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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-06-22 - Citizens Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes MINUTES OF THE YORBA LINDA WATER DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING Monday, June 22, 2015, 8:30 a.m. 1717 E Miraloma Ave, Placentia CA 92870 1. CALL TO ORDER The June 22, 2015 meeting of the Yorba Linda Water District's Citizens Advisory Committee was called to order by Chair Daniel Mole at 8:30 a.m. The meeting was held in the Training Room at the District's Administration Building located at 1717 East Miraloma Avenue, Placentia, California 92870. 2. ROLL CALL COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT Daniel Mole, Chair Rick Buck, Vice Chair Fred Hebein Lindon Baker Carl Boznanski Modesto Llanos Oscar Bugarini, Sr. YLWD DIRECTORS PRESENT YLWD STAFF PRESENT Ric Collett, President Marc Marcantonio, General Manager Damon Micalizzi, Public Information Manager Cindy Botts, Management Analyst Malissa Tem, Public Affairs Specialist ALSO PRESENT Brett Barbre, Director, MWDSC and MWDOC 3. PUBLIC COMMENTS None. 4. DISCUSSION ITEMS 4.1. Recap of Water Use Restrictions and Imposition of Drought Penalties to Comply with State of California Mandate The Committee had an extensive discussion about the District's implementation of Drought Administrative Penalties. Key issues included: ■ Some CAC members were concerned that the penalties were not discussed or presented to the CAC prior to implementation. The CAC has already gone on the record supporting the District's intentions to shift its business model to one that focuses more on water service and grows the District's reserves. Staff explained that due to the many fast moving targets and mandates set by the State Water Resources Control Board, there simply wasn't enough time. President Collett reported to the Committee that the Board of 1 Directors would normally hold a workshop for an important item like this, however due to time restrictions the Penalty Ordinance was drafted by staff with the advice of the District's legal counsel in the waning hours of the workweek and into the weekend, just to meet the posting deadline. ■ Questions were raised as to what the Administrative Penalties would fund and where would additional dollars leftover go. Staff reported that the Penalties would fund four part time water conservation representatives, additional customer correspondence and communications initiatives dedicated to achieving the State Mandates and to any fines levied by the State to the District, should the District not achieve the 36% target. There are also too many unknowns to forecast "leftover dollars" as staff does not believe that the Administrative Penalties will cover the full brunt of the State's fines if the District falls out of compliance and does not recover. Still though, that forecast is based on assumptions that some conservation does take place. President Collet reasoned that if conservation exceeds expectations, the District will likely not be fined by the State and fewer penalties will be collected. Should there be monies accumulated from the Administrative Penalties that are not spent on the aforementioned items related to the Emergency Ordinance, the Board of Directors would decide where to allocate the funds. ■ The Penalty Blocks were discussed with inquiries as to why lot size was not considered when the blocks were set. Staff explained that these Administrative Penalties are not intended to be permanent and are only to be employed for the duration the Governor's Executive Order, which deems irrigation of outdoor ornamental grass a waste of potable water. By that rationale, and because these Penalties are tied to the State's rules, the District set blocks that would elevate with greater outdoor use, while not penalizing those who do not use water outdoors. ■ It was posed to Staff that any customer, residential, commercial or irrigation could reduce their consumption by 36% or more and still be penalized. Staff admitted that to be the case, however reiterated that the Executive Order specifically targets grass and that this is a State of Emergency, drawing a parallel to a major earthquake. During this Emergency period, we must comply and it is forcing the District into some very awkward positions with our rate payers as we adhere to the State's rules. Staff admitted that the Penalty Ordinance isn't perfect, yet given the tight deadline and the many extraordinary circumstances the District faces, it was the best that could be done, in short order. 2 4.2. Metropolitan Water Supply Update Director Barbre, who offered several points and insights during the previous item offered a report on Metropolitan's Water Supply to the Committee, reaffirming Met's 15% Allocation as the appropriate conservation target for the region. 4.3. Draft FY 2015/16 Operating Budget (Materials to be provided at the meeting.) Due to time, this item was continued to the next meeting. 4.4. President's Report President Collett's report was included in the previous items. 4.5. Future Agenda Items None. 5. ADJOURNMENT 5.1. The meeting was adjourned at 10:45 a.m. The next Citizens Advisory Committee meeting is scheduled to be held Monday, July 27, 2015 at 8:30 a.m. DM 3