May 20, 2002
VALLEY CENTER MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT
Regular Board Meeting
Monday, May 20, 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
Vice President Polito at 2:00 P.M.
Board members present were: Directors Polito, Aleshire, Stone and Haskell. Director Broomell
was absent. Staff members present were: General Manager Arant, General Counsel Cowett,
District Engineer Jewell, Director of Finance Jarrell, Director of Operations Dacus, Manager of
Accounting Jeffrey, Project Engineer Grabbe, Manager of Human Resources Hale and Board
Secretary Stetson. Spectators present were: Mrs. Richardson, Principal of the Valley Center
Upper Elementary School and winners of the 4
th
Grade Water Conservation Poster Contest, and Mr. Ross, Valley Roadrunner Newspaper.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1.
Upon motion by Aleshire, seconded by Stone and unanimously carried, the following consent calendar items were approved:
• Minutes of the Board meeting held April 29, 2002:
• Resolution No. 2002-22 Designating Dale Mason, Member of the San Diego County
Water Authority Board, to cast the District’s vote at an Authority Board meeting in
the absence of the District’s representative
• Audit demand check numbers 89062 through 89380
• Board of Director’s request for reimbursement of expenses and per diem
compensation
• Treasurer’s Report for the period ended April 30, 2002
• Statement of Revenues/Expenses for the period July 1, 2001 through March 31,
2002
Valley Center Municipal Water District
Board of Directors’ Meeting
2 5/20/2002
ACTION AGENDA
2. Fourth Grade Water Awareness Poster Contest – Presentation of Awards;
Fourth Graders of the Valley Center Upper Elementary School participated in the District’s
Water Awareness Poster Contest for 2002 in which the theme was “California’s Water
History”. The students were asked to pick a time period of California’s history (Native
Americans, Spanish Explorer, California Pioneer, or present-California Water Seeker) and
show the water source and its use in that time period. Of the 180 posters received, 6 were
selected as Honorable Mention and 3 top winners as follows:
1
st
Place Whitney Fredenburg 2
nd
Place Kaylie Miller 3
rd
Place Kristen Gangel Honorable Mentions: Sarah Duchnak
Megan Mandich
Erika Avila
Erika Mussatti
Jack Armstrong
Shawntee Hancock
All participants of the 4
th
Grade Poster Contest received a Certificate of Recognition from the District and various conservation related material. In addition, award certificates, t-shirts
portraying their posters and ribbons were presented to the above winners with U.S. Savings
Bonds presented to the top 3 winners. Posters from the top 3 winners have been entered
in the North County Water Agencies’ regional poster contest and will be reproduced for the
artwork in the 2003 Water Awareness calendar.
Participating students, 4
th
grade teachers and principal Richardson were thanked for their continued support of the District’s water conservation programs.
3. Water System Master Plan, 2002:
At the workshop of April 29
th
, the Board had been presented with the findings and recommendations of the Water System Master Plan, 2002 Update. Discussion had focused
on:
<
land use changes from the previous master plan
<
revised ultimate demand projections
<
water meter projections
<
10 days storage requirements
<
conversion of the water distribution system computer model to updated software
<
development of GIS project database
<
general review of the ultimate, existing and replacement projects being recommended
<
recommendation to increase the meter capacity charges
Valley Center Municipal Water District
Board of Directors’ Meeting
3 5/20/2002
Projected expenditures for the facilities required for ultimate build-out are estimated at
$16.9 million. To fund these expenditures, the collection of meter capacity charges on
8,648 equivalent 3/4-inch meter connections over a 30-year build out period was assumed
with 5% earnings to result in a near zero ending balance with implementation of the following
proposed water meter capacity charges.
Meter Size Equivalent
Units
Current Meter
Capacity Charge
Proposed Meter
Capacity Charge
3/4" 1 $1,252 $1,800
1" 1.7 2,128 3,060
1-1/2" 3.3 4,132 5,940
2" 5.3 6,636 9,540
3" 10 12,520 18,000
It was clarified that funds for capital improvement projects do not have to be collected from
capacity charges, as they could be funded from another source such as the water rates.
