Riverbank considers banning timed sprinklers

Lawn and landscape sprinklers would be outlawed through April 30, and people could water outside by hand only one day a week, if City Council members approve harsh new emergency drought restrictions Tuesday.

Also Tuesday, leaders are expected to choose a plan for dividing Riverbank into four districts for future council elections, and could schedule a February crabfest fundraiser for a new community center and pool locker room.

People and businesses in Riverbank with even-numbered addresses, currently allowed to water on Tuesday and Saturday, would go to Tuesdays only, and odd-numbered addresses would water only on Fridays instead of Monday and Friday. Also, you’d skip your watering day if it falls less than two days after it rains, and the prohibition on watering from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. would continue.

Penalties would sharply increase, from a warning for a first violation to a $100 fine; from $20 to $200 for a second violation; from $50 to $300 for a third; from $100 to $400 for a fourth; and from $200 to $500 for a fifth.

Leaders will consider proposed rules because Riverbank has failed to reduce water consumption 32 percent since Gov. Jerry Brown’s executive order in April. In fact, in months since, Riverbank has not met its goal even once. The city’s best mark was a 30 percent reduction in September, following a disastrous August when people used 17 percent more than the baseline level from 2013.

The Modesto City Council on Tuesday also will consider restricting watering to once a week, after posting an overall reduction of 29 percent; Riverbank posted only a 12 percent reduction, averaged over five months. Many Northern San Joaquin Valley cities were ordered to reduce water use 28 percent to 36 percent; Modesto’s target was 36 percent, and Riverbank’s, 32 percent.

Turlock is allowing outdoor watering once per week through Feb. 28.

Riverbank’s proposed ordinance is silent on whether people could use hose sprinklers. A staff report says “only hand watering would be allowed with a person present to control the water use.”

The city’s transition from at-large elections to choosing council members by geographic district, meant to improve chances for minority candidates, has stretched more than two years and should culminate with Tuesday’s vote.

While the framework was decided long ago – voters in each district will choose their council member, with the mayor continuing to be elected citywide – the council had eight options to choose from for carving Riverbank into four voting districts. On Tuesday, people will learn whether sitting council members, based on where they live, will be forced to run against each other if they want to continue serving.

Seats now occupied by Councilwomen Darlene Barber-Martinez and Jeanine Tucker will be up for election in November, followed by those held by Cal Campbell and Leanne Jones Cruz in November 2018.

Jones Cruz is heading up the crabfest idea with help from community organizations. Other recreation facilities need help too, and a five-year financial forecast predicts general fund expenses outpacing income.

Lastly, the council is expected to raise garbage fees 2.5 percent, or 53 cents per month for typical 90-gallon cans. When approving a 21 percent jump a year ago, the council also agreed to subsequent annual bumps of up to 2.5 percent tied to a consumer price index, and that source says costs have risen 2.6 percent.

Tuesday’s council meeting starts at 6 p.m. in the chamber at 6707 Third St.

This story was originally published November 23, 2015 at 6:20 PM with the headline "Riverbank considers banning timed sprinklers."