CITY OF HALLANDALE BEACH

MEMORANDUM

JC08-018

DATE:             May 28, 2008

TO:                  D. Mike Good, City Manager

FROM:            Mayor Joy F. Cooper

SUBJECT:     Discussion of Adopting a Resolution Recognizing the Need for a Collaborative, Multi-Jurisdictional Approach to Address Future County-Wide Water Resource Needs and Supporting the Establishment of the Broward Water Resources Task Force

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I would like to place an item on the June 4, 2008 agenda for discussion of adopting a resolution recognizing the need for a collaborative, multi-jurisdictional approach to address future County-wide water resource needs and supporting the establishment of the Broward Water Resources Task Force.

Recent County and State legislation will impact the City’s and the County’s ability to provide water to its residents.  We, as leaders, have the responsibility to address the future availability of our water resources in order to protect the public health, while ensuring the sustainability of sensitive environmental resources and natural systems, and providing viable economic opportunities for our communities.

As we all know, at this time both the County and the City are facing significant and costly projected water supply needs which cannot be met with increased demands on the Biscayne Aquifer unless appropriate offsets are provided in accordance with South Florida Water Management District’s Regional Water Availability Rule.  Furthermore, as a result of the newly adopted Wastewater Discharge/Ocean Outfalls legislation passed by the 2008 Legislature, the City’s and the County’s wastewater disposal needs will not be met through traditional discharge methods, thus pressing water managers to make decisions related to the development of alternative water supply projects such as he use of reclaimed water.

As a result, County and local leaders, as well as water providers and users, have been meeting in order to explore opportunities to work collaboratively to find potential environmentally, economically, and technically feasible strategies and solutions to the County’s future water resources needs.  The attached resolution recognizes the need for this collaborative, multi-jurisdictional approach to address future County-wide water resource needs and supports the establishment of the Broward Water Resources Task Force.

As stewards of our natural resources, we have a responsibility to the present and future generations.

I thank my fellow Commissioners for their support on this important issue.