However, if capacity charges are collected, the funds must be earmarked for and spent on
capital improvement projects per AB 1600.
Staff recommended adoption of the District’s Water System Master Plan, 2002 Update, and
to authorize staff to proceed with increasing the meter capacity charges to be implemented
in one step with an annual adjustment of the meter capacity charges using the March
Engineering News Record, Los Angeles, Construction Cost Index. A public hearing to
consider adoption of the increased meter capacity charges could be held during the regular
Board meeting of June 17
th
. The revised charges would become effective 60 days following the public hearing or August 19, 2002. An implementation and financial plan for the
Priority “A” projects identified in the Master Plan would be prepared. Periodically, water
demands and required projects will be re-evaluated.
Upon motion by Aleshire, seconded by Stone and unanimously carried, staff was
authorized to conduct a public hearing on June 17, 2002, to consider adoption of the
proposed meter capacity charge increases, and the Water Master Plan, 2002 Update
was adopted by the following resolution, entitled:
RESOLUTION NO. 2002-24
RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF VALLEY CENTER MUNICIPAL WATER
DISTRICT ACCEPTING THE WATER SYSTEM
MASTER PLAN DATED APRIL 2002
Valley Center Municipal Water District
Board of Directors’ Meeting
4 5/20/2002
by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: Directors Polito, Aleshire, Stone and Haskell
NOES: None
ABSENT: Director Broomell
4. Adoption of Recommendations from the Energy Study:
Consultants Dr. Lon House and Boyle Engineering, Inc. conducted an assessment of the
District’s use of both electricity and natural gas, the findings of which had been reviewed at
the April 29
th
workshop. Recommendations of the energy assessment were reviewed, as summarized below:
C
Consider the high cost of energy in the design/selection of pipe material and pump station design.
C
Consider the use of “soft start” motors in all pump station construction and upgrades.
C
Review all existing horizontal pumps for conversion to vertical, if appropriate.
C
Review Rainbow Pump Station design and pump efficiency when VC-8 aqueduct connection is completed.
C
Review Valley Center Pump Station design when Valley Center Road design is completed.
C
Continue implementation of SCADA program for all pump stations to better monitor and schedule pump activity.
C
Revise pump testing program to insure that all pumps are tested annually and all vertical pumps found under 70% efficient are scheduled for maintenance to return
efficiency to a minimum of 70%.
C
Update the written operations manual on operation of District pumps, reservoirs and water delivery system.
C
Remain vigilant in monitoring SDG&E, the California PUC and energy markets to insure the best tariff for the District’s accounts, opportunities for direct access and
other opportunities for reduced consumption or reduced energy costs.
Staff noted that many of the recommendations were previously implemented or
implementation has been planned for the near future or when appropriate.
Upon motion by Aleshire, seconded by Stone and unanimously carried, the above listed
recommendations resulting from the energy assessment were approved and their
inclusion in the Strategic Plan for implementation was approved.
Valley Center Municipal Water District
Board of Directors’ Meeting
5 5/20/2002
5. Woods Valley Ranch Development Sewer Service Area - Collection of Sewer Standby Fee
and Service Charge:
Engineer’s Reports for the Woods Valley sewer service area’s proposed standby fee and
sewer service charge prepared by Berryman & Henigar were presented. The proposed sewer
improvements to be operated and maintained include a Title 22, tertiary level wastewater
reclamation facility that will serve the entire Woods Valley Specific Plan area. Once
constructed, the plant will provide for 70,000 gallons per day of wastewater capacity. This
amount of capacity is intended to serve approximately 280 equivalent dwelling units at the
design flow of 250 gallons per day per equivalent dwelling unit. It is anticipated that the
sewerage system improvements will not be completed until Fiscal Year 2004-05. In the
interim, effluent from the sewer system resulting from development within the Service Area
prior to completion of the wastewater reclamation facility will be discharged to a fiberglass
collection tank.
