2009-051-ORD ESTABLISHING CRITERIA FOR INITIATION AND TERMINATION OF DROUGHT RESPONSE STATES

Home Browse Search

ORDINANCE NO. 2009 -051 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS, ADOPTING A REVISED DROUGHT CONTINGENCY PLAN; ESTABLISHING CRITERIA FOR THE INITIATION AND TERMINATION OF DROUGHT RESPONSE STAGES; ESTABLISHING RESTRICTIONS ON CERTAIN WATER USES; ESTABLISHING PENALTIES FOR THE VIOLATION OF AND PROVISIONS FOR ENFORCEMENT OF THESE RESTRICTIONS; ESTABLISHING PROCEDURES FOR GRANTING VARIANCES; PROVIDING A REPEALER CLAUSE, A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE, A SAVINGS CLAUSE, A PENALTY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, the City of Paris, Texas recognizes that the amount of water available to the City and its water utility customers is limited and subject to depletion during periods of extended drought; WHEREAS, the City recognizes that natural limitations due to drought conditions and other acts of God cannot guarantee an uninterrupted water supply for all purposes; WHEREAS, Section 11.1272 of the Texas Water Code and applicable rules of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality require all public water supply systems in Texas to prepare a drought contingency plan; and WHEREAS, the City of Paris' Drought Contingency Plan has not been updated since 2005; and, WHEREAS, following public hearing and opportunity for public comment on the Drought Contingency Plan, this plan was brought forward for City Council approval; and, WHEREAS, as authorized under law, and in the best interests of the citizens of Paris, Texas, the City Council of the City of Paris deems it expedient and necessary to establish certain rules and policies for the orderly and efficient management of limited water supplies during drought and other water supply emergencies, in the form of a drought contingency plan for both retail and wholesale water customers, as the same are defined herein. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS: Section 1. That the findings set out in the preamble to this ordinance are hereby in all things approved. Section 2. That Article IV, entitled "Drought Contingency Plan for Retail Water Customers," of Chapter 34 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Paris, Texas be, and hereby is amended to read as follows: "Article IV. Drought Contingency Plan for Retail Water Customers "Sec. 34 -150. Declaration of Policy, Purpose, and Intent