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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-09-27 - YLWD-MWDOC-OCWD Joint Agency Committee Meeting Minutes MINUTES OF THE YORBA LINDA WATER DISTRICT JOINT COMMITTEE MEETING WITH MWDOC AND OCWD September 27, 2011 A meeting of the YLWD/MWDOC/OCWD Joint Agency Committee was called to order at 4:00 p.m. The meeting was held at the District's Administrative Office at 1717 East Miraloma Avenue, Placentia CA 92870. YLWD COMMITTEE MEMBERS YLWD STAFF Director Michael J. Beverage, Chair Ken Vecchiarelli, General Manager MWDOC COMMITTEE MEMBERS MWDOC STAFF Director Brett Barbre Kevin Hunt, General Manager OCWD COMMITTEE MEMBERS OCWD STAFF Director Roger Yoh Mike Markus, General Manager 1. PUBLIC COMMENTS None. 2. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2.1. MWD Labor Negotiations The Committee discussed the recent activity and press reports related to the MWD labor negotiations, how the MWD Board votes are weighted and what the possible impacts of these negotiations will have on future water costs. 2.2. Status of Southern California Water Supply The Committee briefly discussed the current positive water supply status and Director Barbre confirmed that staff is receiving the monthly reports. 2.3. Replenishment Studies (This discussion was combined with Item No. 2.6.) Mr. Markus and Mr. Hunt reported on the current replenishment water availability and that OCWD has taken approximately 92,000 AF of the 225,000 AF identified as available by MWD at the beginning of the fiscal year. The current program is winding down and will most likely stop at the end of the month as all the available water is now accounted for. 2.4. MWDOC's 60th Anniversary Commemoration Director Barbre confirmed that the YLWD Board and staff are invited to attend the Water Policy Forum Dinner on October 20th at the Westin South Coast Plaza Hotel. He noted that the key speaker is Kevin Starr and that the event should be informative and enjoyable. 1 2.5. Status of Groundwater Basin Mr. Markus reported that the basin levels are within the OCWD preferred operating range and if the current year is marked by average or above average precipitation, that the impacts to the future year basin production percentage (BPP) should be positive. Mr. Markus also reported that the OCWD Board of Directors has approved expansion of the Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS) by 30 million gallons per day (MGD) or approximately 31,000 acre feet per year (AFY). This expansion should allow for a steadier BPP in future years and bolster local water resource reliability. 2.6. MWD Replenishment Water Program Mr. Markus reported on efforts to support a performance based water replenishment program with supporting policies by MWD. This proposed program is not currently supported by all MWD agencies since not all have the ability to take advantage of it and some don't have a good track record of performance under the current program guidelines. Mr. Hunt reinforced that OCWD and the OC basin producers have a proven and consistent record of performance. When MWD has surplus water, OCWD and its producers can usually change their operations to take the surplus water quickly. Conversely, when MWD calls for water from its storage in the basin, OCWD and the producers can promptly deliver it. MWD is scheduling workshops to provide input and feedback for better defining performance standards and determining any policy changes moving forward. Mr. Markus and Mr. Hunt are working closely to support a more structured and beneficial program. 2.7. Annexation of YLWD to OCWD Mr. Markus reported the CEQA process is progressing with input received from various agencies on the Notice of Preparation distributed. The parties requesting annexation are scheduled to discuss incorporating these comments into the EIR document. Various agencies have raised concerns on financial impacts of the proposed annexations and this matter will be analyzed and discussed further. OCWD staff is continuing to move forward under the current policies in place until the OCWD Board makes a determination to support or to change this policy. 2.8. Future Agenda Items and Staff Tasks The Committee briefly discussed the movement Quality Water and Jobs for Southern California and the viability of the future water bond. This discussion may be continued under the general heading: "The Value of Water", or "The Value of Reliable Water Resources". 3. ADJOURNMENT 3.1. The Committee adjourned at 5:05 p.m. The next meeting of the YLWD- MWDOC-OCWD Joint Agency Committee will be held November 22, 2011 at 4:00 p.m. 2