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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-11-08 - Board of Directors Meeting MinutesPage 4147 November 8, 2001 MINUTES OF THE YORBA LINDA WATER DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS REGULAR MEETING NOVEMBER 8, 2001 The November 8, 2001 regular meeting of the Yorba Linda Water District Board of Directors was called to order by President Paul Armstrong at 8:30 a.m. The meeting was held at District Headquarters, 4622 Plumosa Drive, Yorba Linda. Directors Present at Roll Call Paul R. Armstrong, President Arthur C. Korn, Vice President Mark Abramowitz Michael J. Beverage John W. Summerfield Visitors present: None SPECIAL RECOGNITION Staff Present: William J. Robertson, General Manager Arthur G. Kidman, District General Counsel Lee Cory, Operations Manager Beverly Meza, Business Manager Michael Payne, Assistant General Manager Michael Robinson, Assistant Administrator Ken Vecchiarelli, Engineering Manager Amelia Cloonan, Executive Secretary Stacy Bavol, Customer Service Supervisor 1. Michael Robinson, Assistant Administrator, introduced staff who participated in Placentia's Heritage Days Parade and Yorba Linda's Fiesta Days Parade: Dave Barmer, Kinga Cieszko, Carlos Collazo, Todd Colvin, Lee Cory, John DeCriscio, Ruben Gonzalez, Cheryl Kielty, Pati Medina, Linda Patti and Armando Raya. Although Carlos Collazo and Rick DeAnda also participated, they were unable to be present. President Armstrong expressed the appreciation of the Board for all the good spirit and public image representation. The Staff members listed in Item 1, with the exception of Michael Robinson, left the meeting at 8:35 a.m. CONSENT CALENDAR President Armstrong requested item 2 of the Consent Calendar be pulled. Director Abramowitz requested item 7 of the Consent Calendar be pulled. On a motion by Director Beverage, seconded by Director Summerfield, the Board of Directors voted 5-0 to approve Consent Calendar items 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8. Page 4148 November 8, 2001 3. Authorize directors to leave the State of California prior to next meeting. 4. Approve disbursements of $473,814.11. 5. Approve Progress Payment No. 2 in the net amount of $27,489.64 to International Custom Enterprises for construction of the Richfield Plant Renovation Project, Phase II. 6. Approve quitclaiming a portion of a District easement, Job No. 0116, recorded on Parcel Map No. 89-358 in Official Records of Orange County and authorize the President and Secretary to execute the Quitclaim Certificate. 8. Approve Terms and Conditions for Water and Sewer Service with John Brewster, Job No. 0126. ACTION CALENDAR 2. Approve minutes of the regular meeting, October 25, 2001. President Armstrong requested item 22 of the minutes of the regular meeting, October 25, 2001 reflect that he reported there was nothing of interest to the District. On a motion by President Armstrong, seconded by Director Abramowitz, the Board of Directors voted 4-0-1, with Director Beverage abstaining, to approve item 2 of the Consent Calendar. 7. Authorize the President and Secretary to execute Declaration of Restrictive Covenants Agreements with the Toll CA III, L.P. owner of the Vista del Verde Development, for Tract 15983 (Job No. 0017) and Tract 16045 (Job No. 0019). Director Abramowitz requested clarification on what required the change. Kenneth Vecchiarelli, Engineering Manager, stated these are additional tracts, and these will not be the last as more tracts will be developed. On a motion by Director Abramowitz, seconded by Director Beverage, the Board of Directors voted 5-0 to approve item 7 of the Consent Calendar. 9. Consider replacement of network server. Beverly Meza, Business Manager, presented the report. This item was taken to the Finance Committee on October 31. Questions were asked, and a lengthy discussion was held. Staff was asked to look at a short lease vs. purchasing. On a motion by Director Beverage, seconded by Director Summerfield, the Board of Directors voted 4-1, with Director Abramowitz voting No, to authorize staff to purchase, with leasing as an option to investigate, up to two units at a not-to-exceed amount of $18,000 each unit. Page 4149 November 8, 2001 10. Consider accepting the Investment Report for the quarter ending September 30, 2001. Beverly Meza, Business Manager, presented the report. Questions were asked, and a discussion was held. On a motion by Vice President Korn, seconded by Director Beverage, the Board of Directors voted 5-0 to receive and file the Investment Portfolio Report for the quarter ending September 30, 2001. 11. Consider accepting the Financial Statements for three months ended September 30, 2001. Beverly Meza, Business Manager, presented the report. Questions were asked, and a discussion was held. On a motion by Director Beverage, seconded by Vice President Korn, the Board of Directors voted 5-0 to accept the Financial Reports for three months ended September 30, 2001. 