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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-11-18 - Board of Directors Meeting Minutes2008-182 MINUTES OF THE YORBA LINDA WATER DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS SPECIAL MEETING November 18, 2008 The November 18, 2008 special meeting of the Yorba Linda Water District Board of Directors was called to order by President Summerfield at 2:08 p.m. The meeting was held at the District's offices at 1717 E. Miraloma Avenue, Placentia, CA. DIRECTORS PRESENT AT ROLL CALL John W. Summerfield, President William R. Mills, Vice President Paul R. Armstrong Michael J. Beverage STAFF PRESENT Michael A. Payne, General Manager Kenneth R. Vecchiarelli, Asst. G.M. Arthur G. Kidman, General Counsel Lee Cory, Operations Manager Diane Cyganik, Finance Director Pat Grady, IT Director Gina Knight, Human Resources Manager John DeCriscio, Chief Plant Operator Art Vega, IT Systems Administrator Annie Alexander, Executive Secretary DIRECTORS ABSENT AT ROLL CALL Ric Collett INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS AND PUBLIC COMMENTS There were no visitors introduced or public comments. DISCUSSION ITEMS Discuss Wildfire Event and Community Outreach Efforts Assistant General Manager Vecchiarelli provided a PowerPoint presentation to the Board and highlighted the events leading up to the activation of the District's Emergency Operations Center (EOC) on November 15, 2008. A severe firestorm began in Corona at approximately 9:00 a.m. on November 15, 2008. General Manager Payne activated the EOC at 12:00 p.m. and staff began reporting to the EOC shortly thereafter. The fire spread from Chino Hills and followed the riverbed with portions of the District being engulfed on two sides. Conditions were extremely hot and windy. Staff made a tremendous effort to provide a high level of service under extreme conditions. Beginning at 10:00 a.m. on November 15 to 12:00 a.m. November 16, 2008, approximately 13 million gallons of water was distributed through the system (above normal production) for fire protection use. Staff had contacted MWD to increase the flow rate from the District's largest supply connection from 12 cubic feet per second (CFS) to 32 CFS. Staff saw that the firestorm was moving from east to west and worked proactively to get additional pumps through mutual aid to help move water where it was needed. 2008-183 There were also false reports of extensive damage to District facilities however, the SCADA communications system for the Santiago Reservoir, Santiago Booster Pump Station and Hidden Hills Booster Pump Station was the only property damage that affected the District's ability to track our system's response. With communication being lost to the Santiago Reservoir and booster stations there was a possibility that water pressure had dropped below 20 psi. The Department of Health Services requires water agencies to issue a boil water notice when this occurs as the potential of contamination from backflow increases. As a result, the District issued a boil water notice the evening of November 15, 2008 for the Hidden Hills area north of Esperanza Road. Only a small portion of the District's service area was affected by the notice. Staff also distributed bottled water to those residents affected. Bacterial tests will need to be conducted over the next few days before the boil water notice can be lifted. District staff worked the morning of November 16, 2008 to turn off water service to homes where water was leaking. There has been a lot of speculation as to why the fire could not be controlled. The District's water system is fairly robust and exceeds minimum standards in some cases, although it is not built to handle multiple fire flows in multiple pressure zones simultaneously. Staff has called Laer Pierce to assist with public relations. ACWA is also providing the District with a public relations team. Staff will be providing this same PowerPoint presentation regarding the incident and the District's response at the Yorba Linda City Council meeting tonight at 6:30 p.m. The Orange County Fire Authority will also be in attendance. District representatives were made available at the Assistance Center in Anaheim to assist affected residents. Arrowhead Water has donated additional water for delivery to residents in the boil water notice area. District representatives also attended a meeting at the OC Control Center where preliminary financial information was provided to FEMA. General Manger Payne and Assistant General Manager Vecchiarelli responded to questions from the Board regarding the status of the Santiago Reservoir, the boil water notice and other related issues. The Board provided feedback to staff regarding the PowerPoint presentation and reiterated their commitment to assist the victims of the fire. General Counsel Kidman stated that Director Collett had received written notice of today's special meeting. 2 2008-184 ADJOURNMENT On a motion by Director Mills, seconded by Director Beverage, the Board of Directors voted to adjourn at 3:05 p.m. to a special meeting of the Board of Directors scheduled for November 19, 2008 at 4:00 p.m., at 1717 E. Miraloma Avenue, Placentia 92870. Kenneth R. Vecchiarelli Assistant Secretary 3