A detailed estimate contained in the Engineer’s Report of the estimated costs in Fiscal Year
2002-03 associated with the annual operations and maintenance of the proposed interim
improvements will be $168,000 as is shown on the attached labeled “Exhibit A”. At full buildout,
the budget to operate and maintain the sewer collection system and reclamation facility
is estimated at $335,120 per year as shown on the attached “Exhibit B”. Based on the FY
2002-03 operations and maintenance budget of $168,000, the standby fee is $600.00 per
EDU or $50.00 per EDU per month. (Total estimated O&M and replacement costs of
$335,120 per year upon full build-out, will require an annual assessment of $1,196.86/EDU.)
Assessment of the Standby Fee ($600/EDU) on the affected properties within the Woods
Valley Ranch Sewer Service Area in FY 2002-03 is proposed as follows:
FY 2002-03
Standby Fee
APN EDUs Amount
189-012-18 0.00 $ 0
189-012-19 5.00 $ 3,000
189-092-22 0.00 $ 0
189-100-01 73.00 $ 43,800
189-100-02 94.00 $ 56,400
189-130-04 79.00 $ 47,400
189-141-08 18.00 $ 10,800
189-282-18 11.00 $ 6,600
280.00 $168,000
To ensure that the operation and maintenance of the Woods Valley Sewer System will be
funded by those properties within the designated sewer service area and, hence, those
properties receiving the benefit, and not a burden to the District’s water customers, the
assessment of a standby fee collected on the tax roll was proposed. As the property is
developed, the assessment upon the property would be through a sewer service charge also
Valley Center Municipal Water District
Board of Directors’ Meeting
6 5/20/2002
proposed to be collected on the tax roll. As such, each July 1
st
, properties that have been developed will be assessed a sewer service charge on their tax bills rather than a standby
fee.
Director of Finance Jarrell explained that assessment of a standby fee must be in compliance
with Proposition 218 which necessitates a hearing, and that each record owner of property
proposed to be subject to the standby fee has the right to submit a standby fee ballot in favor
of or in opposition to the proposed standby fee. Thus, standby fee ballots will be mailed to
the record owner of each parcel located within the sewer service area and subject to a
proposed standby fee. The sewer service charge collected on the tax roll does not require
a ballot vote, but a hearing is required and notification mailed to the property owners.
Staff recommended adoption of Resolution No. 2002-20 to approve initiating proceedings
pursuant to the standby fee within the Woods Valley Sewer Service area to be collected on
the tax roll, preliminary approval of the Engineer’s Report and setting the date and time of the
public hearing for said charges to be July 15, 2002, at 2:00 p.m. Further, adoption of
Resolution No. 2002-21 was recommended to declare intention to collect sewer service
charges within the Woods Valley Sewer Service area on the tax roll, preliminary approval of
the Engineer’s Report and setting the date and time of the public hearing for said charge to
be July 15, 2002.
Upon motion by Aleshire, seconded by Stone and unanimously carried, the following
resolution, entitled:
RESOLUTION NO. 2002-20
RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
THE VALLEY CENTER MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT
DECLARING ITS INTENTION TO PRESCRIBE AND
COLLECT SEWER STANDBY FEES WITHIN THE
WOODS VALLEY SEWER SERVICE AREA
was adopted by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: Directors Polito, Aleshire, Stone and Haskell
NOES: None
ABSENT: Broomell
Valley Center Municipal Water District
Board of Directors’ Meeting
7 5/20/2002
Upon motion by Aleshire, seconded by Stone and unanimously carried, the following
resolution, entitled:
RESOLUTION NO. 2002-21
RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
THE VALLEY CENTER MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT
DECLARING ITS INTENTION TO PRESCRIBE AND
COLLECT SEWER SERVICE CHARGES WITHIN
THE WOODS VALLEY SEWER SERVICE AREA
was adopted by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: Directors Polito, Aleshire, Stone and Haskell
NOES: None
ABSENT: Director Broomell
6. Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2002-03 and 2003-04:
The District’s Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2002-03 and 2003-04 incorporating the
suggested revisions from the April 29
th
workshop was presented for the Board’s adoption. Adding “Teamwork” as an organizational value was suggested. Upon adoption of the
District’s Ethics Policy, which is a proposed Strategic Plan goal for FY 2002-03, arrangements
for an Ethics Workshop will be pursued.
