Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - EVWD Board of Directors - 05/08/197802S4 EAST SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY WATER DISTRICT REGULAR MEETING MAY 8, 1978 MINUTES The meeting was called to order at 4:00 p.m. President O. A. Wall led the flag salute. ROLL CALL PRESENT: O. A. Wall, President; Dennis Johnson, Vice President; Directors Philip A. Disch, Norman W. Forrest, Gerald W. Stoops ABSENT: None CONSULTANTS: Robert J. Farrell, Legal Counsel; John Dahlke, Consulting Engineer STAFF: Harold M. Fones, General Manager; Kenneth O. Sorensen, Auditor-Treasurer; Bonnie R. Eastwood, Secretary MINUTES M/S/C (Forrest-Disch) that the April 24~ 1978 Minutes be approved as presented. PROPOSED WATER RATE HEARING DISCUSSED The General Manager presented the Board with various graphs and information regarding the proposed water rate increase. He h~d prepared a three page handout for the public, which would enlighten them on the reasons for the proposed water rate increase. He stated the District is faced with sharply rising costs, particularly the cost of power, which runs our pumps and wells; that the cost of powe~ for a typical 75 horsepower pump has raised from $3,330.75 in 1971 to ~ $11,311.87 in 1978. Also, since the last rate increase in 1975, the cost of living has risen 27 percent. Two graphs were included to show the rising costs. The General Manager also discussed the possibility of installing wells in the east end of the District at higher elevations. This would result in reduced maintenance and operation expenses as well as considerable energy savings, by reducing the number of facilities. Water quality would also be improved con- siderably. With the monies saved on power, operations and maintenance a pay-back on the investment could be made in five to six years. The General Manager also discussed actual and projected expenses for District service. The Board asked questions regarding the proposed increase which clarified the reasons for needing the increase by the General Manager. The General Manager reviewed the various District wells, the energy rates since 1962, the average monthly water bills since 1971 and recommended the proposed resolution, which would include an increase of $1.00 in the ready to serve charge; an increase of .05 cents on the consumption charge to include an energy charge of 9.92¢, which would be tied to the cost of power. No action was taken. PUBLIC RELATIONS REPORT Director Stoops indicated a report would be made at the next Board meeting, m STATE WATER CONTRACT - FREEWAY LANDSCAPING The General Manager indicated the District's contract with the State to provide water for freeway landscaping expires September 13, 1978. He stated the basic agreement appeared to be good as they currently pay the existing power costs. A report will be made at a later meeting. LEGAL OPINION - DIRECTORS' RESPONSIBILITIES TO VARIOUS PUBLIC BOARDS A legal opinion was requested from Attorney Farrell relative to a Board Member's vote when representing this Board on another Board. The opinio~ 1. 5/8/1978 was discussed at length by the Board and it was determined it would be placed on the agenda again for further clarification from legal counsel. ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING, CWRA, JUNE 16, 1978 California Water Resources Association will have their annual membership meeting on Friday, June 16, 1978 in Sacramento, California. M/S/C (Forrest-Stoops) that any Director, the General Manager, or anyone designated by him, be authorized to attend the CWRA Membership Meeting. ACWA LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE MEETING It was announced the ACWA Legislative Committee Meeting will be held May 19, 1978 at 10:00 a.m. Information only. SENATE BILL 1505 It was noted by Director Forrest that S.B. 1505 had been discussed at the last ACWA Legislative Committee Meeting. Amendments were presented to the Board as outlined by ACWA. Mr. Forrest stated it was his understanding the amendments would eliminate Southern California from the bill. Information only, no action taken. The bill has currently been assigned to an Interium Committee for study. RESOLUTION 1978.33 - LOCAL GUIDELINES IMPLEMENTING THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT, AS AMENDED APRIL 25, 1978 Attorney Farrel stated that the Local Guidelines Implementing the California Environmental Quality Act, as amended April 25, 1978, had been received from ACWA and recommended adoption of these guidelines. M/S/C (Stoops-Disch) that Resolution 1978.33 be adopted as presented. ROLL CALL VOTE AYES: Disch, Forrest, Johnson, Stoops and Wall NOES: None ABSENT: None MRS. MOORE - 27155 CREST ST., HIGHLAND - BILL PROCEDURE The Auditor stated he had not been able to contact Mrs. Moore as directed, however, he would write to her and report at the next meeting. JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT AMENDMENT Attorney Farrell presented the Board with a draft copy of an Amendment to the Joint Powers Agreement of 1957 between the City of San Bernardino and East San Bernardino County Water District for their review. He recommended it be presented to the City for their review in draft form. It will be placed on the May 22 agenda. No action taken. ALARM SYSTEM FOR DISTRICT PROPERTY The General Manager stated that an alarm system is needed for the District office and other facilities, since the present system is inadequate. It causes too many false alarms and more coverage is needed. A report and recommendation will be made at a later Board meeting. SPECIAL DISTRICTS MEETING Director Forrest stated the Special Districts meeting will be held this month at the Mediterranean Restaurant} that it will be Ladies Nite, held on May 15, 1978, with Supervisor Hansberger as the guest speaker. DIRECTORS EXPENSES AND FEES Philip Disch - $150; Dennis Johnson, $100; Gerald Stoops, $150; O. A. Wall, $215.05; Norman W. Forrest, $363.45. M/S/C (Disch-Johnson) that the Directors fees and expenses be approved as presented. 