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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-03-13 - YLWD-City of Yorba Linda Joint Agency Committee Meeting MinutesYLWD/CC Joint Advisory Committee Minutes March 13, 2017 Page 1 of 4 CITY OF YORBA LINDA Land of Gracious Living YORBA LINDA WATER DISTRICT/ CITY COUNCIL JOINT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES March 13, 2017 4:00 p.m. CALL TO ORDER The Yorba Linda Water District/City Council Joint Advisory Committee meeting convened at 4:09 p.m. in the Council Chambers at 4845 Casa Loma Avenue, Yorba Linda. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Councilwoman Beth Haney ROLL CALL Committee Members City Council: Beth Haney, Tom Lindsey (arrived at 4:32 p.m.) Water District: J. Wayne Miller, Phil Hawkins Staff Members: Marc Marcantonio, Mark Pulone PUBLIC COMMENTS None YLWD/CC Joint Advisory Committee Minutes March 13, 2017 Page 2 of 4 ACTION CALENDAR 1.Minutes of the YLWD/City Council Joint Advisory Committee meeting held on October 26, 2016. The YLWD/City Council Joint Advisory Committee approved the minutes of the October 26, 2016 meeting. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2.Drought Response, Water Conservation/Drought Penalty Ordinances, and Community Outreach Efforts General Manager Marc Marcantonio reported that for the month of February the water savings was at 54% and the cumulative savings from June 2015 through February 2017 was a total of 31.4%. He also said that the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) extended the Emergency Drought Declaration until after the snow pack measurement on April 1. Julia Schultz, resident, asked about the Proposition 1 Bonds from 2015 and what the State would do with them. General Manager Marcantonio responded and said that the monies had not been dispersed yet as there were several projects competing for the funding. 3.Impact of Senate Bill 814 – Drought: Excessive Water Use: Urban Retail Water Suppliers General Manager Marcantonio stated that SB 814 was signed into law last year. He said the bill will require each urban retail water supplier to establish a method to identify and discourage excessive water use by using rate structures that include block tiers, water budgets, rate surcharges, and establish administrative penalties up to $500 per unit of water. The W ater District’s prior Administrative Penalty system charged only $10 for per 10 units of excess water. These new regulations would be in effect during drought conditions. Board President J. Wayne Miller commented that Orange County is the largest water recycler in the nation but does not receive any credit from the SWRCB for it. 4.District Revised Budgeted Positions for Remainder of FY 2016/2017 General Manager Marcantonio informed the committee members that the revised Budgeted Positions item was continued during the last YLWD meeting to a future meeting. He said the District was considering changing the Communications Manager position to an Assistant General Manager position for succession planning; this position would supervise the management team and perform the duties of the previous Communications Manager. YLWD/CC Joint Advisory Committee Minutes March 13, 2017 Page 3 of 4 5.District Budget to Actual Financial Statements for Month Ending January 31, 2017 Councilman Lindsey asked what the new Board had found during their initial review of the Water District’s financials. General Manager Marcantonio stated that the new board has been extremely busy learning governing principals, the Brown Act, touring different state water projects as well as local infrastructure and getting ready to start budget workshops. Board President Miller stated that his main concern was the decline of the District’s long standing AAA rating with Standard & Poor which was downgraded to AA. He said the Board would also be looking at reserves, replacement of R&R, Capital Budgets, staffing and water rates and that they expect to have a new budget in July. General Manager Marcantonio provided a brief review of the District’s financials and stated that they prepare an Income Expense Statement which includes information on their present net position; the District uses Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) accounting principles. Councilwoman Beth Haney inquired about Income Expense Statements and if there was a tool that could be used to make it quicker and easier for busy people to interpret. General Manager Marcantonio responded that the District was researching improved methods of communication so that in the future the public doesn’t misunderstand the financial position of the Water District. Julia Schultz, resident, said she appreciated Councilwoman Haney’s comment and agreed there was a lot of information on the District website from which the public could learn. She said she was glad to help get the word out and inform residents. 6.City Council Actions to Vacate Easements in Underfunded Landscape Maintenance Assessment District (LMAD) Zones Councilman Lindsey briefly discussed the current process before Council of vacating certain easements in LMAD zones which could mean significantly less water use in these areas. Discussion ensued regarding estimating water usage, the potential different scenarios of landscape easement vacations and irrigation systems. 7.Improper Disposal of Pool Plaster Material General Manager Marcantonio requested the City’s assistance with an issue that developed recently. He explained that some residents were complaining of sewer blockages on their property. After the District investigated by running a camera through the sewer line it was discovered that one or more pool re-plastering contractors were disposing of excess plaster material by pumping it into the sewer. YLWD/CC Joint Advisory Committee Minutes March 13, 2017 Page 4 of 4 City Manager Pulone suggested that a pamphlet with information on proper disposal procedures be disseminated through the City’s Building Department to all contractors who pull permits. Community Development Director David Brantley agreed that his department would work with the District to identify sewer blockage areas and try to match them with recently filed pool permits. 8.Future Meeting Dates and Times Board President Miller suggested bimonthly meetings and Councilwoman Haney suggested quarterly meeting. Discussion ensued in regards to holding bi-monthly or quarterly meetings. The Committee agreed to meet quarterly with the option of calling a special meeting if necessary. 9. Potential Future Agenda Items General Manager Marcantonio suggested a continued discussion regarding projections from the City on anticipated future water use. ADJOURNMENT City Manager Pulone adjourned the meeting at 5:36 p.m. to the next Yorba Linda Water District/City Council Advisory Committee Joint meeting on Monday, June12, 2017 at 4:00 p.m.