HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-11-14 - Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
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' MINUTES OF THE
YORBA LINDA WATER DISTRICT
BOARD OF DIRECTORS WORKSHOP MEETING
November 14, 2011
1. CALL TO ORDER
The November 14, 2011 Workshop Meeting of the Yorba Linda Water District
Board of Directors was called to order by President Beverage at 5:03 p.m. The
meeting was held in the Board Room at the District's Administrative Building
located at 1717 East Miraloma Avenue in Placentia, California 92870.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Director Collett led the pledge.
3. ROLL CALL
DIRECTORS PRESENT STAFF PRESENT
Michael J. Beverage, President Ken Vecchiarelli, General Manager
Ric Collett Steve Conklin, Engineering Manager
Robert R. Kiley Stephen Parker, Finance Manager
Gary T. Melton Art Vega, Interim IT Manager
' Damon Micalizzi, Public Information Officer
Annie Alexander, Executive Secretary
DIRECTORS ABSENT
Phil Hawkins, Vice President
ALSO PRESENT
Brett Barbre, Director, Municipal Water District of Orange County
Art Kidman, General Counsel, Kidman Behrens & Tague LLP
Christopher Townsend, President, Townsend Public Affairs, Inc.
Heather Stratman, Senior Director, Townsend Public Affairs, Inc.
Matthew Hicks, Associate, Townsend Public Affairs, Inc.
Modesto Llanos, Member, YLWD Citizens Advisory Committee
4. PUBLIC COMMENTS
None.
5. PRESENTATIONS
5.1. Yorba Linda Water District Public Affairs Workshop
Mr. Micalizzi began the discussion with a PowerPoint presentation
' regarding the District's public affairs objectives.
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Mrs. Stratman then provided an overview of the tasks being performed by '
Townsend Public Affairs, Inc. This included working with the Orange
County Transportation Authority regarding a street repair project,
identifying funding opportunities related to the proposed 2012 Water Bond,
keeping tabs on proposed legislation that could impact the District (SB 34
and SB 71), obtaining additional grant funding for District related projects,
locating potential grant funding, and increasing the number of signatures
required to place a referendum on the ballot to overturn water rates set by
the Board.
Mr. Micalizzi continued his presentation and requested feedback from the
Board regarding their interest in the joint use of District facilities. Staff and
legal counsel responded to questions from the Board regarding the now
defunct Elk Mountain Practice Field Project and related funding. Following
discussion, the Board instructed staff to modernize the Districts
conjunctive use policy, remove the Elk Mountain Practice Field Project
from the list of Capital Improvement Projects, and re-appropriate related
funding during the next budget cycle.
Mr, Micalizzi summarized staff efforts to facilitate the video recording of
Board of Directors meetings. The Board then discussed the possibility of
making the recordings available on the District's website and associated
costs. The Board instructed staff to develop a formal retention policy for ,
video and audio recordings and suggested that all recordings be kept for a
period of 6 months.
Director Barbre addressed the Board and suggested that the District
consider making the video recordings available on its website to
demonstrate transparency and technological advancement.
Mr. Micalizzi announced that the District's website would soon be
receiving a major overhaul. Staff is currently working with a consultant on
this project and expects completion early next year.
Mr. Micalizzi then summarized the Districts current communications tactics
including the quarterly newsletter and social media campaign. Future
communications tactics would consist of educational videos, editorials,
news bureau, and media advertorials.
Mr. Micalizzi concluded his presentation with a review of the Districts
current and planned community relations and education efforts. The
bottled water program has been well received in the community and staff
plans to enhance the Districts presence at the next Children's Water
Education Festival as well as participation in elementary school education '
efforts.
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' Mr. Kidman commented on the importance of maintaining ethical
standards in regards to the District's communications campaign.
The Board commended Mr. Micalizzi on his presentation.
6. ADJOURNMENT
6.1. The meeting was adjourned at 6:43 p.m. The next regular meeting of the
Board of Directors will be held November 23, 2011 at 8:30 a.m.
K nneth R. Vecchiarelli
Board Secretary
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