Eighty-two complaints have been made in Hayward
over wasteful water usage, but no citations issued.

Hayward City Council Meeting
777 B Street, Hayward
Tuesday, Apr. 7, 7 p.m.
[FULL COUNCIL AGENDA]
Twitter hashtag: #haymtg

BROWN OUT An amendment to Hayward’s existing Water Shortage Contingency Plan, approved last September, will prohibit watering of grass and ornamental landscapes during and within 48 hours after measurable rain has fallen in the city. The plan also instructs hotel and motel operators to give patrons the option of not having towels and bed linens washed on a daily basis. Restaurants are also prohibited from serving water unless the customer asks. Since September, city officials have responded to 82 complaints of alleged wasteful water usage, but no citations have been issued, said a staff report Following the State Water Board’s emergency conservation regulations last summer, the Hayward City Council added its requirements to the existing Urban Water Management Plan, approved by the council in 2010.

LESS TRANSPARENCY? A revision to the Hayward City Council Member Handbook will eliminate a requirement for members of the council-appointed bodies to fill out a Statement of Economic Interests (Form 700). The form, standard among elected officials, is meant to allow for transparency between the office holders duties and potential economic conflicts of interests. The Hayward City Council unanimously approved last December to eliminate the requirement for members of the Keep Hayward Clean and Green Task Force and Council Sustainability Committee. The council based the new guidelines on the belief the appointed body “did not make or participate in the making of governmental decisions that have a foreseeable material effect on their member’s financial interest.” Hayward City Attorney Michael Lawson reviewed a 2008 analysis of the Keep Hayward Clean and Green Task Force and reversed a previous finding that the body was a board, committee or commission. Therefore, the City Council can also move to eliminate term limits from the task force, included in the council handbook.

CDBG FUNDS Hayward has $1.43 million in federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. The allotment is less than the $1.85 million set aside for Hayward five years ago, or a 24 percent decrease, said a staff report. The council now must decide on how to split the funding pie between a host of local social service and fair housing providers, in addition, to the arts in Hayward. The council will make its final determination on CDBG funding after a public hearing held during its next meeting on Apr. 21.

THIS & THAT Councilmembers Al Mendall will be Hayward’s designated representative on the soon-to-be-formed Alameda County steering committee on the feasibility of a Community Choice Aggregation program (CCA), which would allow for the county to procure electricity for residents outside of PG&E, the existing sole provider. The committee, comprised of between 26-33 members, is due to have its first meeting in May, said the city staff report…New sidewalks will be coming to Laurel Avenue. The $315,000 cost will be shared by the city and county and due for completion in mid-June. Alameda County will reimburse the city for $215,000, said a staff report. Next council meeting, Apr. 21, 7 p.m.

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