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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - EVWD Board of Directors - 09/11/2007[app roved September 25, 2007 EAST VALLEY WATER DISTRICT September 11, 2007 REGULAR BOARD MEETING MINUTES President Sturgeon called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. Director Le Vesque requested a moment of silence in observance of 9/11. Director Le Vesque led the flag salute. PRESENT: Directors: Le Vesque, Negrete, Sturgeon, Wilson ABSENT: Goodin STAFF: Robert Martin, General Manager; Brian Tompkins, Chief Financial Officer; Ron Buchwald, District Engineer; Justine Hendricksen, Administrative Manager; Eileen Bateman, Executive Assistant LEGAL COUNSEL: Steve Kennedy GUEST (S): Jo McAndrews (McAndrews & Boyd), Charles Roberts (Highland Community News), Jim Cimino (Cimino Realty), Jack Mortensen APPROVAL OF AGENDA M /S /C (Wilson - Negrete) that the September 11, 2007 agenda be approved as submitted. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Mr. Mortensen presented an article that was in the Los Angeles Times regarding comparative water rates for surrounding water Districts. Mr. Mortensen inquired as to what the District's water rate structure is per HCF and per gallon. The General Manager responded to the inquiries from Mr. Mortensen and stated that the information in the newspaper article was incorrect. The General Manager provided Mr. Mortensen with the District's current water rates in HCF and per gallon costs. There being no further verbal or written comments the public participation section was closed. APPROVAL OF BOARD MEETING MINUTES FOR AUGUST 28, 2007 M /S /C (Wilson - Negrete) that the August 28, 2007 Board Meeting Minutes be approved as submitted. Minutes September 11, 2007 RESOLUTION 2007.21 — A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE EAST VALLEY WATER DISTRICT ACCEPTING CONVEYANCE OF PIPELINE EASEMENT FROM THE CITY OF HIGHLAND TO CONSTRUCT, USE, MAINTAIN, ALTER, ADD TO, REPAIR, REPLACE, AND /OR REMOVE PIPELINE APPURTENANCES, UNDER, THROUGH AND ACROSS THE REAL PROPERTY LOCATED IN THE CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO, COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO, STATE OF CALIFORNIA M /S /C (Wilson - Negrete) that Resolution 2007.21 be approved. RESOLUTION 2007.22 — A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE EAST VALLEY WATER DISTRICT ACCEPTING DEDICATION OF SEWERS, HIGHLAND CORPORATION YARD (7935 CENTRAL AVENUE) ]LOCATED IN THE CITY OF HIGHLAND BY THE CITY OF HIGHLAND M /S /C (Wilson - Negrete) that Resolution 2007.22 be approved. ]DISBURSEMENTS M /S /C (Wilson - Negrete) that General Fund Disbursements #211750 through 4211899 were distributed during the period of August 27, 2007 through September 5, 2007, in the amount of $987,691.19 and Payroll Fund Disbursements for the period ended August 17, 2007 in the amount of $182,086.51 totaling $1,169,777.70 be approved. HEADQUARTERS PROJECT REVIEW AND UPDATE The General Manger stated that the civil engineering is nearing completion. Director Le Vesque stated that the two gentlemen from Cordoba Corporation who attended the last Board meeting were referred to the Headquarters Committee regarding an overall Headquarters project review. They were to meet with staff after the Board meeting. Director Wilson stated that any review of the Headquarters Project should include GMID. Director Negrete stated that he was disappointed with the way that this issue was handled; that he is concerned that committees are trying to make decisions that affect the entire Board; and that the entire Board must address these types of decisions in the future. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE CALIFORNIA WATER PUBLIC EDUCATION PROGRAM The General Manager reviewed the California Water Public Education Program with the Board; he stated that the Budget Committee had met and discussed this issue at length; that he recommended a support level of $5,000. 2 Minutes September 11, 2007 Director Le Vesque stated that Director Goodin recommended a support level of $1,000 but agreed to $2,500. M /S /C (Wilson - Negrete) that the Board provide $10,000 for the California Water Public Education Program. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE CITY OF SAN 13ERNARDINO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE REWARD FUND FOR METAL THEFTS The General Manager stated that the Budget Committee had reviewed the reward fund and that the committee recommends that the District provide of $500 for the reward fund. M /S /C (Negrete -Le Vesque) that the District provide $500 to the City of San Bernardino's Chamber of Commerce reward fund for metal thefts. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE DELTA CONVEYANCE LITIGATION The General Manager discussed the current federal court decision to cut water deliveries tip to one -third of previously available water supplies, or as much as two million acre - 1eet, by the State's two largest water projects to protect a threatened fish species, the Delta smelt; that this is a major concern for the coming year. No action taken. DIRECTORS' FEES AND EXPENSES FOR AUGUST 2007 M /S /C ( Negrete- Wilson) that the Directors' Fees and Expenses for August 2007 be approved. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING A PROPOSAL FROM 13ASIN WATER FOR PERCHLORATE & NITRATE TREATMENT UNITS AT WELL 107 The General Manager reviewed the project and stated that the Budget Committee had met to discus this issue; that there are a number of options available and unique opportunities associated with this site including moving and upgrading the Nitrate unit from Plant 132 and installing a Perchlorate unit for wellhead treatment. There were a number of items the General Manger wanted to clarify as it relates to the Perchlorate Project: 1) The existing blending program that the District has with the City of San Bernardino was for nitrate only and would not have treated for Perchlorate. 