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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - EVWD Board of Directors - 01/13/2015 Approved January 13, 2015 EAST VALLEY WATER DISTRICT January 13, 2015 SPECIAL BOARD MEETING MINUTES The Chairman of the Board called the meeting to order at 1:02 p.m. Mr. Manny Aranda Jr. led the flag salute. PRESENT: Directors: Carrillo, Coats, Coleman, Morales, Shelton ABSENT: Directors: None STAFF: John Mura, General Manager/CEO; Brian Tompkins, Chief Financial Officer; Justine Hendricksen, District Clerk; Cecilia Contreras, Senior Administrative Assistant LEGAL COUNSEL: Jean Cihigoyenetche GUEST(s): Members of the public PUBLIC COMMENTS Chairman Morales declared the public participation section of the meeting open at 1:03 p.m. There being no written or verbal comments, the public participation section was closed. LEGISLATIVE REVIEW AND UPDATE The General Manager/CEO stated that the District will be reviewing and updating the Legislative Platform from 2012; that the District recently changed legislative representatives and that the District is working with two legislative firms, The Onate Group and Gonzales, Quintana, Et Hunter, LLC. Pilar Onate introduced herself from The Onate Group and introduced David Quintana and Angela Pontes from Gonzales, Quintana, Et Hunter, LLC. Ms. Onate stated that her firm will be monitoring, reviewing and advising the District of state legislation, budget impacts, funding opportunities and issues that may impact the District. Mr. Quintana stated that his firm will work closely with the representatives on the issues that the District will need representation. The firms provided a legislative overview which included, life cycle of legislation, legislative calendar, the California budget process, political landscape, the Water Bond, groundwater sustainability, groundwater Legislation, and the anticipated issues for 2015. Minutes: 01/13/15 cmc They also provided potential discussion items for the District's legislative platform update. The Board took a break at 2:06 pm. The Board returned to open session at 2:18 pm. Chairman Morales stated that the Legislative Platform and Grant Strategy were developed to assist staff with rapid responses that may need to be written on behalf of the District without having to bring the item to the full Board for approval. Chairman Morales inquired as to when the updated documents will be available for review by the Board. The General Manager/CEO stated that the Legislative Platform should be presented to the Board in February. Information only. ESTABLISH DATE AND REPRESENTATION OF LEGISLATIVE VISIT Chairman Morales stated that with the new legislative season beginning it would be beneficial to meet the Legislators and their staff; that representatives should be chosen from the Board to represent the District; and the other members should try to attend the ACWA Legislative conference in March. Vice Chairman Coats recommended that Chairman Morales and Director Carrillo go to meet the Legislators. After discussion among the Board, Chairman Morales stated that he and Director Carrillo would be going to Sacramento to meet the Legislators. He requested that the other Directors inform staff if they would like to attend the ACWA conference in March. Information only. GENERAL MANAGER/CEO REPORTS The General Manager/CEO thanked the new team for their presentation; that the information was very informative and beneficial and looks forward to working with both agencies in the future. LEGAL COUNSEL REPORT No report at this time. BOARD OF DIRECTORS COMMENTS 2 Minutes: 01/13/15 cmc Director Coleman stated that the meeting was very informative and he was glad for the information. Director Shelton thanked the presenters for the information and that it was a wonderful presentation. Director Carrillo stated that the information was very informative and that he appreciates the time they took to come out and present. Vice Chairman Coats thanked Pilar Onate, David Quintana, and Angela Pontes for a great presentation. Chairman Morales stated that we have a great team working for the District and they have a wide range of expertise in the water world. ADJOURN The meeting adjourned at 3:19 pm. Jam s Morales, Jr., Chairman John J. Mura Secretary 3 Minutes: 01/13/15 cmc I I I