minutes

Regular Meeting

Governing Board of Sweetwater Authority

February 11, 2004

The Governing Board of Sweetwater Authority held a regular meeting on Wednesday, February 11, 2004, at the Sweetwater Authority Administrative Office, 505 Garrett Avenue, Chula Vista, California. Chair Doud called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

· ROLL CALL

Directors Present: Alkire, Doud, Pocklington, Reynolds, and Welsh.

Directors Absent: Beauchamp and Inzunza.

Others Present: General Manager Bostad, Operations Manager Rogers, Legal Counsel Cowett, Treasurer Avery, and Board Secretary Farpón-Friedman. Staff members: Hank Gaus, Mary Ann Mann, Tony Rasco, Paula Roberts, George Silva, Jim Smyth, and Tom Woodrum.

· PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
Chair Doud conducted the pledge of allegiance to the flag.

· OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT (Government Code Section (54954.3)
There were no members of the public present for comment.

· CHAIR 'S PRESENTATION
There was none.

· ITEMS TO BE ADDED, WITHDRAWN, OR REORDERED IN THE AGENDA
There were none.

1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Director Pocklington made a motion, seconded by Director Alkire, that the Board approve the minutes of January 28, 2004. The motion carried.

2. APPROVAL OF DEMANDS AND WARRANTS

Director Pocklington made a motion, seconded by Director Reynolds, that the Board approve Warrants 92795 through 93071 including all voided checks. The motion carried.

NOTE: Director Inzunza entered the meeting at 6:02 p.m.

CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS

3. FINANCE AND PERSONNEL COMMITTEE (Meeting of February 2, 2004)

CONSENT ITEMS

Director Welsh made a motion, seconded by Director Doud, that the Governing Board approve consent Item A. Items B and C are for information only. The motion carried.

A. Continue to hold two Board meetings each month.

B. Schedule of meetings for Budget review. This was an information item and no action was required by the Governing Board.

C. General Manager's report on his trip to Washington, D.C. with Consultant Rick Alexander seeking support for various projects of interest to Sweetwater Authority. This was an information item and no action was required by the Governing Board.

4. RECREATION COMMITTEE (Meeting of February 3, 2004)

CONSENT ITEMS

Director Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Director Pocklington, that the Governing Board approve Item A. Item B is for information only. The motion carried.

A. Award contracts to 1) Cass Construction, 1100 Wagner Drive, El Cajon, CA 92020, in the amount of $1,095,538.05; and 2) RECON, 1927 Fifth Avenue, Suite 200, San Diego, CA, 92101, in the amount of $232,000; and that $130,000 be available from the Unallocated Reserve Fund to cover the projected deficit.

B. Fieldtrip to proposed fishing area. This was an information item and no action was required by the Governing Board.

5. OPERATIONS COMMITTEE (Meeting of February 4, 2004)

CONSENT ITEMS

Director Alkire made a motion, seconded by Director Welsh, that the Governing Board approve consent Item A. Item B was for information only. The motion carried.

A. Approve funding in the amount of $38,000 from the Repair and Replacement Reserve Fund to complete the National City curb, gutter, sidewalk, and pedestrian ramp improvements.

B. Discussion of time and material pavement repair projects. This was an information item and no action was required by the Governing Board.

6. APPROVAL OF DIRECTORS' ATTENDANCE AT MEETINGS AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

A. Council of Water Utilities Breakfast - February 17, 2004 - StoneRidge Country Club - 7:15 - 8:45 a.m. Directors Alkire, Doud, Inzunza, Pocklington, Reynolds and Welsh will attend this pre-approved event. No action was required by the Governing Board.

B. Urban Water Institute Summit Conference - The Clean Water Act: Can We Do Better? March 18 & 19, 2004 - Double Tree Hotel, Santa Ana, California. Directors Reynolds and Doud will be attending this pre-approved event. No action was required by the Governing Board.

