HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-05-03 - Planning-Engineering-Operations Committee Meeting Minutes MINUTES OF THE
YORBA LINDA WATER DISTRICT
PLANNING-ENGINEERING-OPERATIONS COMMITTEE MEETING
May 3, 2012
A meeting of the Planning-Engineering-Operations Committee was called to order by
Director Collett at 4:00 p.m. The meeting was held at the District's Administrative Office
at 1717 E Miraloma Ave, Placentia CA 92870.
COMMITTEE STAFF
Director Ric Collett, Chair Ken Vecchiarelli, General Manager
Director Robert R. Kiley Steve Conklin, Engineering Manager
Lee Cory, Operations Manager
John DeCriscio, Chief Plan Operator
OTHER ATTENDEES
Residents of the Hidden Hills community, including Cheri Ramocinski, David
Ramocinski, and Mark Schock.
1. PUBLIC COMMENTS
None.
2. ACTION CALENDAR
2.1. Potential Northeast Developments and Proposed District Planning Study
Mr. Conklin reported that, based on meetings over the last two years, two
residential development projects in the last undeveloped areas of ID-1 (the
Sage/Cielo Vista Project and the Yorba Linda Estates Project) appear to
be moving forward. Recent discussions have centered around ensuring
that the potential projects work closely together (totaling approximately
480 residential lots) so that a master-planned water system infrastructure
that integrates with the District's existing system.
In order to adequately consider the multiple issues and options for the
potential developments and intertie with the surrounding water service
zones in the northeasterly area of the District, staff recommends that a
planning study be performed. The planning study would include hydraulic
modeling as well as water quality analyses modeling. The Committee
discussed the issues and tasks to be addressed in the modeling and the
planning study (estimated to cost in the range of $100,000 to $125,000),
and supported the staff recommendation that the Board authorize staff to
proceed with final preparation of an RFP and solicit proposals for the
Northeast Area Water Service Planning Study.
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2.2 Award of Construction Contract for Pressure Regulating Stations Upgrade
Project, Phase 1
At the beginning of the committee meeting, Mr. Vecchiarelli requested that
this item be added to the agenda as Item 2.2. He noted that this
construction project includes retrofit work in Van Buren Street in front of
Van Buren Elementary School that is scheduled for completion this
summer, when school is out. Following discussion, the Committee voted
to add this item to the agenda.
Mr. Conklin reported that the District's CIP for FY 11/12 includes a budget
of $500,000 for refurbishing and upgrading four pressure reducing stations
in need of repair due to aging and deteriorating conditions. Design plans
were prepared by the District's engineering consultant. At the completion
of design, the engineer prepared an estimate of the cost of construction
which was $538,000. Six bids were received on May 1, with a low bid of
$597,020. He noted that this bid appears to be realistic, because the
three lowest bids (from $597,020 to $627,479) are within 5% of each
other. Mr. Conklin indicated that, given that the low bid was greater that
the project budget, an estimate of all of the costs associated with the
Phase 1 upgrade project was prepared. The estimate of $784,000 was
reviewed with the committee, which includes consulting engineering for
design and construction services, permits, materials testing, District labor
and materials, and construction cost (with 10% contingency included).
Following discussion, the PEO Committee asked that staff monitor all
costs associated with the Phase 1 Upgrade Project and return to the
Committee with findings and recommendations before proceeding with
Phase 2 work. The Committee also supported the staff recommendation
that the Board award the Phase 1 contract to the low bidder, Vido
Samarzich, Inc., in the amount of $597,020. In addition, the Committee
asked that staff provide information at the Board meeting, comparing the
breakdown of the Engineer's Estimate of construction cost with the
breakdown from the low-bid.
3. DISCUSSION ITEMS
3.1. Operational Practices During Red Flag Days
Mr. DeCriscio presented a memo and documentation he prepared in
response to the request of the Board at its April 12, 2012 meeting. The
Board requested that the PEO Committee look into the report presented
by Hidden Hills resident, Mr. Mark Schock, relating to the amount of water
in storage during Red Flag Warning periods. In Mr. DeCriscio's April 14,
2012 memo, he noted that the report by Mr. Schock focuses heavily on
percentage of water rather than volume of water in storage. Mr. DeCriscio
also noted that the report by Mr. Schock did not consider the overall
demands during the time-periods in question. Further, Mr. DeCriscio
noted that during one of the days referenced by Mr. Schock, the District
was cut off from its import water supply due to a MWD scheduled 7-day
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shutdown. Mr. DeCriscio went on to note that the District does not
operate its reservoirs based on percentage or storage tank capacities.
Rather, the goal of the District is to meet the water demands of the
customers while achieving the California Dept of Health Services
regulations for water quality.
