December 16, 2002
VALLEY CENTER MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT
Regular Board Meeting
Monday, December 16, 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, Polito, Aleshire, Stone and Haskell. Staff
members present were: General Manager Arant, General Counsel Cowett, Project Engineer
Grabbe, Director of Operations Dacus, Director of Finance Jeffrey, Water Facilities Supervisor
Stetson, Project Manager Pumar, GIS/Mapping Technician Garcia, Engineering Services
Supervisor Gootee and Board Secretary Stetson. Spectators present were: Messrs. Isbell and
McNabb of the County Department of Public Works and David Ross, Valley Roadrunner
Newspaper.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1.
Upon motion by Polito, seconded by Stone and unanimously carried, the following consent calendar items were approved:
• Minutes of the Board meeting held December 2, 2002
• Board of Directors’ requests for reimbursement of expenses and per diem
compensation
• Audit demand check numbers 91788 through 92090
ACTION AGENDA
2. Update on the Status of the Valley Center Road Improvement Project:
The Valley Center Road widening project has been in the planning stage for years.
Replacement of the District’s pipeline in Valley Center Road has been delayed in order that the
replacement project can be coordinated with the road realignment/widening project. Mr. Doug
Isbell and Mr. Brendan McNabb of the County Department of Public Works provided an update on
the status of the Valley Center Road improvement project as follows:
Valley Center Municipal Water District
Board of Directors’ Meeting
2 12/16/2002
C
Phase 1 - Valley Center South (1 mile into Escondido to 1 mile south of Banbury Road). Brush alongside the proposed alignment is being cleared. This phase will not be
submitted this month to the County Board of Supervisors for authorization to go out to bid
as had been anticipated due to property acquisition delays. Request for authorization
may be delayed until May 2003. Negotiations are also continuing on the habitat loss
permit. Additional mitigation measures are being imposed (i.e. wildlife crossings).
Construction for this phase of the road improvement project is scheduled to begin in
September of 2003 with a construction period of 2 years.
C
Phase 2 - Valley Center Rd. South (From 1 mile south of Banbury Rd. to Banbury Road). Alternative design studies on this phase have begun. Construction is anticipated to
commence one year from now.
C
Valley Center North (Valley Center Road through town to Cole Grade Road). Plans are being finalized which will facilitate the District’s pipeline relocation and coordination with
the County to install the pipeline in conjunction with the road improvement project.
Modifications to the road design are being considered in response to community
concerns for more narrow lanes to lower speeds which is felt will be safer. As proposed,
the median will remain at 14 feet in width with the inside lane at 11 feet, the outside lane
at 12 feet and a 6 foot bike lane. Bids results and availability of funds will dictate the
extent of medians constructed as well as if the oak tree near Valley Center Oil can be
relocated. A multi-use pathway (15 feet) is planned to be constructed during this phase
in the area between Valley Center Oil and Miller Road (contingent upon availability of
sufficient funds).
C
Plans for the Valley Center Road North segment are expected to be available for the District by May 2003. The plans will show the redefined horizontal and vertical alignment
of the road improvements for this segment that can be used for the District’s pipeline
replacement. Construction is expected to begin in July 2004 with a construction period
of 2 years.
A draft resolution addressing concerns regarding traffic safety in Valley Center which
requests expedience from the County of San Diego and the Traffic Commission to pursue
improved road circulation and signals for the community of Valley Center was presented by
General Manager Arant. As proposed, the resolution would be considered for adoption by
public service agencies serving Valley Center. The Board concurred with the resolution
which will be included on the agenda of a subsequent meeting for consideration of adoption.
General Manager Arant reported that design of the pipeline replacement project for the
intersection of Cole Grade and Valley Center Roads is continuing. However, there is concern
that soil may be contaminated in the project area where there had been a gasoline tank leak.
Information regarding the possible contaminated soil will be obtained prior to construction of
the pipeline replacement project.
Valley Center Municipal Water District
Board of Directors’ Meeting
3 12/16/2002
3. Fruit Fly Infestation “Safety Net” Financial Assistance Program:
In response to the fruit fly infestation in Valley Center, a “Safety Net” Financial Assistance
Program has been developed with guidance from ad hoc committee members, Directors
Aleshire and Stone. This program will provide assistance to agricultural customers financially
impacted by the fruit fly infestation. Parameters of the proposed program include:
<
Participants must be commercially active agricultural property owners and eligible for the Interim Agricultural Water Program. Proof of commercial agricultural activity and financial
impact from the imposition of the fruit fly quarantine must be provided.