C. ACWA Legislative Symposium - Tuesday, March 30, 2004, Holiday Inn Capitol Plaza, Sacramento. Directors Doud, Inzunza and Welsh will attend this pre-approved event. No action was required by the Governing Board.

D. CSDA - Special District Governance Academy. Director Alkire will look at the dates and decide which meeting and location he would prefer. No action was required by the Governing Board.

E. U.C. Berkeley - Water Management in California - April 23, 2004. Director Pocklington made a motion, seconded by Director Doud, that the Governing Board approve per diem for Directors Reynolds and Welsh to attend this event.The motion carried.

7. REPORT OF TREASURER - WANDA AVERY

Ms. Avery quoted Mr. Greenspan, who had stated, "With inflation low and a substantial slack in the economy, the Federal Reserve can be patient on interest rates."

8. MANAGEMENT REPORT

A. Report of Rainfall and Reservoir Levels - Operations Manager Rogers: Operations Manager Rogers referred to the slide displayed on the screen showing two Sweetwater employees in the process of flushing a hydrant in Bonita. He said that the flushing program started on January 12, 2004 and would continue for approximately three months. The system had not been flushed for about six years. He briefly explained how the process is done. He also informed the Board about a request from a producer on Channel 8 asking for information regarding the maintenance of our hydrants. Communications Director Roberts and Director of Distribution Olson met with that producer and provided him with extensive documentation on our program.

B. Report of General Manager Bostad: Mr. Bostad said staff in Water Resources and Information Systems, through evaluation of our Water Resources Program, had saved the Authority approximately $415,268 in the last month. At the end of the year, we had the option of taking water from Metropolitan through a replenishment program and we were able to turn that water from being a Tier 2 purchase into Tier 1. This provided a net saving of $193,000 and earned cash credit of $221,000. He said this shows the value of having not just average but outstanding staff.

He also mentioned that next Monday at the South Bay Irrigation District Board meeting, Tom Woodrum, Joe Perez, Sue Mosburg and Mark Molsberry would provide an overview of the Sweetwater Authority Emergency Response Plan. He invited the directors from the City of National City to attend this presentation, which will be very informative.

9. DIRECTORS' COMMENTS

Director Pocklington said he and Director Alkire had attended an all-day session of the Special Districts on Tuesday, which was very interesting and educational. He learned that some of the problems encountered by Directors and Management of small districts are due to the fact that over fifty percent of them don't have legal guidance because they cannot afford it. He is very thankful that we have a system that helps protect us that way. Secondly, he is more convinced after Tuesday of how well run our organization is. There is no doubt in his mind that the committee's structure provides the directors with all the background they need to make sound decisions. This puts an extra burden on staff, but it makes their job easier in the long run. He also said he was pleased that the Finance Committee's recommendation to continue with two Board meetings per month was approved by the Board.

Director Alkire said ditto to Director Pocklington's comments. He added that he came away from the Special Districts session with the same feelings.

Director Inzunza said he agreed with their comments. He commented that being staff strong actually worked against the people of the City of National City, and it was something they had to change. At Sweetwater, it is quite the opposite. It serves the people of our agency well to have a staff that is well informed and strong. He also agreed with the comments about the committees. He said the committees give everything a good flow and provide the opportunity to address problems. They are a good platform to work together and count on staff for getting things done. He appreciates the staff at Sweetwater very much, more so because he has not had it at the City of National City this last year, especially without a City Manager. They have a City Manager now on board. He is a great city manager and they can already feel the difference in just the three days he has been with the City. There is already transition, staff is much more cooperative, and things are flowing. He thanked the General Manager and the Operations Manager.
Director Doud read an anonymous comment. "Some people pass through this world and leave it just as they found it. But people like you take the time to do special things. That makes the world more beautiful. Thank you my friends."

10. CLOSED SESSION

There was no need for one.

11. ADJOURNMENT

With no further business before the Board, Chair Doud adjourned the meeting at 6:17 p.m., to the hour of 3:30 p.m. on February 25, 2004.