of our dedicated irrigation meter sites. So we would plug that into the equation and that would be our outdoor budget. Again, we're not looking at this and we're not going to be forcing this on a parcel by parcel basis.
It's an overall target for terror service area. There's also an additional water law standard. This is based system specific standards such as our gallons per connection per day of water lost the number of connections that we have. And we've been submitting this stated to the state for many years now, based another piece of legislation, Senate Bill, 5, 5, 5, So this just that piece of legislation. They're also performance measures for our commercial industrial and institutional customers. So beginning in 2025, we're going to be required to identify all disclose double buildings in that sector, which means that they have more than 50,000 square feet within their commercial building.
So we have to Dana Fi those customers and then we have to provide the monthly water data in a format that matches an energy star portfolio manager style which is an energy efficiency, reporting tool that was developed by the CDC. Then beginning in The ban on irrigation of non-functional turf or commercial industrial institutional landscapes will take effect. This is already currently in place. Just a note through the governor's drought declaration and doesn't expire June of this coming years. So this would just be making that a stipulation permanent. Then the in Twenty-twenty 6 through 2030, there's various things that we also have to achieve. We have to classify each one of our over 4,000 C I customers into 22 different categories that match the Energy star portfolio manager categories and then within reach each one of those categories.
We have to target the top 2.5% and the top 20% of water users within those categories and offer them specific water efficiency programs that match their classification type. We also have to identify all of our ci large landscapes that have mixed use meters and either asked them to install a dedicated irrigation meter or employee in lieu technology for their large landscape. So I'm sort of the next steps is this notice and the regulations really were a month or so ago in August, there is going to be a public workshop on October 4th that we do plan on attending and making comments that public comments are due to the state board later on in October. And the state board set to finalize these regulations in mid to late 2024. Obviously we are reviewing these regulations currently and we're determining or comments. We're going to be presenting at the October 4th Estate Board, Public Workshop. And we're, of course, we'll continue to follow the rule making process and keep you all informed. be happy to take any questions. Thank you very much for the presentation. >> Do any of the board members have any questions? I a couple of questions.
First of at least with the indoor residential budget. There's specific numbers associated with it already. And I'm wondering where we stand currently with regard to level of usage and whether we have make many changes to meet the potential new rules. >> Yeah, we're in pretty good shape. So depending on what year you look at for that compliance and what methodology specifically would you use? Calendar years are billing years are sorry, dealing days or calendar days. We're somewhere between 45 and 49 gallons per person per day for single family residential. So we're we're right in that range that they're requesting. It's great. And I should have mentioned as well that goal for this legislation is that we meet the overall objective and not necessarily each individual target so we could be over say in the indoor target. But as long as we're lower in another target and the overall objective is met, then we're in compliance. Great. Okay. >> Get get the question ahead is 2, 3, did some significant monitoring and follow-up requirements commercial properties.
I'm wondering how much of a burden that's going to place an existing staff and resources. >> That's a great question. Yes, I do think that there are quite a lot of reporting burdens for that CIA part specifically. And unfortunately, anytime you're focused on reporting, you're obviously losing time and actually working with customers to help them save water. So that will probably be one of the comments that we provide to the state board to hope that they simplify the reporting requirements so that we focus on saving water instead of just reporting. Excellent. Excellent. Any other questions? Yes. Thank you. Hugh triggered some and mean I appreciate I'm a couple questions of the first is the outdoor where aerial photographs were taken in 2018.
>> So that is kind of use as the base line. Is that what I'm understanding thought was that DWR is planning on flying over service area every few years, every 5 years, depending on what their budget allows you to ensure that they're capturing new landscape as it goes in as our landscapes change. >> Obviously, we would want that to be flown as frequently as we could because people change their landscapes routinely. But we're sort of beholden DW ares budget to make that a flyover happen, Okay.
