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minutesRegular Meeting April 23, 2008 The Governing Board of Sweetwater Authority held a regular meeting on Wednesday, April 23, 2008, 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,
Welsh Directors Absent: None Others Present: General Manager Bostad, Operations Manager Rogers, Legal
Counsel Cowett, Treasurer Farrow, and Board Secretary Schoonderwoerd. Staff
members: Jack Adam, Rick Alexander Leslie Filippi, Janet Gonzalez, Sue King,
Scott McClelland, Bill Olson, George Silva, Jim Smyth, and Tom Woodrum. Also
present: Sue and Tennyson Jarrett and Lin Wurbs • PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG • OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT (Government Code Section (54954.3) • CHAIR’S PRESENTATION A. Employee Service Awards Operations Manager Rogers introduced and Chair Beauchamp presented service awards to the following employees: for five years of service – Carson Dollick, Systems Operator III; for ten years of service – John Chavez, Chief Systems Operator; Cindy Parra, Human Resources Coordinator; and Howard Rasmussen, Plant Maintenance Technician III; for 15 years of service – Patricia Garcia, Customer Service Supervisor; Jessica Reyes, Account Clerk III; Sylvia Rubio, Account Clerk III; Myrna Silva, Operations Clerk III; and Vickie Stuart, Engineering Clerk II; for 30 years of service – Anthony Rasco, Principal Engineering Technician; and Dennis Bostad, General Manager. B. Introduction of New Employees Operations Manager Rogers introduced the following new employees hired in the last six months: Lindsay Howes, Customer Service Representative I, and Lucelia Garcia, Customer Service Representative I. At 3:44 p.m., Chair Beauchamp called a short recess for coffee and cake with
the recognized employees. The meeting was called back to order at 3:58 p.m. with
all members of the Board present. ACTION CALENDAR ITEMS 1. ITEMS TO BE ADDED, WITHDRAWN, OR REORDERED IN THE AGENDA 2. ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION 08-09 RECOGNIZING DENNIS BOSTAD FOR HIS SERVICE AS
GENERAL MANAGER Upon a motion made by Director Pocklington, seconded by Director Welsh, the
following resolution: RESOLUTION OF THE GOVERNING BOARD OF SWEETWATER AUTHORITY was passed and adopted by the following vote to wit: Ayes: Directors Alkire, Beauchamp, Doud, Morrison, Pocklington, Thomas, and
Welsh Chair Beauchamp presented Mr. Bostad with the resolution, a framed photograph
of the reservoir, a miniature desktop bronzed fire hydrant, a $100 gift card,
and a lifetime access card for the Authority’s fishing program as tokens of
appreciation for his service to the Authority. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Director Welsh made a motion, seconded by Director Thomas, that the Governing
Board approve the minutes of the April 9, 2008 meeting. The motion carried with
Directors Morrison and Pocklington abstaining as they were not present at the
meeting. 4. APPROVAL OF DEMANDS AND WARRANTS Director Pocklington made a motion, seconded by Director Morrison, that the
Governing Board approve Warrants 113944 through 114098 including all voided
checks. The motion carried. 5. FINANCE AND PERSONNEL COMMITTEE (Meeting of April 21, 2008) A. Director Welsh made a motion, seconded by Director Doud, that the
Governing Board postpone membership in the Alliance for Water Efficiency for at
least one year in order to allow further evaluation of the organization, at
which time the Committee will provide an update to the Board. The motion
carried. 6. NEW BUSINESS Director Welsh made a motion, seconded by Director Doud, that the Governing Board direct its ACWA/JPIA Director to cast the following votes in the Executive Committee elections to be held during the 2008 Spring Conference in Monterey: Merle J. Aleshire, Valley Center Municipal Water District, for the office of President; and W.D. “Bill” Knutson, Yuima Municipal Water District, and Paul Dorey, Vista Irrigation District, for the office of Executive Committee members. The motion carried. 7. 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 on items of note appearing on the April 24,
2008 CWA Board agenda. The Board will hear presentations on the Reservoir
Regulating Manual for Lake Hodges projects, which will likely result in
follow-up meetings with Santa Fe Irrigation District, San Dieguito Water
