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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-04-10 - Board of Directors Meeting MinutesPage 3620 April 10, 1997 MINUTES OF THE YORBA LINDA WATER DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS REGULAR MEETING APRIL 10, 1997 The April 10, 1997, Regular Meeting of the Yorba Linda Water District Board of Directors was called to order by President Paul R. Armstrong at 8:30 a.m. The meeting was held at District Headquarters, 4622 Plumosa Drive, Yorba Linda. Directors present at Roll Call: President Paul R. Armstrong Vice President Sterling L. Fox Michael J. Beverage Arthur C. Korn Carl T. Scanlin Directors absent at roll call none Staff present: William J. Robertson, Secretary/General Manager Charles Gray, Engineering Manager Ray Harsma, Operations Superintendent Raquel Lazo, Secretary to the General Manager Roger Lubin, Executive Assistant to General Manager Beverly Meza, Business Manager Michael Payne, Assistant General Manager Visitors Richard Freeman Loren Matthews Art Simonian, City manager, City of Yorba Linda Roy Stephenson, Director of Public Works, City of Yorba Linda PRESENTATION CALENDAR Item 1. General Manager William J. Robertson turned the floor over to City of Yorba Linda City Manager Art Simonian, and Public Works Director Roy Stephenson, for a presentation about the impact of Proposition 218 on Yorba Linda's landscape maintenance assessment districts. Roy Stephenson explained that Proposition 218 requires that ballots be mailed to each parcel holder, giving them an opportunity to vote "yes" or "no" on assessments. He also indicated that the law requires all public property to be assessed, and to pay for services. City Manager Art Simonian stated that a public hearing will be devoted to this topic at the first City Council meeting in May. He also mentioned that the City has contracted with Adler and Associates to coordinate public information activities on this ballot effort, and had Fairbanks and Associates conduct a citizen survey about this issue. Director Korn suggested that the District might use the "message box" on its water bills to urge citizens to vote on the assessment issue. Page 3621 April 10, 1997 Mr. Simonian also pointed out that he was instructed by the City Council to attend the District's board meeting, and to request that Met refunds be issued proportional to usage, rather than a flat amount per customer. Loren Matthews, representing Eastlake Village, stated that they would like refunds from Met to be issued in a way that apportions them by past water usage. Mr. Robertson indicated that a flat amount per customer was the least costly option to administer and thereby returned the most money to District customers. CONSENT CALENDAR On a motion by Director Beverage, seconded by Vice President Fox, the Board of Directors voted 5-0 to approve the Consent Calendar as follows: Item 2. Minutes of Regular meeting, March 27, 1997. Item 3. Authorize Directors to leave the State of California prior to next meeting. Item 4. Disburse $54,847.19 on checks 21066-71; 22234-22234; a wire to MWDOC for $218,746.56 dated 4/09/97; and $92,724.59 on checks 12766 through 12834 for payroll 6. Item 5. Release $4,500 guarantee bond provided by Ahmanson Developments, Inc., for construction of water facilities. ACTION CALENDAR Item 6. Consider method to implement Metropolitan Water District of Southern California's refund, continued from March 27, 1997. Director Beverage excused himself from the room due to a possible conflict of interest, and was not present for the discussion or ensuing vote. At the March 27, 1997 meeting, the Board authorized staff to implement a one-time refund to active accounts, and determine whether refunds could be made before the end of the 1996-97 fiscal year. Business Manager Beverly Meza reported on several options, and the costs associated with each. Options included: Issuing credit to active accounts prior to July 1; Issuing credit to active accounts after July 1; and, Issuing a check to each active account. Yorba Linda City Manager Simonian asked that refunds be apportioned by usage, rather than a flat-rate refund to each customer. In response, President Armstrong suggested that the City/District Finance Committee meet to review agricultural water rates as an alternative method to provide equity to the city. On a motion by President Armstrong, seconded by vice-president Fox, the Board of Directors voted 4-0 to issue credit to active accounts after July 1. Mr. Simonian, Mr. Stephenson, and Mr. Matthews left the meeting at the conclusion of this item. Beverly Meza also left the meeting. Page 3622 April 10, 1997 President Armstrong declared a recess at 9:30. The meeting reconvened at 9:36, with Director Beverage rejoining the meeting. Item 7. Consider agreements and deeds of right-of-way with the City of Placentia for Miraloma Avenue and Richfield Road improvements. Engineering Manager Charles