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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-01-24 - YLWD-MWDOC-OCWD Joint Agency Committee Meeting Minutes MINUTES OF THE YORBA LINDA WATER DISTRICT JOINT COMMITTEE MEETING WITH MWDOC AND OCWD January 24, 2012 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 Phil Hawkins Ken Vecchiarelli, General Manager Director Michael J. Beverage Steve Conklin, Engineering 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 Rates and Budget Director Barbre reported that the MWD rate increased 7.5% on January 1, 2012, and that the rate increase in each of the next two years may be 5% and 3%. However, he noted that if an agreement is reached for proceeding with modifications in the Delta, the rate increases may be much greater. Mr. Hunt reported that the ozone treatment system retrofit at the Diemer Plant will be completed in 2012, which is the last of the planned major upgrades there. Director Barbre noted that discussions regarding a new program for providing MWD water for replenishment are on hold, due to concerns of various member agencies, and that there is no plan at this time to reactivate the discussion. 2.2. Water Supply Situation Director Barbre reported that the MWD water supply situation is good, with MWD having an estimated 2.5 million acre-feet in reservoirs and groundwater basins. With this much water in storage, there is little impetus for MWD to cut a deal for a new replenishment program. 2.3. MWDOC and OCWD Assistance with YLWD's Objectives for 2012 This item was placed on the agenda by Director Yoh, to discuss what, if any, assistance MWDOC and OCWD can provide YLWD to meet its objectives for 2012. Mr. Vecchiarelli noted that two of YLWD's objectives for the year are to obtain a site for a new water well on OCWD property at 1 Warner Basin, and to successfully complete the process for annexation to OCWD. These items were discussed and are further described in Items 2.6 and 2.7 below. 2.4. OCWD Replenishment Assessment (RA) and Basin Production Percentage (BPP) Projections Mr. Markus reported that OCWD is looking at the RA to be in the range of $264 to $272 per acre-foot, with $264 as a best-guess at this time. For the BPP, they are looking at a range of 65 to 68%, with 68% as a best- guess. They are looking at a BPP at the high-end of the range, due to reduced demand for water, good basin conditions and big basin differentials between Orange County and Los Angeles County that may be causing additional flow out from our section of the basin into LA's. The final values will be approved by the OCWD Board in April 2012 and effective July 1. He noted that the RA will continue to rise each year, to provide funding for the construction of the expansion and operations of the GWRS plant. The benefit of this investment will be 31,000 AF/yr of additional GWRS water into the basin, which will make it possible for the BPP to increase to 72% in 2015-16. Mr. Markus indicated that OCWD staff can be scheduled to make a presentation at a future YLWD Board meeting on the GWRS project and the resulting benefits for YLWD. He noted that OCWD will be requesting a letter of support from YLWD for the GWRS expansion and also for OCWD's effort to get approval from the Corps of Engineers for increasing the storage behind Prado Dam from the current elevation 498 feet to 505 feet. 2.5. OCWD Groundwater Basin Conditions Mr. Markus reported that the Basin is in very good condition, with the overdraft in the range of 115,000 AF, which is well within the desired operating range and still leaves adequate room for recharge from unanticipated rain events. 2.6. YLWD Annexation to OCWD Mr. Markus reported OCWD staff still has an estimated two months of modeling to complete of the potential impacts of the reallocation of pumping due to the proposed annexation. As a result, he expects that the draft EIR will be released for public review and comment in June or July 2012. Thereafter, it depends on the comments received and the degree of opposition that must be addressed before the EIR is brought to the OCWD Board for consideration of approval. 2.7. YLWD Well Site on OCWD Property Mr. Conklin reported that OCWD and YLWD staff met last week at the Warner Basin site and looked at a potential well site, as shown on a map that he handed out at the meeting. He pointed out that the well site is close to MWD's 40-ft wide easement for the 79" EOC Feeder #2 Pipeline, but that there is adequate clearance to drill a well. He noted that YLWD is arranging to have the site surveyed to clearly define the MWD easement 2 and other topographic features in the area. In addition, a January 31 meeting is planned with State Health Dept staff to determine if they have concerns with the proximity of the proposed well site to Conrock and Warner basins. Thereafter, YLWD staff will complete its evaluation of the site and will advise OCWD staff if YLWD wants to proceed with a request to the OCWD Board for approval of this site for a well. 2.8. Future Agenda Items and Staff Tasks None. 3. ADJOURNMENT 3.1. The Committee adjourned at 5:10 p.m. The next meeting of the YLWD- MWDOC-OCWD Joint Agency Committee will be held March 27, 2012 at 4:00 p.m. 3