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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - EVWD Board of Directors - 05/28/2014 (special) Approved June 11, 2014 EAST VALLEY WATER DISTRICT May 28, 2014 SPECIAL BOARD MEETING MINUTES The Chairman of the Board called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Mr. LeVesque led the flag salute. PRESENT: Directors: Coats, Coleman, LeVesque, Morales, Sturgeon ABSENT: Directors: None STAFF: John Mura, General Manager/CEO; Brian Tompkins, Chief Financial Officer; Justine Hendricksen, Administrative Manager; Eileen Bateman, Executive Assistant LEGAL COUNSEL: None GUEST(s): Members of the public PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Chairman Morales declared the public participation section of the meeting open at 7:01 pm. • Ms Hendricksen stated that one speaker request was submitted with a request to speak after the Wastewater Reclamation Plant Feasibility presentation. Chairman Morales stated that given the subject of the presentation, he will open the meeting to questions after the presentation. There being no further written or verbal comments, the public participation section was closed. WASTEWATER RECLAMATION PLANT FEASIBILITY STUDY UPDATE The General Manager/CEO provided a brief overview of the Feasibility Study. He stated that RMC was approved in January to conduct a study to consider site location, environmental, regulatory and compliance issues as the District tries to r meet the new demands and existing constraints in the current sewer infrastructure; that a few months ago RMC provided a brief update on the outline Lim and analysis of the project; that RMC is present to provide information to the Minutes: 05/28/14 etb Board and members of the public the findings to date to continue to engage customers in the process and receive feedback. Mr. Lindel from RMC, Inc. provided a detailed presentation that reviewed the progress of the study including the details of the initial project considerations, technical feasibility, plant locations and availability as well as permits and institutional agreements. He stated that the sites under consideration were evaluated by using the criteria of wastewater contribution, potential plant flow by area of contribution, energy required for pumping, land use impacts to surrounding community and site availability. The Board shared their concerns with the considered site location on Sterling Avenue for this project including size of the property, avigation easement, excess land repurposing, meeting needs for new development in the community, if there is a difference in pumping treated water as oppose to raw water; and inquired if they considered the other sites possible pumping issues due to elevation. Mr. Lindel addressed the concerns from the Board including the study's preliminary evaluation of potential plant location; that the three properties evaluated were near the District's headquarters, near the Golden Triangle project and the Sterling Avenue property; he stated that Sterling property is most suitable due to available flow, land use of surrounding areas, impacts to community and energy usage for pumping; that the site is more than enough to support the project and plans to only utilize what is necessary to keep away from the avigation easement; that there is more flow to the Sterling Avenue site of the three sites. Members of the public commented on the study and the presentation and inquired if an additional option should be considered to take the project below the Norton Airport; that there are concerns of the odor; to utilize the San Bernardino Conservation District; and expressed their support of the solutions that this project will bring. The General Manager/CEO stated that RMC has looked into the flow at all locations; that the Sterling Avenue property is best to utilize gravity as much as possible and save energy while pumping; that other locations were considered but there were concerns with environmental impacts south of the airport and the protected endangered species complications; that we are trying to keep a low impact to the community and rate payers; that the District will continue to provide updates at the second Board meetings of the month. Mr. Lindel continued to provide information on the next steps of the process of reviewing required infrastructure, potential recycled water uses, treatment requirements, potential partnerships, complimentary/secondary use facilities, and identifying cost and finance options. Minutes: 05/28/14 etb Members of the public commented on the next steps of the study and expressed concerns with the partnership options with agencies not in the area; and continued support of the project; and inquired about the treatment in the District's area west of Palm Avenue. The General Manager/CEO stated that all customers will benefit from this project; that with other agency partnership options it will help share the costs and utilize resources to benefit all partnering neighbors and help meet regulations; Chairman Morales stated that the information presented by the General Manager/CEO and consultant is a comprehensive approach to determine which of the three options presented tonight would best suit the District and the community. Information only. LEGAL COUNSEL REPORT No reports at this time. GENERAL MANAGER REPORT No reports at this time. BOARD OF DIRECTORS COMMENTS Director LeVesque stated that it is a good use for the piece of property; that he is encouraged by the number of people in attendance; that the Board needs community input. Director Sturgeon request that Councilwoman Virginia Marquez be placed on the mailing list. Director Coats stated that the District needs to spend money as wisely as possible; that he has concerns with the amount of time it takes to pull permits for the project. Chairman Morales thanked the public for their attendance; he stated that there is a requirement to find a solution and recharge the Basin and not send the recycled water to Orange County and keep this water resource for our benefit; that the District wants to educate the community and asks that the public continue to be engaged with the project; that he looks forward to future information. Information only. Minutes: 05/28/14 etb ADJOURN The meeting adjourned at 8:25 pm. e_ , ,ice j' Jame vora es, Jr, President John J. Mura, Secretary 1 Minutes: 05/28/14 etb