<
A Property Tax Lien Agreement would be executed with the property owner providing for a deferral of up to 50% of the water fees and the District filing a lien against the property.
The Agreement would provide that:
@
Initial lien amount to be based on an estimate of water usage through May 31, 2003 with the estimate based on the prior year’s usage,
@
A minimum of 50% of the monthly water bill will be paid by the due date and, if not, the meter would be subject to lock off,
@
The District’s initial 10% delinquency charge will be waived on the unpaid portions of the monthly water bills if payments are made as required by the program,
@
Deferred balances will be charged a delinquency fee of 1.25% per month,
@
Account balances outstanding as of May 31, 2003, plus a lien fee of 5% on the balance, will be reported to the County for assessment on the participant’s property
tax bill. The lien filed will not be released until the account is brought current by
payment.
<
Participants may extend the program beyond May 31, 2003, if conditions set forth in the first Property Tax Lien Agreement are met. To extend the Program, a second Property
Tax Lien Agreement would be executed with the property owner and an additional lien
recorded on the property for estimated usage through May 31, 2004. The District will file
liens against the properties after May 31, 2004, for the account balances plus a 5% lien
fee to be collected on the FY 2004-2005 property tax bills.
<
The Program will cease as of May 31, 2004, and water used after that date will be billed and collected under the District’s normal water service rules and regulations.
The proposed Fruit Fly “Safety Net” Financial Assistance Program will be presented at the
January 6
th
Board meeting for consideration of formal adoption. 4. Proposed Administrative Code Changes to Address Residential Fire Sprinkler Systems:
The Deer Springs and Valley Center Fire Protection Districts have been requiring the
installation of residential fire sprinkler systems for many new homes affecting homes being
built in the District’s service area. The requirement will affect a greater number of homes to
Valley Center Municipal Water District
Board of Directors’ Meeting
4 12/16/2002
be constructed in the future when ordinances by these fire districts are adopted in January.
The ordinances are expected to establish more stringent standards (i.e. distance from a fire
hydrant, and emergency response time) that will impose the requirement of the installation
of a residential fire sprinkler system upon a greater number of homes to be constructed.
Project Engineer Grabbe reported that a 3/4" meter would generally not be sufficient to
provide fire service for a residential account. Alternatives considered were that one larger
domestic/fire service meter be required or that separate domestic and fire service meters be
required.
Due to concerns pertaining to liability and locking off of a fire service for nonpayment of
domestic usage, a separate fire service meter was recommended. The fire service meter
would be a minimum 1-inch single service lateral to be sized by the applicant and dedicated
to a fire sprinkler system. No capacity charge would be assessed upon the purchase of the
separate fire service meter and it would not be subject to lock off for nonpayment, but locked
off for repeated unauthorized use. Sections 180.8 and 180.9 were proposed to be added to
the District’s Administrative Code to set forth the requirements for a separate fire service
meter for residential fire sprinkler systems.
President Broomell voiced his concern regarding the requirement for a second meter to
service residential fire sprinkler systems and questioned if the additional cost is justified
considering the low probability of a fire starting in a house that can be suppressed with a fire
sprinkler system. Staff explained that one residential meter to provide sufficient pressure for
domestic service and for the fire sprinkler system would be determined by the pressure and
flow at the property and could necessitate the purchase of a 1-1/2" or 2" meter. Along with
the purchase of the meter sized for domestic flows and a fire suppression system is the
assessment of the meter capacity charges from the District and the San Diego County Water
Authority. The smaller residential meter to provide domestic flow needs would have a
corresponding reduced capacity charge, and the capacity charge would be waived for the
separate fire service meter. However, the District’s monthly meter service charge would be
assessed on both meters.
In response to Director Aleshire’s query regarding costs, staff explained that the difference
in the monthly meter service charge between a 1-inch meter and 3/4-inch meter is $6.85
(monthly meter charges of $16.75 for a 3/4" meter and $23.60 for a 1" meter). The meter
service charge for a 1-1/2" meter is $36.00 per month. Director Aleshire expressed his
reservations concerning the proposal for a separate fire service meter due to the additional
meter service costs and the low probability of a home fire with a meter locked off for
nonpayment. Engineering Services Supervisor clarified that an additional 1-inch fire flow
meter would cost $587. A standard 3/4" meter would cost $5,557. The cost for a standard
meter that would serve both domestic flows and fire flow requirements would be $8,168 for
a 1" meter or $14,575 for a 1-1/2" meter. The price differential is largely due to the capacity
charges assessed based on meter size.
