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minutesRegular Meeting February 28, 2007 The Governing Board of Sweetwater Authority held a regular meeting on Wednesday, February 28, 2007, at the Sweetwater Authority Administrative Office, 505 Garrett Avenue, Chula Vista, California. Chair Beauchamp called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m. • ROLL CALL Directors Present: Alkire, Beauchamp, Doud, *Morrison, Pocklington, Thomas and Welsh Directors Absent: None Others Present: General Manager/Treasurer Bostad, Operations Manager Rogers, Legal Counsel Cowett, and Board Secretary Schoonderwoerd. Staff members: Rick Alexander, Cynthia Berndt, Debra Farrow, Michael Garrod, Janet Gonzalez, Scott McClelland, Sue Mosburg, Bill Olson, George Silva, Jim Smyth, Tom Woodrum, and Dina Yorba. Others: Lin Wurbs • PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG • OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT (Government Code Section (54954.3) • CHAIR’S PRESENTATION ACTION CALENDAR ITEMS 1. ITEMS TO BE ADDED, WITHDRAWN, OR REORDERED IN THE AGENDA Director Doud made a motion, seconded by Director Alkire that the February 27, 2007 CSDA Planning Committee Meeting report be added to the agenda as Item 11.F. The motion carried. In response to Director Thomas’s inquiry regarding the procedure for rescheduling a future Operations Committee meeting due to a schedule conflict, Chair Beauchamp advised that, time permitting, this is normally handled administratively by the General Manager and Secretary. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Director Pocklington made a motion, seconded by Director Doud that the Governing Board approve the minutes of the February 14, 2007 meeting. The motion carried. 3. APPROVAL OF DEMANDS AND WARRANTS Director Doud made a motion, seconded by Director Alkire that the Governing Board approve Warrants 108905 through 109066 including all voided checks. The motion carried. 4. FINANCE AND PERSONNEL COMMITTEE (Meeting of February 19, 2007) A. Director Welsh made a motion, seconded by Director Doud that the Governing Board approve the 2007 membership renewal in National Water Resources Association Municipal Caucus and process the payment by March 1, 2007 in order to receive a $50 discount, reducing the dues to $300. The motion carried. * NOTE: Director Morrison arrived at 3:41 p.m. B. Director Welsh made a motion, seconded by Director Pocklington, that the Governing Board deny Ms. Uriarte’s request for an adjustment to the closing bill. The Board held extensive discussion regarding the circumstances present regarding this adjustment request. An explanation regarding the criteria used for denial and approval of adjustments to customer bills in various scenarios was provided in response to questions from Director Thomas. General Manager Bostad and Operations Manager Rogers also provided Director Thomas with clarification on the notification process for delinquent bills and the third party notification option customers are given when establishing accounts. Further questions from Director Thomas regarding Proposition 218 notification requirements to owners on record and ratepayers were explained by Legal Counsel Cowett. The motion carried. C. Director Welsh made a motion, seconded by Director Pocklington, that the Governing Board approve the Annual Statement of Investment Policy as proposed and adopt Resolution 07-04. The motion carried. Upon said motion the following resolution: RESOLUTION 07-04 RESOLUTION OF THE GOVERNING BOARD OF SWEETWATER AUTHORITY ADOPTING AN ANNUAL STATEMENT OF INVESTMENT POLICY was passed and adopted by the following vote to wit: Ayes: Directors Alkire, Beauchamp, Doud, Morrison, Pocklington, Thomas and
Welsh D. Leak Adjustment Report. Discussion was held regarding the possibility of holding a workshop in the future to review the policies, procedures and philosophy involved in bill adjustments. This was an information item and no action was required by the Governing Board. 5. OPERATIONS COMMITTEE (Meeting of February 21, 2007) A. Solar power update. Director Pocklington stated that staff is searching for alternative projects where solar power can be utilized, and will report back to the Board at a later date on the progress of this project. This was an information item and no action was required by the Governing Board. B. Update on Sweetwater Reservoir Shoreline Fishing Program. Director Pocklington reported that estimated annual costs for this program are $100,000, with a return of $20,000, and that the program seems to be working well to date. This was an information item and no action was required by the Governing Board. C. Director Pocklington made a motion, seconded by Director Doud that the Governing Board approve the pressure increase project on Sandover Court, Bonita, at no cost to the eight property owners who made the request, and award a sole-source contract in the amount of $2,000 to Fuller’s Plumbing Service, Inc., 1063 Third Avenue, Chula Vista, CA 91911, to install eight pressure-reducing valves. The motion carried. D. Graffiti removal programs and procedures. This was an information item and no action was required by the Governing Board. 6. COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE (Meeting of February 26, 2007) A. Director Pocklington was designated Communications Committee Chair for 2007. This was an information item and no action was required by the Governing Board. B. Director Pocklington made a motion, seconded by Director Welsh that the Governing Board award a $1,000 scholarship to the selected applicant on behalf of Sweetwater Authority and forward the application as a finalist to represent the Authority in the regional CSDA scholarship competition. It was further moved that, due to the lack of a qualified applicant, no scholarship recommendation be forwarded to the South Bay Irrigation District Board for consideration. The Committee reviewed the scholarship applications through a blind selection process, with personal references omitted, and Director Pocklington noted that there were only two scholarship applicants this year. The Board discussed the Authority’s process for notification and outreach to applicants and requested that staff compare this process to other agencies. Director Thomas suggested that the Board consider expanding the field to include community college students in addition to high school students. Director Doud expressed concern about the adequacy of the scholarship advertising in the community. General Manager Bostad explained that the Authority works closely with school counselors, but that the procedures for outreach will be reviewed and discussed with counselors for possible improvement. The motion carried. General Manager Bostad announced that the Sweetwater Authority Wanda Avery Scholarship award winner chosen was Andrew Longaker, a senior at Hilltop High School. C. Director Pocklington made a motion, seconded by Director Doud that the Governing Board approve the purchase of custom name badges for Board members who would like to use them for official Authority functions. The motion carried. D. Consideration of standard format for displaying biographical information on the Sweetwater Authority internet site. General Manager Bostad provided each Board member with a copy of the biographical information proposed for posting on the website. Mirroring other agency postings, the data would emphasize water-relevant affiliations first, followed by professional and other affiliations. Once meeting with approval, the Directors were requested to initial and return the forms to the Secretary, to then be implemented on the internet. This was an information item and no action was required by the Governing Board. E. Director Pocklington made a motion, seconded by Director Welsh that the Governing Board decline membership in the California Water Awareness Campaign. The motion carried. F. Director Pocklington made a motion, seconded by Director Thomas that the Governing Board approve staff participation in the Bonita Business and Professional Association “Spotlight on Business” trade show and that future participation be evaluated based on the success of the event. The motion carried. G. Updated calendar of scheduled events. This was an information item and no action was required by the Governing Board. 7. ADOPTION OF RESOLUTIONS A. Upon a motion made by Director Pocklington, seconded by Director Doud, the following resolution: RESOLUTION 07-05 RESOLUTION OF THE GOVERNING BOARD OF SWEETWATER AUTHORITY CONCURRING IN THE
NOMINATION OF CHARLES MUSE TO THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE ASSOCIATION OF
CALIFORNIA WATER AGENCIES was passed and adopted by the following vote to wit: Ayes: Directors Alkire, Beauchamp, Doud, Morrison, Pocklington, Thomas and
Welsh B. Upon a motion made by Director Pocklington, seconded by Director Doud, the following resolution: RESOLUTION 07-06 RESOLUTION OF THE GOVERNING BOARD OF SWEETWATER AUTHORITY CONCURRING IN THE
NOMINATION OF JOAN C. FINNEGAN TO THE OFFICE OF VICE PRESIDENT OF THE
ASSOCIATION OF CALIFORNIA WATER AGENCIES was passed and adopted by the following vote to wit: Ayes: Directors Alkire, Beauchamp, Doud, Morrison, Pocklington, Thomas and
