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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - EVWD Board of Directors - 11/12/2014 Approved January 14, 2015 EAST VALLEY WATER DISTRICT November 12, 2014 REGULAR BOARD MEETING MINUTES The Chairman of the Board called the meeting to order at 5:34 p.m. Mr. LeVesque and Ms. Shelton led the flag salute. PRESENT: Directors: Carrillo, Coats, Coleman, Morales ABSENT: Directors: None STAFF: John Mura, General Manager; Mike Maestas, Assistant General Manager; Brian Tompkins, Chief Financial Officer; Justine Hendricksen, Administrative Manager; Cecilia Contreras, Executive Assistant LEGAL COUNSEL: Jean Cihigoyenetche GUEST(s): Members of the public ii, SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FROM THE GENERAL MANAGER REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS No supplemental information at this time. PRESENTATIONS &t CEREMONIAL ITEMS No presentations or ceremonial items at this time. PUBLIC COMMENTS Chairman Morales declared the public participation section of the meeting open at 5:36 pm. There being no written or verbal comments, the public participation section was closed. APPROVAL OF AGENDA M/S/C (Coats-Coleman) that the November 12, 2014 agenda be approved as submitted. [ APPROVE THE SEPTEMBER 22, 2014 SPECIAL BOARD MEETING MINUTES M/S/C (Coleman-Coats) that the September 22, 2014 Special Board meeting minutes be approved as submitted. Minutes: 11/12/14 cmc APPROVE THE OCTOBER 8, 2014 REGULAR BOARD MEETING MINUTES M/S/C (Coleman-Coats) that the October 8, 2014 Regular Board meeting minutes be approved as submitted. APPROVE THE OCTOBER 8, 2014 SPECIAL BOARD MEETING MINUTES M/S/C (Coleman-Coats) that the October 8, 2014 Special Board meeting minutes be approved as submitted. APPROVE THE OCTOBER 29, 2014 SPECIAL BOARD MEETING MINUTES M/S/C (Coleman-Coats) that the October 29, 2014 Special Board meeting minutes be approved as submitted. APPROVE CANCELING THE NOVEMBER 26, 2014 AND DECEMBER 24, 2014 REGULARLY SCHEDULED BOARD MEETINGS M/S/C (Coleman-Coats) that the Board approve the cancelation of the November 29, 2014 and December 24, 2014 regularly scheduled board meetings. APPROVE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN EAST VALLEY WATER DISTRICT AND RALPH MONGE M/S/C (Coleman-Coats) that the Board approve the Develop Agreement between East Valley Water District and Ralph Monge. DIRECTORS' FEES AND EXPENSES FOR OCTOBER 2014 M/S/C (Coleman-Coats) that the Board approve the Directors' fees and expenses for October 2014. APPOINT MR. JEAN CIHIGOYENETCHE AS THE DISTRICT'S PERMANENT GENERAL COUNSEL AND AUTHORIZE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD TO EXECUTE RETAINER AGREEMENT M/S/C (Coleman-Carrillo) that the Board appoint Mr. Jean Cihigoyenetche as the District's permanent General Counsel and authorize the Chairman of the Board to execute the retainer agreement. ADOPT MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) BETWEEN THE EAST VALLEY WATER DISTRICT AND THE SAN BERNARDINO PUBLIC EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION AND ADOPT RESOLUTION 2014.30 The Human Resources Manager, Kerrie Bryan, provided an overview of the process and changes made to the Memorandum of Understanding; that these changes will improve the organizational culture. 2 Minutes: 11/12/14 cmc C The General Manager/CEO stated that these changes also include goals and objectives and emphasize employee performance; and that the retirement program will be employee funded over the next three years. All Board members had positive comments regarding the changes implemented in the Memorandum of Understanding. M/S/C (Coleman-Coats) that the Board adopt the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the East Valley Water District and the San Bernardino Public Employees Association and Resolution 2014.30. NOMINATION AND APPOINTMENT OF NEW GOVERNING BOARD MEMBER Director Coats nominated Nanette Shelton to replace Director LeVesque. M/S/C (Coats-Carrillo) that the Board appoint Nanette Shelton as the new Governing Board Member replacing Director LeVesque. ADMINISTER THE OATH OF OFFICE FOR NEWLY APPOINTED GOVERNING BOARD MEMBER The General Manager/CEO administered the Oath of Office for the newly appointed Governing Board Member, Nanette Shelton. RESOLUTION 2014.29 - RECOGNITION OF MATTHEW S. LEVESQUE SERVICE AS A DIRECTOR OF THE EAST VALLEY WATER DISTRICT The General Manager/CEO presented Mr. LeVesque with a framed Resolution. Mr. LeVesque stated that it had been an interesting seven years and he wishes nothing but the best for the District in the coming year.. M/S/C (Coats-Carrillo) that Resolution 2014.29 be adopted. AUTHORIZE THE GENERAL MANAGER/CEO TO EXECUTE AN AMENDMENT TO THE EXISTING AGREEMENT BETWEEN EAST VALLEY WATER DISTRICT AND RMC, INC. FOR CONSULTING SERVICES The General Manager/CEO stated that the amendment is for $429,784 to prepare permitting applications for the Sterling Recycled Water Center. M/S/C (Coleman-Coats) that the Board authorize the General Manager/CEO to execute and amend the existing agreement between East Valley Water District and RMC, Inc. for consulting services. AUTHORIZE THE GENERAL MANAGER/CEO TO EXECUTE THE SERVICE AGREEMENTS BETWEEN ONATE GROUP AND GONZALEZ, QUINTANA &t HUNTER, INC. FOR LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY SERVICES 3 Minutes: 11/12/14 cmc The General Manager/CEO stated that the District sent out a Request for Proposals for legislative advocacy services; that he, the Chairman of the Board, and Ms. Malloy interviewed potential agencies. Ms. Malloy provided an overview of the Onate Group and Gonzalez, Quintana a Hunter, Inc. and stated that both firms are ready to move forward with upcoming projects. The Chairman of the Board stated that both agencies qualifications are significant and that he is very confident that they will be a perfect fit for the District. M/S/C (Coleman-Coats) that the Board authorize the General Manager/CEO to execute the service agreement between Onate Group and Gonzalez, Quintana It Hunter, Inc. for legislative advocacy services. APPOINT MEMBER TO BOARD POLICY AD-HOC COMMITTEE TO REPLACE DIRECTOR LEVESQUE The General Manager/CEO stated that the Board Policy Ad-Hoc Committee was established to create a Board Member Handbook and update Board Policies; that Mr. LeVesque sat on this committee and another member would need to be appointed to fill his vacancy. Vice Chairman Coats nominated Chairman Morales. M/S/C (Coats-Carrillo) that the Board appoint Chairman Morales to the Board Policy Ad-Hoc Committee to replace Director LeVesque. AUTHORIZE THE GENERAL MANAGER/CEO TO ENFORCE ORDINANCE NO. 358, SECTION 9, CROSS-CONNECTION CONTROL AS ADOPTED The District's Legal Counsel gave an overview of Ordinance number 358. Mr. Cihigoyenetche stated that backflow devices are required for apartment buildings to prevent cross contamination into the water system. Members of the public provided a number of documents to the Board and spoke at length in opposition of this agenda item. The General Manager/CEO stated that if the apartment buildings do not install backflow devices, that the District could be out of regulation and subject to fines being imposed. Vice Chairman Coats stated that he understands the dilemma and the expense of installing the devices but the District should not create an exception and expose the public to possible contamination. Director Carrillo stated that it is the Boards duty and responsibility to the public to provide safe drinking water to its constituents. 4 Minutes: 11/12/14 cmc Director Shelton stated that safe drinking water is the most important factor in this decision and that apartment complexes should be in compliance to keep their renters safe from possible contamination. M/S/C (Coleman-Carrillo) that the Board authorize the General Manager/CEO to enforce Ordinance No. 358, Section 9, cross-connection control as adopted. GENERAL MANAGER/STAFF REPORTS • RATEPAYER WORKING GROUP UPDATE The General Manager/CEO reported on the following: The District received the ASCE award for the Headquarters project and also won for the Los Angeles section architectural engineering project of the year; The rate study working group met on November 5; staff will be going through training for AB1234 and AB1825 on December 18; the District will be hosting its annual Thanksgiving Luncheon on November 19. Information only. LEGAL COUNSEL REPORT Mr. Cihigoyenetche stated that his office will provide AB1234 and AB1825 training to the Board and staff on December 18. He offered his appreciation to the Board for appointing ir him to serve as General Counsel for the District and looks forward to working with the District. ORAL COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Director Coleman stated that he would like to test to see if the District could use dry chlorine to reduce the chances of being exposed to chlorine gas from the liquid chlorine. Vice Chairman Coats welcomed Director Shelton. Director Shelton stated that she is excited about the opportunity to serve on the Board. Chairman Morales thanked Director Shelton for her willingness to participate and thanked the employees for embracing the new Memorandum of Understanding. The Board took a break at 7:42 pm. The Board returned to open session at 7:46 pm. CLOSED SESSION 1. The Board entered into Closed Session at 7:46 pm as provided in the Ralph M. Brown Act Government Code Sections 54956.9(d)(1) and 54956.8 to discuss the items listed on the agenda. 5 Minutes: 11/12/14 cmc ANNOUNCEMENT OF CLOSED SESSION ACTIONS The Board returned to open session at 8:15 p.m. The items listed on the agenda were discussed in closed session with the following action being taken: With respect to item #15 - No reportable action taken. With respect to item #16 - No reportable action taken. ADJOURN The meeting adjourned at 8:15 pm. J es Morales, Jr., Chairman John J. Mura, S cretary 6 Minutes: 11/12/14 cmc