The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2021-02-23 - Board of Directors Meeting Minutes2021-016 MINUTES OF THE YORBA LINDA WATER DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS REGULAR MEETING Tuesday, February 23, 2021, 6:30 p.m. 1717 E Miraloma Ave, Placentia CA 92870 1. TELECONFERENCE INFORMATION As noted on the agenda, this meeting was facilitated via teleconference pursuant to Paragraph 3 of Executive Order N-29-20 issued by the Governor of California on March 17, 2020. 2. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 6,31 p.m. 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE President Hawkins led the pledge. 4. ROLL CALL DIRECTORS PRESENT Phil Hawkins, President J. Wayne Miller, PhD, Vice President Trudi DesRoches Brooke Jones Tom Lindsey ALSO PRESENT STAFF PRESENT Brett R. Barbre, General Manager Doug Davert, Assistant General Manager John DeCriscio, Operations Manager Gina Knight, Human Resources and Risk Manager Rosanne Weston, Engineering Manager Annie Alexander, Sr Exec Asst/Board Secretary Paige Appel, Budget Analyst Alison Martin, Public Affairs Manager Kelly McCann, Senior Accountant Veronica Ortega, Executive Assistant Andrew Gagen, General Counsel, Kidman Gagen Law LLP 5. ADDITIONS/DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA f► =0 Minutes of the YLWD Board of Directors Regular Meeting Held February 23, 2021 at &30 p.m. 2021-017 6. INTRODUCTIONS AND PRESENTATIONS 6.1. Elected Official Liaison Reports MWDOC Director Al Nederhood indicated he had no report and was participating in the meeting as a District resident. 6.2. Federal and State Legislative Update Staff indicated this report would be included with Item No. 9.1. 7. PUBLIC COMMENTS None. 8. CONSENT CALENDAR Director Jones requested to remove Item Nos. 8.5. and 8.6. from the Consent Calendar for separate action. Director Jones made a motion, seconded by Director Lindsey, to approve the remainder of the Consent Calendar. Motion carried 5-0-0-0 on a roll call vote. 8.1. Minutes of the Board of Directors Regular Meeting Held February 9, 2021 Recommendation: That the Board of Directors approve the minutes as presented. 8.2. Payments of Bills, Refunds, and Wire Transfers Recommendation: That the Board of Directors ratify and authorize disbursements in the amount of $1,420,261.85. 8.3. Budget to Actual Reports for the Month Ending January 31, 2021 Recommendation: That the Board of Directors receive and file the Budget to Actual Reports for the Month Ending January 31, 2021. 8.4. Cash and Investment Report for Period Ending January 31, 2021 Recommendation: That the Board of Directors receive and file the Cash and Investment Report for Period Ending January 31, 2021. Minutes of the YLWD Board of Directors Regular Meeting Held February 23, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. 2 2021-018 ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR FOR SEPARATE ACTION Staff responded to questions from Director Jones regarding the following financial report and proposed agreement. Discussion followed regarding services to be provided by Townsend Public Affairs and the terms of the proposed agreement. Al Nederhood, resident, spoke in favor of having staff fulfill the District's legislative and advocacy needs. Discussion continued regarding the termination notice requirements specified in the agreement and reevaluating its continuance after 90 days. Director Miller made a motion, seconded by Director Jones, to approve Item Nos. 8.5. and 8.6 and to direct staff bring back the agreement with Townsend Public Affairs in 90 days for reevaluation. Motion carried 5-0-0-0 on a roll call vote. 8.5. Unaudited Financial Statements for the Second Quarter of Fiscal Year 2021 Recommendation: That the Board of Directors receive and file the Unaudited Financial Statements for Second Quarter of Fiscal Year 2029. 8.6. Proposal for State Legislative Support/Advocacy with Townsend Public Affairs Recommendation: That the Board of Directors authorize the General Manager to enter into a professional services agreement with Townsend Public Affairs for state legislative support and advocacy services for $2,500 per month. 