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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-04-11 - Board of Directors Meeting Minutes 2012-053 ' MINUTES OF THE YORBA LINDA WATER DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS WORKSHOP MEETING April 11, 2012 1. CALL TO ORDER The April 11, 2012 Workshop Meeting of the Yorba Linda Water District Board of Directors was called to order by President Hawkins at 4:02 p.m. The meeting was held in the Board Room at the District's Administrative Building located at 1717 East Miraloma Avenue in Placentia, California 92870. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Director Hawkins led the pledge. 3. ROLL CALL DIRECTORS PRESENT STAFF PRESENT Phil Hawkins, President Ken Vecchiarelli, General Manager Gary T. Melton, Vice President Steve Conklin, Engineering Manager Michael J. Beverage Lee Cory, Operations Manager ' Ric Collett Gina Knight, Human Resources Manager Robert R. Kiley Stephen Parker, Finance Manager Art Vega, Interim IT Manager Cindy Botts, Management Analyst Annie Alexander, Executive Secretary 4. PUBLIC COMMENTS None. 5. DISCUSSION ITEMS 5.1. Capital Improvement Program for FY's 2012/13 thru 2016/17 Mr. Conklin provided a PowerPoint presentation regarding the District's proposed Capital Improvement Program (CIP). Mr. Conklin explained that each of the projects in the CIP program had been categorized in order of importance. Projects listed in Group A already have been or will be completed by the end of the current fiscal year. Projects in Group B are budgeted, funded, and in progress and staff is recommending that they be completed. Projects listed in Group C are budgeted, funded, and are needed to deliver groundwater throughout the District's service area. Finally, projects in Group D have been determined to be prudent but may be delayed depending on the District's cash flow needs. Mr. Conklin ' responded to questions from the Board regarding the impact of annexation with OCWD on various CIP projects and provided an overview of the District's groundwater delivery project and associated benefits. Mr. Conklin then presented two options for completion of the CIP's, one with 1 2012-054 projects listed in Group D being completed in FY 2016/17 and the other ' with them being completed in FY 2017/18. Mr. Conklin expressed his concerns regarding delaying these projects including the possibility of increased main breaks, increased water losses and higher construction costs. Mr. Vecchiarelli and Mr. Parker then responded to questions from the Board regarding the District's bonds and reserves. Director Hawkins asked if staff was requesting that the Board recommend one of the two options so that Mr. Parker may incorporate it into the draft budget. Mr. Vecchiarelli responded that that was the correct. Director Hawkins stated that he was in favor of extending the District's Capital Improvement Program through FY 2017/18 with the hope that annexation with OCWD would be completed before that time. 5.2. Draft Budget for FY 2012/13 Mr. Parker provided a PowerPoint presentation regarding the draft budget for FY 2012/13 and began with a detailed overview of the assumptions and key expenses. Mr. Parker explained the District's bond ratings as well as proposed changes to the reserve policy. Mr. Parker and Mr. Vecchiarelli then responded to questions from the Board regarding financing options available for CIP projects which included a discussion regarding the possibility of obtaining a line of credit for $7M. Mr. Parker subsequently presented four different rate and funding alternatives and summarized the short and long term effects on District revenues and ' reserve levels in each scenario. Further discussion regarding funding options, pass-through projections, and associated debt reserve coverage followed. Mr. Parker then provided a detailed explanation of staffs recommendation to implement a stepped water rate increase over a 3 year period on the fixed charge based on meter size (i.e. volumetric). Mr. Parker also provided a comparison of water rates and fixed charges of similar agencies and concluded his presentation requesting feedback and direction from the Board. Mr. Parker then demonstrated various funding alternatives as suggested by the Directors using the financial model. Following further discussion, the Board recommended that staff move forward with the following rate and funding scenario: • The CIP project schedule would be extended through FY 2017/18. • The variable water cost pass-through would occur on the commodity charge for FY 2012/13. • The fixed water charge would be based on meter size instead of a flat rate and overall revenue would increase as follows: 1.5% in FY 2012/13 2.5% in FY 2013/14 2.5% in FY 2014/15 • The District would seek to obtain a line of credit in the amount of ' $7M. 2 I 2012-055 ' The Board instructed staff to prepare a Proposition 218 notice explaining the funding option described above for consideration at the next regular Board meeting. Director Collett suggested that this Board meeting be held in the evening to encourage additional public participation. The Board agreed and the meeting scheduled April 26, 2012 at 8:30 a.m. was rescheduled to 6:30 p.m. the same day. The Board then instructed staff to prepare talking points regarding this matter for distribution to the Citizens Advisory Committee as soon as possible. 6. ADJOURNMENT 6.1. On a motion by Director Kiley, seconded by Director Collett, and unanimously approved by the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 6:30 p.m. ' K neth R. Vecchiarelli Board Secretary 1 3