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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-04-07 - YLWD-MWDOC-OCWD Ad Hoc Committee Meeting Minutes MINUTES OF THE YORBA LINDA WATER DISTRICT MWDOC AND OCWD AD HOC COMMITTEE MEETING April 7, 2011 A meeting of the YLWD/MWDOC/OCWD Ad Hoc Committee was called to order at 4:00 p.m. The meeting was held at the District's Administrative Office at 1717 E Miraloma Ave, Placentia CA 92870. YLWD COMMITTEE MEMBERS YLWD STAFF Director Michael J. Beverage, Chair Ken Vecchiarelli, General Manager Director Phil Hawkins MWDOC COMMITTEE MEMBERS MWDOC STAFF Director Brett Barbre Kevin Hunt, General Manager OCWD COMMITTEE MEMBERS OCWD STAFF (None) Mike Markus, General Manager 1. PUBLIC COMMENTS None. 2. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2.1. MWDOC Member Agencies Agreement Mr. Hunt shared that seventeen agencies have executed the agreement to date. The Municipal Water District of Orange County Board is expected to vote on the agreement later in April. The draft MWDOC Budget includes provisions outlined in the agreement including cost sharing for programs that agencies may opt out of and changing the MWDOC rate structure incrementally over the next five years toward fixed based pricing and away from an incremental commodity charge. The Committee discussed the pros and cons of the agreement and whether agency participation was required in order to have a say or vote on selecting future MWD board representatives. 2.2. Impacts of Water Supply Conditions Mr. Hunt and MWDOC/MWD Director Barbre reported on favorable water conditions for the State Water Project System and in the Colorado River Watershed. Mr. Hunt reported on impacts to MWD's revenues from the current low water sales. The Committee discussed the public's concerns with mixed messages and lack of consistent information regarding the status of water availability and reliability following another record wet year. 1 2.3. Metropolitan Issues • Rates and Budget Mr. Hunt reported on MWD's second year of a two year budget, the approved rate increase effective January 1, 2012, and their projected rate increases into the near future. Current cuts due to lower than expected sales revenue include cuts to the PAYGO capital improvement plan and funding of future Other Post Employment Benefits (OPEB). • Potential Changes of Local Resources Program Mr. Hunt discussed future direction for MWD and the need for input from other agencies in support of a stronger role by MWD in local resource programs and projects, including, for example, desalinization plants. • Other Issues Mr. Hunt reported on other MWD and MWDOC activities with regional focus. 2.4. Update on Poseidon Project Mr. Hunt reported the Poseidon projects have hit a lull in activities and forward progress with San Diego's project dragging a bit. The Committee discussed the Huntington Beach Desalinization project and whether it would be of benefit for north county agencies like YLWD to pay for the opt in program through MWDOC, to have a seat at the negotiations table. 2.5. MWDOC Elected Officials' Forum -April 28, 2011, 7:00-9:00 p.m. Mr. Hunt encouraged the YLWD Board to participate in the first semi- annual Elected Officials Forum scheduled April 28, 2011. This event is included as a term and condition in the MWDOC Member Agencies Agreement with the intent of a face to face discussion with representatives from all MWDOC agencies. 2.6. OC-51 Modifications Mr. Vecchiarelli explained the District's reasoning for abandoning the project request at this time and thanked Mr. Barbre, Mr. Hunt and the MWD and MWDOC staff for their efforts in trying to negotiate a cost effective project. At this time the cost benefit to YLWD does not justify the capital outlay for the project to move forward. YLWD may reconsider this project in the future. 2 2.7. Expansion of OCWD Groundwater Replenishment System Mr. Markus reported on recent OCWD Board action to approve a 30 million gallon per day (MGD) expansion of the GWRS plant. The expected cost for the project is $156M and has a quick payback to the groundwater producers since it will raise the basin production percentage (BPP) and allow access to more affordable local water resources and allow these agencies to purchase less import water which comes at a higher cost. Mr. Markus reported the project expansion is already designed and OCWD is prequalifying contractors to bid on the project construction. The project is expected to be on line by late summer 2014. Mr. Markus also discussed funding options for this project. 2.8. OCWD Annexation Update Mr. Markus reported the CEQA documents for the requested annexations have been scoped out and are expected to be available for public comments by the first month or two of 2012. 2.9. Future Agenda Items and Staff Tasks Mr. Markus reported on upcoming action by the OCWD Board of Directors to approve the replenishment assessment (RA) and BPP for FY 2011/12. Staff anticipates a higher BPP this year than last, with just a slight increase in the RA. 3. ADJOURNMENT 3.1. The Committee adjourned at 5:11 p.m. The next regular meeting of the YLWD/MWDOC/OCWD Ad Hoc Committee will be held May 24, 2011 at 4:00 p.m. 3