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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - EVWD Board of Directors - 03/25/2015 Approved April 22, 2015 EAST VALLEY WATER DISTRICT March 25, 2015 BOARD MEETING/PUBLIC HEARING MINUTES The Chairman of the Board called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Vice Chairman Coats led the flag salute. PRESENT: Directors: Carrillo, Coats, Coleman, Morales, Shelton ABSENT: None STAFF: John Mura, General Manager/CEO; Brian Tompkins, Chief Financial Officer; Tom Holliman, Engineering and Operations Manager; Justine Hendricksen, District Clerk; Eileen Bateman, Senior Administrative Assistant LEGAL COUNSEL: Jean Cihigoyenetche GUEST(s): Members of the public SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FROM THE GENERAL MANAGER REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS At the request of legal counsel and pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.2 the Board added the following item to the agenda after unanimously determining that there is a need to take immediate action on the item, which came to the Districts attention after the agenda was posted: CLOSED SESSION CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2) One Potential Case M/S/C (Coleman-Coats) that the Board add this item to the agenda under closed session item #11. PRESENTATIONS Et CEREMONIAL ITEMS No presentations &t ceremonial items at this time. Minutes: 03/25/15 etb PUBLIC COMMENTS Chairman Morales declared the public participation section of the meeting open at 5:31 pm. Ms. Jody Scott provided information regarding the Historical Society meeting being held on March 26, 2015, 7:00 pm at the Highland Senior Center. The Society will discuss the history of water in the valley including North Fork and surrounding areas. There being no further written or verbal comments, the public participation section was closed. APPROVAL OF AGENDA M/S/C (Coats-Shelton) that the March 25, 2015 agenda be approved as amended. APPROVE THE FEBRUARY 25, 2015 REGULAR BOARD MEETING MINUTES M/S/C (Shelton-Coats) that the Board approve the February 25, 2015 regular board meeting minutes as submitted. APPROVE THE MARCH 11, 2015 REGULAR BOARD MEETING MINUTES M/S/C (Shelton-Coats) that the Board approve the March 11, 2015 regular board meeting minutes as submitted. PROPOSED BUDGET BASED RATE STRUCTURE PRESENTATION The General Manager/CEO provided information regarding the drastic water conditions and mandates in the State of California. He also discussed the proposed rate structure and the rate analysis and introduced Mr. Habib Isaac from Raftelis to provide the presentation. Mr. Isaac reviewed the District's proposed budget based rate structure including drought updates, conservation requirements, water rate structure evolution, tiered rates, comparison of current and proposed rate structures, components of the rate structure, proposed fixed and variable charges, proposed indoor and outdoor water budget in the tiered rate structure, water allotments, and the District's comprehensive efficiency rebate programs. He also discussed the District's community outreach and events to date. Information only. Mr. Cihigoyenetche provided an overview of the guidelines for the public hearing and Proposition 218 rules and requirements. 2 Minutes: 03/25/15 etb OPEN PUBLIC HEARING The Chairman opened the public hearing at 6:28 pm. PUBLIC COMMENTS Members of the public stated their concerns regarding the proposed budget based rate structure including the increase to meter charges, their current meter size, new development in the District, the General Manger/CEO incentive pay, the charges associated with the delivery of past due bills, costs associated with the Proposition 218 publications, comparisons of water and electric charges, if there will be any rate variances for parks, medians, cities, home gardens, and treatment facility and fixed income residents. Chairman Morales stated that written protests need to be submitted to the District Clerk prior to the close of the Public Hearing. CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING The Chairman of the Board closed the public hearing at 7:13 pm. The Board took a break at 7:14 pm. The Board returned to regular session at 7:21 pm. Ms. Hendricksen stated that the District has identified 21,983 parcels, a majority of the identified parcels would approximately equal 10,993; the District received 65 written protests. A majority protest does not exist and the Board of Directors may consider the adoption of the proposed Resolution. The General Manager/CEO addressed the questions and concerns of the public. The items discussed were as follows: the positive impacts for utilizing FedEx for the delivery of delinquent bills, the positive meetings with the City regarding the proposed rates, the strict guidelines that the District must follow for new development in the area, the builders involvement with water supply to new development, efficiency standards for new builders and the community, code requirements for the standard size of meter on each property, fees are based on the impact to the system based on the size of the meter, the need for repair throughout the District and how the proposed rates will allow the District to be efficient in repairing the water and sewer system, research for determining the water allotment in the proposed Tier 1 rates, water in Bunker Hill Basin, the positive impact of a reclamation facility to begin providing water for the future of our community. He also discussed the accountability and expectations that the Board has for his position as a General Manager/CEO and meeting goals and objectives for a performance based incentive; the updates to the accounting systems, customer service's ability to resolve customer issues, and the state law that will not allow the District to provide lower rates for low income customers. 