HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - EVWD Board of Directors - 08/13/2014 Approved August 27, 2014
EAST VALLEY WATER DISTRICT August 13, 2014
REGULAR BOARD MEETING
MINUTES
The Chairman of the Board called the meeting to order at 5:32 p.m. Director LeVesque
led the flag salute.
PRESENT: Directors: Coats, Coleman, LeVesque, Morales
ABSENT: Directors: None
STAFF: Mike Maestas, Assistant General Manager; Brian Tompkins, Chief
Financial Officer; Justine Hendricksen, Administrative Manager;
Eileen Bateman, Executive Assistant
LEGAL COUNSEL: Jean Cihigoyenetche
GUEST(s): Members of the public
11. SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FROM THE GENERAL MANAGER REGARDING AGENDA
ITEMS
No supplemental information at this time.
PRESENTATIONS a CEREMONIAL ITEMS
• Moment of silence in memory of former Board Member Kip E. Sturgeon
Chairman Morales expressed that his heart is deeply saddened this evening; that Director
Sturgeon was a valued member of the Board and brought years of experience to the
table; he stated that our thoughts and prayers are with the family and asked the
members of the public to join in a moment of silence in honor of Director Sturgeon.
• Presentation by Raftelis Financial Services regarding East Valley Water
District's utility rate design
The General Manager/CEO introduced Sadhir Pardiwala and Habib Isaac to the Board and
members of the public for the presentation regarding rate of service analysis.
Representatives of Raftelis Financial Consultants provided a brief presentation on water
budget rates that included implementation of rate structures with traditional tiered
rates for conservation and a water budget based rate with regulations to assist with
water use efficiency; he reviewed the rate design implementation process and
Proposition 218 requirements.
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Director LeVesque clarified that the costs associated with tiered rates include electrical
and water source charges.
The General Manager/CEO stated that the District will be working with ratepayers and
invited members of the public to participate in the rate payer committee; that this rate
structure will allow customers to have control over their own water usage.
Chairman Morales stated that as the District makes its way through the process, there
are a number of mandates that need to be followed.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Chairman Morales declared the public participation section of the meeting open at 5:53
pm.
Ms. Jody Scott provided comments regarding the District's Board of Directors Handbook
and requested that the complete handbook be available on the District's website, She
also requested the Board consider the water budget allocations to include fruit trees and
"pseudo farms" for vegetable gardens and to look into if swimming pools are necessary
for the water allocations.
Chairman Morales stated that the Directors Handbook is currently under review and as
each chapter is approved it will be available on the website; that the water budget
allocations are also under review.
There being no further written or verbal comments, the public participation section was
closed.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
M/S/C (Coats-Coleman) that the August 13, 2014 agenda be approved as
submitted.
APPROVE THE JULY 23, 2014 REGULAR BOARD MEETING MINUTES
M/S/C (Coats-Coleman) that the July 23, 2014 Regular Board meeting minutes be
approved as submitted.
APPROVE THE JULY 23, 2014 SPECIAL BOARD MEETING MINUTES
M/S/C (Coats-Coleman) that the July 23, 2014 Special Board meeting minutes be
approved as submitted.
DISBURSEMENTS
M/S/C (Coats-Coleman) that the General Fund Disbursements #241249 through
#241686 which were distributed during the period of July 1, 2014 through July 31, 2014
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in the amount of $3,303,757 and payroll and benefit contributions in the amount of
$271,445 totaling $3,575,202 be approved.
RESOLUTION 2014.21 - ACCEPTING NOTICE OF COMPLETION FOR THE DESIGN AND
CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW ADMINISTRATIVE CAMPUS
M/S/C (Coats-Coleman) that Resolution 2014.21 be approved.
DIRECTORS FEES AND EXPENSES FOR JULY 2014
M/S/C (Coats-Coleman) that the Directors' fees and expenses for July 2014 be
approved as submitted.
IMPLEMENT PROCEDURE FOR FILLING BOARD VACANCY
The General Manager/CEO stated that the District was notified of the untimely passing
of Director Sturgeon and that the District is required to notify the San Bernardino County
Registrar of voters of the vacancy and how the vacancy is to be filled. He reviewed the
two options to fill the Board vacancy by appointment or special election.
Chairman Morales opened the discussion to the Board members.
Director LeVesque inquired about the possibility of moving the elections to the general
election period other than the mail in ballots for future elections.
The General Manager/CEO reported that the District is under time limitations and that
by filling the vacancy by appointment will save the ratepayers money.
Director Coats explained that he did not want to take from the public's right to vote to
fill the vacancy; that it wilt be a short term for the new member and as a fiduciary
approach it makes no sense to have a special election at this time.
Vice Chairman Coleman concurred with Director Coats and noted that to be fiscally
responsible the economical approach is to fill the vacancy by appointment.
Chairman Morales stated that it is in the best interest of the public to fill the vacancy by
appointment; that there is 14 months left in the term and informed the public that the
appointment process will be held at a public meeting.