Valley Center Municipal Water District
Board of Directors’ Meeting
5 12/16/2002
Assessment of a monthly meter service charge for the proposed 1" fire service meter that is
the same amount collected each month for the standard meter was questioned by Director
Aleshire. He noted that no additional cost should be incurred to read the fire service meter
located adjacent to the standard meter. Staff noted that, at present, the District’s policy is to
recover 50% of its fixed operational costs through fixed charges of which there are only the
monthly meter service charges and property tax assessments. Separate accounting (billing)
would need to be issued for the fire service meter.
A motion to approve the requirement for a separate fire service meter for residential
accounts required to install a fire sprinkler system failed by the following vote:
AYES: Directors Polito and Stone
NOES: Directors Broomell, Aleshire and Haskell
Staff was directed to analyze costs associated with a 1" fire service meter for
consideration of reducing the meter service charge for a dedicated fire service meter
and to provide data on the assessment of meter service charges. Staff was further
directed to provide data for the Board to review costs that could be incurred by
customers considering different meter sizes for a standard meter to meet both
domestic and fire flow requirements and those costs associated with a standard
residential meter and a separate dedicated fire flow meter.
5. Request to Approve Award of Contract for the Repainting of the Burnt Mountain Reservoir,
Interior and Exterior:
Water Facilities Supervisor Stetson reported that bids were received on November 21
st
for the repainting of the interior and exterior of Burnt Mountain Reservoir in which the lowest bid
was received from J. Colon Coatings, Inc. at $73,200. Award of the contract to J. Colon
Coatings, Inc. was recommended as this firm has successfully completed several similar
projects for the District and their work has been in accordance with the District’s
specifications.
Upon motion by Polito, seconded by Haskell and unanimously carried, the following
resolution, entitled:
RESOLUTION NO. 2002-35
RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF VALLEY CENTER MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT
AWARDING CONTRACT FOR BURNT MOUNTAIN
RESERVOIR - REPAINTING INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR
was adopted by the following vote, to wit:
Valley Center Municipal Water District
Board of Directors’ Meeting
6 12/16/2002
AYES: Directors Broomell, Polito, Aleshire, Stone and Haskell
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
6. Approval to Issue Purchase Orders for Electrical Equipment for the Cantrell Corners Pump
Station:
Quotes had been obtained for the purchase of equipment to replace an electrical control
panel at Cantrell Corners Pump Station. The District’s estimate had been $62,000 which
includes purchase of the electrical equipment and installation by in-house personnel. The
lowest quote was submitted by Crescent Electrical Supply at $37,925. Staff recommended
issuance of Purchase Order No. 15568 to Crescent Electrical for purchase of the electrical
equipment.
Upon motion by Stone, seconded by Haskell and unanimously carried, Purchase Order
No. 15568 to Crescent Electrical Supply for equipment to replace one electrical control
panel at Cantrell Corners Pump Station at a cost of $37,925 was approved.
GENERAL MANAGER’S AGENDA
7. District Status Report for November 2002:
General Manager Arant reported that not all of the laboratory results for the additional water
quality tests conducted within the District’s distribution system, including Title 22 testing and
tests for the 23 identified chemicals, have been received. Thus far, the results of the Title 22
tests show no change in the water quality of the water tested in the District’s system from that
delivered by Metropolitan and tested at its Lake Skinner Treatment Plant. A complete report
on the tests will be compiled once all results from the laboratories have been received.
CLOSED SESSION
8. A Closed Session was called by President Broomell at 3:55 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
• Government Code §54956.9(a), Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation.
Name of Case: Rincon del Diablo Municipal Water District, et al. vs. San Diego County
Water Authority
Case No. GIC798230
Valley Center Municipal Water District
Board of Directors’ Meeting
7 12/16/2002
• Government Code §54957.6(a), Employee Performance Evaluation
Title of Position: General Manager
The Regular Board meeting was reconvened at 4:50 p.m. No action was reported.
ADJOURNMENT
9.
Upon motion by Stone, seconded by Haskell and unanimously carried, the meeting was adjourned at 4:51 p.m.
ATTEST: ATTEST:
______________________________ _______________________________
Secretary President