12. Consider authorizing solicitation of bids for combination vacuum/jet rodder sewer-cleaning machine. Lee Cory, Operations Manager, presented the report. Questions were asked, and a lengthy discussion was held. Staff was asked to look for an alternative fuel vehicle and the possibility of financial assistance from the City of Placentia. On a motion by Director Abramowitz, seconded by President Armstrong, the Board of Directors voted 5-0 to authorize the General Manager to solicit bids for the purchase of a combination vacuum/jet rodder sewer-cleaning machine with the additional requirement that bids on an alternative fuel vehicle be included as part of the package and that staff be instructed to explore the possibility of finance issues for an alternative fuel vehicle as well as technical issues. President Armstrong called a recess at 9:25 a.m. The Board of Directors reconvened at 9:37 a.m. with all Directors present. DISCUSSION CALENDAR 13. Discussion of Water Rates Report. William Robertson, General Manager, presented the report. A copy of the latest revision was presented to the Board members. William Robertson's presentation outlined: Issues reviewed by staff, revenues, water rates, staff recommendations and other issues. Questions were asked, and a lengthy discussion was held. This item was for information only, no Board action was required at this time. Page 4150 November 8, 2001 GENERAL MANAGER'S REPORT 14. General Manager's oral report and comments. a) General Counsel Kidman reported: 1) He attended an ACWA meeting relative to bills ACWA supported. 2) He has a meeting on November 20 that conflicts with the Board meeting scheduled and asked if legal counsel presence was required. 3) The year-end legislative report should be completed by the end of the week and will be presented. 4) The portion of SB 609, sponsored by Senator Costa, requiring training for water district managers was dropped. 5) The State Controller is required to draft a report to the Legislature by March 2002 covering the largest water district agencies, in terms of revenue. This may impact reserves. 6) There was discussion about the importance to the District of SB 610 and SB 221, which were passed by the State Senate. b) Report on Fiesta Days, October 27, 2001. Michael Robinson, Assistant Administrator, presented the trophy received by the District for 3rd place in the Placentia Heritage Days parade. Annual reports for the District were distributed from the information booth at the Fiesta Days celebration in Yorba Linda. c) District activities. 1) William Robertson asked who would be the representative listed on the ACWA delegate form. President Armstrong, who is attending the conference, will be the delegate. 2) There is a stale water/nitrification issue in two reservoirs. The reservoirs have been flushed and cleaned. Metropolitan Water District was called to come in and help. 3) An invitation to play golf on opening day at the Black Gold Golf Course has been issued for Board members. Some staff members will participate. 4) The District received a notice from the U.S. Postal Service advising the necessity to install a post box in order to continue receiving mail at the 4622 Plumosa Drive address. The District has six months to comply. 5) The District office will be closed on Veterans Day. 6) District jackets were distributed. COMMITTEE REPORTS 15. Executive-Administration Committee (Armstrong/Korn) A meeting was scheduled for November 15, 9:00 a.m. to discuss reorganization issues. 16. Finance-Accounting Committee (Kom/Beverage) Report of meeting held October 31, 2001, 9:00 a.m., was included in the Agenda, Water rates, memberships and organizations, computer plan. A meeting was scheduled for November 13, 9:00 a.m. to discuss the water rate report. 17. Personnel-Risk Management Committee (Abramowitz/Armstrong) Page 4151 November 8, 2001 18. Planning-Engineering-Operations Committee (Beverage/Summerfield) Report of meeting held November 6, 2001, 4:00 p.m. Director Beverage reported: 1) Engineering is working to get the costs for the Richfield plant remodel project to the Board. 2) Bids were submitted and the contract awarded for the Bastanchury booster engine replacement project, but the contractor is not qualified. The Committee discussed ideas, and the District will probably rebid. 3) There was discussion regarding sewer projects on Danita Lane, Highland Avenue and Mountain View. 4) There was a discussion about reservoirs. A meeting is scheduled for November 14, 4:00 p.m. to discuss the Richfield Plant renovation project. 19. Public Information Committee (Abramowitz/Summerfield) 20. Orange County Water District Ad Hoc Committee (Kom/Beverage) 21. MWDOC Ad Hoc Committee (Abramowitz/Kom) Director Abramowitz could not attend. a meeting on December 3, 2001, 4:00 p.m. Staff will reschedule the meeting. INTERGOVERNMENTAL MEETINGS 22. WACO, November 2, 7:30 a.m. Director Abramowitz did not attend. 