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Home My WebLink About2008-02-05 - Public Information-Technology Committee Meeting Agenda PacketEL w YORBA LINDA WATER DISTRICT PUBLIC INFORMATION - TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE MEETING Tuesday, February 5, 2008, 4:00 p.m. 4622 Plumosa Drive, Yorba Linda, CA 92886 - Tel: (714) 701-3020 AGENDA COMMITTEE: STAFF: Director Ric Collett, Chair Michael A. Payne, General Manager Director Michael J. Beverage Pat Grady, Information Technology Director Alternate: Paul R. Armstrong Cindy Mejia, Assistant Administrator Pamela Pietras, Assistant Administrator INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS AND PUBLIC COMMENTS: Any individual wishing to address the committee is requested to identify themselves and state the matter on which they wish to comment. If the matter is on this agenda, the committee Chair will recognize the individual for their comment when the item is considered. No action will be taken on matters not listed on this agenda. Comments are limited to matters of public interest and matters within the jurisdiction of the Water District. Comments are limited to five minutes. ACTION ITEMS: This portion of the agenda is for items where staff presentations and committee discussions are needed prior to formal committee actions. Consider New District Logo Recommendation: That the Public-Information-Technology Committee select three designs with which to present to the Board of Directors on February 14, 2008 for final selection and approval of a new District- wide logo. DISCUSSION ITEMS: This portion of the agenda is for matters such as technical presentations, drafts of proposed policies, or similar items for which staff is seeking the advice and counsel of the Committee Members. This portion of the agenda may also include items for information only. 2. Status report on District Information activities a. Public Activities b. Water Lines Feb 2008 c. West Coast Publication d. Yorba Linda Star/Placentia Times e. Consumer Confidence Report f. Annual Report g. Update on District Video h. OCWD's Children's Water Education Festival 3. Water Conservation activities a. Latest Water Conditions Report b. Smart Controllers 4. Employee ID/ Access Card System 5. GIS Update 6. Telemetry Update 7. IT General Update ADJOURNMENT: The next meeting of the Public Information Committee is scheduled for March 4, 2008 at 4:00 p.m. Accommodations for the Disabled: Any person may make a request for a disability-related modification or accommodation needed for that person to be able to participate in the public meeting by telephoning Michael A. Payne, District Secretary, at 714.701.3020 or writing to Yorba Linda Water District, P.O. Box 309, Yorba Linda, CA 92885-0309. Requests must specify the nature of the disability and the type of accommodation requested. A telephone number or other contact information should be included so the District staff may discuss appropriate arrangements. Persons requesting a disability- related accommodation should make the request with adequate time before the meeting for the District to provide the requested accommodation. ITEM NO. I AGENDA REPORT Committee Meeting Date: February 5, 2008 To: Public Information-Technology Committee From: Michael A. Payne, General Manager Staff Contact: Cindy Mejia, Assistant Administrator Reviewed by General Counsel: N/A Budgeted: N/A Total Budget: $ 2,180 Funding Source: Water Operating Fund CEQA Account No: 124580 Job No: Compliance: N/A Estimated Costs: $ 2,400 Dept: Admin Subject: New Yorba Linda Water District Logo SUMMARY: The Yorba Linda Water District, as part of its overall design update is looking to adopt a new District logo. The logo design company, Alain Jamar Design, has provided the District with seven possible logo designs, as well as seven possible typeface designs. DISCUSSION: Staff has reviewed the seven possible logo designs, as well the seven possible typeface designs and will be presenting to the Committee those findings and staffs recommendations. Copies of the logos and typeface designs are included. PRIOR RELEVANT BOARD ACTION(S): The Board of Directors has previously approved a new District logo, with the last adaptation of this logo derived from a Sign Design Contest approved October 13,1988. