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Regular  Meeting

Governing Board of Sweetwater Authority

August 8, 2007

The Governing Board of Sweetwater Authority held a regular meeting on Wednesday, August 8, 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, Thomas, and Welsh

Directors Absent: None

Others Present: General Manager/Treasurer Bostad, Operations Manager Rogers, Legal Counsel Cowett, Treasurer Delegatee Farrow, and Board Secretary Schoonderwoerd. Staff members: Rick Alexander, Sue King, Bill Olson, 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)
There were no members of the public present.

• CHAIR’S PRESENTATION
There was none.

ACTION CALENDAR ITEMS

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 ITEMS TO BE ADDED, WITHDRAWN, OR REORDERED IN THE AGENDA

Director Welsh made a motion, seconded by Director Alkire, that the Governing Board add “Update on various federal and state grant funding” to the agenda as item 5.F and the “ACWA/JPIA follow-up report” as item 8.E. The motion carried.

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Director Welsh made a motion, seconded by Director Thomas, that the Governing Board approve the minutes of the July 25, 2007 meeting. The motion carried with Director Doud abstaining as he was not present at the meeting.
3. APPROVAL OF DEMANDS AND WARRANTS

Director Pocklington made a motion, seconded by Director Doud, that the Governing Board approve Warrants 110869 through 111035 including all voided checks. The motion carried.

4. OPERATIONS COMMITTEE (Meeting of August 1, 2007)

A. General Manager Bostad presented Director of Environmental and Governmental Services Rick Alexander to give a brief status report to the Board on the Joint Water Agencies Natural Community Conservation Plan/Habitat Conservation Plan (JWA NCCP/HCP).
Mr. Alexander explained some of the defining characteristics of NCCP/HCPs. They are state sponsored programs which are created by the federal/state partnership to balance economic growth and increasing development with regional habitat and species conservation. The JWA NCCP/HCP is analogous to other multi-species protection plans but is unique in representing the specific needs of water districts as compared to general purpose agencies. Through an agreement with the state and federal wildlife agencies, the JWA NCCP/HCP is a partnership with Helix and Padre Dam Water Districts and Sweetwater Authority, and it provides the ability to add additional water agency partners in the future. The Plan will be granted 75-year permits for impacts to currently listed and potentially listed threatened and endangered species in exchange for permanent dedication of natural habitat and commitment to manage water operations consistent with the coexistence of these habitats and the species supported within. The Plan provides for expanded water-related infrastructure and secures critical operational and maintenance functions of existing and future facilities. Mr. Alexander explained the Plan structure which consists of the subregional plan, the conservation analysis, and the subarea plans for each of the partnering agencies. The key plan benefits include the long-term self-permitting for habitat and species impacts, including coverage of future species listings; the assurance of continued operations including reservoir levels, water transfers, and park and recreation activities; streamlined permitting of wetland impacts; pre-approved mitigation areas and mitigation ratios; reduced wildlife agency consultations; severability among partners; a basis for JWA partner creation of commercial mitigation banks; conservation of 73 listed and potentially listed species; and permanent protection of vital natural watershed lands and riparian corridors to help sustain and improve the quality of captured local runoff. Mr. Alexander displayed maps of various properties of the three partner agencies and pointed out conservation areas and the species involved.

Mr. Alexander added that, after nearly ten years of work, the point has finally been reached where the JWA Natural Community Conservation Plan is almost final. General Manager Bostad reported that there has been interest from other agencies to possibly join the partnership, and that there are benefits to having additional water agencies involved and subarea plan operations. They lend more credibility and strength to the planning effort. This will be brought to the Board for consideration should it evolve. Mr. Bostad stated that this plan is to provide protection to the species and ensure that the Authority’s operations can continue in this manner for the next 75 years. This was an information item and no action was required by the Governing Board.

B. Sweetwater River Watershed Sanitary Survey update. This was an information item and no action was required by the Governing Board.