Yeah, because I know things change a lot. There are programs out there to remove. >> Grass and Putin native plant. You know, there's a lot of stuff going on regularly Thank you. The other question I had was around the CI performance measures. >> it was for a commercial property with 50,000 Square feet of building more of. Footprint of building for overnight. So yeah, okay. Excluding landscape. Great. Thank other questions. >> All right. Then we will now take public comment on item 5.1. If you wish to make a comment via zoom, please raise your hand. If you're going in via telephone. Please dial star 9 to raise your hand. See nobody in the chambers speaking SEC tournament. We need to have anybody in line. >> There's no hands on zoom and no email or voicemail public comment was received.
Thank you very much. That should conclude item 5.1. previously. Thank you very much again for the report. As I previously mentioned, we are going to postpone consideration of item 5.2. So that moves us to the consent calendar. Do any board members have any questions about the item on the consent calendar? Then may have a motion to approve move the consent calendar. Second that motion. Thank It's been moved and seconded.
So let us know at first public comment taking public comment on the consent agenda. If you wish to make a come in via zoom, please raise your hand. If you don't leave your telephone, please dial star 9 to raise your hand. And again, you know, raising to make a comment to hear treatment And there are no hands email or voicemail public comment was received. All right. Thank you very much. That's the case. can we please have a roll call? Vote adoption of the consent calendar? Yes.
Board member 8. All Board member Walsh, I board member Birsel O I and Vice chair 9 I and the consent counter passes unanimously. Thank you. That takes us to item 7.1 acting Director M*** Deal. Would you please introduce that item? Yes. Thank you, chair and Tony, >> Happy to announce a deadline coming to present the recommendation to adopt proposed ordinance amending Santa City Code chapters. 14 dash. 21 water waste regulations. >> Good afternoon. Vice chair knee and members of the board Ed Lane. And I'm here to discuss are propose revisions to the water waste regulations.
The regulations were originally adopted in 1999 and were last revised in 2007 to include recycled water. Things have changed in the past year since the last revision. And we feel there's a need to modernize, modernize the water waste regulations. You'll find the revisions that we were are proposing in the red line. Copy of the of the regulations that were included in your package. And you can see here the current definition of water waste, which is potable or recycled water use in outdoor areas resulting in runoff or breaks or leaks in the potable or recycled water delivery system. The city can issue a written warning through the director of Santa Rosa Waters and the A disconnect water service. So why revise these regulations? Am I and the hourly data that we now have has increased our ability to identify continuous use, which is typically an often leaks. Our current water waste regulations. are missing acknowledgment of the continuous use exceptions for enforcement based on adverse impacts on health, sanitation and safety and an option to enforce the commercial industrial institutional accounts.
See, I without disconnection. It's also missing a defined of appeals process. So see, I shut off is often not feasible. There are essential services in our CI sector that need to continue operation. We have schools, police, fire, grocery, etcetera, and shut could also disrupt local economic activity. So we need a mechanism to motivate the CIA customers to resolve their water waste. This is an overview of the proposed revisions. All going to a little more detail on each one. And this is a result of reviewing other cities. Regulations like Petaluma and a yearlong process of reviewing review and discussion with the city attorney's office. So we have it up a couple to all customer classes, CI multi-family residence, single family residence. have to fight redefined water waste and added escalating penalty.
Although the fine would be applicable to every customer in practice, we plan to primarily use this to enforce the water regulations, water waste regulations for non responsive C I customers. We've clarified the authority to disconnect added a process for requesting exception and a process for appeal. already went went over the current definition of water waste. You can see it's a very basic definition. It doesn't address equipment malfunction that can cause water waste, especially in the CI sector. And it doesn't put a time reference requiring the customer to find and fix the problem. Here's our proposed definition stays the same. But with Part B, it's the escape of water through breaks or leaks. We're due to an equipment malfunction within the customers, plumbing or private distribution system for any substantial period of time within which such break league or equipment malfunctions should have been discovered and corrected. So we've added that equipment malfunction and also a time reference requiring the customer to find and fix the leak. So this is the waterways process that we currently follow for all of our customers.