Welsh 8. NEW BUSINESS A. Director Alkire made a motion, seconded by Director Pocklington that the Governing Board approve the request from Valley Center Municipal Water District to send a resolution of support to ACWA/JPIA concurring in the nomination for the re-election of Merle J. Aleshire to the Executive Committee. The motion carried. B. Director Alkire made a motion, seconded by Director Pocklington that the Governing Board approve the request from the San Bernardino Valley Water Conservation District to send a resolution of support to ACWA/JPIA concurring in the nomination of Melody Henriques-McDonald to the Executive Committee. The motion carried. 9. REPORT OF THE SOUTH BAY IRRIGATION DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE AND THE CITY OF NATIONAL CITY REPRESENTATIVE TO THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY Director Pocklington reported that the majority of items on the February 22nd agenda were approved as expected. One item on which he and the National City Representative had reservations regarded the amendment of the FY 2007 Operating Budget to add two new positions to the Water Resources Department to implement the Landscape Conservation Program. This vote was tied at the Committee level, and the Board referred the item back to the Committee for further study and discussion. 10. APPROVAL OF DIRECTORS’ ATTENDANCE AT MEETINGS AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS A. Water Education Foundation – Delta Vision Workshop – March 16, 2007, Joseph A. Nelson Community Center, Suisun City, CA. No Directors expressed interest in attending this pre-approved event at this time. No action was required by the Governing Board. B. Water Education Foundation – Lower Colorado River Tour – March 28-30, 2007. Directors wishing to attend this pre-approved event with contact the Secretary. No action was required by the Governing Board. 11. REPORTS BY DIRECTORS ON EVENTS ATTENDED Chair Beauchamp reported on the CSDA San Diego Chapter Quarterly Meeting on February 15th. He stated that the presentation by the CWA General Counsel on the Bighorn decision (Proposition 218) and the impacts to special districts was interesting, although he had reservations regarding some of Mr. Hentschke’s comments. Director Pocklington reported on the Council of Water Utilities meeting on February 20th. He stated that the report given by Peter MacLaggan, Poseidon Resources Corporation, on the progress of the Carlsbad Desalination Project was very interesting. He noted that a number of additional agencies have shown interest in the project. He added that the CWA Board is currently discussing the option to give local credits to new supply development. Director Morrison reported on attending the National City Chamber of Commerce meeting on February 21st. The program included an update presented by the National City Police Chief on the direction for the police department and law enforcement in the City of National City. Director Doud reported on some highlights from the WESTCAS Winter Conference held in San Antonio, Texas, on February 21-23, and submitted a written report to be kept on file with the Secretary for review. He noted that the Texas Authority is in the process of building four brackish desalination plants. San Antonio is in the midst of a three-year drought, while Oklahoma’s watersheds are very prolific with lots of rain. He noted that 34 million acre-feet of water is lost into the Gulf each year, and Texas is trying to negotiate with Oklahoma to buy some of this lost water. He also provided CDs to be made available for review: the February 2007 Washington Report; the final report for predictions for copper toxicity in waters of the Arid West; and the Water Quality Research Project evaluating the EPA recalculation procedure in the Arid West. He also reported on U.S. Geological Survey budget requests for 2007 and 2008 and budget increases to fully fund ongoing operating costs for the National Streamgauging Network. Director Thomas reported on the Bonita Business and Professional Association meeting of February 27th and submitted a written report to be kept on file with the Secretary. Pat McDonald, of SCORE, made a presentation about services provided by SCORE and the network of assistance it provides. She provided an update on the upcoming “Spotlight on Business” trade show on March 13th. Director Thomas also commented on the experience she encountered when calling the vendor number for assistance in obtaining low-flow toilet vouchers and that, although the customer service was exceptional, she was on hold over twenty minutes before being assisted. Added as Item 11.F. on the agenda, Director Doud reported on his attendance at the CSDA Planning Committee meeting in Sacramento on February 27th. The budget was reviewed and consideration was given to having a second state and possibly a third mini-conference by zone each year. Government Affairs Day, now known as Special Districts Legislation Day, will be held May 14-15. CSDA now has a 1,002 member agencies. The CSDA Board will meet on March 9th to fill the Region 6 seat vacated by Harry Ehrlich. Director Doud and five others have applied for this appointment. 