5. FINANCE AND PERSONNEL COMMITTEE (Meeting of August 6, 2007)

A. Director Welsh made a motion, seconded by Director Alkire, that the Governing Board approve the FY 2007-08 membership renewal in the South County Economic Development Council and the payment of dues in the amount of $300. The motion carried.

B. Director Welsh made a motion, seconded by Director Doud, that the Governing Board approve the FY 2007-08 membership renewal in the AWWA Research Foundation and the payment of dues in the amount of $12,280. The motion carried.

C. Director Welsh made a motion, seconded by Director Thomas, that the Governing Board approve the FY 2007-08 membership renewal in the California Special Districts Association, San Diego Chapter, and the payment of dues in the amount of $100. The motion carried.

D. Director Welsh made a motion, seconded by Director Pocklington, that the Governing Board approve a task order in the amount of $105,000 to GEI Consultants, Inc., 2141 Palomar Airport Road, Suite 160, Carlsbad, CA 92011-1463, for the Sweetwater Dam Improvement Studies. The motion carried.

E. Director Welsh made a motion, seconded by Director Doud, that the Governing Board schedule a Public Hearing in accordance with Proposition 218 to be held on December 12, 2007, to consider the adoption of a 5.9 percent rate increase effective January 1, 2008. The motion carried.

F. Director of Environmental and Governmental Services Rick Alexander provided a brief update on the status of various federal and state grant funding proposals under consideration. A more comprehensive report will be brought to the Board at a later date. This was an information item and no action was required by the Governing Board.

6. REPORT OF SWEETWATER AUTHORITY DIRECTOR TO THE WATER CONSERVATION GARDEN AUTHORITY

Director Beauchamp reported that there was no meeting this month.

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

A. Council of Water Utilities, San Diego County Meeting, StoneRidge Country Club – Tuesday, August 21, 2007 at 7:15 a.m. – Program: “The Colorado River – A Time for Change,” presented by Gerald Zimmerman, Executive Director, Colorado River Board. Directors wishing to attend this pre-approved event will contact the Secretary. This was an information item and no action was required by the Governing Board.

B. Director Welsh made a motion, seconded by Director Doud, that the Governing Board approve per diem for attendance by Chair Beauchamp and Director Morrison at Governor Schwarzenegger’s press conference at Sweetwater Reservoir on July 24, 2007. The motion carried.

C. Director Doud made a motion, seconded by Director Pocklington, that the Governing Board approve per diem for Directors attending the Carlsbad State of the City luncheon highlighting the progress on the Carlsbad Desalination Plant on August 16, 2007. The motion carried.

D. Director Alkire made a motion, seconded by Director Thomas, that the Governing Board approve per diem for Directors attending the Community Choice Aggregation Workshop hosted by the Local Government Commission on September 14, 2007 in Escondido, California. The motion carried.

E. Director Welsh made a motion, seconded by Director Pocklington, that the Governing Board approve per diem for Director Thomas’s participation as a representative of the Sweetwater Authority Board at breakout sessions on water following the San Diego State University School of Public Health’s July 12, 2007 Climate Forecast forum. The motion carried.

F. Discussion of Board meeting of August 22, 2007 and conflict with 14th Annual Urban Water Institute Conference. Following Board discussion, it was determined that Directors registered for the conference would attend the scheduled Board meeting on August 22nd. No action was required by the Governing Board.

8. REPORTS BY DIRECTORS ON EVENTS ATTENDED

A. Director Doud reported on his attendance at the NWRA Western Water Seminar on July 25-27 in Monterey. He stated that his main concern was over HR 2421, the Clean Water Restoration Act of 2007. He distributed a letter of concern from the California Association of Sanitation Agencies and the Association of California Water Agencies to James Oberstar, Chairman of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. He said there have been some lengthy discussions over this and he suggested the Board take a position against it. This bill makes it more stringent for clean water, causing new permits affecting 401 permitting and discharging into the river. Tim Quinn, new Executive Director of ACWA and the featured speaker at the Municipal Caucus breakfast, covered all aspects on water in California. Also, Bob Johnson, Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner, gave an interesting presentation on climate changes and the impact on future water supplies.

