HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-11-17-87-Adjourned Regular Meeting8356
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING
NOVEMBER 17, 1987
The City Council of the City of Downey held an Adjourned Regular Meeting at
4:00 p.m., November 17, 1987, in the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall,
Mayor Diane P. Boggs presiding.
PRESENT: Council Members:
Diane P. Boggs Mayor
Robert G. Cormack Mayor Pro Tem
Randall R. Barb
Roy L. Paul
James S. Santangelo
ALSO PRESENT: Don Davis, City Manager
Jenny Young, City Clerk -Treasurer
James R. Cutts, Director of Community Development
Ronald Irwin, Fire Chief
Lee Powell, Director of Administrative Services
William A. Ralph, Director of Public Works
WORKSHOP - WATER SYSTEM AND WATER QUALITY
Mayor Boggs called upon Director of Public Works Ralph to summarize current
water quality practices and status of water quality in the City. He advised
that the City of Downey draws 90-95% of its water from the basin (aquifers below
us). Our basin is referred to as the central basin and is an adjudicated basin,
as to the quantity but not the quality of water. He referred to the basin as a
"bowl" with a number of different materials which are layered, some with
pervious materials, these are called aquifers. We draw our water mainly from
two aquifers; one at approximately 400 feet and the other at approximately 600
feet. When contamination occurs, the contamination must move through a clay-
like material which slows and filters some of the contamination. Recent wells
closed were those wells drawing from an upper aquifer. The balance of our water
is from the Metropolitan Water District with the major lines at Stewart & Gray
Road. We are able to obtain even more water from the Metropolitan Water
District, but at this time we do not have the distribution system to distribute
throughout the City at a reasonable pressure.
The water quality standards in all of California is determined by the State
Health Department, who, in turn, receives information and requirements from the
Environmental Protection Agency, a branch of the Federal Government that sets
these standards. Today's standards for chemicals have been placed in categories
of 1) carcinogenic, 2) a toxic, and 3) biological problems. He added that
radiation is an added modern problem. Maximum contaminate levels have been set
for approximately 35 different chemicals. Action levels have been set on a
number of other chemicals (those not yet receiving full laboratory studies).
Universities have the quality equipment necessary for this work.
Our basin is currently being watched carefully for those materials that are
suspected of being carcinogenic. The City of Downey has closed several wells
because of the level of PCE (tetrachloroethylene, an industrial and dry-cleaning
solvent). PCE is not one of the materials that has been fully tested. It is a
suspected carcinogen, but there is no record of cancer other than in some
laboratory animals. At this point, we are looking at three major methods of
treatment 1) change the source (go to different aquifer or obtain from
Metropolitan Water District); 2) transfer the media in which the material is in
(i.e. PCE from water to activiated charcoal); and 3) oxidation (appearing to be
the future of water treatment as it relates to volatile organic chemicals) -
oxidation breaks down a complex hydrocarbon into its basic elements which are
carbon dioxide, water, free oxygen, and chlorine.
Drawings were referred to which show the origin of our water (mountains)
continuing with flow into the aquifers, and ending in the ocean. Our "basin"
extends from the San Gabriel Mountains to the northern end of Long Beach and
from the Orange County line to the east to about the boundary of the City of Los
Angeles (also following political lines to a great extent).
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Council, along with Mr. Ralph, commented on the following:
That we have Northern California water, Colorado River water,
percolated water and treated sewage water (highly monitored) within
our basin. Purification is done as it relates to bacteria in a
natural way. Chemicals are a modern problem that we now must deal
with. Monitoring is done on a daily basis within the jurisdiction
of the State of California Environmental Protection Agency which
has set extremely conservative standards.
The added things a homeowner can do to decrease the level of
contaminates, for example, a faucet aerator, a small home filter,
heating and letting sit to settle, and storing in glass as opposed
to plastic. It was pointed out that there are no known regulations for bottled water relative to chemical composition. Mentioned was
that Downey does not add chlorine on a regular basis.
That the level of contamination in our wells which have been
turned off equals four parts per billion. The tests vary on a day-
to-day basis. Five years ago we could not measure the small amount
now being measured. Also mentioned was that smog (air quality) may
contribute to water quality.
That we need to find a way to share the costs with other
cities within the central basin to provide water quality throughout
the basin.
That those businesses previously using PCE
(tetrachloroethylene), an industrial and dry-cleaning solvent, are
being monitored and hopefully have been stopped from disposing of
the chemical improperly.
PCE has been tested only on laboratory animals with evidence of
cancer. We can only "suspect" that it might do the same in
humans. The Environmental Protection Agency has set maximum
standards of 4 parts per billion as the action level.
Mr. Ralph proposed, as Council Members have requested, that we take --
leadership in a Water Quality Master Plan to include not only Downey, but also
the relationship of our water to the entire basin. The Plan would be complex
and we would need the assistance of people who have more technical knowledge
than we do and with more resources in order to determine what we can do today,
what we can do in the future, and a plan for each individual well site,
considering potential problems.
There being no objections, Mr. Ralph will return in approximately 90 days
with a proposal relative to consultant costs and a request for funding.
WATER SYSTEM
A report was submitted dated November 11, 1987, subject: Water System
Improvements Financing Options.
Prioritization and pay-as-you-go methods were suggested. Separate
priorities might be: 1) improvement of the distribution system; 2) major
boulevard fire flow improvement; 3) replacement of mains (improving flow); 4)
upgrading of some wells (water quality); and 5) purchasing of the water system
in the triangle.
Council Member Barb expressed extreme discomfort in relying on calculation
due to information related in the staff report which points out a difference in
calculations since the final 86/87 audit has been completed. Previous
calculations were based upon preliminary figures. -
It was moved by Council Member Barb and seconded by Council Member
Santangelo (later withdrawn with consent of second) that an auditor be retained,
working specifically for the City Council, who could review all financial books
and records, and to specifically audit the water funds and water projects,
including revenue sources.
Council discussed the cost and length of an audit, and how the concerns
might be alleviated otherwise.
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It was moved by Council Member Paul and seconded by Mayor Boggs (withdrawn
prior to the above motion being withdrawn and with the consent of the second) to
table the previous motion.
It was discussed that until we go through a billing cycle and with some
calculation for seasons, we could not be completely comfortable with revenue
projections. Although, by looking at cost per cubic foot, we should be able to
calculate what the increased water rates should provide. One philosophy of
higher rates for higher use was discussed.
There being no objections, it was proposed that the Water Board, working
with Mr. Ralph, come back with detailed priorities and recommendations, along
with plans and drawings for Council consideration within 90 days if possible.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Mr. Joel Lubin, 7820 Allengrove Street, was upset in his attempts at the
Police Department to get the City Hall doors open. He was late in arriving and
Maintenance had inadvertently locked the doors.
Mrs. Myrtle Risley, 7938 Phlox Street, submitted a Directory of Chemical
Contaminants. She read from same and encouraged continued efforts to providing
safe water.
Mr. Ken Yeargin, 9217 Buhman Avenue, stated his business is point of entry
and point of use water treatment, and that he belongs to the Water Quality
Association. He spoke on dependable equipment to filter our water.
ADJOURNMENT: 6:10 p.m.
The meeting was adjourned to 6:30 p.m., November 24, 1987, in the Council
Chamber of the Downey City Hall.
Oen ou t C erk-Treaas� er Diane P. Boggs, Mayor '
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