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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Packet - Legislative & Public Outreach Committee - 12/21/2017LEG IS LAT IVE A N D PUBLIC O UT REA C H C O MMIT T EE December 21, 2017 - 12:30 PM 31111 Greenspot Road, Highland, C A 92346 AG E N D A C A LL TO O RD ER P LED G E O F A LLEG IA N C E P UBLIC C O MMEN T S N E W B U SI N E SS 1.Approve December 1, 2017 C ommittee Meeting Minutes 2.Legislative Platform Update 3.Director's C omments 4.Staff's C omments AD J O U RN P LEAS E NO T E: P urs uant to G o vernment C ode S ectio n 54954.2(a), any reques t fo r a d is ability-related modific ation or ac commod ation, inc luding auxiliary aid s o r s ervices , that is s o ught in ord er to participate in the ab o ve- agendized pub lic meeting s hould be d irected to the District C lerk at (909) 885-4900 at leas t 72 ho urs prior to said meeting. 1 Minutes 12/01/2017 etb Subject to approval EAST VALLEY WATER DISTRICT December 1, 2017 LEGISLATIVE & PUBLIC OUTREACH COMMITTEE MINUTES Kelly Malloy, Public Affairs/Conservation Manager, called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. Director Carrillo led the flag salute. PRESENT: Directors: Carrillo, Morales ABSENT: None STAFF: Kelly Malloy, Public Affairs/Conservation Manager; Eileen Bateman, Senior Administrative Assistant GUEST(s): Members of the public PUBLIC COMMENTS The Senior Administrative Assistant declared the public participation section of the meeting open at 3:02 pm. There being no written or verbal comments, the public participation section was closed. APPROVE THE SEPTEMBER 1, 2017 COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES M/S/C (Morales-Carrillo) to approve the September 1, 2017 committee meeting minutes as submitted. LEGISLATIVE UPDATE Ms. Kelly Malloy, Public Affairs/Conservation Manager, provided a brief overview of the legislation platform information packet including the layout, organization structure, community demographics and information, the Districts Capital Improvement Projects, District operations, Budget Based Rates and expenditure summary. The Committee discussed various options for the layout of the document and scheduled the next meeting for December 21, 2017 for final review of the District Legislative Platform information packet. Information only. COMMUNICATIONS UPDATE Ms. Kelly Malloy, Public Affairs/Conservation Manager, presented information regarding the District’s outreach to date including social media example posts, follower statistics, community events and upcoming outreach efforts for 2018. 2 Minutes 12/01/2017 etb Information only. ADJOURN The meeting adjourned at 4:14 pm. ______________________________ ______________________________ Chris Carrillo James Morales, Jr. Director Director HIGHLAND, CALIFORNIA 2018-2019 PLATFORM Legislative DRAFT Legislative Platform | 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS SUMMARY Water Sources Wastewater Collection & Treatment Budget Based Rates Revenue Summary Expenditure Summary Legislative Platform The purpose of the District’s Legislative Platform is to reflect on policy positions adopted by the Board of Directors in 2017. The legislative platform is a summary of District goals, community demographics, capital improvement project, revenue sources, expenditures and policy positions. The following legislative policies have been developed by District staff and legislative advocates in consideration of District’s member agencies and policy needs. On behalf of the District, I would like to extend my appreciation to everyone that contributed to the development of this document. Respectfully submitted, John Mura General Manager/CEO 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Legislative Platform 2018-2019 About East Valley Water District Disadvantaged Community Status Community Demographics District Vision Organizational Structure Capital Improvement Projects DRAFT 3 | Legislative Platform ABOUT THE DISTRICT Governing Board of Directors Chairman of the Board CHRIS CARRILLO Vice Chairman DAVID E. SMITH Governing Board Member JAMES MORALES, JR. Governing Board Member NANETTE SHELTON Governing Board Member RONALD L. COATS District Management Chief Financial Officer BRIAN TOMPKINS General Manager/CEO JOHN MURA District Clerk JUSTINE HENDRICKSEN Operations Manager PATRICK MILROY Public Affairs/Conservation Manager KELLY MALLOY Information Technology Manager ROBERT PENG Director of Engineering JEFF NOELTE Human Resources & Risk Safety Manager KERRIE BRYAN WATER MAINTENANCE WASTEWATER MAINTENANCE FACILITIES MAINTENANCE WATER TREATMENT WATER QUALITY WATER PRODUCTION METER SERVICES FLEET MAINTENANCE CUSTOMER SERVICECONSERVATION RATEPAYERS GOVERNING BOARD GENERAL MANAGER/CEO ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER LEGAL COUNSEL HUMAN RESOURCES PUBLIC AFFAIRS ENGINEERING FINANCEOPERATIONS MANAGER INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY GENERAL ADMINISTRATION DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING & OPERATIONS ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE Presented below is an overview of the District’s organizational structure. EVWD provides water and wastewater services to residents within its 30.1 square mile area to 102,208 people within the cities of Highland and San Bernardino, portions of unincorporated County of San Bernardino, the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, and Patton State Hospital. P L U N G E C R E E K Cook Cree