The Yelm City Council will adopt tonight “Resolution Number 522 restricting the use of water for irrigation pursuant to Section 13.04.97 Yelm Municipal Code and establishing policies and procedures for the
implementation of water conservation measures in 2011″.

Ed. Note: There will be little to no discussion, as par usual!

Background
“The City Council adopted a water conservation program in 2010 that established a water budget for each water customer with an irrigation meter. The budget was based on the amount of water according to the Washington Irrigation Guide needed to maintain healthy and productive landscaping, or the customers use in 2009, whichever was less.
This program was anticipated to reduce irrigation usage in half. The program was highly successful and water customers saved over 6.8 million gallons of water in 2010, well beyond the anticipated savings. These water savings, along with residential water conservation, helped to realize the Citys conservation goals and extend the life of existing water system infrastructure.
The proposed 2011 water conservation program is identical to the 2010 program with the following exceptions:
Vet Biz New irrigation meter.
Nisqually Estates HOA Irrigation for entrance sign landscape area.
Prairie Plaza Condo Increased budget based on landscaped area vs. 2009 usage.
Les Schwab Tire Center New business.
Yelm Medical Plaza New business.

As in 2010, the Community Development Department will manage the program with assistance from Public Works,” quoting the Staff Report from tonight’s City Council Agenda.

Ed. Note:
So let’s do a tally:
Another water rate + sewer rate increase in 2011 with mandatory water irrigation cutbacks on local businesses. The city uses the water savings to appeal to Health & Ecology for additional, annual water allocation to build more homes.
Will these be now annual restrictions imposed by the City of Yelm?
You can count on that!

From the city’s website:
“Council Approves Sewer Rate Increase effective March 1, 2011 The City of Yelm held a Public Hearing on February 8, 2011 to receive comment on the proposed Sewer Rate increase. The new rates are posted on the website.”
(posted: 3/7/2011)

When will our local businesses untie & stand up to their Mayor/Chamber President and City Council to say “enough is enough” with this assault 1-2 on our local shop owners:
1. annual water & sewer rate increases totalling over 13% for the next 3 years?
2. mandatory water irrigation cutbacks on our local businesses in summer, whose savings the city uses to go after building more homes.

WHERE IS THE CITY’S RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC INTERESTS, INSTEAD OF ALWAYS GROW-GROW, GROW?