We plan to continue to do so and provide support to every customer once staff identifies regular use, we make multiple attempts to reach the onsite decision maker. This is easier for single family residence. But when we get into CI the the billing contacts are often not the same contacts that we want to find at the facilities. So we do our due diligence to track down the right person. And, you know, when we do we they they often most often respond when it's the right people. So the billing, the billing, the bill can go out of state somewhere to a building service. So we we do extra work to make sure we're finding the right person and that's very successful for us. We offer Watersmart checkup. We provide ongoing technical analysis and support and if we get to the point where the customers being non-responsive, staff, we still continue to make phone calls.
We send e-mails. We a series of warning letters endorsed or tags before we ever disconnect service. The process can take up to 6 weeks. So customers have ample time to find and fix their leaks. And disconnection is only for single family residence. We haven't disconnected C I customers and we don't disconnect any customer who is actively trying to find and fix the leak. So this is the proposed penalty process. Should we be able to enact an administrative fine for non responsive customer? As I mentioned, it's up a couple to all customers. But in practice, we only planned to implement this for CI and after staff have made many attempted phone calls and emails if a customer still unresponsive, we would follow the processed as outlined in the revise regulations.
So the first violation would be a written warning customers in violation of the regulations and has one week to respond or they will be $100 fine. A letter that letter of warning will be signed by the director of Santa Rosa Water or their directors. Designee and the customer can apply for an exception. We feel this is going to be a rare situation and all say a little bit more about that in a moment. So if staff received no response after a week after sending the official warning letter than the formal notice of violation process would begin. That second notice of violation letter would go out. The customer has 72 hours to respond or $100 fine will be imposed. And if we don't hear back in 72 hours, the $100 fine starts. The 3rd notice of violation letter goes out. Customer has 72 hours to respond or $200 fine will be imposed if 72 hours goes by.
No response, then that 4th notice of violation would go out. They've got again, 72 hours to respond. We're a $500 fine will be imposed and that $500 fine will continue every 72 hours. If we don't hear back from them. So this is definitely a last resort and all the customer would need to do is contact staff to try and find and fix the unexplained continuous use to stop the fine press process. No matter work where they are in the process. The notices must be signed by the director of Santa Rosa Water or the directors designee and the customer has a right to appeal. The final decision. So water waste fines are are common. And this is these are some of the local and other and water districts that we've researched and looked at. And you can see our proposed fine structure is in line with industry standard. And we do anticipate alone need to implement the fine process with single family residence. We are getting about 500 reports of waterways per year. That's resulting in approximately 8 shut offs per year, which is 1.5% of the cases. So with CI we get about 40 reports of waterways per year.
If we extrapolate that 1.5%, that's fewer than one customer per year. So this is that the current definition of the authority to disconnect the director of utilities may issue a written warning to anyone who violates the provisions of this chapter. If a customer does not correct the violation within 15 days of notification, or such other time. A specified by the director, the a disconnect, potable or recycled water service.
The proposed definition, the is outlines the administrative fines that I've already described and under Section it clarifies the authority to disconnect as outlined in City Code. Chapter 14 Dash 0, 4, potable water and recycled water service. So the this is a new section that we're proposing to add because disconnection disconnection or administrative fine could have an adverse impact on health safety or hardship on the customer or the public. So the customer may request an exception to waterways, regulation violation in advance of receiving a notice of violation.
They have that one week to do so. The customer must submit a written application explaining why the exemption is justified. The director of water or the directors designee may grant the exception if necessary to avoid adverse impact on health sanitation, safety of the applicant or public and or avoid undue hardship for the applicant or the public. And this decision may be appealed in writing to the board of Public Utilities. So we can identify customers with exceptions or they can self identify and then staff will assess case by case basis. I think a good example of this will be schools or hospitals that are essential services and the type customer.