k Oak Creek SAND CREEK COOK C R E E K P L U N GECREEK SAND CREEK S A N T A A N A R I V E R WARM CREEK T W IN C REEK ELD ERCREEK B L E DSOECREEK MILL CREEK C I T Y C R E E K CITY C R E E K SANTAANA RIVER S A N T A AN A RIVER TWIN CREEK 210 210 210 SAN BERNARDINO HIGHLAND SEVEN OAKS DAM DRAFT Legislative Platform | 4 DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITY STATUS A large percentage of customers within the EVWD service area are economically disadvantaged. Using GIS software and data the District’s median household income (MHI) for 2016 was $47,016 compared to the statewide MHI of $61,818. Communities with a current MHI of less than $49,454 are considered a disadvantaged community. California defines a Disadvantaged Community (DAC) as “a community with a median household income less than 80 percent of the statewide average.” The District takes an active role in providing world class service to all its customers. In an effort to increase engagement the District has expanded the information available in both English and Spanish including print material, a translatable website, and additional customer service functions. AVERAGE HOUSEHOLD INCOME $54,117 City of Highland $38,213 City of San Bernardino $54,496 County of San Bernardino $47,016 EVWD COMMUNITY DEMOGRAPHICS East Valley Water District is a California Special District established in 1954. The District is governed by a five member Governing Board elected by voters at-large to staggered four year terms. The Governing Board represents the public’s interest as policy makers with regards to rate for service, policies, ordinances, and budget adoption. Appointed by the Governing Board, the General Manager/CEO is responsible for overseeing daily operations and managing staff resources. East Valley Water District is a rate-based organization that receives no tax-related revenue and operates in accordance with Division 12 of the California Water Code. Local Universities California State University, San Bernardino University of California, Riverside University of Redlands Loma Linda University Community Colleges Crafton Hills College Riverside Community College San Bernardino Valley Community College Population growth projections vary within the District’s service area due to the proposed development of 5,000 additional dweling units with unspecified timing for completion. SCHOOL DISTRICTS COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES POPULATION GROWTH Residents have access to award winning K-12 schools through the Redlands Unified School District and San Bernardino City Unified School Disctrict (SBCUSD). DRAFT 5 | Legislative Platform DISTRICT SPOTLIGHT DISTRICT VISION East Valley Water District is a performance based agency. In order to ensure consistent decision-making throughout the organization, the Governing Board adopted the District Vision. LEADERSHIP PARTNERSHIP STEWARDSHIP CORE VALUES 102,208 123,000 2017 POPULATION 2025 ESTABLISHED POPULATION 6,000,000 GALLONS OF SEWAGECONVEYED DAILY 15,000,000 GALLONS OF WATER DELIVERED DAILY 261 LEAKSREPAIREDEACH YEAR 293 MILESOF WATER DISTRIBUTION 214 MILESOF SEWERMAINS ESTABLISHED1954 17 500 ACTIVE GROUNDWATER WELLS FIRE HYDRANTS FLUSHED YEARLY27,600,000 GALLONS OF POTABLE WATER STORAGE 30.1 SQUARE MILE SERVICE AREA 23,000 WATER METERS READ MONTHLY 1,396 VALVES EXERCISED YEARLY 3,300 WATER SAMPLES COLLECTED YEARLY DRAFT CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS Each year as part of the budget process, the District’s Program Managers and Supervisors compile and submit a list of capital outlay requests for consideration. Staff reviews and prioritizes the list of equipment based on a needs assessment and the amount of funding available. Proposed Capital Improvement Projects for the budgeted fiscal year were submitted by the Engineering, Operations and Maintenance Programs in accordance with the anticipated needs of the District as outlined in the 2013 Wastewater Master Plan and 2014 Water Master Plan. ADVANCED METER INFRASTRUCTURE (AMI) $1,991,910 6,673 TOTAL PROJECT COST METERS INSTALLED TO DATE East Valley Water District proposed to implement an Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) Pilot Project among 6,100 connections in the most disadvantaged communities within the District’s jurisdiction. PROJECT BENEFITS - Energy conservation - Decrease greenhouse gas emissions through reduced vehicle miles - Reduce water usage by real-time identification of leaks and over-watering HYDROELECTRIC GENERATION PROJECT $4,367,927 TOTAL PROJECT COST PROJECT COMPLETION In January 2015, the District entered into an agreement with the San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District for the construction, financing and maintenance of a hydroelectric power generation facility. Turbines at the facility will be turned by water flowing into the District from the State Water Project. PROJECT BENEFITS - Energy conservation - Reduced production costs - Intelligent use of resources NOVEMBER 2017 PUMALO WATER MAIN REPLACEMENT WATER MAIN REPLACEMENT- PUMALO STREET $716,695 TOTAL PROJECT COSTPROJECT COMPLETION This project replaced 2,000 linear feet of 8-inch steel water main along Pumalo Street. The existing main was constructed in 1966 and since 2006, this section of the main experienced 20 main leaks. The continuous investment in the District’s infrastructure enhances the water system to meet current and future needs. PROJECT BENEFITS - Prevent future leaks - Focus on preventive