minutes
Regular Meeting
Governing Board of Sweetwater Authority
July 11, 2007
The Governing Board of Sweetwater Authority held a regular meeting on
Wednesday,
July 11, 2007, at the Sweetwater Authority Administrative Office, 505 Garrett
Avenue, Chula Vista, California. Chair Beauchamp called the meeting to order at
6:00 p.m.
• ROLL CALL
Directors Present: Alkire, Beauchamp, Doud, Morrison, Pocklington, and Thomas
Directors Absent: Welsh
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, Don Thomson, and Tom Woodrum.
• PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
Director Doud conducted the pledge of allegiance to the flag.
• OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT (Government Code Section (54954.3)
There were no comments from the public.
• CHAIR’S PRESENTATION
There was none.
ACTION CALENDAR ITEMS
1. ITEMS TO BE ADDED, WITHDRAWN, OR REORDERED IN THE AGENDA
There were none.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Director Pocklington made a motion, seconded by Director Doud, that the
Governing Board approve the minutes of the June 27, 2007 meeting as amended by
Director Thomas under Item 10, paragraph three, sentence number six. This
sentence should read, “One suggestion was to call them workshops instead of
committee meetings so that the coalition members would be more involved.” The
motion carried with Director Alkire abstaining due to his absence at this
meeting.
3. APPROVAL OF DEMANDS AND WARRANTS
Director Doud made a motion, seconded by Director Alkire, that the Governing
Board approve Warrants 110621 through 110695 including all voided checks. The
motion carried.
4. FINANCE AND PERSONNEL COMMITTEE (Meeting of July 2, 2007)
A. Proposed Best Best & Krieger rate schedule. Director Alkire reported that,
in accordance with the 2005 Employment Agreement Amendment, the scheduled annual
rate adjustment is based on a 3.4 percent increase in the All Urban Consumer
Price Index. Effective July 1, 2007, the rates will be $210 for a partner, $188
for a Senior Associate, $155 for a Junior Associate, and $118 for paralegal
services. This was an information item and no action was required by the
Governing Board.
B. Director Alkire made a motion, seconded by Director Thomas, that the
Governing Board approve the extension of the contract with Thomas Walters and
Associates for two years beginning July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2009 at a cost
of $4,750 per month. The motion carried.
C. Closed Session. In compliance with Government Code Sections 54957.6 and
54957, the Committee met in closed session to discuss labor negotiations and the
employment evaluation of the General Manager and Operations Manager. There was
no reportable action.
NOTE: Director Morrison entered the meeting at 6:08 p.m.
5. OPERATIONS COMMITTEE (Meeting of July 3, 2007)
A. Director Doud made a motion, seconded by Director Thomas, that the
Governing Board award a contract in the amount of $282,000 to Koch-Armstrong
General Engineering, Inc., 9709 Airport Vista Road, Santee, CA, for the trench
pavement for the 2007-08 Metallic Main Replacement Program. The motion carried.
B. Director Thomas made a motion, seconded by Director Pocklington, that the
Governing Board authorize the General Manager to sign the agreement to join the
Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense Program. Chair Beauchamp explained
that this is a voluntary program to participate in water conservation at the
federal level. He pointed out the partnership agreement in the Board packets and
that termination of the agreement is an option with no liability. Director Doud
expressed his concern over joining the WaterSense Program given that the EPA
will be qualifying 1.3 gallons per flush high-efficiency toilets for this
program, and that this may increase the possibility of having to replace all
toilets again. Director Thomas noted that this only qualifies the toilets for
WaterSense labeling. Mr. Bostad added that development of new technology and new
devices will be an ongoing process, but reiterated that participation in this
program is entirely voluntary at this point. The motion carried.
C. Director Pocklington made a motion, seconded by Director Alkire, that the
Governing Board approve the request for three remote service connections to the
water main in East 2nd Street, National City, with the understanding that the
property owner will be responsible for all fees and deposits, and proof of a
recorded private utility easement. The motion carried.
6. REPORT OF SWEETWATER AUTHORITY DIRECTOR TO THE WATER CONSERVATION GARDEN
AUTHORITY
Director Alkire attended the Water Conservation Garden Board meeting today in
Chair Beauchamp’s place and reported that Marisa Farpón is resigning, and that
they will be looking for a new Board Secretary on a part-time basis. He noted
that attendance at the Garden from Sweetwater Authority’s customers represented
only three percent of the visitors. He added that the Authority is working
toward more extensive promotion of the Garden in order to encourage an increase
in attendance. Director Pocklington suggested the idea of a “welcome” packet
including Garden information to be given to new customers. Director Alkire also
said that parking was in the process of being increased at the Garden.
7. APPROVAL OF DIRECTORS’ ATTENDANCE AT MEETINGS AND FUTURE AGENDA
ITEMS
A. Council of Water Utilities, San Diego County Meeting, StoneRidge Country
Club – Tuesday, July 17, 2007, 7:15 a.m. – Program: “It’s Dry Everywhere: Is
2007 a Sign of Southern California’s Water Future?” presented by Nancy Sutley,
Deputy Mayor, Energy & Environment, Office of Mayor Antonio Vallaraigosa, City
of Los Angeles. Directors wishing to attend this preapproved meeting will
contact the Secretary. No action was required by the Governing Board.