2. 5/8/1978 WARRANTS Payroll 2401 - 2430 $9,271.83 General 2464 - 2509 $52,131.39 Total $61,403.22 M/S/C (Johnson-Stoops! that the warrants be approved as presented. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:07 p.m. O. A. Wall, President Bonnie R. Eastwood, Secretary 3. 5/8/1978 EAST SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY WATER DISTRICT NOTICE OF HEARING May 8, 1978 A Hearing by the Board of Directors of the East San Bernardino County Water District has been scheduled for 7:30 p.m., May 8, 1978 at the District Office, 1155 Del Rosa Avenue, San Bernar- dino. The purpose of the hearing is to hear comments relative to a ~roposed water rate increase. Bonnie R. Eastwood Secretary Board of Directors Notice of the Hearing of the Board of Directors for the East San Bernardino County Water District STATE OF CALIFORNIA SS COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO) I, BONNIE R. EASTWOOD, being first duly sworn, deposes and says: That she is and at all time herein mentioned was the duly qualified Secretary of the Board of Directors of the East San Bernardino County Water District, San Bernardino County, Calif- ornia; and that she caused to be posted on or near the door of the meeting place of the Board of Directors of said District a copy of the Notice of Hearing scheduled Notice of Hearing of the Board of Directors of the East San Bernardino County Water District. Said posting was commenced on May 1, 1978 and remained posted to the time of the meeting, said meeting being May 8, 1978 at 7:30 p.m. Bonnie R. Eastwood Secretary Subscribed and sworn to before me this Notary Publi~ in and for the State of California ELISABETH PERKINS NOTARy PUBLIC - SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY CALIFORNIA ~~ My Commission Exp;res April 30, 1982 02S50 EAST SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY WATER DISTRICT HEARING .NLAY 8, 1978 The Public Hearing for the purpose of hearing comments relative to a proposed water rate increase was called to order at 7:40 p.m. by President O.A. Wall. President Wall led the flag salute. ROLL CALL PRESENT: O.A. Wa~l, President; Dennis Johnson, Vice-President; Directors Philip A. Disch, Gerald Stoops, Norman Forre~ ABSENT: None STAFF: Harold M. Fones, General Manager; Kenneth O. Sorensen, Auditor-Treasurer; Bonnie R. Eastwood, Secretary GUESTS: Six business and property owners President Wall welcomed the audience and thanked them for attending the hearing. The Board and staff were introduced. President Wall asked the General Manager to give a presentation to the audience on the proposed water rate schedule. The General Manager reviewed a handout presented to the audience which reflected the reasons for the proposed water rate increase. He stated the District is faced with sharply rising costs, particularly the cost of power, to run wells and pumps. Since 1971, the cost of power for a typical 75 horse power pump has risen from $3,330.75 in 1971 to $11,311..87 in 1978. Since the last rate increase in 1975, the cost of living has risen 27% and the cost of power has more than doubled. The hand- out included two graphs depicting the comments made by the General Manager. He reviewed the various pumps in the District, the energy rates since 1962 and stated an automatic energy adjustment is pro- posed which will be included in all rates in the future, whenever w the District energy rates are raised. A study which was made com- paring costs of several other water districts was reviewed by the Board and the audience. A discussion was held regarding the number of employees in the District. It was pointed out that in 1971 the District employed 35 people and 1978 only 32; however, the number of customers has risen from 8,674 to 10,020. This is a savings to the customers in wages, with the District still providing adequate service. In reviewing the energy rate schedule it was pointed out that energy costs have raised 43% in one year. The General Manager stated the recommendations for the proposed ordinance would pro- vide for a $1 increase for each meter; the basic consumption charge would be increased to 22.1¢; and an energy charge of 9.9¢ would be added, which would increase whenever the cost of energy increased. The General Manager indicated he would prepare a report on the District's dependence on energy. He indicated installation of wells in the east end of the District would be initially expensive, how- ever, it would save on energy costs enough to pay back any amount borrowed in about 5 to 7 years. President Wall invited the audience to make comments or ask questions if they wished. Clarification was requested on the reasons for the water rate increase. Questions were also asked regarding the charge.~ made to laundromats for their sewage services and the reasons why the rates are so high. Three laundromat owners were present. They ,.. were referred to the City Water Department. A discussion was held regarding the power cost index increases. It was suggested the rates automatically go down if the power costs should decrease. President Wall thanked the audience for their attendance. The Hearing closed at 8:45 p.m. ~A..:~ onnie R.. Eastwood, Secretary O.A. Wall President