HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-09-28 - Citizens Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
MINUTES OF THE
YORBA LINDA WATER DISTRICT
CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING
September 28, 2009
A meeting of the Citizens Advisory Committee was called to order at 8:30 a.m. The
meeting was held at the District's Administrative Office at 1717 E Miraloma Ave,
Placentia CA 92870.
COMMITTEE STAFF
Cheryl Spencer Marlo Naber-Mole Ken Vecchiarelli, General Manager
Gary Melton Oscar Bugarini Pat Grady, Asst General Manager
Gene Scearce Richard Bogda
Gregory Meyers Robert Kiley OTHER ATTENDEES
Lindon Baker William Guse Mark Schock
1. PUBLIC COMMENTS
None.
2. DISCUSSION ITEMS
2.1. Introduction of Customer Service Division
Mr. Vecchiarelli announced that at each future CAC meeting, a different
District department will be introduced to the Committee and be provided
the opportunity to describe their particular services and functions. This
provides the Committee an opportunity to meet the people that perform
the various duties of the District. The Customer Service Division was
introduced and staff members described the meter reading process, in
addition to the water billing generation and mailing procedures.
2.2. Online Bill Pay
Mr. Grady announced that the District's Online Bill Pay system would be
available for public access by the end of Monday, September 28. The
system will accept credit cards immediately and payment by check at the
end of the week. Mr. Grady solicited and encouraged CAC volunteers to
sign up for Online Bill Pay and provide their feedback to staff on the
application process and ease of use. Suggestions from CAC members
included a safety threshold for Autopay customers and an e-mail blast
notification system regarding District news and events.
2.3. Public Relations for Water Rate Increase
Mr. Vecchiarelli reported that the District had received a high number of
phone calls from customers who had received their first water bill with the
new rates. The Board of Directors has scheduled a special meeting on
October 5th, 2009 at 4:00 p.m. to discuss the impact of the September 14th
effective date and the retroactive application of this rate increase. The
Board will decide whether to initiate a refund to customers or proceed as
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initially discussed and intended. The financial impacts were discussed
and CAC members recommended additional public outreach, without the
utilization of a costly public relations firm. Staff discussed preparing a
letter insert for the next two billing cycles and placing an informational ad
in the Yorba Linda Star.
2.4. Water Conservation Ordinance Progress Report
Mr. Vecchiarelli reported that the community has reduced water usage by
19% through August 2009. He further reported that conservation signs
have been installed in various locations throughout the community to
provide ongoing updates of the conservation progress. It was suggested
by the CAC that the District report the conservation progress of the City
and HOA's on the web site as well.
2.5. City of Yorba Linda Sewer System
Mr. Vecchiarelli reported that this item remains a work-in-progress. An
upcoming meeting among the District's President, General Manager, City
Mayor and the City Manager has been scheduled to discuss the feasibility
and logistics of transferring the City's sewer system to the District.
2.6. District Facilities Tour - October 23, 2009 - 9:00 a.m.
Mr. Vecchiarelli announced that the District will conduct a tour of its
facilities, with an emphasis on capital improvement projects, on October
23, 2009 and asked that members of the CAC wishing to attend please
RSVP to Annie Alexander.
2.7. OCWD 2009 Groundwater Adventure Tour - November 13, 2009 - 8:00
a. m.
Mr. Vecchiarelli announced that the Groundwater Adventure Tour is an all
day event and includes visits to the GWRS and Prado Dam.
3. ADJOURNMENT
3.1. The meeting was adjourned at 10:05 a.m. The next meeting of the
Citizens Advisory Committee will be held in conjunction with a meeting of
the Board of Directors on October 23, 2009 at 9:00 a.m.
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