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Outside use of water in the City of Altus is now restricted to every other day. The Emergency Ordinance was approved to compensate for severe drought conditions.

During the regular Tuesday City Council meeting, the City Council approved Emergency Ordinance 2013-4, with modifications, initiating a Stage 2 Water Conservation Plan. City of Altus Chief of Operations Bob Stephenson reports that the Tom Steed and Altus-Lugert reservoirs are at record lows. Stephenson indicated that according to the Emergency Ordinance, the City of Altus would be at a Stage 3 because Tom Steed is at 40% or less of it full capacity. If conditions don’t improve by April 15, the City will enter a Stage 3 mandatory restriction to one day per week.

Council member Rick Henry commented, “I would like to see us going to Stage 2 first, to implement something.” Henry pointed out that going from no water restrictions to Stage 3, once a week outside water usage, may be too drastic for people in the community.

During a “Stage 2 Drought Warning,” businesses and residents North of the Bradford/Falcon Road divider can use outside water on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Those South of the divider can use outside water on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.

Several revisions will be made to the Ordinance regarding specific uses and restrictions for sprinkler systems and swimming pools, but enforcement or the ordinance is in effect.

City Council approved the Resolution to authorize the execution of the Project Agreement to reconstruct intersections of Falcon and Tamarack along Park Lane.

Council members also approved items on the consent agenda, and a resolution amending the fiscal year 2012-2013 Annual Budget for the General Fund, Special Revenue Funds, Capital Project Funds, and Internal Service Funds.

Council approved to terminate a portion of the Airport Farm Lease with John Bates for the purpose of airport or industrial use, and reimburse all costs and expenses incurred in cultivating on the land, to be returned to the City, and also approved a $50 call-out-fee for Air Evac Lifeteam and authorized the Airport staff to charge overtime when responding to Air Evac after hours. Members also voted to appoint the City’s representatives for negotiating Collective Bargaining Agreements with both the FOP and IAFF Local Chapter for the fiscal year 2012-2013.