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: That the Committee select three designs with which to present to the Board of Directors on February 14, 2008 for final selection and approval of a new District-wide logo. ITEM NO. 2 cam. Public Information Activities Month: January-08 DATE EVENT 1 / 2 / 2008 YL Chamber Educational Committee Mtg 1 / 8 / 2008 YL Chamber Luncheon 1/ 10/2008 YL Chamber NOCLA breakfast mtg 1/22/2008 YL Chamber Luncheon 1 / 23 / 2008 MWDOC Grants Management Seminar 1 / 24 / 2008 NOCLA Reception @ Nixon Library 1/30/2008 YL Chamber Breakfast LOCATION Yorba Linda Canyon Steakhouse Brea Canyon Steakhouse Newport Beach Yorba Linda Yorba Linda Drought not over despite heavy rains By John W. Summerfield, President of the Board of Directors Heavy rains in California during the first couple of months of 2008 is a good sign that water supply conditions are improving - but the region-wide drought is not over yet. Just as it takes several dry years in a row to create a drought, it takes several consecutive wet years to get out of one. With Southern California coming off the driest winter on record for the 2006-2007 rainfall season, and a Sierra snow pack averaged 40 percent of normal, there has been great fear that another dry winter would mean widespread water rationing in the summer of 2008. If we continue to experience normal or above rainfall for the next three to four years we can call-off the drought watch - but only temporarily. Southern California has always had a tumultuous relationship with water. We live in a climate that is classified by scientists as "semi-arid," and in geography where much of the population lives far away from any natural water source. Here in the Yorba Linda area we are fortunate to have access to an underground aquifer that is replenished by water flowing from the San Bernardino Mountains via the Santa Ana River. We obtain around half of the water we need from our own wells located right here in the District. "Imported" water is obtained from two sources: Snow and rain that falls in the northern Sierra Mountains is captured by the California Aqueduct; and water from the Rocky Mountains via the Colorado River Aqueduct. As of September 2007, a federal ruling passed to protect a rare fish found in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, which could mean up to 35 percent less water for the state. Due to the Delta Smelt ruling, and continued threat of drought in this region, Southern Californians must continue to practice a water-conserving way of life. We have enough water to use efficiently - but none to waste. The following are methods for saving water in and around the home, as well as to lower your monthly bill. • Consider implementing a "smart" irrigation controller that automatically adjusts your lawn irrigation system to the weather or replacing lawns with synthetic turf. • Employ a pool or spa cover to prevent wasteful evaporation. • Check-out the more water efficient clothes washers and toilets that are now on the market. The District has many informative brochures that can help you plan and implement your home water conservation efforts. Call us at 714-701-3000 to have these materials sent to you. You can also log on to our internet web site at www.vlwd.com for water conservation and other water related information. ITEM NO. ':)c-,., STORM COVERAGE Powerful Storm Systems Bring Rain, Snow, Havoc to California Governor Declares State of Emergency in Nine Counties Much-needed rain and snow were the positives from a series of powerful storm systems to greet Californians on their first weekend of the new year. As a negative, but also as forecast, the storms brought damaging, gale-force winds, which resulted in numerous power outages throughout the state. Also, a breached levee in Fernley, Nev., flooded residents. A Jan. 3 snow survey, the first of the 2007-'08 snowfall season, showed the snowpack at below normal levels for the date, but proved to be a great bench- mark to use after the storms. For example, electronic sensor readings Jan. 3 showed Northern Sierra snow water equivalents at 64% of normal, Central Sierra at 53%, and Southern Sierra at 69%. Statewide, the percentage of normal was 60%. On Jan. 8, Northern Sierra snow water equiva- lents were 113% of normal, Central Si- erra, 99%, and Southern Sierra, 123%. Statewide, the percentage of normal was 109%. The next snow survey will take place in February. Along with snowpack, precipitation improved throughout the state. "It's a lot better than last year," said Maury Roos, chief hydrologist, California De- partment of Water Resources. "Overall, we're not quite ahead yet, but we're close." Continued on next page 11 First Snow Survey of the Year Shows a More Promising Snowpack than 2007 The Department of Water Resources Jan. 3 conducted its first snow survey for the 2007-'08 snowfall season. Sev- eral reporters, onlookers, and DWR's snow survey team gathered to observe the measuring process at the historic Phillips Station at the base of Sierra at Tahoe ski resort, approximately 6,800 feet in elevation. The final measurement at Phillips Station was 29.2 inches in snow depth and 9.7 inches in water content, which is 60% of the longer term average. This measurement was taken prior to the "winter blast" storm, which began the next day and was forecast to dump up to 10 feet of snow in the Sierra. Conditions on the day of the survey were quite different from last year's first survey, which took place under sunny skies and found the snow water content to be just 38% of average. This year there were several more