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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - EVWD Board of Directors - 05/13/2015 111 Approved May 27, 2015 EAST VALLEY WATER DISTRICT May 13, 2015 BOARD MEETING MINUTES The Chairman of the Board called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Mr. Brian Tompkins 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; Cecilia Contreras, Senior Administrative Assistant LEGAL COUNSEL: Jean Cihigoyenetche GUEST(s): Members of the public SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FROM THE GENERAL MANAGER REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS No supplemental information at this time. PRESENTATIONS Et CEREMONIAL ITEMS No presentations Et ceremonial items at this time. PUBLIC COMMENTS Chairman Morales declared the public participation section of the meeting open at 5:33 pm. Mr. Fred Yauger inquired about the District providing a list of contractors and landscape architects to customers. The General Manager/CEO responded stating that with the Governors Executive orders, the District has changed paths and is focusing on alternative options to assist rate payers with conservation efforts. There being no further written or verbal comments, the public participation section was closed. Minutes: 05/13/15 cmc APPROVAL OF AGENDA M/S/C (Coats-Coleman) that the May 13, 2015 agenda be approved as submitted. DISBURSEMENTS M/S/C (Coats-Shelton) that the General Fund Disbursements #243929 through #244166 which were distributed during the period of March 1, 2015 through March 31, 2015, bank drafts and ACH Payments in the amount of $2,121,190.57 and $293,883.67 for payroll and benefit contributions, totaling $2,415,074.24 be approved. ACCEPT AND FILE THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF, AND FOR THE PERIOD ENDED, JANUARY 31, 2015 M/S/C (Coats-Shelton) that the Board accept and file the financial statements as of, and for the period ended, January 31, 2015. ACCEPT AND FILE THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF, AND FOR THE PERIOD ENDED, FEBRUARY 28, 2015 M/S/C (Coats-Shelton) that the Board accept and file the financial statements as of, and for the period ended, February 28, 2015. DIRECTORS' FEES AND EXPENSES FOR APRIL 2015 M/S/C (Coats-Shelton) that the Directors' fees and expenses for April 2015 be approved as submitted. APPROVE OPENING A NEW BANK ACCOUNT WITH CITIZENS BUSINESS BANK FOR THE PURPOSE OF CLEARING REMITTANCES OF FUNDS FROM ELECTRONIC PAYMENT PROCESSING VENDORS The Chief Financial Officer provided an overview of payment options that have become available to rate payers over the past years; that these new payments require the District to contract with new payment processors in order to collect the funds; that these funds are then deposited into the District's checking account. He stated that several vendors make daily deposits into the same account and reconciling the account has become very labor intensive; that opening a clearing account would streamline the process and reduce errors and delayed remittances. M/S/C (Coleman-Coats) that the Board approve opening a new bank account with Citizens Business Bank for the purpose of clearing remittances of funds from electronic payment processing vendors. BOARD OF DIRECTORS REPORTS Director Carrillo reported on the following: the Ad-Hoc Conservation Committee met with staff regarding conservation measures and that a full report will be brought back to 2 Minutes: 05/13/15 cmc the Board for review and approval; the North Fork Ad-Hoc committee met and discussed potential candidates for legal services, after presenting the information to the Board Michel Staples was appointed the legal counsel for North Fork Water Company; he attended the ACWA conference and found it to be a very productive trip. Director Shelton reported on the following: she attended the ACWA conference and found the seminars to be very informative. Director Coleman reported on the following: he attended the San Bernardino Area Chamber of Commerce and was able to provide a water saving tip to the group; he attended computer training with District staff; he also attended the ACWA conference and provided an update on the activities and seminars that he attended. Vice Chairman Coats reported on the following: he attended the ACWA conference and was very intrigued by the sessions that he attended. Chairman Morales reported on the following: he attended the ACWA conference and was able to obtain valuable information on Proposition 1 funding and the Governor's budget. Information only. GENERAL MANAGER/CEO REPORTS The General Manager/CEO reported on the following: ratepayers should be receiving their second round of shadow bills, the District hosted the ESRI Southern California Water/Wastewater User Group meeting, the District received a letter from the City of San Bernardino Water Department regarding a proposed treatment rate adjustment, the semiannual Fitch Rating Update where the District received a AA-, the District hosted the a San Bernardino County Emergency Operations Area Crisis Communications Class, the District's Employee Events Association participated in purchasing and serving lunch to the volunteers at the Highland Community Day of Service and provided desserts to Fire Station #1 during the City of Highland Public Safety Appreciation Week, District staff attended the ERNIE Table top exercise training where the focus was on mutual aid contacts, District staff provided a tour to a local Model A Ford Car Club as part of their annual Thurman Flats drive and also to a group of students from the Water Resources Institute. Ms. Kelly Malloy provided an update to the Board regarding the Drought: that the situation is becoming more severe; that the District showed a 15 percent water reduction compared to 2013; that the latest changes are there is to be no irrigation in turf medians and no potable water to be used for landscape irrigation in new construction unless it is a drip system or microscape; and that the District is currently working with the City of Highland and the City of San Bernardino to help with these changes. Information only. 3 Minutes: 05/13/15 cmc LEGAL COUNSEL REPORT No reports at this time. Information only. BOARD OF DIRECTORS COMMENTS Director Coleman Chairman Morales thanked the employees for donating their time and funds for the Day of Service; that he is receiving calls regarding board expense reports and requests that each Board Member be mindful to the new Board standards for reporting; that the AA- Fitch rating is a testament to staff and their efforts. Information only. CLOSED SESSION The Board entered into Closed Session at 6:34 p.m. as provided in the Ralph M. Brown Act Government Code Sections 54956.8 to discuss the item that was added on the agenda. ANNOUNCEMENT OF CLOSED SESSION ACTIONS The Board returned to open session at 6:54 p.m. The items listed on the agenda were discussed in closed session with the following action being taken: With respect to item #8 - No reportable action taken. With respect to item #9 - No reportable action taken. ADJOURN The meeting adjourned at 6:54 p.m. orates, Jr., Chairman ‘.kkL John J. Mura, S cretary 4 Minutes: 05/13/15 cmc