minutes

Regular Meeting

Governing Board of Sweetwater Authority

April 14, 2004

The Governing Board of Sweetwater Authority held a regular meeting on Wednesday, April 14, 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, Beauchamp, Doud, Pocklington, Reynolds, and Welsh.

Directors Absent: Inzunza.

Others Present: General Manager Bostad, Operations Manager Rogers, Legal Counsel Cowett, Treasurer Avery, and Board Secretary Farpón-Friedman. Staff members, Hank Gaus, Bill Olson, Paula Roberts, George Silva, Jim Smyth, Don Thomson, and Tom Woodrum.

· PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
Director Pocklington conducted the pledge of allegiance to the flag.

· OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT (Government Code Section (54954.3)
Mr. Tony Inocentes, residing at 1409 Aries Court in Chula Vista, addressed the Board to speak about Assembly Bill 2279 introduced by Assemblyman Dymally. He said that he has worked with the Assemblyman on the legislation for some time, and he wanted to clear up that this legislation has not been used to benefit him to run for any type of public office, but he feels this is a voters’ rights issue. He said that the Irrigation Code, which was written over 100 years ago, states that in order to be appointed or elected to an irrigation district board, you must be a landowner. He feels that this is unconstitutional and added that today many irrigation districts operate as municipal water districts. His position is supported by a court hearing that took place in 1976. The issue went to the Supreme Court and it was found that that part of the code was unconstitutional; however, it only pertained to the Imperial Valley.

NOTE: Director Inzunza entered the meeting at 6:05 p.m.

He added that the end goal is to stop the disenfranchisement of millions of voters in California, and that it must be done by the November elections. He talked about how actively he has been working to initiate that action, and asked for the support of the Sweetwater Authority’s Board.

· CHAIR ’S PRESENTATION

There was no presentation.

ACTION CALENDAR ITEMS

1. ITEMS TO BE ADDED, WITHDRAWN, OR REORDERED IN THE AGENDA

General Manager Bostad informed the Board that we received a request from the California Special Districts Association to send a letter to Senator Torlakson opposing Senate Bill 1272. He requested that this item be added to the agenda. Director Pocklington made a motion, seconded by Director Beauchamp, that the Board approve adding the letter to Senator Torlakson regarding Senate Bill 1272 as Item 7.B. The motion carried.

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Director Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Director Alkire, that the Board approve the minutes of March 24, 2004. The motion carried.

3. APPROVAL OF DEMANDS AND WARRANTS

Director Pocklington made a motion, seconded by Director Beauchamp, that the Board approve Warrants 93703 through 94034 including all voided checks. The motion carried.

4. COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE (Meeting of March 26, 2004)

A. Director Pocklington made a motion, seconded by Director Welsh, that the Governing Board approve the award of a $1,000 scholarship to Marco Sainz, a Sweetwater High School senior, and authorize staff to forward his application as a finalist in the CSDA competition. The motion carried.

B. Director Pocklington made a motion, seconded by Director Alkire, that the Governing Board approve funding in the amount of $480 for historical maps featuring Sweetwater Authority’s water system to be displayed at the Bonita Historical Museum from June 10 to July 31, 2004. The motion carried.

C. Director Pocklington made a motion, seconded by Director Beauchamp, that the Governing Board decline the Authority’s participation as a Taste of the Arts Festival Sponsor. The motion carried.

D. Director Pocklington made a motion, seconded by Director Welsh, that the Governing Board authorize the purchase of a one-half page ad that reemphasizes Sweetwater Authority’s historical ties to the community, at a cost of $250. The motion carried.

E. Review of 2004/2005 Communications Budget. This was an information item and no action was required by the Governing Board.

F. Information items, press releases, other items prepared for the public information distribution, and update on major projects. No action was required by the Governing Board.

5. FINANCE AND PERSONNEL COMMITTEE (Meeting of April 5, 2004)

A. Director Welsh made a motion, seconded by Director Reynolds, that the Governing Board approve additional funding of $75,504 from the 2004-05 Budget to complete the Joint Water Agency Natural Community Conservation Plan. The motion carried.

B. Director Welsh made a motion, seconded by Director Pocklington, that the Governing Board approve 2004 membership renewal at the Silver Circle level in the National City Chamber of Commerce and the payment of dues in the amount of $500. The motion carried.

C. Director Welsh made a motion, seconded by Director Doud, that the Governing Board adopt a Resolution of Intention to amend Sweetwater Authority’s contract with CalPERS to provide Section 21354.4 (2.5% @ 55 Full and Modified Formula) for local miscellaneous members. The motion carried.

Director Pocklington requested that a workshop on retirement be held for the Board sometime in the future, maybe in conjunction with the personnel workshop.

