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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - EVWD Board of Directors - 03/23/2022Regular Board Meeting Meeting Date: March 23, 2022 CALL TO ORDER Approved May 12, 2022 The Chairman of the Board called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. ROLL CALL OF BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT Directors: Carrillo, Coats, Goodrich, Morales, Smith ABSENT Directors: None STAFF John Mura, General Manager/CEO; Brian Tompkins, Chief Financial Officer; Jeff Noelte, Director of Engineering and Operations; Kelly Malloy, Director of Strategic Services; Pat Milroy, Operations Manager; Rocky Welborn, Water Reclamation Manager; Shayla Antrim, Sr. Administrative Assistant LEGAL COUNSEL Jean Cihigoyenetche GUESTS Members of the public PUBLIC COMMENTS Chairman Goodrich declared the public participation section of the meeting open at 4:31 p.m. There being no written or verbal comments, the public participation section was closed. 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA a. Approval of Agenda The Sr. Administrative Assistant stated that staff is requesting that agenda item 3.b. be removed from the agenda. A motion was made by Director Coats, seconded by Director Carrillo that the Board approve the March 23, 2022 agenda as amended. The motion carried by the following: Ayes: Carrillo, Coats, Goodrich, Morales, Smith Noes: None Absent: None RECESS INTO CLOSED SESSION The Board entered into Closed Session at 4:32 p.m. as provided in the Ralph M. Brown Act Government Code Section 54956.8 to discuss the item listed on the agenda. RECONVENE THE MEETING The Board reconvened the meeting at 5:30 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mr. John Mura led the flag salute. ROLL CALL OF BOARD MEMBERS Directors: Carrillo, Coats, Goodrich, Morales, Smith ABSENT Directors: None 2. ANNOUNCEMENT OF CLOSED SESSION ACTIONS With respect to Item #2a: Legal Counsel stated that no reportable action was taken. PRESENTATIONS AND CEREMONIAL ITEMS • Introduction of Newly Hired Employees o Ryan Ritualo, Information Technology Manager o Nathan Carlson, Senior Engineer o William Ringland, Conservation/Public Affairs Manager o Jeremy Salas, Network Administrator o Leianna Sara, Customer Service Representative I The General Manager/CEO welcomed and introduced employees that were newly hired since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. • Presentation to Eileen Tafolla-Bateman for 25 Years of Dedicated Public Service The General Manager/CEO presented Ms. Eileen Taffolla-Bateman with a resolution for 25 years of dedicated service to the District. Ms. Bateman accepted the resolution with a speech of appreciation. • Presentation to Dale Barlow for 25 Years of Dedicated Public Service The Sr. Administrative Assistant announced that Mr. Barlow is unable to attend due to unforeseen circumstances and that he will be presented with the resolution at a future meeting. PUBLIC COMMENTS Chairman Goodrich declared the public participation section of the meeting open at 5:34 p.m. There being no written or verbal comments, the public participation section was closed. 3. APPROVAL OF CONSENT CALENDAR a. Investment Transaction Report for Month Ended February 28, 2022 c. February 2022 Disbursements: Accounts payable disbursements for the period include check numbers 258974 through 259102, bank drafts, and ACH payments in the amount $8,459,940.91 and $409,852.14 A motion was made by Director Coats, seconded by Vice-Chairman Morales, that the Board approve the Consent Calendar item as submitted. The motion carried by the following roll call vote: Ayes: Coats, Goodrich, Carrillo, Morales, Smith Noes: None Absent: None 4. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS a. Sterling Natural Resource Center Update The Director of Strategic Services provided a presentation with an update of construction progress at the Sterling Natural Resource Center (SNRC). The presentation included a flyover video of the SNRC and information regarding the Regional Recycled Water System: the Weaver Basin. She stated that the video will be posted on the District's website and social media. For information only. 5. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ITEMS a. Consider approval of Plant 101 Stationary Emergency Generator System Construction Contract The Director of Engineering and Operations provided information regarding the allocation of grant money received through the Community Power Resiliency Allocation to Special Districts Program, a program to support additional preparedness measures in response to power outage events. He stated staff solicited a request for bids to construct a stationary emergency generator system at Plant 101 and is recommending that the District enter into a contract with Baker Electric, Inc. A motion was made by Director Carrillo, seconded by Director Smith, that the Board authorize the General Manager/CEO to execute a contract with Baker Electric, Inc. to construct a stationary emergency generator system at Plant 101 for a not-to-exceed amount of $114,141.00. The motion carried by the following: Ayes: Carrillo, Coats, Goodrich, Morales, Smith Noes: None Absent: None b. Consider approval of revisions to Facility Use Policy The Director of Strategic Services discussed revisions to the Facility Use Policy. She discussed the current Facility Rental Program and modifications to the program once the Sterling Natural Resource Center Administration building becomes available for the community to utilize. She reviewed some of the key changes to the Program, including but not limited to removing the requirement to add a contracted server for events with alcohol. She stated that is important to note that facility rentals are not being funded by ratepayers, but