July 1, 2002
VALLEY CENTER MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT
Regular Board Meeting
Monday, July 1, 2002
Time: 2:00 P.M.
Place: Board Room
29300 Valley Center Rd.
Valley Center, CA 92082
The Valley Center Municipal Water District Board of Directors’ meeting was called to order by
President Broomell at 2:00 P.M.
ROLL CALL
Board members present were: Directors Broomell, Aleshire, Stone and Haskell. Director Polito
was absent. Staff members present were: General Manager Arant, General Counsel Cowett,
District Engineer Jewell, Director of Operations Dacus, Acting Director of Finance Jeffrey, and
Board Secretary Stetson. Spectator present was Mr. Ross, Valley Roadrunner Newspaper.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1.
Upon motion by Aleshire, seconded by Haskell and unanimously carried, the following consent calendar items were approved:
• Minutes of the Board meeting held June 17, 2002
• Adoption of Resolution No. 2002-28 setting the District’s 2002-03 appropriation
limit for proceeds from taxes per Article XIIIB of the State Constitution
• Audit demand check numbers 89728 through 89894
PUBLIC HEARING
2. Public Hearing to Consider Increasing the Pressure Sewer Maintenance Fee:
President Broomell opened the public hearing at 2:04 p.m. to receive input and consider the
proposed increase in the Pressure Sewer Maintenance Fee. The monthly pressure sewer
maintenance fee is proposed to be increased from $28.00 per month/EDU to $29.00 per
month/EDU, per the Los Angeles consumer price index. This surcharge is collected from
residents in the Rimrock Development with Septic Tank Effluent Pump (STEP) sewer systems
to cover costs associated with the District’s operation and maintenance expenses to service
their on-site sewer facilities.
Acting Director of Finance Jeffrey reported that the STEP system has had an operating deficit
for the past several years. A large portion of the STEP system’s operation and maintenance
Valley Center Municipal Water District
Board of Directors’ Meeting
2 7/1/2002
expenses is due to the sewer system’s operational problems requiring replacement of the
pump controls. With only 30 homes connected to the STEP system in this development, and
the cost of replacing all pump controls, the District’s maintenance expenses have exceeded
fees collected. However, such expenses are expected to level off once all pump controls
have been replaced and there are more sewer hook-ups within the Rimrock Development.
The modified pump control systems, developed by District staff, have proven to be reliable
and will further reduce maintenance needs. Life cycle costs of the Rimrock Development’s
pressure sewer system will be reevaluated once all pump controls have been replaced.
General Manager Arant reported that proponents of the Mountain Gate Development have
proposed a pressurized sewer system which would have 157 grinder pumps. The District’s
position is that a gravity sewer system will be installed to serve developments unless it can
be demonstrated that such a system cannot feasibly be constructed.
No comments were received regarding the proposed increase of the monthly pressure sewer
maintenance fee to $29.00/EDU, and the public hearing was closed at 2:13 p.m.
Upon motion by Stone, seconded by Haskell and unanimously carried, the following
ordinance, entitled:
ORDINANCE NO. 2002-07
ORDINANCE OF THE VALLEY CENTER MUNICIPAL
WATER DISTRICT AMENDING THE ADMINISTRATIVE
CODE TO PROVIDE FOR CHANGES IN STEP
PRESSURE SEWER MAINTENANCE FEE
was adopted by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: Directors Broomell, Aleshire, Stone and Haskell
NOES: None
ABSENT: Director Polito
ACTION AGENDA
3. Review of Water Meter Connection Fees:
Director of Operations Dacus reviewed the comparison of expenses associated with meter
installations and current meter connection fees. After reviewing the installation costs, staff
recommended that there be no increase, at this time, in the District’s meter connection fees.
Another analysis of the District’s meter connection costs will be undertaken in January of
2003.
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Board of Directors’ Meeting
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GENERAL MANAGER’S AGENDA
4. Fiscal Year Water Deliveries:
General Manager Arant reported that as of June 30
th
, the end of Fiscal Year 2001-2002, water purchases were 53,516 acre feet which exceeds the District’s record in FY 1989-90 of
52,534 acre feet. The high water sales is largely due to the dry weather, growth and a
healthy agricultural economy. Though there is a decline in citrus in the area, there has been
a growing number of nurseries.
Director Aleshire inquired if the District should begin preparing for drought conditions. Staff
responded that following the experience of the water supply cutbacks in 1991-1992, it is
considered prudent to determine how the San Diego County Water Authority will implement
any cutbacks in water supplies prior to notification of customers of the specific cut-back
levels. Though Southern California is experiencing a drought, its water supply from the
Colorado River and the State Water Project has been reported to be adequate for this year.
However, if there is a lack of snowfall during the winter of 2003 in the Sierras, there is the
potential that the San Diego region could experience a reduction in water deliveries.
Projections of water deliveries for the next year will be provided by the Bureau of Reclamation
and Department of Water Resources around December of 2002. Metropolitan Water District
of Southern California may then initiate the notification of possible supply cutbacks which
would be communicated to the District’s interruptible agricultural customers.
If a cutback in the District’s water supplies is implemented, the District’s rate structure would
be revised to institute penalties or pricing disincentives for usage in excess of allocations for
agricultural accounts. Participating agricultural customers are subject to supply reductions
prior to other customer classifications as specified in the agreement to receive the agricultural
discount. The District would also have the option to pursue purchasing water from a water
bank.
Information on the District’s source of water, supply status and the potential impacts
upon agricultural customers and impacts from the local drought will be communicated
to participating IAWP (agricultural) customers. In addition, information on the SDCWAIID
water transfer and quantification settlement agreement could be provided.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ AGENDA
5. San Diego County Water Authority’s Board of Directors’ Meeting:
President Broomell provided a summary of action taken at the San Diego County Water
Authority’s June 27
th
meeting, as follows: • Per diem compensation increased for the Authority’s Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary of
the Board from $150 to $180 for each day’s attendance at meetings of the Authority.
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Board of Directors’ Meeting
4 7/1/2002
• Further discussions with the City of San Diego regarding the Small Contractors Outreach
& Opportunity Program (SCOOP) were approved. Through this program, small
contractors may participate in a shared bonding and financial assistance program. A
survey was conducted of the Authority’s member agencies to ascertain interest in
participating in SCOOP, and all agencies, with the exception of the City of San Diego,
indicated that they would not be interested. Costs for this program were estimated at
$400,000 the first year with recurring costs of $200,000 annually.
• Diverse Emerging Vendor Outreach (DEVO) Program was approved which is intended
to increase contracting opportunities for small businesses through a partnership in DEVO
which is a collaboration between the San Diego County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
and the City of San Diego.
• The Authority’s revised rate structure was adopted.
CLOSED SESSION
6. A Closed Session was called by President Broomell at 2:46 p.m. pursuant to:
• Government Code §54956.9(b), Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated
Litigation
• Government Code §54957.6(a), Employee Performance Evaluation
Title of Position: General Manager
The Regular Board meeting was reconvened at 4:50 p.m., and the following action was
reported:
By unanimous agreement of the Board, the General Manager’s annual salary
was increased to $140,000 to be effective as of July 1, 2002, and he was
awarded a $5,000 performance bonus.
ADJOURNMENT
7.
Upon motion by Aleshire, seconded by Stone and unanimously carried, the meeting was adjourned at 4:53 p.m.
ATTEST: ATTEST:
______________________________ _______________________________
Secretary President