9. ACTION CALENDAR 9.1. Take Positions on State Legislation Staff reviewed recent changes in ACWA's positions on the listed bills since publication of the staff report. Discussion ensued regarding ACWA's changed position to "favor" on AB 361, which was sponsored by CSDA, versus staff's recommendation to "oppose". Staff noted that a position of "favor" was not as strong as "support" and that "watch" was not as strong as "oppose". Discussion continued regarding AB 377 and changing the District's position on AB 361 to "watch" instead of "oppose". Minutes of the YLWD Board of Directors Regular Meeting Held February 23, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. 2021-019 Director Jones made a motion, seconded by Director Lindsey, to take the following positions on these bill numbers: SB 45, SB 222, SB 223, SB 230, AB 361 — WATCH; and AB 377 — OPPOSE. Motion carried 5-0-0-0 on a roll call vote. 9.2. Amended 2020 Water and Wastewater Rate Study Staff reviewed previously discussed factors to be integrated into the rate study, assumptions included in the rate model for the water and sewer enterprises, historical water meter and commodity rates, refunds issued to customers in 2017, and the proposed rates and charges for FYS22-26. Staff also reviewed the financing mechanisms utilized for construction of major water capital projects and their 2018 replacement value, as well as the proposed water and sewer capital projects for FYS22-26, components of the proposed rate structure, and projected reserves. Al Nederhood, resident, commented on the District's reserves, future bond financing, charges to be collected on the property tax roll, and the District's revenue for the first half of FY21. He also spoke against the proposed rates as presented. Extended discussion followed regarding the proposed rates and charges, integration of a drought water rate should the state mandate a reduction in water consumption, the phased collection of capital improvement project expenses on the county's property tax roll, future bond financing for capital projects, and other related topics. Sanjay Gaur, Vice President of Raftelis and Project Manager, reviewed the process for conducting a rate study, the District's financial policies and reserve targets, and current and proposed water and sewer financial plans and rate adjustments through FY26. Discussion then touched on the timeline for completion of the rate study report and mailing of the Proposition 218 hearing notice, incorporating the District's water supply shortage stages into the water rate structure to address future periods of drought, and reconciling the water capital improvement projects with the amended rate study. Director Lindsey made a motion, seconded by Director DesRoches, to receive and file the amended 2020 Water and Wastewater Rate Study. Motion carried 4-1-0-0 on a roll call vote with Director Jones voting No. Minutes of the YLWD Board of Directors Regular Meeting Held February 23, 2021 at 630 p.m. 4 2021-020 10. DISCUSSION ITEMS 10.1. Status of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Removal Groundwater Treatment Plant Staff provided a brief update on the status of this project and schedule for completion. 11. REPORTS, INFORMATION ITEMS, AND COMMENTS 11.1. Director's Reports A list of meetings and events attended was included in the agenda packet. 11.2. General Manager's Report General Manager Barbre stated that he would email his report to the Board. 11.3. General Counsel's Report None. 11.4. Future Agenda Items and Staff Tasks General Manager Barbre noted topics discussed during consideration of Item No. 9.2. that were flagged for staff follow up including integration of a drought water rate, options for paying down the District's line of credit and obtaining bond financing earlier than planned, and reconciling the water capital improvement projects with the amended rate study. 12. COMMITTEE REPORTS 12.1. Interagency Committee with MWDOC and OCWD (Hawkins/Des Roches) — Next meeting will be scheduled when needed. 12.2. Joint Agency Committee with City of Yorba Linda (Hawkins/Lindsey) — Next meeting is Monday, March 1, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. 12.3. Joint Agency Committee with City of Placentia (Miller/Lindsey) — Next meeting will be scheduled when needed. 13. BOARD OF DIRECTORS ACTIVITY CALENDAR 13.1. Meetings from February 24 — April 30, 2021 Minutes of the YLWD Board of Directors Regular Meeting Held February 23, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. 5 2021-021 14. ADJOURNMENT 14.1. The meeting was adjourned at 9:27 p.m. Annie Alexander Board Secretary Minutes of the YLWD Board of Directors Regular Meeting Held February 23, 2021 at 6:30 p.m.