District, and the City of San Diego regarding storage issues and possible
modifications to the Manual. Director Morrison reported that the Board will
consider a professional services contract with the Water Conservation Garden to
provide water conservation outreach services and the nomination of Jeffrey
Volberg to ACWA’s State Legislative Committee. The Board will consider positions
on several bills, including amendments to a CWA sponsor bill, AB 2404 (Salas)
dealing with the interchange between the electric companies over energy and
water conservation. Director Pocklington continued stating that the Board will
consider a resolution certifying the Final EIR for the Carryover Storage and San
Vicente Dam Raise Project. The Board will consider notification to member
agencies of a Regional Drought Response Level 1 condition, and Directors
Pocklington and Morrison are working with staff to make sure the Authority’s
implementation concerns are addressed. The Board will consider adoption of CWA’s
FY 2007-08 Long-Range Financing Plan and the issuance of Water Revenue
Certificates of Participation in an amount not to exceed $625 million to finance
the Capital Improvement Program. 8. APPROVAL OF DIRECTORS’ ATTENDANCE AT MEETINGS AND FUTURE AGENDA A. Director Pocklington made a motion, seconded by Director Thomas, that the Governing Board approve per diem for Director Doud’s attendance as Sweetwater Authority representative at Granada Mobile Estates Community Outreach Safety Event on April 16, 2008. The motion carried. B. Director Doud made a motion, seconded by Director Alkire, that the Governing Board approve per diem for National City Directors who attended the South Bay Irrigation District meeting of April 21, 2008 – Program: Joint Water Agencies – Natural Community Conservation Plan Update. The motion carried. C. Director Pocklington made a motion, seconded by Director Thomas, that the Governing Board approve per diem for Chair Beauchamp’s attendance at the Joint Board Meeting planning session on April 30, 2008. The motion carried. D. San Diego County Water Authority Twin Oaks Valley Water Treatment Plant dedication on Monday, May 5, 2008, at 10:00 a.m. Directors interested in attending this pre-approved event will contact the secretary. No action was required by the Governing Board. E. Dinner co-hosted by Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP, and Sutter Securities Incorporated, in conjunction with the ACWA Spring Conference in Monterey on Wednesday, May 7, 2008 at 6:30 p.m., at The Sardine Factory Restaurant. Directors wishing to attend this event were asked to complete the signup sheet. No action was required by the Governing Board. F. California Special Districts Association, San Diego Chapter Quarterly Meeting on Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. at the Courtyard by Marriott, San Diego Central – Program: Scholarship Awards Presentation. A signup sheet was circulated for directors wishing to attend this pre-approved event. No action was required by the Governing Board. G. Water Education Foundation Bay-Delta Tour on June 4-6, 2008. No interest was expressed in attending this pre-approved event. No action was required by the Governing Board. H. Director Doud made a motion, seconded by Director Alkire, that the Governing Board approve per diem for directors who wish to attend the CLE International 2nd Annual Endangered Species Act Conference on June 2-3, 2008 at the Omni Hotel, San Diego. The motion carried. I. Water Education Foundation Border Water Infrastructure Conference on May
28-29, 2008 at the Mission Valley Hilton (conflict with Board meeting of May
28). Directors wishing to attend this pre-approved event will contact the
secretary. The Chair directed staff to evaluate whether the May 28th Board
meeting could be cancelled or moved, based on any necessary board action. No
