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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - EVWD Board of Directors - 01/25/2011 Approved February 8,2011 EAST VALLEY WATER DISTRICT JANUARY 25, 2011 REGULAR BOARD MEETING MINUTES President Wilson called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. Mr. Sturdivan led the flag salute. PRESENT: Directors: Le Vesque, Malmberg, Morales, Sturgeon, Wilson ABSENT: Directors: None STAFF: Robert Martin, General Manager; Ron Buchwald, District Engineer; Brian Tompkins, Chief Financial Officer; Gary Sturdivan (Safety & Regulatory Affairs Director), Cecilia Contreras (Administrative I ! Office Assistant II), Justine Hendrickson, Administrative Manager LEGAL COUNSEL: Steve Kennedy GUEST(s): Charles Roberts (Highland Community News), Cara Van Dijk (CV Strategies) APPROVAL OF AGENDA President Wilson requested that items # 9& #10 be deferred until the next board meeting. The General Manager requested that item #6 be removed from the agenda and be submitted to the board at a later date. M/S/C (Sturgeon-Malmberg) that the January 25, 2011 agenda be approved as amended. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION President Wilson declared the public participation section of the meeting open at 3:02 p.m. There being no written or verbal comments, the public participation section was closed. Minutes: 01/25/11 APPROVAL OF BOARD MEETING MINUTES FOR DECEMBER 28, 2010 M/S/C (Sturgeon-Malmberg) that the December 28, 2010, Board meeting minutes be approved as submitted. APPROVAL OF BOARD MEETING MINUTES FOR JANUARY 11, 2011 M/S/C (Sturgeon-Malmberg) that the January 11, 2011, Board meeting minutes be approved as submitted. DISBURSEMENTS M/S/C (Sturgeon-Malmberg) that General Fund Disbursements #227136 through 227302 distributed during the period of January 5, 2011 through January 12, 2011 in the amount of$1,143,094.82 and Payroll Fund Disbursements for the period January 12, 2011 in the amount of$185,207.95 totaling $1,328,032.77 be approved. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE DISTRICT'S DRUG FREE WORKPLACE POLICY Director Malmberg would like to know if the policy requires that the District meet and confer with the San Bernardino Public Employees Association (SBPEA) prior to approving the document. Mr. Kennedy stated that the current Personnel Rules that were adopted in 2001 give the General Manager the authorization to implement and/or amend the previous policy. However, the District should notify the SBPEA and provide a copy to the union regarding the newly adopted policy. M/S/C (Malmberg-Morales) that the Board approve the Drug Free Workplace Policy. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING PUBLIC HEARING AND PROPOSED SEWER TREATMENT RATE INCREASE The General Manager stated that the City of San Bernardino Water Department has adopted their new treatment rates; that the rates go into effect February 1, 2011 and an additional increase takes affect January 1, 2012; that the District has prepared a draft 218 notice to comply with the increases; that the City has give the District some latitude in implementing the increase; the impact to the District is approximately $39K to 52K per month; that the City increased their rates due to capital and regulatory needs and requirements. Director Sturgeon in uncomfortable with having an additional increase so soon; that the ...i City of San Bernardino is cutting their budget, furloughing employees and other items; 2 Minutes: 01/25/11 that one option is to furlough District employees; however he might be agreeable to put off the first rate increase until October but not to have an additional increase in January 2012; that he would also like the Board to consider getting rid of the $2 surcharge for customers east of Boulder and to spread that rate over the entire customer base; that he does not like the sewer charges separately on the bills. Vice President LeVesque is not comfortable with answers that Ms Aldstadt provided to the Board regarding the sewer rate increase; that there are other options and alternatives that the District needs to review before raising sewer rates; which includes the upcoming union negotiations where everything will be laid on the table. Director Malmberg stated that he agrees with the other Directors comments however, the District has a financial obligation and that the increases are necessary; he recommends that staff proceed with the Proposition 218 notice; and that he would also like to implement a level pay plan for our customers. Director Morales stated that the committee is meeting and will be reviewing the agreement with the City of San Bernardino; that it looks as if there are two types of funds addressed in the agreement; that he needs more information and would like to review budgeting specifics; that he would support delaying the rate increase only temporarily. President Wilson stated that he understands that a rate increase is inevitable but is unsure how to proceed; that he would like more information on ways that the District can cut costs from the budget and that he is also concerned that the District could technically default on its bonds. The General Manager and Chief Financial officer will prepare a draft budget and bring it back to the Board to review. M/S (Sturgeon-LeVesque) that this item is deferred until a draft budget has been prepared by the General Manager and Chief Financial Officer. Directors Sturgeon and LeVesque amended their motions to include that the District will not proceed with mid-year budget review at this time. M/S/C (Sturgeon-LeVesque) that this item is deferred until a draft budget has been prepared by the General Manager and Chief Financial Officer and the District will not proceed with mid-year budget review at this time. A roll call vote was taken: President Wilson voted YES. Vice President LeVesque voted YES. Director Sturgeon voted YES. Director Malmberg voted NO. 3 Minutes: 01/25/11 Director Morales voted YES. GENERAL MANAGER/STAFF REPORTS The General Manger reported on the District's operations to date; that the Highland City Council is presenting certificates to agencies and/or companies who provided support during the recent flooding; that he recently attended CMUA's Capitol Day and the trip was very successful. Mr. Tompkins reviewed the investment report with the Board and stated that this item will be on the next agenda. Director Morales asked Mr. Tompkins a number of questions regarding the report. Mr. Sturdivan provided an overview of the recent ARkSTORM Summit event he attended; that an ARkSTORM scenario is preliminary scheduled for February 18, 2011; that there was also an article in the Sun Telegram regarding the ARkSTORM summit; that the District has received the funding agreement for Plant 150 .Information only. CONSULTANT REPORTS Ms Van Dijk stated that CV Strategies is working and/or completed a number of projects including: 1. Communications strategic planning 2. Reviewing the draft proposition 218 notice 3. Press release relating to flood victims 4. Santa Ana Sucker Fish Task Force strategies COMMITTEE REPORTS a. Legislative (Standing) — Director Morales stated that the committee met on January 24th and discussed a number of items: 1. Proposed legislation, including a public goods charge (meter tax). 2. Strategies for CMUA's Capitol Day 3. The District's current legislative members and the committee that they are assigned to. Director Malmberg stated that many of the legislators were not aware of the problems that the District is facing regarding the Santa Ana Sucker Fish. Director Malmberg also stated that the District's state legislative lobbyist Mr. Reeb has an impeccable reputation in Sacramento. b. Community Affairs (Standing) — Director Sturgeon stated that the committee is reviewing the budget related to community affairs projects, consultants etc. c. Policy Committee (Ad-Hoc) — Director Morales stated that the committee met on January 12th regarding the Drug Free Work Place Policy and also discussed the District's policy on background checks. 4 Minutes: 01/25/11 Information only. ORAL COMMENTS FROM BOARD OF DIRECTORS Director Sturgeon stated that he would like the District to consider a level pay plan for our constituents. Information only. ASSOCIATION OF THE SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY SPECIAL DISTRICT'S MEMBERSHIP MEETING HOSTED BY RBF CONSULTING, MARIE CALENDARS, ONTARIO, JANUARY 24, 2011 WESTCAS 2011 WINTER CONFERENCE, WORTHINGTON RENAISSANCE HOTEL, TEXAS, FEBRUARY 23-25, 2011 ADJOURN The meeting was adjourned at 4:47 p.m. Ge rge E. ilson, resident imp Robert E. Mar , Secretary `r 5 Minutes:01/25/11 I I I