3 Minutes: 03/25/15 etb BOARD DISCUSSION Director Carrillo thanked everyone for attending tonight's meeting and for taking the time to provide their comments to the Board. He recalled recent water events including flooding at UCLA and homes that were experiencing black water from their faucets. He stated that he does not want this to happen to our District and that it is his fiduciary duty to make sure the District provides clean water to its constituents and responsibility of the proposed rate increase. Director Coleman stated that he lives in the District and doesn't like the idea of a rate increase any more than anyone else but would like it less to not have enough water and funds to provide for clean water operations; he has taken actions to be better efficient in his own household and will recoup his investment within one year or less; the rate increase is necessary for the future of water. Director Shelton stated that this evening was an interesting experience for her and that it is an honor to be part of the Board; that it is the District's obligation to deliver safe water to customers now and in the future; that in order to stay in compliance the District needs to have a rate increase; that the Board has made some difficult decisions based on the drought restrictions. She expressed her appreciation to all for their attendance and participation in the public hearing process. Vice Chairman Coats thanked all for their attendance and encouraged everyone to continue to be involved with future meetings. He stated that he takes his responsibility seriously of delivering the cleanest water possible to the District's customers; that with the future projects the District has to complete, it is in the best interest of the community to approve the new rates and charges. Chairman Morales shared his ideas of how he is becoming more water efficient and conserving in his household. ADOPT RESOLUTION 2015.04 - ESTABLISHING A SCHEDULE OF RATES AND CHARGES FOR WATER SERVICE M/S/C (Coats-Carrillo) that the Board approve Resolution 2015.04 and adopt a budget based rate structure and establishing a schedule of changes to water rates and charges Roll call vote: Director Carrillo - Yes Vice-Chairman Coats - Yes Director Coleman - Yes Director Shelton - Yes Chairman Morales - Yes 4 Minutes: 03/25/15 etb BOARD OF DIRECTORS REPORTS Director Carrillo had no reports at this time. Director Coleman reported on the following: he attended the Highland Chamber meeting where they discussed improvement to the storm drains; he attended the LAFCO meeting and the ASBCSD meetings where they discussed current water issues. Director Shelton reported on the following: she attended the ASBCSD meeting and the items discussed were regarding the accessibility of the San Bernardino Airport; she attended a neighborhood meeting regarding SANDBAG where they discussed transportation, future growth and employment to the area. Vice Chairman Coats reported on the following: March 12th he attended the San Bernardino Advisory Commission meeting and the General Manager/CEO provided a presentation regarding the proposed Treatment Facility and the Hydro system; on March 16th he attended the ASBCSD meeting the presenter was the newly appointed 4th District Supervisor Curt Hagman; March 17th he attended the San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District meeting regarding Senate Bill 628 for financing of infrastructures. Chairman Morales had no report at this time. Information only. GENERAL MANAGER/CEO REPORTS The General Manager/CEO stated that the District participated in the Citrus Harvest Festival and provided customers with information on the Recycled Water Project, Water Conservation, and other District Programs; he also stated that the District hosted a successful conservation workshop this past Saturday. LEGAL COUNSEL REPORT No reports at this time. BOARD OF DIRECTORS COMMENTS Director Carrillo reiterated his gratitude to all in attendance. He stated that water is important to our future and was proud of the Redlands East Valley High School Debate Team for their success in a Mock Trial. Director Shelton thanked everyone for attending this important meeting. Director Coleman encouraged everyone to continue attending EVWD meetings; he stated that he does not like the rate increase but realizes the necessity and thanked all for coming to the meeting. 5 Minutes: 03/25/15 etb Vice Chairman Coats expressed the need for all to continue to be involved with the meetings and thank them for their attendance tonight. He encouraged all to stay involved with the District. Chairman Morales stated that this was a very important meeting; he thanked all for taking the time to attend the meeting and encouraged all to attend future meetings and keep involved with District matters. The Board took a break at 8:21 pm. CLOSED SESSION The Board entered into Closed Session at 8:35 p.m. as provided in the Ralph M. Brown Act Government Code Sections 54956.9(d)(2) to discuss the item that was added on the agenda. ANNOUNCEMENT OF CLOSED SESSION ACTIONS The Board returned to open session at 9:10 p.m. The items listed on the agenda were discussed in closed session with the following action being taken: With respect to item #11 - No reportable action taken. ADJOURN The meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m. me orates, Jr., Chairman John J. Mura,- ecretary 6 Minutes: 03/25/15 etb