M/S/C (Coleman-LeVesque) to Adopt Resolution 2014.24 to fill the Board Vacancy
by appointment; to authorize General Manager to notify the County Election Official of
the existence of a vacant seat on the Board of Directors; and to authorize staff to post a
Notice of Vacancy on the District Board of Directors in three conspicuous places within
the District.
ADJOURN TO PUBLIC HEARING
The Chairman of the Board entered into the Public Hearing at 6:13 p.m.
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2014 DROUGHT UPDATE
A. STAFF PRESENTATION
B. PUBLIC COMMENTS
The General Manger/CEO stated that mandatory conservation measures are in effect and
that the District is required to participate and has planned for community outreach; that
two classes are scheduled August 23rd and September 20th. The classes will provide
information on conservation efforts.
The Public Affairs/Conservation Manager, Ms. Kelly Malloy, provided a brief presentation
on the current drought conditions and stated that with the recent emergency regulations
in effect as of July 29, 2014 it requires that the District activate the Water Shortage
Contingency Plan to a mandatory level in order to immediately reduce outside water
usage including prohibiting application of water for washing down hard surfaces,
prohibiting outdoor landscaping runoff or excessive waste, limitations for acceptable
commercial and domestic irrigation day/times; no daytime watering between 6 am and 8
pm or as designated by the General Manager/CEO and prohibiting the usage of a hose
without a shut-off nozzle to wash a car. Ms. Malloy also provided information regarding
the District's plan to provide our customers with tools and information they need to be
water efficient which includes landscaping classes, door tag notifications, printed
advertisements, customer meetings, website content development and hand-outs,
Director Coats inquired about the subject matter of the two classes.
Vice Chairman Coleman inquired about the location and costs of the classes.
Ms. Malloy stated that the two scheduled classes will review property landscaping and
irrigation heads and timers; that the classes are being held here at the District and are
free of charge for participants.
Mr. Dave Rumph addressed the Board with his concerns of the length of the documents
that have to be reviewed and that the presentations are not available prior to the
meeting which doesn't allow for the public to have ample time to review or ask.
appropriate questions.
ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE 387, DECLARATION OF WATER SHORTAGE AND
AUTHORIZATION OF STAGE 2 WATER CONSERVATION MEASURES
M/S/C (LeVesque-Coats) to adopt Ordinance 387.
A Roll Call Vote was taken for this agenda item.
Director Coats Yes
Director LeVesque Yes
Vice Chairman Coleman Yes
Chairman Morales Yes
4-0 vote.
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ADJOURN TO EAST VALLEY WATER DISTRICT REGULAR BOARD MEETING
The Board returned to the Districts' regular Board meeting at 6:40 pm.
GENERAL MANAGER/STAFF REPORTS
The General Manager reported on the following: services to honor Mr. Sturgeon will be
held on Friday, August 15, 2014 at 10:00 am; the District's Employee Committee
completed a backpack and school supply drive to support students at Hunt Elementary;
employee Damon Russell submitted the winning salsa at the employee taco lunch; the
RFP to bid for Legislative Advocacy was sent out on August 7th and will close on
September 5th; applications for the Rate Study Committee are available on the District
website and will be accepted until August 15th; a tour of the Anaheim Reclamation Plant
is scheduled for August 28th; the Ironhouse Sanitary District tour for board members is
scheduled for August 21 st and 22nd
Information only.
LEGAL COUNSEL REPORT
No reports at this time.
ORAL COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Director Coats stated that he hopes all who knew Mr. Sturgeon would honor him at his
services.
Vice Chairman Coleman commented that he considers Mr. Sturgeon to be a great friend;
that he will miss him and his kindness; that Mr. Sturgeon did many things that were right
as a Board member; and he will be in attendance at the memorial service.
Director LeVesque stated that he had known Kip for 25 years; that although the past few
years were stressful, none of their differences ever made a lasting impression; that he
and Kip always had a friendship.
Chairman Morales stated that this was a difficult meeting to preside over; that he had
known Kip for 20 years; that the Board has difficult decisions to make; he thanked the
public for their presence; he asked members of the public to complete an application to
fill the vacancy; that at the next meeting ACWA's Vice President will be providing a
legal update on federal legislation; the District will be hosting the San Bernardino
County Special District's Association meeting on October 20tn
The Board took a recess at 6:53 pm.
The Board returned to open session at 7:00 pm
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CLOSED SESSION
The Board entered into Closed Session at 7:00 pm as provided in the Ralph M. Brown Act
Government Code Sections 54956.9(d)(1) and 54956.9(d)(2) to discuss the items listed on
the agenda.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF CLOSED SESSION ACTIONS
The Board returned to open session at 8:38 p.m. The items listed on the agenda were
discussed in closed session with the following action being taken:
With respect to item's # 9 and #10 - No reportable action taken.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
-s Morales, Jr., hairman
John J. Mura, Secretary
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