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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - EVWD Board of Directors - 06/09/2009Anoro June 23. 2009 EAST VALLEY WATER DISTRICT JUNE 9, 2009 REGULAR BOARD MEETING MINUTES President Goodin called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. Justine Hendricksen led the flag salute. PRESENT: Directors: Goodin, Le Vesque, Sturgeon, Wilson ABSENT: Directors: Morales STAFF: Robert Martin, General Manager; Ron Buchwald, District Engineer; Brian Tompkins, Chief Financial Officer; Gary Sturdivan, Safety & Regulatory Affairs Director; Justine Hendricksen, Administrative Manager LEGAL COUNSEL: Steve Kennedy GUEST(s): Charles Roberts (Highland Community News), Larry Malmberg, Michael Perez APPROVAL OF AGENDA M/S /C (Wilson- LeVesque) that the June 9, 2009 agenda be approved as submitted. PUBLIC PARTICIIPATION President Goodin declared the public participation section of the meeting open at 2:01 p.m. Mr. Perez offered he appreciation to the Board for not raising rates this fiscal year and for keeping projects costs at a minimum for Plant 150. Mr. Perez also stated that the special meeting minutes are not on the agenda. Ms Hendricksen stated that the minutes for the special meeting held on June 3` 2009 would be on the June 23` 2009 agenda. Minutes: 06/09/09 There being no further written or verbal comments, the public participation section was closed. APPROVAL OF SPECIAL BOARD MEETING MINUTES FOR MAY 26, 2009 M/S /C (Sturgeon - Wilson) that the May 26, 2009 Special Board Meeting minutes be approved as submitted. APPROVAL OF BOARD MEETING MINUTES FOR MAY 26, 2009 M/S /C (Sturgeon - Wilson) that the May 26, 2009 Board Meeting minutes be approved as submitted. DISBURSEMENTS M/S /C (Sturgeon - Wilson) that General Fund Disbursements 4219863 through #220025 distributed during the period of May 27, 2009 through June 3, 2009 in the amount of $817,081.67 and Payroll Fund Disbursements of $1,092,395.65 be approved. GENERAL MANAGERS FEES AND EXPENSES M/S /C (Sturgeon- Wilson) that the General Managers fees and expenses be approved. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE WATER RESOURCES INSTITUTE ANNUAL CONTRIBUTION AND PRESENTATION FROM SUSAN LIEN LONGVILLE No report and no action taken at this time. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING EAST VALLEY WATER DISTRICT'S DRAFT INFORMATIONAL HANDOUT M/S /C (Sturgeon - Wilson) that the Board accept the informational handout as presented. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING NORTH FORK WATER COMPANY STOCK ACQUISITION POLICY �a e The General Manager stated that there is a Special North Fork Board Meeting scheduled for June 16'', that the meeting is being held to discuss and consider a special assessment regarding the North Fork Canal Replacement Project; that the special assessment will pay for the costs of replacing the North Fork Canal that were not reimbursable by FEMA grants; that East Valley Water District paid for the replacement project and that the stockholders now need to reimburse the costs of the project; that the District could offer 2 Minutes: 06/09/09 reimbursement options for the North Fork stockholders; that there may be stockholders who are interested in purchasing or selling their shares; that East Valley Water District owns fifty percent of the Canal and associated structures and the North Fork Stockholders 11 own the other fifty percent. The General Manager recommends that the Board approve and formalize the acquisition policy as presented. M/S /C (Wilson- Sturgeon) that the Board approve the North Fork Water Company stork acquisition policy. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE DISTRICT'S 2009- 2010 DRAFT BUDGET The Board President requested that this item be deferred until Director Morales arrives. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING BOTTLED WATER REQUEST FROM JAMES M. "JIM" SMITH, FOR THE TINMAN TRIATHLON & 5K RUN/WAL1K/ROLL, CAL STATE UNIVERSITY SAN BERNARDINO, JUNE 28, 2009 M/S /C (LeVesque- Wilson) that the bottled water request from James M. Smith be denied. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING BOTTLED WATER W40 REQUEST FROM MIKE MCCRACKEN, FOR THE 2009 SPRING GOLF TOURNAMENT, WHICH WILL BENEFIT THE CANDLE - LIGHTERS - SOCIAL FAMILY CAMP, JUNE 20 2009 M/S /C (LeVesque - Sturgeon) that the bottled water request from Mike McCracken be approved. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING BOTTLED WATER REQUEST FROM JIM NONNEMACHER (THE AMERICAN LEGION HIGHLAND POST 421), FOR THE NATIONAL POW/MIA RECOGNITION DAY SEPTEMBER IS 2009 M /S /C (Sturgeon- Wilson) that the bottled water request from Jim Nonnemacher be approved. Director Morales arrived at 3:16 p.m. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING REQUEST FROM ROBERTSON'S TO PURCHASE TWO EAST VALLEY WATER DISTRICT WELL SITES 3 Minutes: 06/09/09 The General Manager reviewed Robertson's request to purchase the well sites; that there is only one parcel available; that the County of San Bernardino condemned the second parcel during the building of the Seven Oaks Dam for mitigation purposes; that the Board would need to declare the property surplus. Director LeVesque would like to know if CalTrans is subject to the same rules and regulations as East Valley Water District regarding the disposal of surplus property. Mr. Kennedy will prepare a Resolution declaring the property surplus. Director Morales is concerned with the appraisal price for the property; that the appraisal is $1,000 and Robertson's is prepared to purchase the property for $8,000; that he finds this very odd. No action taken. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE DISTRICT'S 2009- 2010 WORKERS' COMPENSATION INSURANCE RENEWAL PACKAGE The Board requested that the experience modification be verified with SDRMA (Special District Risk Management Authority); that the Board has not had enough time to review the materials to make an informed decision. The Board has requested that this item be placed on the June 23` agenda. No action taken. DIRECTORS' FEES AND EXPENSES FOR MAY 2009 were presented to the Board for approval. M/S /C (Sturgeon - Wilson) that the Directors' Fees and Expenses for May 2009 be approved as submitted. The Board took a break at 3:45 p.m. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE DISTRICT'S 2009- 2010 DRAFT BUDGET The General Manager reviewed the draft budget with the Board; he stated that capital contributions have dropped considerably and he made a number of adjustments to the budget; that the net cash flow stated in the budget is $51k and that the bottled water program has been dropped. Mr. Sturdivan gave an update regarding the District's grant applications. �J 4 Minutes: 06/09/09 Mr. Morales stated that in the draft budget he does not see that the District is reducing expenditures and he was under the impression that there was going to be cost cutting measures as previously discussed. Mr. Morales would like contractor fees reduced. Director LeVesque stated that times are tough and the District needs to look for potential savings; that policies need to be in place to deal with all aspects of the budget President Goodin stated that the District needs to re- evaluate policies but right now we need to focus on the budget and deal with other issues separately. M/S (Wilson- Sturgeon) that the 2009 -2010 budget be approved as presented. The Board President would like to know if the Board is satisfied with the Capital Improvement Projects as presented; if the Board would like to consider employee reductions and/or cuts; and he would like the Board to re -visit rate increases. Director LeVesque is interested in discussing employee costs. After further discussion the Board is satisfied at this time with employees salaries and benefits. The Board discussed the Dues and Subscriptions schedule in detail. The Directors made a number of comments and concerns relating to this item. The Directors discussed in great 6iUdy detail Federal and State Lobbying costs. President Goodin does not support a new rate study as proposed in the budget but he does support a decrease in Board compensation (expenses and benefits). Director Morales stated that in the future there needs to be a more active participation in cost cutting measures; that this organization needs to curtail expenditures and work on strategic planning measures. Director LeVesque stated that the District needs set goals in order to support the District's mission statement, set priorities and restore reserves. M/S /C (Wilson- Sturgeon) that the 2009 -2010 budget be approved as presented. Directors LeVesque, Morales, Sturgeon, Wilson voted YES. Director Goodin voted NO. GENERAL MANAGER / STAFF REPORTS The General Manager reported on the District's operations to date; that he has reviewed a rough draft video of the District's North Fork / Seven Oaks Dam tour; that the video will 5 Minutes: 06/09/09 be approximately 14 -15 minutes long; that a condensed version approximately 1 -2 minutes long will also be produced for the District's web -site. Mr. Tompkins stated that the District's current phone system lease expires in August; that they have received many proposals; that the system he is recommending will save approximately $2,000 per month; that the Public Outreach Committee has been involved with the process; that he will bring the final proposal to the Board on June 23` Ms Hendricksen stated that the calendar program awards schedule has been emailed to the Directors; that if they would like to attend the ceremonies to contact Jo McAndrews or herself. Information only. CONSULTANT REPORTS No reports at this time. COMMITTEE REPORTS a. Legislative (Standing) —Director Morales reported on AB49 and AB261. b. Budget (Standing) — No report c. Public Outreach (Standing) — The committee recently met and discussed a number of issues including the phone system lease and the District's informational handout. Information only. ORAL COMMENTS FROM BOARD OF DIRECTORS Director Morales reviewed his expense report with the Board and reported on meetings with the highland Community News, Mr. Michael Perez and Councilman Fred Shorett; that the items discussed were related to the District operations, budget and personnel. Director LeVesque stated that he also attended meetings with the Highland Community News, Mr. Michael Perez and Councilman Fred Shorett; that he met with Mr. Mark Vargas regarding the District headquarters project. Director LeVesque offered his appreciation to staff for the work they did on the budget. Director Sturgeon wished Mr. Kennedy a happy birthday. President Goodin offered his appreciation to the Board and staff for indulging in budget talks and discussions and he supports the Board's positions. There being no further verbal or written comments from the Directors, this section of the meeting was closed. 6 Minutes: 06/09/09 CLOSED SESSION The Board entered into Closed Session at 5:55 p.m. as provided in the California Open , Meeting Law, Government Code Section 54945.9(a), to discuss the item listed on the agenda. ADJOURN TO REGULAR SESSION President Goodin declared that the meeting adjourn to regular session. ANNOUNCEMENT OF CLOSED SESSION ACTIONS The Board returned regular session at 6:13 p.m. The item listed on the agenda was discussed in closed session with no reportable action being taken. ADJOURN The meeting was adjourned at 6:14 p.m. Robert E. Martin, ecretary Donald D. Goodin, President 7 Minutes: 06/09/09