by facility rental fees. The Director of Strategic Services added that the Facility Use Policy was reviewed by the Community Advisory Commission and the Legislative & Public Outreach Committee. A motion was made by Director Coats, seconded by Vice-Chairman Morales, that the Board approve the revisions to the Facility Use Policy as submitted. The motion carried by the following: Ayes: Carrillo, Coats, Goodrich, Morales, Smith Noes: None Absent: None c. Consider Regular and Alternate Special Districts Member Representatives for the Local Agency Formation Commission of San Bernardino County (LAFCO) Elections The General Manager/CEO provided background information on the services that San Bernardino County LAFCO provides and stated that there is one seat up for the position of Regular Special District Member and one seat for Alternate Special District Member . Director Morales recommended that the Board consider voting for Steven Farrell of the Crestline Village Water District, as Regular Special District Member, and Kevin Kenley of Cucamonga Valley Water District as the Alternate Member of the LAFCO for San Bernardino County. He briefly discussed his reason for his recommendation and stated that they would represent the best interests of the District. A motion was made by Vice-Chairman Morales, seconded by Director Coats, that the Board select Steven Farrell and Kevin Kenley on the official ballots for the Regular and Alternate Special District Member for the 2022 LAFCO Commission election. The motion carried by the following: Ayes: Carrillo, Coats, Goodrich, Morales, Smith Noes: None Absent: None 6. REPORTS a. Board of Directors' Reports Director Smith reported on the following: March 14 he discussed District business with the General Manager/CEO; March 20 he participated in the Local Agency Formation Commission of San Bernardino County's meeting; March 21 he attended the Association of San Bernardino County Special Districts meeting where there was a presentation on cloud seeding; and March 23 he participated in the Highland Chamber of Commerce monthly meeting. Director Carrillo reported on the following: March 16 he participated in the City of San Bernardino City Council meeting; March 21 he met with the General Manager/CEO where he was provided a District update; and March 22 he participated in the Inland Action meeting via Zoom. Director Coats reported on the following: March 14 he participated in the San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District's Board meeting where they discussed redistricting; March 14 he attended the Association of San Bernardino County Special Districts Board meeting where they discussed upcoming meetings; March 16-18 he attended the Water Education Foundation's Lower Colorado Tour; March 21 he attended the Association of San Bernardino County Special Districts monthly meeting; and March 22 he attended the Highland Chamber of Commerce monthly meeting. Vice-Chairman Morales reported on the following: March 10 he participated in the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) Region 9 Board meeting; March 11 he participated in the East Valley Association of Realtors meeting where he provided a Sterling Natural Resource Center update; March 11 & 14 he participated in ACWA Region 9 Work Group meetings; March 15 he participated in the San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District Board's meeting where they discussed their Strategic Plan; March 21 he met with the General Manager/CEO to discuss District business; and March 22 he participated in the ACWA Region 9 Board meeting. Chairman Goodrich reported on the following: March 17 he met with the General Manager/CEO to review the agenda; March 21 he attended the Association of San Bernardino County Special Districts meeting where there was a presentation on cloud seeding; and March 22 he met with the General Manager/CEO to discuss District business. Information only. b. General Manager/CEO Report The General Manager/CEO reported on the following: • The District will have a booth at the Citrus Harvest Festival this Saturday, March 26 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. • The Engineering & Operations Committee will be holding a meeting March 28 at 2:30 p.m. in the Boardroom. He added that all future meetings of the District will be in person only. • He stated that he will be representing the region by highlighting the Sterling Natural Resource Center project at several events during the month of April and for this reason, he will not be in attendance at any Board meetings in April: o April 5 -CMUA (California Municipal Utilities Association) Water & Power Conference he will be providing a presentation regarding Successful Community Engagement Strategies. o April 14 -CWEA's (California Water Environment Association) Annual Conference where he will provide a presentation on Delivering Critical Projects Through Meaningful Community Connections. o April 15-21 -Singapore International Water Conference where the Sterling Natural Resource Center will be highlighted. • The General Manager/CEO announced that now that we have returned to normal in-person operations after 2 years of COVID safety adjustments, the Demonstration Garden is now open to the public. Information only. c. Legal Counsel Report No report at this time. d. Board of Directors' Comments Vice-Chairman Morales thanked everyone for attending the meeting and praised staff for their hard work during the pandemic. Director Coats stated that it's great to be back to in-person meetings; and wished his wife a happy wedding anniversary. Director Carrillo stated that he's happy to be back to in-person meetings. Director Smith thanked everyone for attending the meeting. ADJOURN Chairman Goodrich adjourned the meeting at 6:36 p.m. ~ard President