maintenance throughout the District - Improve water services for customers SEPTEMBER 16, 2016 STERLING NATURAL RESOURCE CENTER $126 MILLION USEFUL LIFE OF FACILITY ESTIMATED PROJECT COST The SNRC will be a state-of-the-art facility that will treat up to 10 million gallons of wastewater per day. Following treatment, this water will be recharged into the local Bunker Hill Groundwater Basin, where it will be stored for use during future drought years. PROJECT BENEFITS - Water reliability - Community space - Educational opportunities 50-100 YEARS - Job creation - Neighborhood enhancement 6 | Legislative Platform DRAFT Legislative Platform | 7 5%Imported fromNorthern California(Surface Water) WATER SOURCES With a service area just over 30 square-miles, the District has three sources for water, the Santa Ana River, the Bunker Hill Groundwater Basin, and the State Water Project. The Santa Ana River starts with natural springs and snow melt high in the San Bernardino Mountains. Groundwater is drawn from the Bunker Hill Basin, a natural underground storage area made up of soil, sand, and gravel. A small portion of the District’s water is imported from Northern California through the State Water Project. EVWD has access to this water through San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District. WASTEWATER COLLECTION & TREATMENT The proposed project would provide the region with the opportunity to produce a new supply of recycled water for beneficial reuse higher in the Santa Ana River watershed. This project could also provide an opportunity for potential new and/or enhanced riparian and aquatic habitats in City Creek. The District is responsible for the collection and conveyance of wastewater within the service area. Currently, all wastewater is sent to the San Bernardino Municipal Water Department facilities, where it is treated in accordance with a Joint Powers Agreement. Sterling Natural Resource Center In order to create a new source of supply, Valley District, in cooperation with EVWD, is proposing to construct the Sterling Natural Resource Center facility in the City of Highland that will treat up to 10 million gallons of wastewater daily and recharge it into the Bunker Hill groundwater basin, where hundreds of millions of gallons of water can be stored for use in dry years. 21%Santa Ana River(Surface Water) 74%Bunker Hill Basin(Groundwater) DRAFT 8 | Legislative Platform BUDGET BASED RATES On July 2016, East Valley Water District transformed its billing structure to consider the unique water needs of each customer, and to allow the lowest cost water to be utilized for essential use indoors. This customized approach gives families and businesses an allocation of water based upon their individual indoor and outdoor water needs while also encouraging conservation. Water budgets are tailored to each customer and take a variety of factors into account, to treat all customers fairly while promoting efficient water use. This structure helps encourage habit changes at the tap, which will protect our water supply for future generations. The new EVWD rate structure consists of three price levels, or tiers. WATER BUDGET TIER 1 TIER 2outdoor indoor The most efficient use of water occurs in Tiers 1 and 2. There is no limit on the amount of water a customer can use, but the District strongly encourages customers to be more efficient and avoid Tier 3 overflow. Tier 2 covers efficient outdoor water use and is charged at a slightly higher rate. The combination of a customer’s indoor and outdoor water budget (Tier 1 and 2) makes up their total water budget. Tier 1 covers efficient indoor water use and is charged at the lowest rate. For single and multi-family customers, the Tier 1 amount is determined based on the number of occupants in a dwelling, and is intended to supply the customer with sufficient water for indoor health and safety needs. Water used above the total water budget is considered inefficient use, Tier 3, and is charged at a rate higher than Tier 2. Tier 3 revenue will be used to fund conservation programs and to assist customers reduce inefficient use. EXPLANATION OF TIERS Budget based rates are an industry best practice that are proven to help stabilize revenue and secure long-term financial stability. Independent financial experts identified water budgets as the best option for East Valley Water District. DRAFT Legislative Platform | 9 EXPENDITURE SUMMARY The District prepares its annual budget and financial plan based on operating expenses proposed by program managers, scheduled debt service payments, and capital expenditures prioritized in the District’s Capital Improvement Program. Resources required for these expenditures are then appropriated from the District’s Water and Wastewater enterprise funds. REVENUE SUMMARY East Valley Water District receives 97 percent of its revenue from user rates and fees; the District receives no increment from property or sales taxes. Rates and fees are reviewed on 3 to 5 year cycles and adjusted as necessary to cover the costs of providing services to ratepayers. The District derives its authority for setting rates from §31000 of the California Water Code, and rate adjustments are adopted at public hearings conducted in accordance with requirements established by California Propositions 26 and/or 218. The District has five major revenue categories based on rates as shown in the pie chart. 