HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - EVWD Board of Directors - 03/25/2026Minutes
Regular Board Meeting
Meeting Date: March 25, 2026
CALL TO ORDER
Approved April 22, 2026
The Chairman of the Board called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Brian Tompkins led the flag salute.
ROLL CALL OF BOARD MEMBERS
PRESENT
Directors: Coats, Morales, Smith
ABSENT
Directors: Carrillo, Goodrich
STAFF
Michael Moore, General Manager/CEO; Brian Tompkins, Chief Financial Officer; Jeff
Noelte, Director of Engineering and Operations; Kerrie Bryan, Director of
Administrative Services; William Ringland, Director of External Affairs and Public
Experience; Nathan Carlson, Senior Engineer; Justine Hendricksen, District Clerk;
Shayla Antrim, Administrative Specialist
LEGAL COUNSEL
Jean Cihigoyenetche
GUESTS
Members of the public
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Chairman Coats declared the public participation section of the meeting open at 5:01
p.m.
There being no written or verbal comments, the public participation section was
closed.
1. APPROVALOFAGENDA
a. Approval of Agenda
A motion was made by Director Smith, seconded by Director Morales, that the Board
approve the March 25, 2026 agenda as submitted.
The motion carried by the following:
Ayes: Coats, Morales, Smith
Noes: None
Absent: Carrillo, Goodrich
2. APPROVAL OF CONSENT CALENDAR
a. Approve the February 25, 2026 Regular Board Meeting Minutes
b. Approve the March 11, 2026 Regular Board Meeting Minutes
c. Accept and File Financial Statements for January 2026
d. Accept and File Investment Transaction Report for Month Ended February
28, 2026
e. Approve February 2026 Disbursements: Accounts payable disbursements
for the period include check numbers 266936 through 267105, bank
drafts, and ACH payments in the amount of $2,761,747.81 and
$508,245.09 for payroll
A motion was made by Director Smith, seconded by Director Morales, that the Board
approve the Consent Calendar items as submitted.
The motion carried by the following:
Ayes: Coats, Morales, Smith
Noes: None
Absent: Carrillo, Goodrich
3. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
a. 2026 Development Update
The Senior Engineer presented a development update and explained how
development fees support water and wastewater infrastructure. He summarized
current development activity, including active residential and small commercial
projects. He also noted a slowdown in logistics and warehouse developments,
reflecting changing market conditions.
For information only.
( b. Construction Material Cost Increases and District Mitigation Strategies
The General Manager/CEO provided an update on construction material cost increases
and their impact on the District's budget. He explained the key drivers contributing to
the increases. He discussed mitigation strategies the District is using to manage these
increases and control costs. He noted the information was intended to help inform
upcoming budget discussions.
(
For information only.
4. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ITEMS
a. Consider Approval of Amendments to the Memorandum of
Understanding and Cost Share Agreement for the Mitigation of Salt
Loading in the Bunker Hill-B Groundwater Basin
The Director of Engineering and Operations provided an overview of salt and nutrient
management requirements and the regulatory framework affecting the groundwater
basin and recycled water operations. He described regional coordination efforts among
multiple agencies and summarized prior studies and ongoing planning efforts. He also
explained the need for updated groundwater modeling to better inform long-term
management and infrastructure planning.
A motion was made by Director Smith, seconded by Director Morales, that the Board
of Directors authorize the General Manager/CEO to execute Amendment 02 to the
Memorandum of Understanding and Amendment 02 to the Cost Share Agreement
related to Mitigation of Salt Loading in the Bunker Hill-B Groundwater Basin in the
amount of $66,629 plus 25% contingency.
The motion carried by the following:
Ayes: Coats, Morales, Smith
Noes: None
Absent: Carrillo, Goodrich
5. REPORTS
a. Board of Directors' Reports
Director Morales reported on the following: March 12 he attended the East Valley
Association of Realtors Legislative Committee meeting; March 18 he attended the
Association of California Wate Agencies (ACWA) Region 9 meeting to prepare for the
statewide Board meeting; March 20 he attended the ACWA statewide Board meeting
as alternate Chair, where ACWA ratified regional work plans and approved a vision for
future water priorities; and March 23 he participated in a tour at the Sterling Natural
Resource Center with the San Bernardino Valley Water Conservation District.
Director Smith reported on the following: March 23 he attended the Sterling Natural
Resource Center tour with the San Bernardino Valley Water Conservation District;
March 24 he attended the Highland Chamber of Commerce monthly meeting, where
San Bernardino County Auditor Controller Treasurer Tax Collector Ensen Mason was
the speaker; and March 25 he participated in a San Bernardino Valley Water
Conservation District Environmental Workshop, which included tours of habitat
conservation areas, species restoration efforts, fuel management projects, and the
Plunge Creek restoration and floodplain studies.
Chairman Coats reported on the following: March 16 he attended the Association of
San Bernardino County Special Districts meeting, which included a presentation on
creating effective outreach videos; March 17 he attended the Yucaipa Valley Water
District Board meeting, where actions included approval of property and liability
insurance and various service contracts; March 19 he met with the General
Manager/CEO and Vice Chairman to review the agenda and to discuss District
business; March 23 he participated in a tour of the Sterling Natural Resource Center
for the San Bernardino Valley Water Conservation District; and March 24 he attended
the Highland Chamber of Commerce monthly meeting, where Ensen Mason was the
speaker.
For information only.
b. General Manager/CEO Report
The General Manager/CEO reported on the following:
• The District will host a Water Treatment Operator Training Course on Friday in
the Boardroom to provide continuing education hours for operators seeking
higher levels of certification.
• The District will sponsor and participate in the Highland Citrus Harvest Festival
on Saturday, March 28, where staff will host a booth from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30
p.m.
• The North Fork Water Company will hold its Annual Shareholders Meeting on
April 7 at 2:00 p.m.
• Conservation staff participated in Career Day events at Monterey Elementary
School and Cypress Elementary School, where staff educated students on the
water cycle and careers in the water and wastewater industry.
• District staff and the City of Highland visited the Burrtec Waste Transfer Station
in Rialto to evaluate opportunities to divert source-separated food waste to the
Sterling Natural Resource Center, including reviewing new equipment that
produces an organic slurry for transport, with ongoing discussions planned over
the next six months.
• The District hosted a tour of the Sterling Natural Resource Center for the San
Bernardino Valley Water Conservation District.
The Director of Engineering and Operations provided a Water Supply Update.
For information only.
c.LegalCounselReport
Legal Counsel had nothing to report.
d. Board of Directors' Comments
Director Morales highlighted the Sterling Natural Resource Center as a collaborative
achievement of the Board, staff, and consultants, and emphasized ongoing
partnerships with the City of Highland to increase organic feedstock, noting its
importance for cost avoidance and operational efficiency.
Chairman Coats echoed Director Morales' comments and commended staff for their
continued progress at the Sterling Natural Resource Center.
For information only.
ADJOURN
Chairman Coats adjourned the meeting at 6:34 p.m.
Michael Moore, Board Secretary