Upon motion by Aleshire, seconded by Stone and unanimously carried, the District’s
Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2002-03 and 2003-04 was adopted as is set forth on the
attached, labeled “Exhibit C”.
7. Classification and Compensation Study Recommendations:
Per the Administrative Code Section 8.9, “the District shall review and evaluate the position
classifications existing within the District every third year.” Three years ago, a comprehensive
classification and compensation study had been completed. For FY 2002-2003, an in-house
review of position classifications was undertaken in which positions of the District were
surveyed with those at 14 comparable water agencies that had been identified and utilized
in previous surveys.
Valley Center Municipal Water District
Board of Directors’ Meeting
8 5/20/2002
Manager of Human Resources Hale presented recommendations as a result of the study as
follows:
% to % Increase
Current Title Proposed Title Change Market to Dist. Range
Administration:
Exec. Assistant/Bd. Sec’y. No Change 8.55 10.50
Administrative Ass’t. II Human Resources Asst. 20.27 21.55
Mgr. of Human Resources No Change 15.50 15.80
Finance:
Information Systems Spec. No Change 13.69 15.77
Manager of Accounting No Change 9.05 10.20
Engineering:
Project Manager No Change 10.75 15.80
Construction Inspector No Change 6.42 5.00
Sr. Construction Inspector No Change 6.63 5.00
Engineering Assistant No Change 7.86 10.20
Engineering Tech. III GIS Technician 5.76 5.00
Field:
Landscape Main. Worker Establish I, II, & III levels 8.23 10.20
Implementation of the study’s recommendations would be at a cost of approximately 3.5% of
payroll.
Upon motion by Stone, seconded by Haskell and unanimously carried, the
recommendations resulting from the classification and compensation study as
presented were approved for adoption with the Fiscal Year 2002-03 Budget.
8. Award of Contract for the Upper Welk & Meadows P.R.V. Stations:
Bids for the Upper Welk and Meadows P.R.V. Stations project were opened on April 30
th
. The lowest bid was received from SCW Contracting at $178,300. The engineer’s estimate
for this project had been $192,000. District Engineer Jewell noted that a written protest had
been received from the second lowest bidder, RKC Constructors, regarding listing of
subcontractors, however, the response received from SCW Contracting is satisfactory to
District legal counsel. Award of contract to SCW Contracting for the Upper Welk & Meadows
P.R.V. Stations was recommended.
Valley Center Municipal Water District
Board of Directors’ Meeting
9 5/20/2002
Upon motion by Aleshire, seconded by Stone and unanimously carried, the following
resolution, entitled:
RESOLUTION NO. 2002-23
RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
VALLEY CENTER MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT
AWARDING CONTRACT FOR THE UPPER
WELK & MEADOWS P.R.V. STATIONS
was adopted by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: Directors Polito, Aleshire, Stone and Haskell
NOES: None
ABSENT: Director Broomell
9. Report of De Minimus Agreement Settlement – Chatham Brothers Barrel Yard Clean-up Site:
A report from Director of Finance Jarrell was distributed reporting that the de minimus
agreement authorized by the Board in Closed Session on November 5, 2001, was accepted
and executed by the Potentially Responsible Parties (PRP) Steering Committee with respect
to the cleanup of hazardous waste and other environmental contamination at the Chatham
Brothers Barrel Yard site.
Between 1980 and 1982, the District had disposed of 992 gallons of waste oil and solvent at
the Chatham Brothers Barrel Yard, which was a permitted facility. A final accounting of the
District’s expenses for the cleanup of the site shows a net cost of $50,651.
CLOSED SESSION
10. A Closed Session was called by Vice President Polito at 4:32 p.m. pursuant to:
• Government Code §54956.9(a), Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation.
Name of case: Sweetwater Authority, et al. v. Dynegy, Inc., et al.
Superior Court Case GIC 760743
The Regular Board meeting was reconvened at 4:49 p.m. No action was reported.
Valley Center Municipal Water District
Board of Directors’ Meeting
10 5/20/2002
ADJOURNMENT
11.
Upon motion by Aleshire, seconded by Stone and unanimously carried, the meeting was adjourned at 4:50 p.m.
ATTEST: ATTEST:
______________________________ _______________________________
Secretary President