23. Yorba Linda City Council, November 6,6:30 p.m. Vice President Korn attended. There was nothing of special interest to the District. 24. MWDOC, November 7,9:00 a.m. Director Abramowitz attended and reported on: 1) There was a presentation on water surplus and drought management plan for Metropolitan Water District. NET believes there will not be a water shortage in the next ten years. 2) Issues were discussed related to their compliance with the EPA's final stage one disinfection rules. 3) The passage of the rate structure was mentioned. 4) The NET Board formed a committee to vote on the Diamond Valley Lake. There was no Orange County representation on the committee. Gasoline powered boats are a concern. 25. OCWD, November 7,6:00 p.m. Vice President Korn did not attend. Page 4152 November 8, 2001 BOARD OF DIRECTORS ACTIVITY CALENDAR Director Beverage will attend the Yorba Linda Planning Commission meeting on November 28 and December 26. President Armstrong will attend on November 14 and December 12. Director Abramowitz questioned why the Colorado River Water Users Association conference is still being shown on the schedule. Director Beverage asked if the Board meeting date could be changed to December 11 and moved to add this item to the agenda. Director Summerfield seconded the motion. General Counsel Kidman said it is not necessary to vote on this item because it is already on the agenda. There was a lengthy discussion. The December 13 Board meeting will continue as scheduled. President Armstrong reported that he and William Robertson, General Manager, met with the Mayor of Yorba Linda and the City Manager regarding transfer of city-owned sewers to the Water District. President Armstrong passed along the request that Board members bring up this subject with City Council members if there is an opportunity to confer with them on the transfer of title of sewers to the Water District. President Armstrong requested Vice President Korn conduct the Board meeting of November 20 should he be delayed at the City Council meeting where he is to receive a document. President Armstrong commented the District contractor (Val Verde) that did the work at the north end of Avocado did an excellent job and were well aware of public relations. Ken Vecchiarelli, Engineering Manager, will send a letter expressing the Board's appreciation for a job well done. Vice President Korn believes customers should be informed if time estimates for water shutoffs are extended far beyond the time originally noticed to them. Ken Vecchiarelli agreed and said they will put forth the extra effort to inform customers in the future. Director Beverage mentioned there was a lot of muddy water at the Bank of Yorba Linda drive through on November 7. Lee Cory, Operations Manager, reported the mud was cleaned up. Director Beverage thanked the District for the flowers sent to him during his recent hospitalization. Director Abramowitz wanted to know if staff had followed up on his question regarding the possibility of ground water storage in Chino Basin. He also asked if anything had been sent to MWDOC on their strategic plan. William Robertson said nothing had been sent. Page 4153 November 8, 2001 Director Abramowitz reported on a conversation he had with a friend, who is an official for the State of Florida, regarding security issues and terrorist threats. In Naples, Florida, there was an incident with a pumping station. There was, intentionally, no widespread press coverage. In the process of fixing the problem, the evidence was destroyed, so they were not able to determine what was present. Director Abramowitz suggests management should receive ICM training to help the agency be prepared in how to react to an immediate security problem prior to local law enforcement response. He suggests the District should have some specific written plan in case service has to be interrupted. President Armstrong stated we should have a contract in place with a supplier of bottled water in case of a shutdown for pollution. Director Abramowitz asked if staff had heard anything about the Yorba Linda Feeder Bypass (on the Metropolitan Water District Agenda). Staff replied they had not. CLOSED SESSION 26. Discussion of pending litigation to which the District is a party, (Subsection (a) of Section 54956.9), County of Orange, Central Justice Center, Case No. 815921 Huntington Beach vs. OCWD, and Case No. 818852 Fountain Valley vs. OCWD, before the Superior Court of the State of California. No Closed Session was held. ADJOURNMENT On a motion by Director Beverage, seconded by Vice President Dorn, the Board of Directors voted 5-0 to adjourn at 12:07 p.m. A special meeting of the Board of Directors is scheduled for November 20, 2001, 7:00 p.m. Secretary/General Manager