Modesto exempts Thurman Field, Grogan Park from drought restrictions

While Modesto is requiring residents to limit their outdoor watering to two days a week, the City Council on Tuesday night waived restrictions for two high-profile city facilities: John Thurman Field and the Mary Grogan Community Park soccer complex.

The exemptions will allow city workers to water the playing fields at the home of the minor-league Modesto Nuts baseball teamand the soccer complex, which has four grass fields and three with artificial turf, as much as needed to maintain them in a safe condition and to pressure wash the two facilities’ restrooms, bleachers, walkways and concession stands as needed for health and safety reasons.

The exemptions, which were approved by the council on a 7-0 vote, also apply to the city’s other baseball, softball and soccer fields that take reservations.

A city report placed the exemptions in the context of the city parks system reducing its overall use of drinkable water for watering lawns and other uses by 34 percent in roughly the past two years. Officials expect that reduction to rise to 41 percent with the city’s May 1 adoption of its stage 2 drought restrictions, which reduced the number of days for outdoor watering from three to two.

Modesto resident Christopher Aggers told council members that if Modesto goes to its stage 3 drought restrictions, which essentially ban outdoor watering, then the city needs to set the example and there is no better example than a visual one of brown turf at city parks and other facilities. “I feel it should be a shared sacrifice,” he said. “... I think people need a visual (example) when people are asked to let their lawns die.”

Aggers said after the meeting he did not support the council’s decision.

But Ron Hurst, a candidate in the November council election, told council members the city needs to keep its parks green as residents let their lawns go brown to provide them with a place to enjoy themselves.

Aggers also expressed his frustration to the council about the phone number residents call to report suspected water waste and violations of the stage 2 restrictions, especially when residents call after hours and the calls are answered by a company in Florida.

Modesto Utilities Director Larry Parlin said the city is working to improve its customer service but added he was encouraged that more than 100 people a day are calling the city to report suspected water waste and violations of the restrictions. (More information about the restrictions and whom to call is available at www.modestogov.com.)

He told council members he was pleased Modesto’s water consumption was down 19 percent in April compared with April 2013 and before the stage 2 restrictions took effect. The state is requiring Modesto, like other Northern San Joaquin Valley cities, to reduce its use of drinkable water by 36 percent compared with 2013 levels starting in June.

Parlin said he is optimistic Modesto could save enough water with its stage 2 restrictions and avoid having to impose the stage 3 restrictions, which ban outdoor watering except for the hand watering of trees, plants and bushes. Drip irrigation also is allowed.

In other action, the council:

▪  Heard from John Liukkonen, Modesto City Schools’ senior director for maintenance and operations. He told council members that the school district will stop watering the grass at its schools that is not used for sports or play by students. The city threatened to fine Davis High School $150 for watering its new football field in excess of the stage 2 restrictions. Liukkonen said the school district will come into compliance and work with the city on other projects that involve putting in grass.

▪  Approved in closed session a $165,000 settlement to end a 2010 lawsuit filed against the city, accusing several of its officers of assault, battery and false arrest when they responded to a complaint of a loud party in 2009. Miguel Rodriguez and Charisse Fernandez sued Modesto after officers arrested them on suspicion of obstructing, delaying or resisting arrest.

This story was originally published May 26, 2015 at 9:21 PM with the headline "Modesto exempts Thurman Field, Grogan Park from drought restrictions."