Mr. DeCriscio presented his documentation table for Chino Hills, Hidden
Hills, and Santiago reservoirs, in which he showed the same dates and
data used by Mr. Schock for Red Flag Warning (RFW) Periods. For each
date noted, Mr. DeCriscio added the Zone Demand, System-wide demand
and the calculated water volume at those times of the "Number of Days of
Water in Storage + 180,000 gallons." This latter calculation indicates how
many days of water demand could be met at the current demand rate, at
the indicated date and time, separate from the volume of water also in
storage (180,000 gallons) to meet fire flow requirements established by
OCFA. Based on calculations by Mr. DeCriscio, his table indicates that
Chino Hills Reservoir has in the range of 0.7 to 1.05 days of water in
storage (for the indicated dates and times) plus 180,000 gallons for OCFA
fire demands. For Santiago Reservoir, the values are 0.54 to 1.86 days of
water in storage plus fire flow storage. For Hidden Hills Reservoir, the
values are 0.67 to 6.07 days of water plus fire flow storage.
It should be noted that the two values for Hidden Hills Reservoir are at the
beginning and the end of the MWD shutdown and are not typical for
Hidden Hills Reservoir. If those significantly high and low values are
excluded, the range of values for Hidden Hills Reservoir are 1.65 to 3.97
days of water plus fire flow storage. (Note that excluding the storage
values for the start and end of the MWD shutdown for Chino Hills and
Santiago reservoirs would have a negligible effect on the high and low
values.) In summary, what these values show is that, for the dates and
times indicated, Hidden Hills Reservoir generally had twice the number of
days of water in storage than Chino Hills or Santiago reservoirs. Mr.
DeCriscio reemphasized that staff is monitoring demand-days in storage
and not percent of capacity in storage. Using demand days, Operations
staff are considering real-time demand conditions and their understanding
of the system.
Mr. Schock thanked District staff for the information. He also noted that
he has reiterated his request for system data for the time periods leading
up to the Red Flag Warning dates. Mr. Vecchiarelli acknowledged receipt
of Mr. Schock's request. There was a discussion regarding the volume of
water in storage during Red Flag Warning events. Mr. Ramocinski asked
if any water was dumped or wasted during any of these events. Mr.
DeCriscio responded that following the MWD shutdown there was some
flushing from the Hidden Hills tank.
Mr. Ramocinski asked if the air release valve at the top end of Hidden Hills
Road (at the gate) is still the highest such valve. Mr. Vecchiarelli indicated
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that the new pipe installed from that point up to the reservoir has an uphill
slope which means that any air in the line will vent into the reservoir. Mr.
Schock asked if he could be provided a copy of the colored map used for
the discussion concerning the proposed Yorba Linda Estates Project.
3.2. Monthly Groundwater Production and Purchased Import Water Report
Mr. Conklin reported that for April 2012, the District's water use was
18.7% under our projected estimate, and for the 10 months of FY11/12,
we are 5.4% under. Our current groundwater percentage is a cumulative
46.6%, which is on target for ending the FY at our goal of 48.1%. It was
noted that we are currently receiving In-lieu water due the desire of MWD
to put more into storage. It is anticipated that In-lieu will continue through
June 2012.
3.3. Monthly Operations and Maintenance Reports
Mr. DeCriscio reported on the Monthly Production Summary Report for
April, noting water production, weather conditions and water-quality
information. He also provided information on equipment out of service
and returned to service, PMs performed on major system components,
and after-hours response calls. Mr. Cory reported on the Preventative and
Reactive Maintenance Report for the month. He noted that the crew is
now on the second pass this year on hydrant inspection and service. Mr.
Cory reported that the goal of turning/operating half of all our valves each
year has been met. He noted that he will plan to provide an update to the
Board and CAC on our program of valve testing and marking. Mr. Cory
indicated that the PRV service team is in the process of servicing the
valves on our 40 stations for the third time this year. He noted that we are
approaching the end of our first year of servicing the east side sewers,
since taking ownership July 1, 2011. He will be providing a one-year
status report to PEO in late summer or early fall.
3.4. Groundwater Producers Meeting Report
Mr. Conklin reported on items discussed at the Groundwater Producers
meeting at OCWD in April.
3.5. Status Report on Capital Projects in Progress
Mr. Conklin reported on the status of capital projects in planning, design
and construction.
3.6. Status of Strategic Plan Initiatives
Mr. Conklin reported on the status of strategic plan objectives relating to
District Engineering and Operations.
3.7. Future Agenda Items and Staff Tasks
None.
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4. ADJOURNMENT
4.1. The meeting adjourned at 5:50 p.m. The next meeting of the Planning-
Engineering-Operations Committee will be held June 7, 2012 at 4:00 p.m.
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