B. Director Doud reported on the ACWA Federal Affairs Committee meeting on July 30th in Sacramento. Cal-Fed appropriations are $41 million. The farm bill passed the House and goes to the Senate in September. There is no Title 16 money in this bill. He said there is a big move afoot to eliminate chlorine and we will be hearing more about that.

C. Director Doud reported on the First Friday Meeting on August 3rd. Guest speaker Greg Hulsizer, CEO of the South Bay Expressway, stated that, after much delay, the expressway is scheduled to open the end of September.

D. Director Beauchamp said that the National City Automobile Heritage Day on August 5th was well attended and many promotional items were distributed. Director Pocklington added that there was a good deal of younger people in attendance. Director Welsh said it would be beneficial to have a sign on the water tanker making visitors aware that the water is available to drink. She also expressed concern about the distribution of promotional items being taken advantage of, and it was agreed that it would be good to put into effect some way to monitor this activity to ensure that there were adequate quantities of the items to last for the entire event.

E. Director Alkire provided an update to the ACWA/JPIA report he gave following the ACWA Spring Conference. The JPIA Executive Committee has approved legal counsel’s version of the Executive Committee manual with some cosmetic changes, and added a $500 daily limit excluding travel, a maximum of ten days per diem, and a no alcohol policy. Also, expense benefits for spouses of Executive Committee members were eliminated.

9. BUDGET REPORT – DIRECTOR OF FINANCE FARROW
Report as of June 30, 2007

Director of Finance Farrow reported that the Authority’s fiscal year was closed out in three weeks for the first time. Water Revenue for the year was $210,000, or 0.6 percent, over budget. Operating Expenses were $516,000, or 1.8 percent, under budget. The net result of the combination of Water Revenue and Operating Expenses is that the Authority ended the FY 2006-07 approximately $700,000 under budget. Ms. Farrow also noted that the FY 2007-08 budget was passed in June, prior to the beginning of the new fiscal year, and that the projections that were presented to the Board are right on target. She added that the auditors completed their field work in July and are scheduled to present the full report at the last Board meeting in September.

10. MANAGEMENT REPORT

A. Report of Operations Manager Rogers: Mr. Rogers reported that a few weeks ago Quagga Mussels were found at Lake Matthews, and that two days ago a report was received from MWD that they were found at Lake Skinner. It is probably just a matter of time before they find their way down here. He said that Authority staff, along with staff from other reservoir agencies, will be meeting with CWA staff. They will work on coming up with a strategy to begin diving operations in our reservoirs to see if the mussels are here already, and then put into place some kind of methodology to eradicate them, if possible. Mr. Rogers also reported that a second baby owl has been discovered in one of the condos constructed by the Authority. He said the County is having a problem moving a burrowing owl population from Otay Mesa and has become very interested in the Authority’s successful habitat program.
B. Report of General Manager Bostad: General Manager pointed out the monthly report of activities provided in the Board agenda packet.

11. DIRECTORS’ COMMENTS

Director Thomas provided the Board with information regarding several upcoming civic events taking place in the South Bay.

Director Doud commented that the New York Times this morning reported that the City of New York Water Department has $600 million in uncollected water fees.

12. CLOSED SESSION
There was none.

13. ADJOURNMENT

Chair Beauchamp turned the gavel over to Director Pocklington who informed the Board that his brother, Art, the fifth of seven boys, passed away this morning at almost 73 years of age. He was an Army Veteran and put 36 years of service into the YMCA. He is survived by his three sons and six grandchildren. Director Pocklington asked the Board to observe a moment of silence in memory of his brother. With no further business before the Board, Director Pocklington adjourned the meeting at 7:27 p.m.