minutes

Regular Meeting

Governing Board of Sweetwater Authority

December 23, 2002

The Governing Board of Sweetwater Authority held an adjourned regular meeting on Monday, December 23, 2002, at the Sweetwater Authority Administrative Office, 505 Garrett Avenue, Chula Vista, California. Chair Doud called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m.

· ROLL CALL

Directors Present: Beauchamp, Doud, Pocklington, Waters, Welsh, Wolniewicz and Wright.

Directors Absent: None.

Others Present: General Manager Sorensen, Operations Manager Bostad, Legal Counsel Cowett, Treasurer Avery, and Board Secretary Farpón-Friedman. Staff members, Laurie Edwards, Michael Garrod, Janet Gonzalez, Michelle Huey, Sue King, Sandra Lozano, Mary Ann Mann, Lisa Moses, Valorie Oliver, Bill Olson, Paula Roberts, Mark Rogers, Jim Smith, Jim Smyth, and Tom Woodrum.

· PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
Director Wright 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
Recognition of past service of Sweetwater Authority Directors George Waters and Sue Jarrett.

On behalf of Sweetwater Authority Board and Staff, Chair Doud presented Director George Waters a fire hydrant trophy in recognition of his 15 years of service on the Board. He said that the water interests of National City residents were well represented during the term of Mr. Waters as Mayor and Board representative. Director Waters thanked everyone and proceeded to present the members of the Board with a key to National City.

Chair Doud then presented Sue Jarrett a framed Resolution of the Governing Board of Sweetwater Authority honoring her for her 14 years of service as a Director of the Sweetwater Authority Governing Board. He also presented her a watch from the Governing Board and Staff. She thanked everyone and said it had been her privilege to serve as a Board Member.
Chair Doud handed out the new Committee assignments and said that if Board members wished to change any of the times for the meetings, it could be arranged. No changes were requested by the Board members.

· ITEMS TO BE ADDED, WITHDRAWN, OR REORDERED IN THE AGENDA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

1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Director Wright made a motion, seconded by Director Beauchamp, that the Board approve the minutes of December 11, 2002. The motion carried.

2. APPROVAL OF DEMANDS AND WARRANTS

Director Wright made a motion, seconded by Director Beauchamp, that the Board approve Warrants 86276 through 86405 including all voided checks. The motion carried.

CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS

3. COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE (Meeting of December 13, 2002)

CONSENT ITEMS

Director Pocklington made a motion, seconded by Director Wolniewicz that the Governing Board approve consent Items A, B, C, F and H. Items D, G and I were information items. Item E was pulled for discussion. The motion carried.

A. Authorize staff to incorporate leader photos in the area currently reserved for seated Board member photographs.

B. Continue the “Thirsty Thursday” events at the convenience of individual Board members until each director has had the opportunity to host at least one such event during the first quarter in 2003.

C. Post minutes of the Governing Board meetings on Sweetwater Authority’s website.

D. Consideration of providing logo items for Governing Board Members. This was an information item and no action was required by the Governing Board.

F. Authorize VOLT View Tech to distribute its flyers as specified, and that additional copies of the flyers be distributed to Sweetwater Authority field staff for distribution in the course of staff visits.

G. Consideration of purchasing 25th Anniversary lapel pins. This was an information item and no action was required by the Governing Board.

H. Participate in the California Water Awareness Campaign at a level of $1,187.

I. Consideration of 2003 Committee meeting dates. This was an information item and no action was required by the Governing Board.

ITEM PULLED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR FOR DISCUSSION:

E. Consideration of additional display advertising. Communications Director Roberts was asked to provide further information to the Board, after which Director Doud made a motion, seconded by Director Pocklington, to purchase a display advertisement in the San Diego Daily Transcript Sourcebook and to run an advertisement in the Star News to coincide with the publication of the Star News South County supplement.

ACTION CALENDAR ITEMS

4. OPERATIONS COMMITTEE (Meeting of December 18, 2002)

ACTION ITEMS

A. Director Waters made a motion, seconded by Director Welsh, that the Governing Board award the contract to replace and install three actuators in the 42-inch main to Henry Pratt Company in the amount of $19,756.93. The motion carried.

B. Director Waters made a motion, seconded by Director Wolniewicz, that the Governing Board approve remote service to Stonecreek Homes, Inc., subject to Stonecreek Homes obtaining a private easement. The motion carried.

C. Update to San Diego County Water Authority Master Plan revision process. This was an information item and no action is required by the Governing Board.

5. FINANCE AND PERSONNEL COMMITTEE (Meeting of December 19, 2002)

ACTION ITEMS

A. Director Wolniewicz made a motion, seconded by Director Pocklington, that the Governing Board approve continuing membership in Water Education Foundation and the payment of 2003 dues in the amount of $1,072. The motion carried.

B. Director Wolniewicz made a motion, seconded by Director Wright, that the Governing Board approve continuing membership in the California Special Districts Association and the payment of 2003 dues in the amount of $350. The motion carried.
C. Director Wolniewicz made a motion, seconded by Director Wright, that the Governing Board approve continuing membership in the Chula Vista Chamber of Commerce and the payment of 2003 dues in the amount of $150, and that a letter be sent to the Chamber stating that Sweetwater Authority opposes any endorsements of political candidates. The motion carried.

