Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-12-19 - Board of Directors Meeting Minutes 2024-137 MINUTES OF THE YORBA LINDA WATER DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS SPECIAL MEETING Thursday, December 19, 2024, 9:00 AM 1717 E Miraloma Ave, Placentia CA 92870 1. PARTICIPATION INSTRUCTIONS Were included on the agenda. 2. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 9:00 AM. 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Director Barbre led the pledge. 4. ROLL CALL DIRECTORS PRESENT STAFF PRESENT Tom Lindsey, President Mark Toy, General Manager Gene Hernandez, Vice President Doug Davert, Assistant General Manager Brett R. Barbre Christine Mcllrevey, Finance Manager Trudi DesRoches Lori Thompson, Human Resources and Risk Manager Rosanne Weston, Engineering Manager Annie Alexander, Board Secretary Joanna Gonzalez, Public Information Officer Freddie Ojeda, Operations Superintendent ALSO PRESENT Andrew Gagen, General Counsel, Kidman Gagen Law LLP 5. AB 2449 TELECONFERENCE REQUESTS (None) 6. PUBLIC COMMENTS (None) 7. ACTION CALENDAR 7.1. Appointment of Director President Lindsey suggested that the Directors share their thoughts on the candidate interviews and identify their top two preferred candidates after which the results would be tallied. Each Director then shared their perspectives on the interviews and the candidate's qualifications and indicated their top two preferred candidates. Minutes of the YLW D Board of Directors Special Meeting Held December 19,2024 at 9:00 AM 1 2024-138 Deliberation followed during which each Director identified their top preferred candidate and narrowed the pool to two finalists, Jess Battaglia and Wayne R. Scott. Deliberation then ensued regarding the two candidate's responses to interview questions and their qualifications. Director DesRoches made a motion, seconded by Director Barbre, to appoint Jess Battaglia to the office of Director. Motion failed 2-2-0-0 on a roll call vote with Directors Barbre and DesRoches voting Yes and Directors Hernandez and Lindsey voting No. Director Hernandez made a motion,seconded by Director Lindsey, to appoint Wayne R. Scott to the office of Director. Motion failed 2-2-0-0 on a roll call vote with Directors Hernandez and Lindsey voting Yes and Directors Barbre and DesRoches voting No. President Lindsey declared a recess at 9:48 AM and reconvened the meeting at 10:00 AM. Deliberation regarding the two candidates continued. Discussion touched on conducting a second interview and addressing a potential impasse. It was noted that Mr. Scott was present in the room and that Mr. Battaglia was participating in the meeting remotely. Director Barbre made a motion that moving forward, the only two candidates the Board would consider for appointment would be Wayne R. Scott and Jess Battaglia. Discussion followed regarding whether this would offer enough flexibility for the Board to limit the candidate pool and schedule a special meeting to conduct a second interview with those two candidates if needed. Director Hernandez seconded the motion. Discussion continued regarding options for addressing a potential impasse. General Counsel Gagen advised that if the Board desired to reopen the pool of candidates, the pending motion on the floor would need to be rescinded and restated which was acknowledged by the Board. Director Barbre restated his motion, seconded by Director DesRoches, to (1) acknowledge there were six candidates and that the Board was narrowing the pool to consider Wayne R. Scott and Jess Battaglia at this point, and (2) that the Board could reopen the pool of candidates at any time should an impasse occur. Motion carried on a roll call vote 3-1-0-0 with Director Hernandez voting No. Minutes of the YLWD Board of Directors Special Meeting Held December 19,2024 at 9:00 AM 2 2024-139 President Lindsey suggested the Board consider interviewing the two candidates a second time during this meeting should they be available. Both candidates confirmed their availability to participate in person in the afternoon. As one Director had a schedule conflict, President Lindsey determined to utilize the following 20 minutes to conduct the interviews at this time. The Board proceeded with interviewing Mr. Battaglia. During his remarks, Mr. Battaglia expressed how greatly he cared for the community and indicated that he would withdraw his candidacy to assist with the decision-making process. The Board then proceeded with interviewing Mr. Scott. During his remarks, Mr. Scott indicated that he had also considered withdrawing his candidacy as he had great respect for Mr. Battaglia. President Lindsey then proceeded with a coin toss to determine the order in which he would pose a question to each candidate. It was determined that Mr. Scott would receive the question first. President Lindsey noted that the Board was prepared to continue with the interview process if needed. He then asked Mr. Scott if he would like to withdraw his candidacy. Mr. Scott replied No. President Lindsey then asked Mr. Battaglia if he would like to withdraw his candidacy. Mr. Battaglia replied Yes. Director Hernandez made a motion,seconded by Director Lindsey, to appoint Wayne R. Scott to the office of Director. Motion carried 3-1-0-0 on o roll call vote with Director Barbre voting No. General Manager Toy administered the Oath of Office to incoming Director Wayne R. Scott. The Board congratulated Director Scott. 8. CLOSED SESSION The Board entered Closed Session at 10:55 AM. 8.1. Liability Claims Pursuant to Subsections 54956.9(d) and (e)(3) of the California Government Code Claimants: Pascal & Ludwig Constructors and Mike Bubalo Construction Agency Claimed Against: Yorba Linda Water District Minutes of the YLWD Board of Directors special Meeting Held December 19,2024 at 9:00 AM 3 2024-140 9. RETURN FROM CLOSED SESSION The Board returned from Closed Session at 11:05 AM. No reportable action was taken. 10. ADJOURNMENT 10.1. The meeting was adjourned at 1 1:05 AM. Annie Alexander Board Secretary Minutes of the YLW D Board of Directors Special Meeting Held December 19,2024 at 9:00 AM 4