action is required by the Governing Board. Chair Beauchamp reported on the Otay Water District Micro-Turbine Clean Energy Project dedication on April 10th. Supervisor Dianne Jacob attended and was happy to see that the County will receive revenue from the project and that the methane is being used for energy production. Director Doud attended the CSDA Planning Committee meeting on April 10th in Sacramento. They discussed committee roles, reviewed the approved strategic plan, and went over the annual conference review. Director Alkire attended the Vallecitos Water District tour of the Water Conservation Garden on April 12th. Also representing the Garden were Marty Eberhardt, and Chuck Muse and Richard Smith from Helix Water District. The Vallecitos General Manager and Directors Betty Ferguson and Darryl Gentry took the tour. They took many photos to be used in a presentation to their Board regarding the possibility of membership. He asked General Manager Bostad to brief the Board on some points he gave to Marty Eberhardt for presenting the benefits of membership in the Garden to future Garden member agencies. By supporting the Garden, agencies could possibly receive certain “conservation credits.” He suggested that the replacement of outdoor landscaping using recommendations by the Garden could be made equivalent to other device based approaches (i.e., low-flow toilets, shower heads, and high-efficiency washing machines). If agencies could obtain credits that help meet their conservation goal, that might help them qualify for meeting the state standard for conservation that may become a requirement to qualify for state grant programs. Director Thomas reported on the Council of Water Utilities meeting of April 15th and the Certified Public Manager Program presented by the Centre for Organization Effectiveness. The program makes use of more than 50 consultants as a cadre in which they put together their program. Some of the benefits that were outlined by the program include the ability to build bridges using financial information, applying ethics to public policy development, undersigning the information systems in using technology strategies, and nurturing leadership. Director Doud attended and gave an introduction at a community outreach safety event on April 16th at the Granada Mobile Estates, with 90 people in attendance. Representatives from fire, police, energy, water department, and the Chula Vista Cable Company were present. Among other talks, Doug Roberts, the Authority’s Security Specialist gave a video presentation, which was very well received. Director Morrison reported on the Water Agencies Association quarterly meeting on April 17th. Senator Alex Padilla gave a presentation entitled “Is California in Crisis?” Director Morrison had flown down from Sacramento with him earlier in the day, and he briefed him on the uncertainty of what’s going on in Sacramento. Senator Padilla presented a push for his bill on recycled water. Director Thomas attended the CSDA Leadership Academy session titled “Setting Direction/Community Leadership” on April 18th. With completion of this final module in the four-part series and ten additional hours of elective courses, she now qualifies and has applied for the Recognition in Special District Governance certificate. The session involved starting off with a vision, going into some strategic planning, and coming up with a mission and strategic goals. Director Thomas attended the Bonita Business and Professional Association
meeting on April 22nd featuring a presentation by County Supervisor Greg Cox on
a number of projects relevant to south San Diego County. The updates included
the revamping of the Registrar of Voters building, and reestablishing horse,
walking, and other rural trail links that were interrupted by the construction
of SR 125. This weekend is the Bonita Rootin’-Tootin’ Chili Cook-Off and Fair.
On May 6th at 6:00 p.m., there will be a public workshop on revitalizing the
historic Western Salt Works location to be held at Swiss Park Hall. Supervisor
Cox is working to make the 211 information helpline a statewide phone pool to be
used for non-emergency information. 10. REPORT OF TREASURER Ms. Farrow reported that, at the end of March, Water Revenue was $2,197,000,
or 7.6 percent, under budget. Most of the reduction in consumption is in
irrigation and landscaping, which follows suit with the 20-Gallon Challenge.
Operating Expenses were $3,060,000, or 12.2 percent, under budget. The net
effect is that we are on the positive side of the budget for the end of the
year. One tremendous help on the operating budget is that we had two months back
to back without buying any imported water. Another good thing is that the
investment portfolio is still earning a yield of slightly under 4 percent.
Interest income is about $150,000 over what was projected for the budget. Ms.