D. Director Wolniewicz made a motion, seconded by Director Wright, that the Governing Board approve the allocation of additional funding in the amount of $55,000 from the Unallocated Reserve Fund for the consultants to complete the necessary analysis for the potential impact to the vegetation. The motion carried, with Director Beauchamp abstaining due to a conflict of interest.

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

A. Director Wolniewicz made a motion, seconded by Director Wright, that the Governing Board approve per diem for directors who attended the City of Chula Vista Inaugural Celebration on December 3, 2002. The motion carried.

B. CSDA’S Governance Series – New Board Member and Trustee Training – How to Be an Effective Leader – January 31, 2003, Rancho Cordova. No action was required by the Governing Board.

C. Special District Institute – Special Districts Governance – Using Proven Techniques to Become the Best Leaders – February 27-28, 2003, Embassy Suites, Monterey. Director Pocklington made a motion, seconded by Director Welsh, that the Governing Board approve per diem for directors who wish to attend this conference. The motion carried.

7. REPORT OF TREASURER – WANDA AVERY

Ms. Avery reported that the Local Agency Investment Fund’s interest rate today was 2.2 percent and 2.37 for the quarter.

8. BUDGET REPORT – DIRECTOR OF FINANCE GAUS

Director of Finance Gaus reported that Water Sales are $139,000 over budget; Other Income is also over budget by $458,000; Interest Income is slightly ahead of the budget by $164,719; and the Operating Expenses are higher than expected by $375,000. As for the Capital expenditures, Administration expensed what we budgeted; Water Quality, Engineering and Operations are below what was budgeted. Collectively, we estimated we would have spent around 57 percent and we have spent 45 percent of the annual budget.

9. MANAGEMENT REPORT

A. Report of Rainfall and Reservoir Levels – Operations Manager Bostad: Operations Manager Bostad said that rainfall at Sweetwater Reservoir was 1.93 inches and runoff was 73 acre-feet. At Loveland Reservoir, the rainfall was 2.45 inches with runoff of 70 acre-feet. Evaporation still exceeds runoff by 224 acre-feet. The runoff year to date is 1,049 acre-feet and the evaporation is 1,273 acre-feet. The 100-year average rainfall at Sweetwater Reservoir is 3.26 inches and we have received 4.91 total to date. At Loveland Reservoir, we received to date 5.65 and the 55-year average is 4.26 inches. These are all good signs for a wet winter. The storage in our reservoirs is 5,721 acre-feet or about 20 percent of total capacity at Sweetwater Reservoir, and 7,175 acre-feet or 28 percent of total capacity at Loveland Reservoir. Our operating pools are relatively light.

B. Report of General Manager Sorensen: General Manager Sorensen highlighted the focal points of the monthly activities report included in the Board package.

10. REPORT OF WATER AUTHORITY RECLAMATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVE - DIRECTOR WOLNIEWICZ

Director Wolniewicz said that there was no meeting.

11. REPORT OF CALFED/BAY-DELTA OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVE - DIRECTOR WRIGHT

Director Wright said he had no report to offer.

12. DIRECTORS’ COMMENTS

Director Pocklington said that they had said goodbye to two of the Board members and were also saying goodbye to General Manager Sorensen as this is his last Board meeting. He has appreciated working with Manager Sorensen over the 16 years that he has been on the Board. He always knew where he stood with him. Mr. Sorensen is very knowledgeable and also a people person who always made sure that he was taking care of the employees. He thanked Mr. Sorensen for his past support of the Board and said they will miss him but they will not lose him. He looks forward to working with him as a consultant. He wished all a very blessed Christmas and a very successful 2003.

Director Beauchamp handed out information that he got from the Building Industry Association on Storm Water Compliance and SWPPP plan training seminars. He thought staff could take advantage of the information. Included in the information there is negative declaration for the expansion of the structure of the building across the street. He stated it is going to cause more traffic and it will be difficult to get out of this place. We may want to consider that. He also brought a calendar from Lemon Grove with information about water and the ocean, and he thinks we may want to consider putting out a calendar in order to educate people so they don’t dump oil down the drain and don’t foul our system up. He added he has known Mr. Sorensen more as a consultant-contractor over many years and noted that he is very even handed and does not treat you different whether you are giving services or deciding on them. He thanked him for his fairness.

Director Wright said we have already recognized Director Jarrett for her years of service and we will miss Director Waters. He said that Mr. Sorensen would be around as a consultant. He wished the Board and Staff a merry Christmas. He said that 2003 would be a very interesting year for water buffaloes.

Director Waters said that he first decided to get involved with the general public in 1965, and he was involved in bringing in the Plaza Bonita Shopping Center and the Mile of Cars. He keeps a list of all of the projects and everything that has happened to National City over the years from the water point of view. One of these days he would like to make a book starting in 1965 and a story for each year that he was in office and what the people are like and what the Board has done for the people of National City. In the last 16 years, $34 million were spent in projects for their City. He will stay involved in important things that will help the people in National City without interfering with the politics of it. He added that Al Sorensen is very fair, honest and good at smoothing things out when someone is out of line, which he respects. He said that National City is in good financial condition and so is this water company, and he feels good to be a part of something that was very successful. He thanked everyone on the Board.

Director Doud wished everyone a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

13. CLOSED SESSION

There was no need for one.

14. ADJOURNMENT

With no further business before the Board, Chair Doud adjourned the meeting at 4:33 p.m., to the hour of 6:00 p.m. on January 8, 2003.