B. Water Agencies Association of San Diego County Meeting, Four Points
Sheraton San Diego – Thursday, July 19, 2007, 6:00 p.m. – Program: Assembly
Member Joel Anderson, 77th Assembly District, presenting his experience since
joining the Legislature and AB 221 – Divest CalPers and CalSTRS. Directors
wishing to attend this preapproved meeting will contact the Secretary. No action
was required by the Governing Board.
C. National City Automobile Heritage Day – Sunday, August 5, 2007, 9:00 a.m.
to 4:00 p.m. Board members were asked to add their names to the sign up sheet if
interested in manning the Authority’s booth at this preapproved event. No action
was required by the Governing Board.
D. Chula Vista Lemon Festival – Sunday, August 12, 2007, 11:00 a.m. to 7:00
p.m. Directors were asked to add their names to the sign up sheet if interested
in manning the Authority’s booth at this preapproved event. No action was
required by the Governing Board.
E. Water Education Foundation Northern California Tour – September 12-14,
2007. Directors wishing to attend this preapproved event will contact the
Secretary. No action was required by the Governing Board.
8. REPORTS BY DIRECTORS ON EVENTS ATTENDED
Director Doud reported on the First Friday meeting of July 6th, at which Dr.
Ray Ashley, Curator of the San Diego Maritime Museum, gave a history on Juan
Cabrillo. He stated that he is going to build a replica of the ship San Salvador
in Chula Vista at a cost of $5 million dollars, $2 million of which has been
raised at this point. The ship will house a museum. Director Doud added that
Linda Wagner of Councilman Castaneda’s staff introduced him to the new City
Manager of Chula Vista, David Garcia.
Chair Beauchamp reported on the South County Economic Development Council
meeting on June 3rd, which primarily was a presentation of awards and
acknowledgements of support. It was well attended; in fact, the City Managers of
National City, Imperial Beach and Lemon Grove were in attendance. He also met
the CalAm representative from Coronado/Imperial Beach.
9. MANAGEMENT REPORT
A. Report of Operations Manager Rogers: Mr. Rogers reported on and shared
photos of a recent large main break on 5th Avenue and Casselman Street in Chula
Vista. A contractor for AT&T hit one of the Authority’s 8-inch pipes while
installing telephone lines. Water went into homes and yards along D Street and
towards Broadway. Authority staff walked the length of 5th to “C” Street and
informed every resident and tenant of what happened and indicated that
contractor-supplied adjustors would be by to talk to them, and the residents
were very pleased with the assistance. Mr. Rogers also reported that the
Authority recently went out to bid on health insurance plans. The Health
Benefits Committee reviewed the bids and decided that Aetna, which has been with
the Authority for 26 years, was the best program. Additionally, the Authority’s
broker, Randy Voepel was able to get Aetna to reduce its bid by $85,000.
B. Report of General Manager Bostad: Mr. Bostad had nothing to report.
10. DIRECTORS’ COMMENTS
Director Doud commented that today is World Population Day. He also
circulated a letter from Assembly Member Salas regarding AB1521 on bottled
water, and stated he believed this bill should be supported. This bill was
introduced on February 23, 2007, amended on June 1st, and passed on June 6th and
sent to the Senate.
Director Pocklington stated that, at his recent MWD meeting, they bid
farewell to
Dr. Tim Quinn, who had spent 22 years at MWD and has quite a history in water.
He looks forward to working with him as the new Executive Director at ACWA. He
also mentioned that MWD will be working with ACWA on some joint communications
for the public on water safety and conservation, and Dr. Quinn’s background will
serve this purpose well.
Director Thomas pointed out a recent article in the Sports section of the
Union-Tribune showing a map of the more than 20 fishing lakes in the county and
announcing a series appearing on Saturdays featuring a different lake each week.
She added that the WaterSense website has a link that reported that this month
is National Irrigation Conservation Week.
Chair Beauchamp commented that he is now the General Manager of the Tijuana-Tecate
Railroad and that he will be spending most of his mornings working with that.
11. CLOSED SESSION
At 6:35 p.m., the Board recessed to convene in Closed Session to confer with
legal counsel regarding the employment evaluation of the General Manager and
Operations Manager, in compliance with Government Code Section 54957; and labor
negotiations with the General Manager and Operations Manager, in compliance with
Government Code Section 54957.6. There were no minutes taken, and the session
was not tape-recorded.
At 7:03 p.m., Chair Beauchamp declared the meeting to be in open session.
Director Pocklington made a motion, seconded by Director Thomas, that the
Board authorize the Chair of the Board to execute amended employment agreements
with the General Manager and Operations Manager to provide for an increased
salary, one-time bonus, and reimbursement for the cost of an annual executive
physical, effective July 1, 2007. The General Manager’s annual salary will be
$197,120, with a one-time bonus of $6,406, and reimbursement of up to $1,000 for
the cost of an annual executive physical. The Operations Manager’s annual salary
will be $177,408, with a one-time bonus of $5,765, and reimbursement of up to
$1,000 for the cost of an annual executive physical. The motion carried
unanimously.
12. ADJOURNMENT
With no further business before the Board, Chair Beauchamp adjourned the
meeting at 7:04 p.m.
|