We would grant exception for. It's likely that most of these exceptions will grant are situations where the customers already been working with us. And they've been finding and fixing fixing every league they can, but they're sold some on and explain. Continuous use. I think another good to think about. Let's say we have we have old school facilities here. One big meter domestic meter. It might be, you know, go to many buildings. There are isolation valves. It's hard to isolate some portions of the main line. They can't cut new valves and they've worked with. They're working with us regularly and they they found numerous athletes and the continuous use. They just can't trace out the last bit of it they continue to work with us.
So this is the proposed appeals process. Any customer may appeal the final decision of Santa Rosa Water staff regarding violations to the director of Santa Rosa Water or the final decision of the director of Saint Rose of Water to the Board of Public Utilities. The customer must submit a written notice of appeal. And should we receive your approval today? These are the proposed next steps. October 24th. We will go to city Council to conduct a public hearing on the revised regulations, November 14th City Council will conduct the second reading of the regulations and December 14th is the proposed effective date, which is 30 days post. Second reading. So it is recommended by the water conservation. This subcommittee. Yes. And the center is a water and sinner is a water that the Board of Public Utilities by resolution recommend the City Council adopted proposed ordinance amending Santa Rosa City Code chapter 14 dash. 21 water waste regulations to include administrative fines, provide an exception and an appeals process and make other clarifying changes.
And that's it. If I there any questions? I'd be happy to answer them. Thank you for that. Presentation is lane by there. questions board members? >> Board member of our thank you. >> I guess my question is around. I'm I'm thinking back when was a single mom with 3 kids. And if something had gone wrong with my out side, plumbing connections. I probably wouldn't have had the money to fix it. And that would have been very challenging even in a week. And then adding on more money to the fines you know, I continued to fail to fix it because I couldn't to do so. And I don't know how to do I mean, I know we're looking at 8 or one and a half percent of the population who actually get shut off. is there? there any consideration for for people like that? Well for in situation, we don't plan to use the administrative fine for single family residence customer. >> Okay.
And we work it great that we go to great lengths to work with the customer that would have been in your situation to provide. And, you know, we would come out and do an audit, try and help figure out what's going on any process of, you know, just fighting the the easiest solution that we could, you know. Try to identify right away that often.
Isn't that complicated. And even if it was a difficult situation, the process of going toward any kind of violation takes many weeks. So it does offer the customer time to figure out how to deal with it. Okay. Are there resources to help them figure out how to deal with Like? >> I'm just curious, you know, are they just kind on their own or well? I mean, you have to toot our own horn for a minute. I think pretty good at what we We're not plumbers were not leak detectors, but we go out and and offer a lot of expertise to try and figure out and isolate at as best we can of where is it is it may Is it a leaking toilet? Is it something in your irrigation system? You know, hopefully it's going to be something like that and not a main line that's under the driveway.
That's what we all don't wish for. So am we do our best to try and help with that. I did a really helps us understand what's going on when in the worst case scenarios, you know, they need to get a plumber out or maybe a leak detection company. other questions from board members. >> I had similar concerns, as I mentioned in the subcommittee and I I'm pretty much taking staff at their word that this is not a and that's all time. The single-family about trying to control CI, which we have no real way to do that without shutting the water When which point you as you point out, you can't do that in many cases. >> yeah, I mean, I've been around a long time and they're in the department and I the water use efficiency division is very conscientious and very helpful to customers. >> But situation has been out.
There are people that are somewhat dysfunctional or have other issues and it's it's not our business to write grants solve these people's problems. But at the same time, it's it's it's that's just a it's a troubling problem. And I guess what I'm saying is take you at your word that you're not going go after a single family for issues might seem solvable by them.
That's that's what really just saying. are I can Yeah. I'd also like to add. >> That we have a number programs in the department to support people of low-income. We have the help to others program and we also in the where if you do have a significantly, it can become very expensive. Very quickly. And we do have a leak forgiveness to help individuals. But we do need to by law get these leaks fixed. And this these are just mechanisms for staff to to meet those regulatory requirements and board.
