minutes

Regular Meeting

Governing Board of Sweetwater Authority

June 14, 2006

The Governing Board of Sweetwater Authority held a regular meeting on Wednesday, June 14, 2006, at the Sweetwater Authority Administrative Office, 505 Garrett Avenue, Chula Vista, California. Chair Pocklington called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m.

• ROLL CALL

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

Directors Absent: Beauchamp, Morrison, and Salas.

Others Present: General Manager/Treasurer Bostad, Operations Manager Rogers, Legal Counsel Cowett, Treasurer Delegatee Farrow, and Board Secretary Schoonderwoerd. Staff members Rick Alexander, Bill Olson, George Silva, Jim Smyth, and Don Thomson

• 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)
There were no members of the public present for comment.

• CHAIR’S PRESENTATION
Chair Pocklington announced the award of Proposition 50 grants and said the General Manager would give a more detailed report. He also shared information on the funeral arrangements for Paul Davy, Director at Vallecitos Water District. Director Pocklington also commented on the employee newsletter, The Source, and said he hoped the entire Board had a chance to read it. He said it contained excellent articles on such topics as child safety, the Authority’s service awards, retirement, and healthcare. He reported that MWD had reached a final agreement and a three-year contract with its employees’ union. The contract includes a 3.1 percent across-the-board salary increase, a one-time lump sum bonus to employees, and four health plan options.

NOTE: Director Salas entered the meeting at 6:06 p.m.

Director Pocklington also said that the number of MWD Committees had been reduced from 13 to six. San Diego committee members included George Loveland on Legal Claims and Water Planning, and Quality and Resources; Bud Pocklington on Assets and Recreation, and Engineering and Operations; Bud Lewis on Budget and Finance; and Joe Parker on Engineering and Operations, and Communications and Legislation. Director Pocklington reported on a three-day tour he attended in Mexico with three other MWD Directors. They visited the New River as it enters into the United States, Mexicali, visited the area down in the Delta, then came back across the border from Mexicali to Tijuana. He shared some photos from the trip with the Board. Finally, he said that this Board meeting would be dedicated to Paul Davy and his contributions to the water community.

ACTION CALENDAR ITEMS

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

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Director Doud made a motion, seconded by Director Akire, that the Governing Board approve the minutes of the May 24, 2006 meeting. The motion carried.

NOTE: Director Morrison entered the meeting at 6:10 p.m.

3. APPROVAL OF DEMANDS AND WARRANTS

Director Alkire made a motion, seconded by Director Salas, that the Governing Board approve Warrants 105413 through 105685 including all voided checks. The motion carried.

4. FINANCE AND PERSONNEL COMMITTEE (Meeting of June 5, 2006)

A. Director Doud made a motion, seconded by Director Alkire, that the Governing Board approve the 2006 membership renewal in the California Special Districts Association, San Diego Chapter, and the payment of dues in the amount of $100. The motion carried.

B. Director Welsh made a motion, seconded by Director Doud, that the Governing Board approve the membership renewal in the AWWA Research Foundation Utility Subscription Program and the payment of dues in the amount of $12,395. The motion carried.

C. Continued review of fiscal year 2006-07 Operating Budget. This was an information item and no action was required by the Governing Board.

5. FINANCE AND PERSONNEL COMMITTEE (Meeting of June 9, 2006)

A. CLOSED SESSION
In accordance with Government Code Section 54957.6, the Committee met in closed session to conference with the General Manager regarding labor negotiations. There was no reportable action.

B. Director Alkire made a motion, seconded by Director Doud, that the Governing Board approve a contribution increase to $10,000 to the Sweetwater Authority Recreation Association to fund the 2006 Holiday Party, with an annual increase based on the Cost of Living Allowance. The motion carried.

C. Review of fiscal year 2006-07 Capital and Reserve Budget. This was an information item and no action was required by the Governing Board.

6. NEW BUSINESS

There was none.

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

A. Environmental Leader Tour – Friday, June 16, 2006, 8:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Directors wishing to attend this pre-approved event will place their name on the sign-up sheet. No action was required by the Governing Board.

B. Council of Water Utilities, San Diego County Meeting at StoneRidge Country Club, Tuesday, June 20, 2006, 7:15 a.m. – Program: Dr. Eric Reichard, Coastal Program Chief/Research Hydrologist, U.S. Geological Survey, California Water Science Center – “Collaborative Research Partnerships – Hydrogeology and Water Quality.” Directors wishing to attend this pre-approved event will contact the Secretary. No action was required by the Governing Board.

