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Home My WebLink AboutMinutes - EVWD Board of Directors - 01/26/2022Regular Board Meeting Via Teleconference Meeting Date: January 26, 2022 CALL TO ORDER Approved February 9, 2022 The Chairman of the Board called the meeting to order at 4:31 p.m. ROLL CALL OF BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT Directors: Carrillo, Coats, Goodrich, Morales, Smith ABSENT Directors: None STAFF John Mura, General Manager/CEO; Brian Tompkins, Chief Financial Officer; Jeff Noelte, Director of Engineering and Operations; Kelly Malloy, Director of Strategic Services; Pat Milroy, Operations Manager; Rocky Welborn, Water Reclamation Manager; Justine Hendricksen, District Clerk; Shayla Antrim, Sr. Administrative LEGAL COUNSEL Jean Cihigoyenetche GUESTS Members of the public PUBLIC COMMENTS Chairman Goodrich declared the public participation section of the meeting open at 4:32 p.m. There being no written or verbal comments, the public participation section was closed. 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA a. Approval of Agenda A motion was made by Director Coats, seconded by Vice Chairman Morales, that the Board approve the January 26, 2022 agenda as submitted. The motion carried by the following roll call vote: Ayes: Morales, Coats, Goodrich, Morales, Smith Noes: None Absent: None RECESS INTO CLOSED SESSION The Board entered into Closed Session at 4:33 p.m. as provided in the Ralph M. Brown Act Government Code Section 54956.8 to discuss the items listed on the agenda. RECONVENE THE MEETING The Board reconvened the meeting at 5:30 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Director Coats led the flag salute. ROLL CALL OF BOARD MEMBERS Directors: Carrillo, Coats, Goodrich, Morales, Smith ABSENT Directors: None 2. ANNOUNCEMENT OF CLOSED SESSION ACTIONS With respect to Item #2a: Legal Counsel stated that no reportable action was taken. With respect to Item #2b: Legal Counsel stated that no reportable action was taken. PUBLIC COMMENTS Chairman Goodrich declared the public participation section of the meeting open at 5:32 p.m. There being no written or verbal comments, the public participation section was closed. 3. APPROVAL OF CONSENT CALENDAR a. Approval of December 15, 2021 Special Board Meeting Minutes b. Approve Investment Report for Quarter Ended December 31, 2021 c. December 2021 Disbursements: Accounts payable disbursements for the period include check numbers 258709 through 258871, bank drafts, and ACH payments in the amount of $9,655,767.02 and $446,109.72 for payroll A motion was made by Director Smith, seconded by Vice Chairman Morales, that the Board approve the Consent Calendar items as submitted. The motion carried by the following roll call vote: Ayes: Coats, Goodrich, Carrillo, Morales, Smith Noes: None Absent: None 4. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS a. 5-Year Work Plan Update The Director of Strategic Services reviewed key elements of the District's 2022 Five- Year Work Plan. She provided background information on the development of the Plan, minor adjustments to the Plan, and key highlights of 2021 accomplishments. She stated that during a series of meetings with staff and the Community Advisory Commission, an updated Five-Year Work Plan has been prepared. She stated that the District anticipates a high level of activity throughout the organization in 2022 and that upon approval of the Plan, it will be incorporated into District-wide goals assigned to the General Manager/CEO. For information only. b. Customer Arrearage Update The Director of Strategic Services provided details on two programs that provide payment assistance (relief) for customers in arrearages on their bills due to financial hardship: San Bernardino County Rent Relief Partnership and the California Water and Wastewater Arrearage Payment Program. She described the pros and cons of each program. She stated that 12% of customer accounts were past due at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic and provided details on how District customers have benefited from each program. She added that the California disconnection moratorium expired January 1, 2022 and that staff will be proactive in informing customers that disconnections will continue. For information only. 5. REPORTS a. Board of Directors' Reports Director Smith reported on the following: January 21 he participated in the Local Agency Formation Commission meeting with nothing to report; January 25 he participated in the Highland Chamber of Commerce monthly meeting; and January 26 he discussed District business with the General Manager/CEO. Director Carrillo reported on the following: January 18 the General Manager/CEO provided him a District update; January 19 he participated in the City of San Bernardino City Council meeting; January 21 he discussed District business and reviewed the agenda with the General Manager/CEO; and January 25 he participated in the Inland Action meeting. Director Coats reported on the following: January 17 he participated in the Association of San Bernardino County Special Districts Board meeting; January 18 he participated in the San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District Board meeting where they discussed the effect of recent rains on the reservoirs; January 18 he discussed District business with the General Manager/CEO; January 24 he attended the Association of San Bernardino County Special Districts monthly membership meeting where San Bernardino County Tax Collector Ensen Mason was the speaker; January 25 he participated in the San Bernardino Board of Water Commissioners meeting where they discussed a third party vendor that has offered to provide an insurance policy to customers for their lateral connections; January 25 he participated in the Highland Chamber of Commerce monthly meeting where a speaker discussed workforce development; and January 25 he discussed District business and reviewed the agenda with the General Manager/CEO. Vice Chairman Morales reported on the following: January 13 he participated in San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District's Policy Committee meeting where they provided a legislative update; January 14 he participated in the East Valley Association of Realtors meeting; January 18 he participated in the San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District Board meeting; January 19 he discussed District business with the General Manager/CEO; January 20 he participated in a meeting with the General Manager/CEO to discuss the agenda; and January 21 he participated in the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) Region 9 meeting where they discussed upcoming sessions and he was selected as the alternate Chair for ACWA Region 9 Board. Chairman Goodrich reported on the following: January 20 he reviewed the agenda with the General Manager/CEO; January 24 he participated in the Engineering & Operations Committee meeting; and January 24 he attended the Association of San Bernardino County Special Districts monthly membership meeting. Information only. b. General Manager/CEO Report The General Manager/CEO reported on the following : The District is working in partnership with San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District to construct a new groundwater recharge facility for water produced from the Sterling Natural Resource Center and the City of San Bernardino Water Department. The facility is currently being constructed on Greenspot Road near Weaver Street in Highland and is anticipated to be completed in July 2022. A Groundbreaking Ceremony will be held February 25. January 29 he will be participating in the San Bernardino County Academic Decathlon, where he will be judging speeches regarding "Water: a most essential resource". The Highland YMCA Run event is this Sunday, January 30; and the District will be providing the hydrant drinking fountain and complimentary water bottles for participants. The General Manager/CEO commended the Director of Administrative Services and the Human Resources Coordinator for meeting regulatory obligations during the pandemic and for the level of trust and respect held with employees. The General Manager/CEO praised the Chief Financial Officer and Finance staff for their hard work with the Arrearage Program and for keeping the District financially afloat. The General Manager/CEO stated that due to the growing concerns regarding COVID- 19 and its variants, District offices have closed to the public until further notice. Customers may continue making payments online, by phone, at any 7-Eleven store, at the kiosk located outside of the District's office, and by mail. He added that Customer Service lines will remain open. Information only. c. Legal Counsel Report No report at this time. d. Board of Directors' Comments Director Coats asked that everyone remain safe. Vice Chairman Morales commended District staff for the social media outreach efforts regarding the information on the Weaver Basin. ADJOURN Chairman Goodrich adjourned the meeting at 6:23 p.m. Phillip R. Goodrich, Board President L