HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - EVWD Board of Directors - 11/10/2021Minutes
Regular Board Meeting
Via Teleconference
Meeting Date: November 10, 2021
CALL TO ORDER
Approved January 12, 2022
The Chairman of the Board called the meeting to order at 5:31 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Chairman Smith led the flag salute.
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 SeNices;
Kerrie Bryan, Director of Administrative SeNices; Justine Hendricksen, District Clerk;
Shayla Antrim, Sr. Administrative Assistant
LEGAL COUNSEL
Jean Cihigoyenetche
GUESTS
Members of the public
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Chairman Smith 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.
1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
a. Approval of Agenda
A motion was made by Director Coats, seconded by Vice Chairman Goodrich, that the
Board approve the November 10, 2021 agenda as submitted.
The motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Carrillo, Goodrich, Coats, Morales, Smith
Noes: None
Absent: None
2. APPROVAL OF CONSENT CALENDAR
a. Financial Statements for September 2021
b. Approve Directors' Fees and Expenses for October 2021
c. Consider Adoption of Resolution 2021.22, Findings and Determinations
Regarding Teleconference Meetings
A motion was made by Director Carrillo, seconded by Vice Chairman Goodrich, 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
3. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
a. Redesign of Current Monthly Bill
The Director of Strategic Services provided information regarding enhancements being
made to the District's monthly bill. She stated that ratepayers will be provided with a
comprehensive breakdown of water and wastewater services and has been designed in
a manner for a seamless transition once the Sterling Natural Resource Center becomes
operational. She stated that the bill redesign has been discussed with members of the
community and presented to the Community Advisory Commission. She provided a
visual sample of the proposed redesigned bill.
Information only .
b. Conservation Update
The Director of Strategic Services discussed the current drought emergency declared by
the Governor and provided information on the District's rebate programs. She stated that
due to the state of emergency, the District has access to drought funding. The Bunker
Hill Basin is currently in a healthy position. She also reviewed the District's Water Loss
Audit Report results.
Information only.
4. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ITEMS
a. Consider Adoption of Resolution 2021.17 -Replacing Reimbursement
Resolution 2019.02
The Chief Financial Officer provided information regarding staff's recommendation that
the Board authorize staff to request $14 million in additional funding from the State
Revolving Fund for the Sterling Natural Resource Center project. He stated that the
increase in funding is for an additional loan amount, bringing the loan to $164 million.
He described the two components of the project that make up the request for an
increase in funding. He stated that the District will need to go through the approval
process again by submitting an amended application to the State Water Resources
Control Board and he does not expect any problems with the approval.
A motion was made by Vice Chairman Goodrich, seconded by Director Morales, that the
Board adopt resolution 2021.17, replacing Resolution 2019.02.
The motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Morales, Goodrich, Carrillo, Coats, Smith
Noes: None
Absent: None
b. Consider Approval of Groundwater Monitoring Well Construction
Contract for the Sterling Natural Resource Center
The Director of Engineering stated that the treatment of wastewater to produce
recycled water for groundwater recharge involves extensive regulations and permitting
administered by the State Water Resource Control Board. He added that these
regulations require monitoring wells to allow sampling of the groundwater so that the
changes in the water quality can be measured. He further provided details of the well
monitoring process and is requesting that the District enter into a contract with
Geoscience Support Services, Inc. due to their history of groundwater modeling work
for the Sterling Natural Resource Center project.
A motion was made by Director Coats, seconded by Vice Chairman Goodrich, that the
Board authorize the General Manager/CEO to execute a contract with Geoscience
Support Services, Inc. for a not-to-exceed amount of $1,047,486.
The motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Morales, Goodrich, Carrillo, Coats, Smith
Noes: None
Absent: None
S. REPORTS
a. Board of Directors' Reports
Director Coats reported on the following: November 1 he was provided a tour of the
Sterling Natural Resource Center where he received updates on construction progress;
November 2 he participated in the San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District
Board meeting where they officially dissolved the Advisory Commission on Water Policy
and adopted the new Upper Santa Ana River Water Forum; November 4 he discussed
District business with the General Manager/CEO; November 5 he attended a tour of the
San Bernardino Valley Water Conservation District's facilities; November 8 he
participated in the Association of San Bernardino County Special Districts Board meeting
where they discussed the upcoming membership meeting; and November 9 he met
with the General Manager/CEO to discuss District business.
Director Morales reported on the following: November 2 he participated in the
Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) Region 9 conference call to discuss the
upcoming conference; November 4 he participated in a call with the ACWA staff to
discuss local regional rules and changes for possible adoption at the upcoming fall
conference; November 5 he attended a tour of the San Bernardino Valley Water
Conservation District's facilities; November 8 he participated in the ACWA Region 9
meeting where they discussed the transition of the incoming chairman of the region;
and November 9 he participated in the San Bernardino Board of Water Commissioners
meeting where they reported out on the 2x2x2 Recycled Water Ad-hoc Committee
meeting.
Director Carrillo reported on the following: November 3 he participated in the City of
San Bernardino City Council meeting and November 9 he met with the General
Manager/CEO to discuss District business.
Vice Chairman Goodrich reported on the following: November 4 he participated in
agenda review with the General Manager/CEO and November 8 he participated in the
2x2x2 Regional Recycled Water Ad-hoc Committee meeting.
Chairman Smith reported on the following: November 4 he participated in agenda
review with the General Manager/CEO; November 6 he attended the Veteran's Day
ceremony where staff from East Valley Water District participated by handing out
water; November 8 he participated in the 2x2x2 Regional Recycled Water Ad-hoc
Committee meeting; November 9 he met with the General Manager/CEO to discuss
District business; and November 10 he attended the San Bernardino Valley Water
Conservation District's Board meeting with nothing to report.
b. General Manager/CEO Report
The General Manager /CEO reported on the following:
He provided an update on the Greenspot Road closure. He stated that it is still in
place and has been adjusted to allow public access to the District headquarters.
Individuals traveling along Greenspot Road can visit the headquarters via a
temporary road or by traveling the back way, through Mentone. Please follow
posted construction signs and slow for the cone.
He stated that November 8, the District hosted lunch for workers at the Sterling
Natural Resource Center site.
He stated that International Fraud Awareness Week is November 14-20 and East
Valley Water District has partnered with organizers to continue supporting a culture
of transparency and integrity. The global campaign aims to prevent fraud through
anti-fraud awareness and education, with the District taking an active role to protect
and enhance the fraud-resilient culture.
He announced that on December 2, he will be on sitting on a panel regarding the
future of California's water workforce and discussing the District's Pathway Program
at the Association of California Water Agencies Fall Conference.
The General Manager/CEO informed the Board of upcoming events:
• November 11 -In observance of Veterans Day, the District's office and customer
service lines will be closed
• November 18 @6:00 p.m. -Community Advisory Commission meeting
• November 22 @2:30 p.m. -Engineering & Operations Committee meeting
• November 25 -26 -In observance of the Thanksgiving holiday, the District's
office and customer service lines will be closed and the November 24 Board
meeting has been canceled
c. Legal Counsel Report
Legal Counsel provided additional information regarding Metropolitan Water District's
approval of a resolution that recognizes the current state of emergency and extends
extra authority to their general manager to enter into certain agreements based upon
specified conditions outlined in the resolution.
d. Board of Directors' Comments
Director Morales thanked Board and staff for attending the Veteran's Day ceremony
that took place last Saturday.
Director Coats wished the Marine Corp a happy 24th birthday.
ADJOURN
Chairman Smith adjourned the meeting at 6:42 p.m.
John Mura, Secre