C. Director Doud made a motion, seconded by Director Alkire, that the Governing Board approve per diem for Directors who wish to attend the Open House for public review and comment on the Robert A. Perdue Water Treatment Plant Upgrade Project Draft Environmental Impact Report – Tuesday, June 20, 2006, 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. The motion carried.

D. National Water Resources Association 2006 Western Water Seminar – Park City Marriott, Park City, Utah, July 26-28, 2006. Directors wishing to attend this pre-approved event will contact the Secretary. No action was required by the Governing Board.

E. Director Doud made a motion, seconded by Director Welsh, that the Governing Board approve per diem for Directors who wish to attend the retirement celebration for Augie Caires, Padre Dam MWD General Manager – Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve, Thursday, June 29, 2006, at noon. The motion carried.

8. REPORTS BY DIRECTORS ON EVENTS ATTENDED

Director Salas reported on attending the South County Economic Development Council on June 6, 2006. The presentation was on the magnetic levitation (Maglev) train in California, and the presenter suggested that rather than pursue options for another airport and other infrastructure projects, funding would be better spent on the Maglev system. This means of transportation is more environmentally friendly, relies less on fossil fuels, and would alleviate a number of problems, including freight transporting. Counsel Cowett added that the only functional project of this type is in Shanghai, China, and it can travel 22 miles in seven minutes at a speed of up to 275 miles per hour.

Director Doud reported on attending the Special District Institute Administration Seminar on June 1-2. Mike Bardin, General Manager of Santa Fe Irrigation District, gave a presentation overview of strategic planning and practical work plans, turning your plans into reality, tips for an effective work plan, and achievable action plans. Donna Bartlett-May, Board Secretary at Helix Water District gave a presentation on handling mandatory records management. He turned over a binder of conference reference materials to the Board Secretary for use by staff and Directors.

9. MANAGEMENT REPORT

A. Report of Operations Manager Rogers: Operations Manager Rogers reported that yesterday staff received notice from the Department of Health Services that the permit for Well No. 6 was granted after a six-month wait, and operation will probably begin next Monday. This will allow the Authority to increase production during the summer months. After having to drop production down to about one million gallons per day, this will now allow us to move up to at least two million gallons per day without affecting the environment.

B. Report of General Manager Bostad: General Manager Bostad shared an award for excellence in energy savings that the Authority received from SDG&E. He expressed appreciation for the Engineering Department’s efforts to find alternatives to increase energy efficiency and lower energy costs. He recognized Director of Environmental and Governmental Services Alexander, Director of Engineering Smyth, and Director of Water Quality Thomson for their successful efforts in putting together the Proposition 50 applications. Of the $21.5 million awarded to 23 statewide water desalination projects, the Authority received two grants. The first grant award was the Otay River Basin Brackish Groundwater Desalination Feasibility Study, Phase I, with a study cost of approximately $500,000 to be shared 50/50 with the Department of Water Resources grant of $242,000. The remaining $242,000 will be covered through a partnership with Otay Water District and Sweetwater Authority with the possibility of additional compensation from CWA. The Authority was also awarded a match of $481,500 for a $1 million project to study a zero liquid discharge alternative at the Reynolds Desalination Facility. As we develop our brackish groundwater facilities, alternatives for dealing with the discharge need to be developed. One alternative that will be researched by the U.S. Geological Survey is to extract all water out of the discharge and go to a solid salt. CWA was awarded a grant for a feasibility study of a regional concentrate conveyance facility in San Diego County. This South County Brine Line will be evaluated in coordination with Sweetwater Authority, the City of San Diego, CWA, and Otay Water District. If we cannot go to a zero liquid discharge, a future option needs to be developed to put brine concentrates into the ocean. Chair Pocklington expressed the Board’s appreciation for staff’s hard work on this statewide competition for grant money. General Manager Bostad said that appropriation for the Intertie Project will probably be a longer-range multiple-year effort.

10. DIRECTORS’ COMMENTS

Director Alkire said he had a very enjoyable vacation.

Director Welsh congratulated Director Salas on her successful primary election.

Director Doud also congratulated Director Salas and gave a word of advice. Don’t give it.

Director Pocklington commented that while on his trip to Mexico in 108 degree temperatures, he was struck with the lack of energy options, and to be able to tap solar power will make a tremendous change in third world countries and their standard of living.

The Board stood for a moment of silence in memory of Paul Davy.

11. CLOSED SESSION

There was no need for one.

12. ADJOURNMENT

With no further business before the Board, Chair Pocklington adjourned the meeting at 6:33 p.m., to the hour of 1:30 p.m. on June 23, 2006.