12. BUDGET REPORT – DIRECTOR OF FINANCE FARROW Director of Finance Farrow used two graphs to illustrate the Water Revenue and Operating Expenses to date. She reported that as of January 31, 2007, Water Revenue is $59,000, or 0.3 percent over budget. Operating Expenses are at $896,000, or 5.3 percent, over budget. General Manager Bostad explained that this is primarily related to a requirement to pump Seasonal Storage Operating Agreement water in October at a higher cost, instead of the Authority’s original plan to pump local water at a lower cost. Basically, the local water that we would have pumped that month is still in inventory. Instead of directly pumping, it is converting through an in lieu process for seasonal storage water for next year’s budget. When changes are made in water purchases from local to seasonal storage costs can shift rapidly. The value of this $896,000 worth of water will be seen through discount water next summer in next year’s budget. 13. MANAGEMENT REPORT A. Report of Operations Manager Rogers: Mr. Rogers reported that three one-day showers since the last Board meeting resulted in about 600 acre-feet of runoff into Sweetwater and about 275 acre-feet of runoff into Loveland. Although not much, it brought us out of the worst drought year on record in the last 118 years. He also reported that on February 14th Engineering and Water Quality staff took the entire Perdue Plant down for three days in order to thoroughly inspect every aspect of the plant through human inspection or via robotic camera. The shutdown and inspection went very well, and Montgomery Watson and Harper and Associates will be providing a report. B. Report of General Manager Bostad: Mr. Bostad presented a seven-minute preview video of Poseidon Corporation’s Carlsbad Pilot Desalination Facility. Program Supervisor Mosburg then provided the Board with an update on the low-flow toilet voucher program and stated that the Authority is receiving positive results from its own as well as the CWA marketing programs. Efforts have been made to improve customer service response time to those calling the voucher center, with good results. The Authority has issued a total of 49 multi-family vouchers beyond the original numbers reported, including the Authority’s waitlist. To date, the Authority has issued an additional 192 single-family vouchers, including those on the waitlist. General Manager Bostad assured the Board that staff is monitoring to ensure that the information is getting out accurately. In response to an inquiry from Director Thomas, Ms. Mosburg clarified that customers have three months, or to the end of the fiscal year, to use the vouchers once the program ends on March 31st. General Manager Bostad pointed out the monthly report of activities and the new format of the investment portfolio report. Ms. Farrow explained the new format, which consolidates the investing report into a one page, easy to read report. She then pointed out how investments have been classified and discussed the requirements of the annual investment policy. 14. DIRECTORS’ COMMENTS Director Alkire commented that he attended the decommissioning of the USS Ogden, a 41-year old amphibious ship on which he served from 1966 to 1968. The Ogden will be stripped, towed to Hawaii, sunk, and turned into an artificial reef. Several plank-owners (original crew members) attended the event. Director Doud commented that, when he returned from the CSDA Planning Committee meeting in Sacramento, a young woman recognizing his Sweetwater Authority shirt asked if he was “one of those guys who raised her water rates.” She lives a block from his home and, after he explained the reasons for the rate increase, she was satisfied. Director Beauchamp added a comment that it is particularly sad to watch the
sinking of a ship that one formerly served on. He saw his former ship go down by
being torpedoed by the Brazilian Navy. 15. CLOSED SESSION 16. ADJOURNMENT With no further business before the Board, Chair Beauchamp adjourned the
meeting at 5:15 p.m., to the hour of 6:00 p.m. on March 14, 2007. The Board will
convene for a special meeting at 9:00 a.m. on March 1st to tour the Carlsbad
Desalination Pilot Plant. |
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