2) Pressure fluctuations occurring in the City of San Bernardino's system have been investigated by East Valley Water. District's senior Production personnel and employees of the City of San Bernardino Water Department. A resolution with the San Bernardino Water Department as to the cause and corrective measures to Minutes September 11, 2007 prevent these fluctuations from occurring could not be achieved. East Valley Water District's only option was to shut down the well. 3) The nitrate - blending program has made East Valley Water District dependant upon another agency in order to run the District's well. 4) The proposed agreement is an amendment to the District's existing Basin Water Agreement for nitrate treatment at Well 132. This well is no longer in use. If the District chooses not to amend the current agreement to treat for nitrate at a new well, the District would continue to have a financial obligation to Basin Water for the old well. 5) This project allows the District to rapidly install a treatment unit for Well 107 which has the highest levels of Perchlorate in the system. If perchlorate levels remain stable, this project may allow the District to achieve full compliance with the pending perchlorate rule. 6) Larry Rowe is a principle at Basin Water. He also if the former General Manager of East Valley Water District as well as a long time friend of Mr. Martin's. The General Manager would like to clarify an item as is relates to Larry Rowe. Mr. Rowe invites Mr. Martin to the annual Air Races held in Reno. Mr. Martin pays Mr. Rowe for each ticket received (usually two per year). The District began using Basin Water due to their "unique to the industry" lease agreement whereby Basin Water guarantees a certain product water at an agreed upon unit price. The General Manager recommends approval of the proposal from Basin Water for Perchlorate and Nitrate Treatment units for Well 107. M /S /C (Negrete- Wilson) that the proposal from Basin Water for Perchlorate and Nitrate Treatment Units at Well 107 be approved. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING APPROVAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INC. (ESRI) MASTER SERVICE AGREEMENT 'The General Manager reviewed the agreement with the Board; that the agreement will build a portion of our system with electronic data. Mr. Kennedy stated that the agreement is nearly complete with a few small changes and recommends approval subject to final review by the General Manager and Legal Counsel. M /S /C (Le Vesque - Wilson) that the Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc. (ESRI) Master Service Agreement be approved subject to final review by the General Manager and Legal Counsel. 4 Minutes September 11, 2007 DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING PROPOSALS SUBMITTED FROM THE GUALCO GROUP, INC, AND REEB GOVERNMENT RELATIONS, LLC FOR LOBBYING SERVICES The General Manager stated that he and Ms Hendricksen had met and interviewed each of the firms; that both firms offered many specialized services relating to legislative and regulatory needs in Sacramento; that each firm's monthly retainer is $6,000; that he recommends the District accept and approve the proposal submitted from Reeb Government Relations, LLC for Lobbying services. M/S /C (Le Vesque - Wilson) that the District accept and approve the proposal submitted from Reeb Government Relations, LLC for Lobbying services. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING AN EASEMENT REQUEST FROM JAE K. KIM FOR THE PROPERTY ADJACENT TO WELL 1.46 The General Manager reviewed the easement request from Mr. Kim with the Board; the District Engineer stated that the easement is for a trash enclosure that would be located on the District's property and he recommends that the Board deny the request. M /S /C (Le Vesque - Negrete) that the easement request from Jae K. Kim be denied. GENERAL MANAGER / STAFF REPORTS The General Manger reported on the District's operations to date; that ACWA is accepting applications for Committee Assignments; if you are interested please see Ms Hendricksen; that there is a Board vacancy at the Water Conservation District. Ms Hendricksen stated that Discover Highland Night was a success. Mr. Tompkins stated that the Public Hearing /Rate Increase notices have been mailed to customers this week; that the Inland Center is hosting an electronic waste recycling event at the end of the month; that the Financial Statements have not been updated due to a Server issue and the problem is being corrected. The Board scheduled a Facilities Tour for November 7, 2007. CONSULTANTS REPORTS No reports at this time. 5 Minutes September 11, 2007 COMMITTEE REPORTS a. General Manager's Contract (Ad -Hoc) They will be meeting next week. b. Board Policy Update (Ad -Hoc) No report c. Labor Negotiations (Ad -Hoc) No report d. Headquarters Project (Ad -Hoc) No report e. Outreach (Standing) No report f. Budget (Standing) No report ORAL COMMENTS FROM BOARD OF DIRECTORS Director Wilson stated that the District should work with the San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District regarding water conservation programs. Director Le Vesque stated that he has been on the Board for six months, and would like to thank everyone and offer his appreciation to the Directors and staff for their support LETTER OF APPRECIATION TO THE DISTRICT FROM PAUL ADKINS (RIVERSIDE NATIONAL CEMETERY SUPPORT COMMITTEE) FOR THE DISTRICT'S BOTTLED WATER DONATION STATER BROS. RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY & OPEN HOUSE CELEBRATION, SAN BERNARDINO, OCTOBER 24, 2007 The Board took a five- minute break at 9:45 a.m. The Board returned to regular session at 9:52 a.m. CLOSED SESSION The Board entered in Closed Session at 9:52 a.m. as provided in the California Open Meeting Law, Government Code Section 54945.9(a), to discuss those items listed on the agenda. President Sturgeon left at 10:20 a.m. ADJOURN TO REGULAR SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT OF CLOSED SESSION ACTIONS The Board returned to regular session at 10:21 a.m. The items listed on the agenda were discussed in closed session with no reportable action being taken. 6 Minutes September 11, 2007 ADJOURN The meeting was adjourned at 10:21 a.m. until the next regularly scheduled Board Meeting on September 25, 2007. Kip E. Sturgeon, President Robert E. Martin, Secretary Minutes September 11, 2007