minutes

Regular Meeting

Governing Board of Sweetwater Authority

December 10, 2003

The Governing Board of Sweetwater Authority held a regular meeting on Wednesday, December 10, 2003, 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: Beauchamp, Doud, Pocklington, Reynolds, and Welsh
Directors Absent: Inzunza.
Others Present: General Manager Bostad, Operations Manager Rogers, Legal Counsel Cowett, and Board Secretary Farpón-Friedman. Staff members Mary Ann Mann, Bill Olson, Paula Roberts, George Silva, Jim Smyth, and Tom Woodrum.

· PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
Chair Doud 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
There was none.

· ITEMS TO BE ADDED, WITHDRAWN, OR REORDERED IN THE AGENDA
General Manager Bostad requested to add one item that had come to the attention of the Authority after the posting of the agenda and which needed immediate action. Counsel Cowett noted that the item to be added would be discussed under closed session pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8. Director Pocklington made a motion, seconded by Director Beauchamp, that the acquisition of the Lion's Club Property be added as under Item 9 in Closed Session. The motion carried unanimously.

NOTE: Director Inzunza arrived at 6:02 p.m.

1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Director Pocklington made a motion, seconded by Director Beauchamp, that the Board approve the minutes of November 26, 2003. The motion carried.

2. APPROVAL OF DEMANDS AND WARRANTS

Director Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Director Beauchamp, that the Board approve Warrants 91814 through 92059 including all voided checks. The motion carried.

ACTION CALENDAR ITEMS

3. OPERATIONS COMMITTEE (Meeting of December 9, 2003)

A. Robert A. Perdue Water Treatment Plant, Water Quality Studies - Update on Design Status. This was an information item and no action was required by the Governing Board.

B. Design of San Diego Formation (SDF) Well No. 6. This was an information item and no action was required by the Governing Board.

C. Director Welsh made a motion, seconded by Director Pocklington, that the Governing Board approve an agreement to compensate Mr. Davis in the amount of $3,500, subject to staff confirming the completion of his paving work, and that these funds be made available from the Unallocated Reserve Fund. The motion carried.

4. NEW BUSINESS

California Special Districts Association, San Diego Chapter - Call for Nominations for Board Members. No action was necessary as there was no interest by any Board member to be nominated for the Board of Directors of the CSDA, San Diego Chapter.

5. APPROVAL OF DIRECTORS' ATTENDANCE AT MEETINGS AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

A. Chula Vista Bayfront Master Plan Public Meeting on Monday, December 8, 2003, at Bob's on the Bay, Chula Vista. Director Pocklington made a motion, seconded by Director Beauchamp, that the Governing Board approve per diem for Directors who attended this event. The motion carried.

B. Water Education Foundation Salton Sea Conference, January 21, 2004, Holiday Inn, Capitol Plaza, Sacramento, CA. Director Doud will be attending this pre-approved event. No action was required by the Governing Board.

6. REPORT OF TREASURER - WANDA AVERY
Treasurer Avery was not present.

7. MANAGEMENT REPORT

A. Report of Rainfall and Reservoir Levels - Operations Manager Rogers: Operations Manager Rogers said that most of his report would be under closed session. He commented on a picture displayed on the screen that showed a San Diego Fire Department helicopter practicing water pickup in the Sweetwater Lake. This picture was taken just before the recent fires, during which no water was taken out of either Sweetwater or Loveland reservoirs.
B. Report of General Manager Bostad: Mr. Bostad talked about the tour of the Richard A. Reynolds Desalination Facility that Sweetwater Authority hosted last week during the ACWA conference. Approximately fifty leaders from ACWA were at the tour, and representatives from ACWA Region 10 expressed their appreciation for the tour and were impressed with the fact that the facility had been producing water for four years. He thanked Communications Director Roberts, Chief Engineer Smyth, and Director of Water Quality Mann and their staff who provided much support for the tour. Water Education Foundation representatives showed interest in possibly adding Sweetwater Authority facilities to their tours in Southern California.

He briefly reported on his participation in a peer review at the City of San Diego Water Department for a strategic business plan, and said that staff is coordinating a meeting with the CWA and five member agencies regarding the Intertie Pipeline that connects the reservoirs. Regarding the mid Bayfront evaluation of the City of Chula Vista, he said that Deputy Chief Engineer Martinez has been assigned to the subcommittee that is looking at desalination and power facilities.

8. DIRECTORS' COMMENTS

Director Reynolds said that today he attended a meeting of the Financial Assistance Committee at the CWA, which is under the Water Resources Department and reviews applications for grants or loans from the CWA for various studies. Sweetwater Authority received several grants in the past. The Committee discussed two projects by the City of San Diego to develop a database of desalination facilities, and they were targeting thirty facilities. They also have Desalinization Research and Innovative Partners (DRIP) funds. The Committee approved a loan of $25,000 for the database of desalination facilities and another loan for a pilot study on bay water that they are going to desalinate. The City of San Diego was awarded the entire $50,000 budgeted by CWA for this year. They also discussed the $900,000 that CWA will give out in the form of grants for recycling studies. He thinks that Sweetwater Authority should consider applying for a grant for some project of this type.

Director Welsh said that she was impressed with the ACWA conference and she was thrilled that Sweetwater Authority received the recognition that it rightly deserves.

Director Pocklington said that today he had talked to Director Wright who had his surgery on Monday and had stayed over night at the hospital. He talked to his wife yesterday who told him that Cary came home yesterday afternoon in a lot of pain. Today he seemed on his way to recovery and wanted to say hello to everyone.

Director Beauchamp said that he just wanted to reflect what Director Welsh said about the ACWA conference. The follow-up brochure impressed him on the lead weights and the fishing, which is in our profile to consider with the fishing program to get people not to use lead in our reservoir. He added that the conference was great but, because it was held in town, the traffic made it inconvenient. He added that it is easier to attend conferences that are out of town. Regarding the recent discussions by the Operations Committee and what is going on with the Perdue Facility, he is very glad that Sweetwater Authority has staff that really know the options and who are on top of regulatory issues. He thanked staff.

Director Doud said at the Hans Doe breakfast he sat next to Mr. Polter, whose father used to run the organization, and he is a really nice guy.

9. CLOSED SESSION

· CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR (Government Code Section 54956.8)
· Property: Lion's Club at corner of Fourth Ave and Mankato Street, Chula Vista
· Agency Negotiators: Mark Rogers, Operations Manager & Michael Cowett, Legal Counsel
· Negotiating Parties: Chula Vista Service Club, Inc.

At 6:15 p.m., in compliance with Government Code Section 54956.8, the Board recessed to convene in Closed Session to discuss price and terms of payment of said property. Chief Engineer, General Manager, Operations Manager, Legal Counsel, and Board Secretary remained in attendance. There were no minutes taken, and the session was not tape-recorded.

At 6:33 p.m., Chair Doud declared the meeting to be in open session, and there was no reportable action.

10. ADJOURNMENT

With no further business before the Board, Chair Doud adjourned the meeting at 6:33 p.m., to the hour of 3:30 p.m. on December 22, 2003.