Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-02-22 - Board of Directors Meeting Minutes1. 2. 3. 4. 5. MINUTES OF THE YORBA LINDA WATER DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS REGULAR MEETING Thursday, February 22, 2024, 8:30 a.m. 1717 E Miraloma Ave, Placentia CA 92870 PARTICIPATION INSTRUCTIONS Were included on the agenda. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 8:30 a.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Director Barbre led the pledge. ROLL CALL DIRECTORS PRESENT Trudi DesRoches, President Tom Lindsey, Vice President Brett R. Barbre Phil Hawkins Gene Hernandez 2024-018 STAFF PRESENT Mark Toy, General Manager John DeCriscio, Operations Manager Delia Lugo, Finance Manager Lori Thompson, Human Resources and Risk Manager Rosanne Weston, Engineering Manager Joanna Gonzalez, Public Affairs Officer Bree Jozwiak, Assistant Board Secretary ALSO PRESENT Andrew Gagen, General Counsel, Kidman Gagen Law LLP ADDITIONS/DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA (None) Pres. DesRoches explained that an item to review the proposals for general legal counsel services to potentially narrow down the number of firms to be interviewed on Tuesday, March 26, 2024 had been inadvertently left off the agenda. She asked if the Board would like to wait to discuss this matter until the next regular meeting on Thursday, March 14, 2024 or call a special meeting. Director Barbre made a motion, seconded by Director Hernandez, to schedule a special Board meeting on Monday, February 26, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. to narrow down the number of firms to be interviewed. Motion carried 5-0-0-0. Director Lindsey requested staff prepare a matrix of the firms' proposed retainers, hourly rates, and services for comparison focusing on those services the District currently utilizes most Minutes of the YLWD Board of Directors Regular Meeting Held February 22, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. 2024-019 6. AB 2449 TELECONFERENCE REQUESTS (None) 7. PUBLIC COMMENTS (None) 8. ACTION CALENDAR 8.1. Amending Board of Directors Policies and Procedures Manual General Manager Toy summarized the most recent proposed amendments as previously discussed during the Board meeting on November 21, 2023. He then introduced Scott Tiedemann, Partner for Liebert Cassidy Whitmore, who was available to answer any questions from the Board. Director Barbre requested that the word "shall" be changed to "may" in the last sentence of Section 4.2.(G) In depth discussion followed regarding the applicability of certain provisions that could potentially hinder debate, due process for Directors who may be the subject of a complaint, allowing the Board the option of engaging outside counsel for handling the investigation, and involvement of the General Manager should the complaint involve an employee. Discussion also touched on whether complaints had to be submitted in writing, whether cross- examination of the complainant would infringe on employee rights, specific steps for the handling of complaints, and ensuring a fair and unbiased investigation. Staff will work with Mr. Teidemann to incorporate the revisions as discussed and bring this matter back for Board consideration at the meeting on March 14, 2024. The meeting was recessed at 9:53 a.m. and reconvened at 10:00 a.m. 9. DISCUSSION ITEMS 9.1 Mid -Year Review of Fiscal Year 2023-24 Budget Staff reviewed historical, budgeted, and projected production demand, revenue, variable costs, salary and related expenses, and supplies and services. Staff also reviewed the status of capital improvement projects, and historical, budgeted, and projected debt service ratios and reserve balances. Topics discussed included projected interest income, costs for the treatment of groundwater, the low percentage of uncollectible accounts, status of the heli-hydrant project at the Diemer Filtration Plant, and modifying reserve target levels. Minutes of the YLWD Board of Directors Regular Meeting Held February 22, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. 2024-020 9.2 Goals and Objectives for Fiscal Year 2024-25 Operating and Capital Budget Staff reviewed the budget development calendar, the 2021 rate study assumptions and proposed annual rate adjustments, the impact of inflation on the cost of supplies and materials, annual debt service obligations, and recommended goals and objectives for the operating budget. Discussion touched on projected assumptions for salary related expenses, increased costs for fixed and variable water supplies, and projected groundwater production. Finance Manager Lugo explained that for the District to be considered for GFOA's budget award, the Board would need to receive and file the budget development calendar. Director Borbre made a motion, seconded by Director Hawkins, to receive and file the budget development calendar as presented. Motion carried 5-0-0-0. 9.3 Fiscal Year 2024-25 Budget Workshop # 1 Staff reviewed the historical and projected production demand, the budget calculation for production demand and comparison to the 2021 rate study, historical and projected salary related expenses and variable costs, and a summary of the overall proposed budget. Staff also reviewed the proposed 5-year capital improvement project (CIP) budget. Following discussion, staff was tasked with bringing back an alternative draft CIP budget focused on the following concerns of the Board and categorized from high to low priority: (1) fire flow and fire hardening; (2) basin production percentage; (3) asset management plan; and (4) overall system optimization. 9.4 Communications Goals, Objectives, and Strategies Staff reviewed the goals, objectives, and strategies of the communications plan. Topics discussed included posting more content on social media highlighting the District's infrastructure and history, installing plaques with QR codes near District facilities which would allow residents to view relevant historical information and photos, scheduling Director hosted infrastructure tours, and conducting open house events twice per year. President DesRoches requested staff provide an update on the status of scheduling the renaming ceremony for the PFAS Water Treatment Plant. Director Hawkins requested staff provide an update on the status of the proposed consolidation of MWDOC and OCWD. Minutes of the YLWD Board of Directors Regular Meeting Held February 22, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. 3 2024-021 10. CLOSED SESSION The Board entered Closed Session at 1:30 p.m. 10.1. Public Employment Pursuant to Section 54957 of the California Government Code Title: General Counsel 11. REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSION The Board returned from Closed Session at 2:00 p.m. No reportable action was taken. 12. ADJOURNMENT 12.1. The meeting was adjourned at 2:00 p.m. Bree Jozwiak Assistant Boar ecretary Minutes of the YLW D Board of Directors Regular Meeting Held February 22, 2024 at 8:30 a.m.