inches of snow on the ground, snow shoes or skis were required for the survey and blustery winds caused quite a chill. This season's snow surveys will be closely watched since last year's snowpack yielded only 40% of the nor- mal water content. Reservoirs are low and many areas have been forced to cut back on requested water amounts. Frank Gehrke, chief of California Cooperative Snow Surveys Program, and Dave Hart, field activities coordi- nator for Cooperative Snow Surveys Programs, conducted the snowpack measurements at Phillips Station. In addition to surveying at Phillips Station, DWR in conjunction with the California Cooperative Snow Survey Program, surveyed Echo Summit, Lake Audrain and Tamarack Flat. For com- plete measurements, please visit www. water.ca.gov. -ACWA Field Representative Tiffany Giammona It ,a r Frr;nk Gohrkp, °.:fiief of 1h "`aFf n m a oxo'n ~ wN Is BW89"0taV1jtr~i1v J..'1 3 e;4l. F'hHlPU S STORM COVERAGE continued from previous page State of Emergency Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger Jan. 5 proclaimed a state of emergency for Glenn, Kings and Sacramento counties in response to the extreme winds and heavy rain beginning Jan. 3. The governor's emergency procla- mation allows the state Office of Emergency Services (OES) to de- ploy additional emergency person- nel, equipment and facilities and provide local government assistance under the authority of the Califor- nia Disaster Assistance Act. In his proclamation, 1 Schwarzenegger tinted that the series of winter storms have caused the closure of major highways; threatened and damaged homes, businesses and roads; caused the evacuation of communities and the opening of several emergency shelters; and that the widespread disruption of electrical power and c.o,nmunications has threatened critical public services, including hospitals and drinking water treat- t ment. On Jan. 7, Schwarzenegger i declared emergencies for Butte, Placer, San Francisco, Sutter, Yuba and Yolo counties. Here's a summary of reports from ACWA members and a variety of other updates on storm-related issues as ACWA News went to press: Placer County At the Placer County Water Agency (PCWA) in Auburn, Direc- tor of Field Services Mike Nichol said the storm's high winds toppled more than 60 trees into the agency's canal system. Extra canal patrols were on duty for four days, removing trees, branches and other debris from the canals to prevent plugging and over- flowing. The downed trees ranged from about nine to 30 inches in diameter, Nichol reported. W ater Content (in inches) Jan. 2, 2008 Jan. 8, 2008 Northern Sierra 6.90 13 Central Sierra 6.10 13 Southern Sierra 5.70 12 Statewide 6.20 13 Average to Date Northern Sierra 65 113 Central Sierra 54 99 Southern Sierra 67 123 Statewide A 61 il 1 A % 109 Northern Sierra pr verage ( 24 ) 48 Central Sierra 20 42 Southern Sierra 22 47 Statewide 22 45 Importance of Snow Surveying Snevv-v.-aaer cnni tot i~ important in dc;tersn±ni~aet td;e year's mater supply. Tae rneasutar= enss !,elp hyd ologists prepare water stipply foiau?,sts aka well as provide others, such as hydroelectric power cornpar,ies and the recreation industry, with m!1i;t1-rr,L~clecl d~rt~~. The sl'ar, eys at e particulrtrly significant this tea; Ile':ause last year's snowpack yielded only !0'('1 cJ the normal water content. Rr;servt.:,irs ar-e low, as vv~ ll, with Lake Oroville holding oaaly of its c*,.5 million acre foot i Ca l:3c]Ctte-, ''`J''u t;}; average for this time of year. Chart graphic by Tina Lynn Design "There were so many branches, twigs, pine cones and other things com- ing down that our canals were plug- ging up nearly as fast we could unplug them," Nichol said. "Overall the canal system held up better than we thought it might," he said. "Our board has been putting a lot of money into maintenance over the past few years." The downed trees stretched throughout the PCWA canal system, which includes 165 miles of canals and extends nearly 50 miles along the Interstate 80 corridor between Alta and Roseville. Los Angeles Department of Water and Rower "The LADWP crews did an ex- cellent job and restored over 42,000 customers and most of the outages were very brief," e-mailed Kim Hughes, Public Affairs, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. "The weather service reported 5.29 inches of rainfall in Los Angeles County mountains and 1.56 inches for downtown LA. Some areas had more, as it was reported that Bel-Air had 3.38 inches." In advance of the storm, General Manager David Nahai announced the formation of a Power Outage Management Team Jan. 2 to ensure that the utility was prepared to respond to storm-caused electri- cal problems as quickly as possible. The team was composed of senior managers from the Power System, Customer Service, Security, and Public Affairs among others. Nahai directed DWP managers to place additional power restoration crews and customer service represen- Continued on next page 7