HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-11-18 - Board of Directors Meeting Minutes2008-182
MINUTES OF THE
YORBA LINDA WATER DISTRICT
BOARD OF DIRECTORS SPECIAL MEETING
November 18, 2008
The November 18, 2008 special meeting of the Yorba Linda Water District Board of
Directors was called to order by President Summerfield at 2:08 p.m. The meeting was
held at the District's offices at 1717 E. Miraloma Avenue, Placentia, CA.
DIRECTORS PRESENT AT ROLL CALL
John W. Summerfield, President
William R. Mills, Vice President
Paul R. Armstrong
Michael J. Beverage
STAFF PRESENT
Michael A. Payne, General Manager
Kenneth R. Vecchiarelli, Asst. G.M.
Arthur G. Kidman, General Counsel
Lee Cory, Operations Manager
Diane Cyganik, Finance Director
Pat Grady, IT Director
Gina Knight, Human Resources Manager
John DeCriscio, Chief Plant Operator
Art Vega, IT Systems Administrator
Annie Alexander, Executive Secretary
DIRECTORS ABSENT AT ROLL CALL
Ric Collett
INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS AND PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were no visitors introduced or public comments.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
Discuss Wildfire Event and Community Outreach Efforts
Assistant General Manager Vecchiarelli provided a PowerPoint presentation to
the Board and highlighted the events leading up to the activation of the District's
Emergency Operations Center (EOC) on November 15, 2008. A severe
firestorm began in Corona at approximately 9:00 a.m. on November 15, 2008.
General Manager Payne activated the EOC at 12:00 p.m. and staff began
reporting to the EOC shortly thereafter. The fire spread from Chino Hills and
followed the riverbed with portions of the District being engulfed on two sides.
Conditions were extremely hot and windy.
Staff made a tremendous effort to provide a high level of service under extreme
conditions. Beginning at 10:00 a.m. on November 15 to 12:00 a.m. November
16, 2008, approximately 13 million gallons of water was distributed through the
system (above normal production) for fire protection use. Staff had contacted
MWD to increase the flow rate from the District's largest supply connection from
12 cubic feet per second (CFS) to 32 CFS. Staff saw that the firestorm was
moving from east to west and worked proactively to get additional pumps through
mutual aid to help move water where it was needed.
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There were also false reports of extensive damage to District facilities however,
the SCADA communications system for the Santiago Reservoir, Santiago
Booster Pump Station and Hidden Hills Booster Pump Station was the only
property damage that affected the District's ability to track our system's
response. With communication being lost to the Santiago Reservoir and booster
stations there was a possibility that water pressure had dropped below 20 psi.
The Department of Health Services requires water agencies to issue a boil water
notice when this occurs as the potential of contamination from backflow
increases. As a result, the District issued a boil water notice the evening of
November 15, 2008 for the Hidden Hills area north of Esperanza Road. Only a
small portion of the District's service area was affected by the notice. Staff also
distributed bottled water to those residents affected. Bacterial tests will need to
be conducted over the next few days before the boil water notice can be lifted.
District staff worked the morning of November 16, 2008 to turn off water service
to homes where water was leaking.
There has been a lot of speculation as to why the fire could not be controlled.
The District's water system is fairly robust and exceeds minimum standards in
some cases, although it is not built to handle multiple fire flows in multiple
pressure zones simultaneously.
Staff has called Laer Pierce to assist with public relations. ACWA is also
providing the District with a public relations team. Staff will be providing this
same PowerPoint presentation regarding the incident and the District's response
at the Yorba Linda City Council meeting tonight at 6:30 p.m. The Orange County
Fire Authority will also be in attendance.
District representatives were made available at the Assistance Center in
Anaheim to assist affected residents. Arrowhead Water has donated additional
water for delivery to residents in the boil water notice area. District
representatives also attended a meeting at the OC Control Center where
preliminary financial information was provided to FEMA.
General Manger Payne and Assistant General Manager Vecchiarelli responded
to questions from the Board regarding the status of the Santiago Reservoir, the
boil water notice and other related issues. The Board provided feedback to staff
regarding the PowerPoint presentation and reiterated their commitment to assist
the victims of the fire.
General Counsel Kidman stated that Director Collett had received written notice
of today's special meeting.
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ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Director Mills, seconded by Director Beverage, the Board of Directors
voted to adjourn at 3:05 p.m. to a special meeting of the Board of Directors scheduled
for November 19, 2008 at 4:00 p.m., at 1717 E. Miraloma Avenue, Placentia 92870.
Kenneth R. Vecchiarelli
Assistant Secretary
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