40%Water Sales 24%Meter Charges 12%WastewaterCollection 2%Other Charges 40%Water Sales 24%Meter Charges 22%WastewaterTreatment 25.6%EmploymentServices 15.3%CapitalExpenditures 11.7%Debt Service 21.4%WastewaterTreatment 15.4%Materials/Contract Services 2.2%WaterCosts 4.6%Power Costs 1%Professional Development 2.9%OtherOperating 15.3%CapitalExpenditures 25.6%EmploymentServices 21.4%WastewaterTreatment DRAFT Legislative Platform | 10 The East Valley Water District 2018/19 Legislative Platform summarizes the Board of Directors positions regarding legislative and regulatory issues of concern without limiting the consideration of additional legislative issues should they arise. Staff will seek the Board’s guidance on issues that are not contained within the adopted Legislative Platform. Maintaining this document allows for the timely response to issues identified as important and consistent with the District’s Legislative Platform, including letters to key stakeholders and delegates in Sacramento, Washington D.C., and other public officials. LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM EXHIBIT 4: EAST VALLEY WATER DISTRICT ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES Board of Directors General Manager/ Staff RESPONSIBILITIES RESPONSIBILITIES • Review, advise and adopt annual Legislative Platform. • Participate in meetings with legislators, staff and other public officials, as needed. • Testify on behalf of the District, as needed. • Refrain from lobbying, advocating or taking a position contrary to the Board’s adopted position. Board Members may, as allowed by law, take positions as an individual citizen so long as the correspondence clearly identifies that it is the position of the individual rather than the District. • Monitor legislation and regulations that impact the District. • Coordinate advocacy efforts with the Board of Directors to promote the interests of EVWD to decision makers at all levels of government. • Participate in meetings with legislators, Board of Directors and other public officials, as needed. • Seek timely board approval of positions as needed for high profile, complex issues of significant concern where deviation from the principles in Exhibit 5 may be advisable for policy or political reasons. • Update the Legislative Platform, as approved by the Board of Directors. • Work with Legislative Advocates and Consultants to maintain Legislative Platform, as needed. • The General Manager and designated staff may participate in legislative advocacy on behalf of the Board of Directors, so long as it is consistent with the Strategic Initiatives and Legislative Platform. DRAFT 11 | Legislative Platform Consider Supporting • State legislation focuses on technologically and economically feasible residential and commercial water use efficiency. • Federal and State development of bond or general fund-supported funding programs for water supply development, including new surface and groundwater storage, water quality, recycled water, and conservation-related programs and efficient, fair implementation of such programs. • Federal and State legislation and regulations that would reduce the cost of electricity for EVWD core functions. • Federal and State efforts to encourage Endangered Species Act implementing resource agencies to implement a more integrated and diversified approach to species recovery efforts. • Federal and State efforts that ease the path to development of recycled water resources. • Legislation that advocates mitigating operational costs to EVWD and/or its ratepayers, there by enhancing water affordability. The Legislative Platform reflects the Board of Directors Strategic Initiatives and is designed to serve as a guide to for East Valley Water District’s legislative advocacy efforts. LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM EXHIBIT 5: LEGISLATIVE & REGULATORY PLATFORM Consider Opposing • State legislation that seeks to limit or alter the authority and fiduciary role of the Board of Directors to manage the water and wastewater collection systems, impose unreasonable unfunded state mandated programs, or increase fees, property-related charges or taxes on EVWD customers. • State legislation that would inappropriately assert the authority of the Legislature to alter or condition existing authority to construct, operate and maintain State Water Project facilities in order to convey water across the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. • State legislation that would hinder the exercise of existing EVWD authority in the area of public contracts, procurement, financial administration, public records, and human resources. • Federal and State legislation and regulations that hinder the ability of EVWD to protect and secure critical infrastructure from cyber or physical threats and damages. • Federal and State legislation to establish Public Health Goals and Maximum Contaminant Levels outside of the procedures set forth in the Federal and California Safe Drinking Water Acts. • The expansion of water conservation and water use efficiency program mandates that unreasonably constrain the Board of Directors to design and implement at the local level. • State legislation that would establish a statewide or locally implemented fee or tax on water use.DRAFT DISTRICT BOARD MEETINGS Second and fourth Wednesday of each month District Headquarters Board Room, 5:30 p.m. HEADQUARTERS 31111 Greenspot Road Highland, California 92346 (909) 889-9501 www.eastvalley.org 31111 Greenspot Road Highland, CA 92346 LEADERSHIP | PARTNERSHIP | STEWARDSHIP DRAFT