But member right has has lane. We really our best to try to work with our customers to support them in to prevent them from getting into a position where they can't before their water. And that's really where leaks really hit hard. And if you're paying a lot of money for water and most of that isn't even what you're using. It begins to become more expensive for you. So this these tools that where I'm proposing for the council really help staff to help individuals get there. identifying leaks earlier.
providing to our customers so that they aren't wasting their limited resources on water. That isn't really beneficial to them. So I appreciate the concern. I do think that that we are doing everything within the rules that we have to support all of our customers and businesses as well. So just put that out there for your consideration. Any other questions from board members? I I. I guess I have a slightly different view this in the >> And the going to be voting voting to approve. is not because there a plan to not enforce this again. Single family residence. I'm uncomfortable with adapting recommending the adoption of an ordinance that we don't plan to use. I think if the authorities in there to use up our that powers got to be dealt with and the reason I'm going to support because I think having that power has been dealt with with appropriate checks and balances. I mean, the whole issue of exemptions wasn't in the premier ordinance and and so now they have for exceptions that can be applied.
There's an appeal procedure that's been adopted. So I treating it as if it can be enforced against single family residence. But given the new protections and checks and balances have been provided uncomfortable with that possibility that it would that it would be enforced. I've also had personal experience having had a leak in my backyard that we've discovered in an irrigation We discovered we called our contractor. They came in to fix it as he was finishing the job. I got a call from the city saying we detected the leak in your parcel and and you know, so calling to help you fix this. And I said, well, I think we just fix because we just had a guy out here repair.
The problem let me check. So they have the ability to in real-time check whether or not there was a continuation of leaking water is yeah, there we see it stopped and you're done. going to go. So I'm from personal experience. I know that you're very proactive in single-family residences in identifying leagues. Glad to hear that there's programs to to provide additional support in and I plan to support. This is as a anyway, more protective of of users because before all we had was one option, you turn off the water.
Now we have additional options that can be used with fines and other programs. So I like the way it was presented and I plan to. Approve it. and motion to do so after we asked Well, first, we need a motion public county, I guess >> right? And yes, and I do really there. I'm sorry. Go ahead. can you all hear Yes, thank you. I just to speak a somewhat to your last point and also try to mollify some of the concerns by the other board members. >> You definitely recognize the intent some of the language regarding exceptions and the appeal show. Well, I would agree that I believe staff going to use the best of to enforce on the high water wasters. And I think main focus will be CI customers all personally advise staff that it it best to have the rule applied to all across customers and the the enforcement discretion to shop. However, as you rightly point counterbalanced by exception peels which allows individual customer to either proactively or after that process starts to look, I'm doing what I I I I can't do any better than the initial or for additional reason any grant exception.
And the the consideration will be done by by the draft or water, the but alternately because it can be brought to the board of Public Utilities staff, wasn't using the rules and the way down the intended when they if they supported, there's always out a final check of being able to go to the board of Public Utilities are kind of teacher case. So I'm just wanted to kind wrong. Speak to all the college ever made by the Thank you for those comments council. >> Any other questions by board members? Do I have a motion to approve this recommendation? The departure board of Public Utilities by resolution recommend the City Council adopted proposed ordinance amending Santa Rosa City Code chapter 14 dash. 21 water waste regulations to include administrative fines, provide an exception, an appeals process and make other clarifying changes.
>> Number 0nd, that thank you. Men, rebirth, We are now prepared to take public comments on item 7.1. If you wish to make a comment via zoom, please raise your hand if you're dialing in via telephone. Please dial star to raise your hand. see nobody in the chamber raising to comment. Is you? >> And there's no hands raised on zoom and no email or voicemail. Public comments were received. Thank you very much. Would you do a roll call? Vote on the resolution? >> Yes, board member 8. remember Walsh. I board member of our and vice Chair 9 and that passes unanimously. >> Thank you for the presentation. OK? So now we are at the point in the agenda where we will take public comment non agenda matters.
