The City Council finds, determines and declares that:
A. Local water resources are among the most precious resources of the city and surrounding area.
B. Management of the water resources serving the residents of the city is critical to the long-term health, welfare and safety of the citizens of the city.
C. The city's primary water supply is from underground water resources, which are being depleted by groundwater extraction in excess of groundwater replenishment ("groundwater overdraft").
D. Conversion of land from agricultural to urban uses increases the local groundwater overdraft and has the potential to seriously deplete available groundwater resources over time.
E. Provision of municipal water supplies by private water companies and utilities contributes substantially to the continuing groundwater overdraft.
F. The impact of existing and proposed development on groundwater overdraft has been determined through a technical study prepared for the city by the consulting engineering firm of Provost & Pritchard, which study has been reviewed and considered by the City Council prior to adoption of this chapter. The technical analysis provides the basis for the fees established by this chapter.
G. California Constitution, Article XI, Section 7, California Public Utilities Code Sections 6203 and 6294, Article III and XIV of the City Charter and objective 2.4 and policies 2.4.1 and 2.4.2 of the city's General Plan authorize the city to enact this chapter. (Ord. 2017-01 (part), 2017: Ord. 2005-09 § 2 (part), 2005)