Gray reported that the District has reached agreement with the City of Placentia regarding widening Richfield Road and dedicating an easement across a comer of the Plant for an extension of Miraloma Avenue. This matter was reviewed by the Executive-Administration Committee at their March 21 meeting. On a motion by Vice-president Fox, seconded by Director Scanlin, the Board of Directors voted 4-0-1 (abstaining: Beverage) to authorize the President and Secretary to execute the agreement, and authorize the General Manager to execute Deeds of right-of-way for improvements to Miraloma Avenue and Richfield Road, subject to review as to form by legal counsel. Item 8. Consider Resolution 97-02, taking a neutral position regarding the Municipal Water District of Orange County consolidation with Coastal Municipal Water District. General Manager William J. Robertson reported that at their March 27 meeting, the Board of Directors concluded that because consolidation will have little effect of the District's representation at Metropolitan Water District and will not increase imported water cost to the District, the matter should be a decision between MWDOC and recommended that the Board of Directors approve Resolution 97-02. On a motion by Director Scanlin, seconded by Director Kom, the Board of Directors voted 5-0 on a roll call, to adopt Resolution 97-02 as amended, taking a neutral position on the proposed consolidation of Municipal Water District of Orange County and Coastal Municipal Water District. Mr. Freeman left the meeting at the conclusion of this item. GENERAL MANAGER'S REPORT Item 9. General Manager's oral report and comments: a) Emergency Preparedness Fair, April 20, 1997 b) District Activities: General Manager Robertson reported that scheduled May board meetings conflict with the ACWA conference, and suggested holding them May 15 and 29. COMMITTEE REPORTS Item 10. Legislative Ad-hoc Committee. Meeting scheduled with County Supervisor Spitzer on April 23, at 10:00 a.m. Hearings on AB556 - April 16 and April 22, Sacramento, CA. Page 3623 April 10, 1997 Item 11. Executive-Administration Committee. The Committee met March 21, 1997. Attending were Directors Beverage and Fox, and staff member William K. Robertson. The Committee discussed OCWD annexation, and the proposed MWDOC/Coastal Municipal Water District consolidation. Set meeting for April 15, at 9:30 a.m. Item 12. Finance-Accounting Committee. Meeting set for April 28 at 3:30 p.m. Item 13. Personnel-Risk Management Committee. The Committee met March 17 and March 24. Attending were Directors Fox and Beverage, and staff members Robertson and Payne. On March 17 they discussed risk management status reports; a request by amateur radio group of Yorba Linda to use the Santiago Reservoir for an upcoming test; considered additional property insurance for Richfield Plant; discussed a staffing study of the Operations Department; reviewed the Becker & Bell report; and discussed the General Manager's review. On March 24, they discussed the Becker & Bell study; and the General Manager's review. Item 14. Planning-Engineering-Operations Committee. Will meet April 17, at 8:30 a.m. Item 15. Public Information Committee. INTERGOVERNMENTAL MEETINGS Item 16. Yorba Linda City Council meeting, April 1 (Korn): Reported that the District's refund to customers was added to the City Council agenda as an emergency item. Director Korn addressed the council on this item, and the council authorized their staff to communicate with District staff. Item 17. MWDOC/OCWD/CMWD joint meeting, April 1 (Scanlin): Reported on San Diego County - Met negotiations, salinity management of the Colorado River, and Orange County water supply and demand. Item 18. WACO, April 4 (Armstrong): Reported that Susan Williams was selected as LAFCO's new public member; Assemblyman Pringle spoke; the attendees received an update on Proposition 218, and Senate Bill 919. Item 19. ISDOC Board Meeting, April 8 (Fox): Reported that attendees received an update on Proposition 218. Item 20. Yorba Linda Planning Commission, April 9 (Armstrong): Nothing of concern to the District transpired. Page 3624 April 10, 1997 BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS/ITEMS FOR FUTURE CONSIDERATION Director Korn: Reported on the Special District Workers' Compensation Authority's Finance Committee. BOARD OF DIRECTORS ACTIVITY CALENDAR The Board of Directors reviewed the Activity Calendar and made assignment changes. President Armstrong declared a recess at 11:10. The meeting reconvened at 11:20. CLOSED SESSION Item 21. Discussion of personnel matters pursuant to Section 54957.6 of the California Government Code, unrepresented employee: General Manager. Closed session was canceled. ADJOURNMENT On a motion by Director Korn, seconded by Director Scanlin, the Board of Directors voted 5-0, at 11:35,a.m., to adjourn to Thursday, April 17, 1997 at 8:30 a.m. in the District Boardroom. Secretary/General Manager