Posted: November 14, 2008

By: Margaret Wimberly, City Clerk

ITEM 16A

Authorize Staff to negotiate terms of an irrigation water conveyance agreement between the City of Brentwood and Mark Harris, property owner of 100 Balfour Road. (C. McCann/P. Eldredge/L. Maurer)

CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM NO. 16A

Meeting Date: November 18, 2008
Subject/Title: Authorize staff to negotiate terms of an irrigation water conveyance agreement between the City of Brentwood and Mark Harris, property owner of 100 Balfour Road

Prepared by: Paul R. Eldredge, Assistant Director of Public Works
Linda Maurer, Economic Development Manager

Submitted by: Casey McCann, Community Development Director

RECOMMENDATION
Authorize staff to negotiate terms of an irrigation water conveyance agreement between the City of Brentwood and Mark Harris, property owner of 100 Balfour Road

PREVIOUS ACTION
None

BACKGROUND
At the July 14, 2008 Agricultural Enterprise Committee meeting, property representative Mark Harris requested access to the City’s non-potable water line within the Balfour Road right of way in order to deliver irrigation water to his property located at 100 Balfour Road. Mr. Harris intends on planting olive orchards on his property and is seeking irrigation water for that purpose.

The property is located within the Brentwood Planning Area, as well as the Brentwood Agricultural Conservation Area. The properties located in the southwestern Agricultural Conservation Area generally lack the infrastructure to deliver water from the East Contra Costa Irrigation District (ECCID). The cost associated with developing this ECCID infrastructure is cost prohibitive for many of the area’s small farmers.

Staff has reviewed the feasibility of allowing the delivery of irrigation water to Mr. Harris’ property and has determined that the non-potable water line under Balfour Road has the capacity to provide the amount of irrigation water requested by Mr. Harris. Staff’s findings were presented to the Agricultural Enterprise Committee at a special meeting held on October 10, 2008. The Committee believed it was appropriate to make the Council aware of this request and to give the Council an opportunity to discuss, if desired, the policy issue of providing irrigation water to local agricultural properties that fall outside of the City limits.

Staff is requesting the authorization to negotiate the terms of the agreement, as well as the related connection fees required to be paid by Mr. Harris. This agreement, when completed, will be brought back to the full Council for consideration at a later date.

FISCAL IMPACT
Other than some staff time, there is no fiscal impact associated with this item.