So that's item 8. If you wish to make a comment via zoom, please raise your hand if you're dialing in via telephone. Please dial star known to raise your hand. And again, this is Non agenda matters. Nobody in the chambers raising to speak to him and tell you. >> No hands on zoom and no email or voicemail. Public comments were received. Thank you. >> That brings us to not item 9 referrals.
There are I see no written communications either. how about subcommittee report of the subcommittee reports? Yes. >> regarding the water Conservation Sub Committee which met on September, 12th. The first item was recommendation to discontinue the hot water Pump rebate program to a lack of realized water savings and low customer participation. Market availability of eligible products and other challenges. The committee unanimously recommended that Recirculating hot Water Pump Rebate program be discontinued and the second item was was the presentation we just saw of the proposed revision to the city code, water waste, regulations, what you which we heard at today's board meeting the subcommittee review. The proposed changes provided feedback to staff and unanimously recommend the BP you consider and recommended the city council. adoption of the proposed revisions to this city. Water waste regulations. And that's my report. Thank you, member right? >> Are there any individual board member reports? Thanks, chair Noni.
If we could do public comment for. >> The report out on subcommittee report space. Thank you for catching that omission. This is now the time give public comments on the subcommittee report. >> If anybody would like to do so, please, make a comment via zoom by raising your hand. If you're going in by telephone, please dial star. None to raise your hand. Nobody in the chamber said treatment plants. >> No hands raised on zoom and no voicemail or email public comments were received. Thank you very much. Is there director's report for us today, acting director yes, and Tony, I do have a 2 items to present to the board today. >> pleased to announce announced that the city of Santa Rosa and the Sonoma-marin Saving Water Partnership has been awarded 2 awards to our participation in the Institute of Local Governments Beacon program. This city of Santa Rosa has been actively participating in the Beacon program since 2013 reporting on the adoption of voluntary policies that promote sustainability in tracking activities that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save energy. The city of Santa Rosa will be recognized with the platinum level 2023 Beacon Spotlight Award for achieving a 21%.
Natural gas savings compared to our baseline year in 2013, in addition to the Spotlight Award Santa Rosa Water has been awarded the 2023 Beacon Leadership and Innovation Award for our Cross agency. Collaboration with the Sonoma-marin Saving Water Partnership during the recent 2021 to 2023 drought. The partnership's drought is here. Save Water campaign was heavily augmented by Santa Rosa. Water in the campaign was recognized for providing a unique yet simple and cohesive drought message throughout the Russian River watershed that resulted in measurable water savings. The second item that our current water and sewer rate schedule was approved by City Council on May 25th 2021, the current rate schedule began July one, 2021 and conclude on July one 2024, we're beginning the process of developing the next multi-year rate schedule for fiscal year.
25 2, 26 to 29. 30. The first step requires hiring a consultant to compile and complete a full rate study to assure rates are designed to meet all regulatory requirements of Proposition 2.18, we issued a request for proposals on August 17th and it closed on September 14th over the next several weeks. Staff will be evaluating the submitted proposals and anticipate making a recommendation for a contract award to the board likely in November and beginning work. But the selected consultant sometime in December, the development of the report and draft rate schedule is estimated to take one year to complete. Staff will review the proposed final report in new rate schedule with the Budget Review Subcommittee of the BP you and the BP you in detail.
Prior to the BP use recommendation on the rate study in new rate schedule to the city council. The counselor, if you and provide direction in study session prior to the proposition to 18 notice being sent to all water and sewer customers. We are planning to hold a public hearing at City Council to consider adoption of the new rate schedule and March 2025.
and the new rate schedule would be implemented on July. First 2025. That concludes directors. Thank you for that report. We will not take any questions from board members about report. not take public comment on item 13. >> If you wish to make a comment via zoom, please raise your hand if you're dialing in via telephone. Please star 9 raise your hand. Nobody's in the chamber and the secretary there are no hands, zoom and no email of ice melt. >> Public comment was received very good. That concludes our business for this meeting today. So thank you for your participation. And that will meeting. >> Haha right.