D. Further consideration of personnel requests for 2004-05 Budget. This was an information item and no action was required by the Governing Board.

6. OPERATIONS COMMITTEE (Meeting of April 7, 2004)

A. Director Beauchamp made a motion, seconded by Director Alkire, that the Governing Board approve setting a 30-day public review period from April 17 through May 17, 2004; setting a Public Hearing date on June 9, 2004, at 6:00 p.m., and instruct staff to submit all notices and documentation required to initiate public review. The motion carried.

B. Director Beauchamp made a motion, seconded by Director Welsh, that the Governing Board approve additional funding in the amount of $30,000 from the Repair and Replacement Reserve Fund to complete the National City Curb, Gutter, Sidewalk, and Pedestrian Ramp Improvements Project. The motion carried.

C. Director Beauchamp made a motion, seconded by Director Pocklington, that the Governing Board approve the request to quitclaim the Kimball Brothers’ easement at 1610 Highland Avenue, National City, and that all costs associated with processing the easement quitclaim be paid by the owner. The motion carried.

D. Discussion of proposed raw water aqueduct shut down by San Diego County Water Authority. This was an information item and no action was required by the Governing Board.

7. ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION

A. Upon a motion by Director Welsh, seconded by Director Doud, the following Resolution:

RESOLUTION 04-06
RESOLUTION OF INTENTION OF THE GOVERNING BOARD OF SWEETWATER AUTHORITY TO APPROVE AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONTRACT BETWEEN THE BOARD OF ADMINISTRATION OF THE CALIFORNIA PUBLIC EMPLOYEE’S RETIREMENT SYSTEM AND THE GOVERNING BOARD OF SWEETWATER AUTHORITY

was passed and Adopted by the following vote, to wit:

Ayes: Directors Alkire, Beauchamp, Doud, Inzunza, Pocklington, Reynolds and Welsh
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None

B. Director Doud made a motion, seconded by Director Welsh, that the Governing Board authorize Chair Doud to sign the letter to Senator Torlakson opposing unless amended Senate Bill 1272 (Ortiz). The motion carried.

8. ACWA/JPIA UPCOMING ELECTIONS FOR OFFICE OF VICE PRESIDENT AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Director Welsh made a motion, seconded by Director Doud, that the Governing Board direct Director Reynolds as our ACWA/JPIA Director to vote for Wes Banister of Orange County Water District and Bill Knutson of Yuima Municipal Water District for the Executive Committee at the ACWA/JPIA upcoming election. The motion carried.

9. APPROVAL OF DIRECTORS’ ATTENDANCE AT MEETINGS AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

A. First Friday Breakfast hosted by the Chula Vista Chamber of Commerce – South Bay Power Plant Update by Duke Energy – April 2, 2004. Director Welsh made a motion, seconded by Director Alkire, that the Governing Board approve per diem for directors who attended this event. The motion carried.

B. Council of Water Utilities Breakfast – April 20, 2004 – StoneRidge Country Club – 7:15 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. All directors will be attending this pre-approved event. No action was required by the Governing Board.

C. Joint Board Meeting – Helix Water District, Lakeside Water District, Otay Water District, Padre Dam Municipal Water District, Riverview Water District, and Sweetwater Authority – Friday, April 23, 2004, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. No action was required by the Governing Board.

D. Chula Vista Bayfront Master Plan Public Meetings – April 12, April 19, and April 26, 2004. Director Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Director Alkire, that the Governing Board approve per diem for directors who wish to attend this event. The motion carried.

10. REPORT OF TREASURER – WANDA AVERY

Ms. Avery reported that the interest rate at Local Agency Investment Fund (LAIF) is 1.46 percent.

11. MANAGEMENT REPORT

A. Report of Rainfall and Reservoir Levels – Operations Manager Rogers: Operations Manager Rogers had no report.

B. Report of General Manager Bostad: Mr. Bostad said that he had received notice from Maureen Stapleton that the Assembly Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committee will meet with Joseph Canciamilla’s staff on April 19, 2004 at 4:00 p.m. in room 125 at the State Capitol regarding the governance issue at the CWA from a standpoint of the City 10 vote. It does not address the issue of political representatives being appointed to the San Diego County Water Authority Board.

12. DIRECTORS’ COMMENTS

Director Doud reminded the directors to please wear their identification at all times when on Sweetwater property and during the board meetings and, with the exception of the 6:00 p.m. Board meetings, to please park in the enclosed parking area and not in the customer spots.

13. CLOSED SESSION

There was no need for one.

14. ADJOURNMENT

With no further business before the Board, Chair Doud adjourned the meeting at 6:48 p.m., to the hour of 3:30 p.m. on April 28, 2004.