HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - EVWD Board of Directors - 06/09/2011 Approved June 28,2011
EAST VALLEY WATER DISTRICT June 9, 2011
SPECIAL BOARD MEETING
MINUTES
President Wilson called the meeting to order at 9:06 a.m. Director Malmberg led the flag
salute.
PRESENT: Directors: Le Vesque, Malmberg, Morales, Sturgeon, Wilson
ABSENT: Director: None
STAFF: Robert Martin, General Manager; Brian Tompkins, Chief Financial
Officer; Becky Kasten, Accounting Supervisor; Justine Hendricksen,
Administrative Manager
LEGAL COUNSEL: Steve Kennedy
GUEST (S): Charles Roberts (Highland Community News), Cara Van Dijk (CV
Strategies), Mary Shaw, Doug Dubois, Mike Hough
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
President Wilson declared the public participation section of the meeting open at 9:06 a.m.
President Wilson asked that the public provide self introductions.
There being no further verbal or written comments the public participation section was closed.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE DISTRICT'S 2011-2012
BUDGET
The General Manager stated that there are three versions of the budget included for the
Board's review; that water and sewer allocation changes have been made in all three versions.
Budget one assumes no rate increase and a 1.2% debt service coverage (very small margin).
Budget two includes two rate increases, one in September 2011 and the second in January
2012. Budget three includes one cumulative rate increase in January 2012.
Mr. Buchwald provided information to the Board regarding the outsourcing of USA markings
and meter reading services.
Mr. Tompkins provided information to the Board regarding a lock box service for securing
customer payments.
The Board discussed a number of items relating to the three proposed budgets.
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M/SC (Sturgeon-LeVesque) that the Board adopt budget #1 (no rate increase).
Director Sturgeon would like to know how many employees take vehicles home. He stated
that he is uncomfortable with employee's who live out of the District's service area who are
allowed to take vehicles home.
President Wilson does not support budget#1.
Director Morales stated that he has a hard time supporting a budget that has potential pitfalls
and, he is concerned with the small margin relating to the debt coverage obligation; that there
may be other opportunities for cost savings in the budget; that traditionally the Board has
approved pass-through increases from the City of San Bernardino and that the District may
have to approve the increases.
Director Malmberg agrees with Director Morales.
Mr. Tompkins stated that the District could save 25K per year in fuel charges if employees
were not allowed to take vehicles home.
Director Sturgeon doesn't think that employees who live outside of the District's service area
should be allowed to be on-call.
Director Malmberg would like to know if the District has considered alternative work
schedules for employees.
Director Sturgeon would like to know if the District could postpone all vehicle purchases this
year.
Vice President LeVesque stated that if the District doesn't act now and start implementing
necessary cost savings measures that the District may have to cut employees.
Directors LeVesque, Malmberg, Sturgeon voted Yes.
Directors Morales, Wilson voted No.
Director Sturgeon made a motion to remove the purchase of four vehicles and the vactor from
the budget and to cancel the District's membership with ACWA.
Director Sturgeon amended his motion to keep the District's membership with ACWA. The
motion failed due to lack of a second.
M/S/C (Sturgeon-LeVesque) to remove the purchase of four vehicles from the
approved budget.
Directors LeVesque, Malmberg, Sturgeon voted Yes.
Directors Morales,Wilson voted No.
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M/S (Sturgeon-LeVesque) to remove the purchase of the vactor from the approved
budget.
Vice President LeVesque stated that he does not agree with removing the vactor purchase
from the budget as it cuts to the core of the District's operations. Vice President LeVesque
withdrew his motion. The motion failed.
M/S (LeVesque-Sturgeon)that the District limit the vehicles that are taken home to
on- call personnel, supervisors and critical employees.
Director LeVesque withdrew his motion. The motion failed.
The Board has requested that the budget be brought back to the next board meeting for
review.
The Board would like to confirm in writing the obligations between East Valley Water
District and the City of San Bernardino as they relate to sewer charges.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE SCHEDULING OF A
PROP 218 HEARING TO CONSIDER A SEWER TREATMENT RATE INCREASE
No action taken.
ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 10:28 a.m.
eorge .Wilson, resident
Robert E. Martin, Secretary
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