Farrow completed her report and clarified several questions posed by Director
Doud, who also noted a minor clerical error to be corrected in the published
report. 11. QUARTERLY REPORT OF DIRECTORS’ EXPENSES 3RD QUARTER FY 2007-08 This spreadsheet report was provided to the Board for information purposes and there were no comments from the Board. 12. MANAGEMENT REPORT A. Report of Operations Manager Rogers: Mr. Rogers reported that he has a meeting on Monday with staff from the City of Chula Vista and a presentation on their proposals for the possible relocation of the Authority’s Administration and Operations sites. He will report back to the Board at a future date. B. Report of General Manager Bostad: Mr. Bostad provided a report that was
given at the last CWA General Managers’ meeting. He said that it is important to
note that the average rainfall and snowpack this winter will keep the region out
of an allocation this year. The 10 percent cutbacks are still at the voluntary
levels. He noted that the Colorado River storage stands at 50 percent, and it
will take 10 years at this kind of rainfall to refill the reservoirs and the
Colorado River. The region has entered a multi-year era of diminished core
imported water supplies, increased reliance on water supply reserves, and
increased vulnerability to weather changes. This, in addition to the problems in
the Delta and other national issues, means that a lot of continued work on local
resources is needed. Over the long term, this means the development of supply
diversification on both regional and local levels and a comprehensive Delta fix.
He thanked everyone who attended the retirement dinner last night, he will
cherish the memory, and he thanked the Board for a nice run. 13. DIRECTORS’ COMMENTS Director Welsh commented that she believes that, as part of this organization, Dennis has made this agency the premier, and she has always been very proud to be a Sweetwater Authority representative. Director Doud agreed with Director Welsh’s comments and passed a Notice of Public Hearing to staff for a scoping meeting to be held by the County of San Diego and the Army Corps of Engineers for the Special Area Management Plan for the Otay River Watershed. He is curious if this will affect our study in the Otay River watershed. He added that he would like the Authority’s publications to report the number of customers consistent with LAFCO’s and SANDAG’s official paper dated January 2008, which he passed to staff for review. Director Pocklington expressed to Dennis that it has been a pleasure working with him all these years, and he thanked Dennis for helping him to be a better Board member. Director Thomas thanked Dennis and stated that Sweetwater Authority has been a reflection of his leadership. She believes that his personal qualities and kindnesses are reflected in many ways as a model for others in the community and she appreciates that. She wished him serenity, joy and adventures in the next chapter of his life. Director Alkire stated that he has really enjoyed working with Dennis for the last four and a half years, and he quipped that he will miss him at ACWA conferences. He wished him fair winds and following seas. Director Morrison commented that we may not be one of the largest agencies in the state, but both regionally and in Sacramento Dennis’s name always comes up as a person with great insights in the water industry. It has brought us great respect way beyond our size, much because of Dennis’s leadership. He noted that the public workshop on the salt works site on May 6th affects National City and Chula Vista, both of which unfortunately have City Council meetings scheduled at the same time. Chair Beauchamp commented that he knew Dennis through his involvement in National City Kiwanis and Chamber activities before he was a member of the Board. He also appreciated his involvement with the Creaser Foundation, which awarded his daughter a $5,000 scholarship and promoted her to the point that she knew she had the ability to move on. She is now a college professor and has a PhD. Dennis is leaving Sweetwater Authority with a staff to succeed, and that is his legacy. In this time of change we have a stable group of staff who know the ethic and have the focus for this organization. He thanked him for the effect he’s had on his own personal life, not just as a Board member. 14. CLOSED SESSION At 5:24 p.m., in compliance with Government Code Section 54956.9 (b), the Board recessed to the Board Conference Room to convene in closed session with Legal Counsel concerning anticipated litigation regarding one item. All persons left the room with the exception of the Governing Board, General Manager, and Legal Counsel. There were no minutes taken, and the session was not tape-recorded. At 7:19 p.m., Chair Beauchamp declared the meeting to be in open session. No
reportable action was taken by the Governing Board. 15. ADJOURNMENT With no further business before the Board, Chair Beauchamp adjourned the
meeting at 7:19 p.m. |
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