VALLEY CENTER MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT
Regular Board Meeting
Monday, May 19, 2003
Time:
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
ROLL CALL
Board members present were: Directors Broomell, Polito, Aleshire, and Haskell. Director Stone was absent. Staff members present were: General Manager Arant, General Counsel Cowett, District Engineer Jewell, Director of Operations Dacus, Director of Finance Jeffrey, Project Manager Pumar, Engineering Services Supervisor Gootee and Board Secretary Stetson. Spectators present were: Mrs. Richardson, Principal of the Valley Center Upper Elementary School and winners of the 4th Grade Water Conservation Poster Contest, and Mr. Dave Ross, Valley Roadrunner Newspaper.
CONSENT CALENDAR
ACTION AGENDA
2. Water Awareness Poster Contest:
Fourth Graders of the Valley Center Upper Elementary School participated in the District’s Water Awareness Poster Contest for 2003 in which the theme was “Water is Life”. A total of 125 posters were received in which the students portrayed the important role water plays in their lives and conservation practices. From the posters received, 3 were selected for top awards and 8 selected as honorable mention. They are:
1st Place Eric Martineau
2nd Place Matthew Thorne
3rd Place Courtney Mullay
Honorable Mentions: Brooke Kratz, Tyler Olson, Lance Armstrong
Ana Robelo, Ryan Martineau, Hayley Ulle,
Cristina Cantero and Kelsey Lund
All participants in the 4th Grade Poster Contest received a Certificate of Recognition from the District and various conservation related material. In addition, award certificates, t‑shirts with the artwork from the posters reproduced on the shirts, and ribbons were presented to the above winners with U.S. Savings Bonds presented to the top 3 winners.
The District’s 1st, 2nd and 3rd place posters were entered in the North County Water Agencies’ regional poster contest. Eric Martineau was congratulated for receiving the 5th Place Award in the regional contest sponsored by the North County Water Agencies of which the District is one of twelve participating agencies. Posters from the top 3 winners will be reproduced for the illustrations in the 2004 North County Water Agencies’ calendar.
Participating 4th Grade students, Principal Richardson and the 4th grade teachers were thanked for their support of the District’s water conservation programs.
3. Award of Contract – Valley Center Road/Cole Grade Road Water Main Replacement Project:
Bids for the Valley Center Road/Cole Grade Road water main replacement project were received on May 13th. Two bids were received with the lowest submitted by Tiger Equipment Company at $451,050.00. District Engineer Jewell explained that bids were solicited from a select list of 6 firms familiar with the particular circumstances affecting this project and with a work history indicative of being able to successfully complete this high profile project. The project is scheduled to begin June 16th with a construction period of 45 days. Work hours will be from (Sunday) to (Friday).
Award of contract to Tiger Equipment Company was recommended. It was noted that this company had successfully completed work on the District’s Shadow Lake Road water main replacement project.
Upon motion by Polito, seconded by Aleshire and unanimously carried, the following resolution, entitled:
RESOLUTION NO. 2003-18
RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRCTORS
OF VALLEY CENTER MUNICIPAL WATER
DISTRICT AWARDING CONTRACT FOR THE
VALLEY CENTER ROAD/COLE GRADE ROAD
WATER MAIN REPLACEMENT PROJECT
was adopted by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: Directors Broomell, Polito, Aleshire, and Haskell
NOES: None
ABSENT: Director Stone
4. Award of Contract for the Jesmond Dene Road Water Main Replacement Project:
District Engineer Jewell reported that bids for the Jesmond Dene Road Water Main Replacement Project were received on April 15th. The lowest submitted bid was from Special Service Contractors at $283,748.00. The design engineer’s estimate had been $508,000. Upon review by staff of this estimate, an estimate of $340,075 was used. Staff noted that references provided by Special Service Contractors were checked with favorable results and recommended the award of contract.
Upon motion by Aleshire, seconded by Polito and unanimously carried, the following resolution, entitled:
RESOLUTION NO. 2003-15
RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
VALLEY CENTER MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT
AWARDING CONTRACT FOR THE JESMOND DENE
ROAD WATER MAIN REPLACEMENT PROJECT
was adopted by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: Directors Broomell, Polito, Aleshire, and Haskell
NOES: None
ABSENT: Director Stone
5. Sale of Surplus Property – Via Cantamar:
Chris Gootee, Engineering Services Supervisor, reported that escrow closed on May 1, 2003, on the sale of excess property pursuant to the District’s Via Cantamar Reservoir property. The approximate 7 acre parcel was sold to Mr. Afaghi for $100,052.35. Per the agreement with Mr. Afaghi, the District will resize and relocate an existing water meter which has a value of $5,349.
The Via Cantamar Reservoir had been constructed on a little over an acre of an 8-acre parcel that had been purchased for $200,000. Acquiring the property to construct the reservoir and then dividing the property for the District’s improvements and selling the excess property as surplus was advantageous as it provided an onsite location for the disposal of rock and there were no narrow constraints during construction.
6. Request for Support of Legislation – Senate Bills 117 (Machado) and 317 (Kuehl):
The Board’s position of support, neutral/no response, or oppose was discussed concerning the following proposed legislation that are considered key for the completion of the San Diego County Water Authority/IID Water Transfer, the Quantification Settlement Agreement and securing the Colorado River Interim Surplus Operating Guidelines:
▪ Senate Bill 117 (Machado) would direct $200 million of Proposition 50 funds to pay for Salton Sea mitigation measures and assist in the implementation of the Quantification Settlement Agreement.
▪ Senate Bill 317 (Kuehl) would provide a variance from the California Fully Protected Species Act allowing for the limited take of protected species pursuant to the SDCWA/IID water transfer proposal.
A letter of support of the proposed legislation to be signed by the Board President was prepared for review, which is attached hereto as Exhibit “A”. The San Diego County Water Authority has requested its member agencies adopt a position of support for the proposed bills as they facilitate completion of the proposed water transfer, and thus the Quantification Settlement Agreement between IID, Coachella and Metropolitan, the California 4.4 Plan and access by Metropolitan to surplus Colorado River water for an additional 15 year period.
Director Aleshire opined that the SDCWA/IID water transfer will provide no benefit to San Diego County and stated he is not supportive of this proposal. It was noted that mitigation measures for the Salton Sea need to be resolved. General Manager Arant noted that Senator Machado is pursuing a future (2004 or 2006) water bond of approximately $5-$7 billion of which approximately $1 billion will be allocated for restoration of the Salton Sea.
A position of support of Senate Bills 117 and 317 was recommended by staff because the proposed SDCWA/IID water transfer is linked to the Quantification Settlement Agreement and the California 4.4 Plan which will secure the interim surplus operating criteria providing surplus supplies from the Colorado River. The letter of support of Senate Bills 117 and 317, as written, also references the desire for resolution of the governance issues at the San Diego County Water Authority.
Upon motion by Haskell and seconded by Polito, a letter of support for Senate Bills 117 and 317 to be signed by President Broomell was approved.
7. Prioritization of the 2003-2004 Proposed Capital Projects:
An overview of the proposed Fiscal Year 2003-2004 capital projects had been provided at the April 21st Board meeting. Projects totaling $7,082,700 were initially proposed that included projects identified in the master plan and numerous improvements to and management of the District’s system. Staff had been directed to prioritize the proposed capital projects and, if feasible, eliminate or defer some projects. The “Project Prioritization” list prepared by staff is attached hereto as Exhibit “B” which separates the projects into two categories, “Continuing Projects” and “New Projects”. Projects in these categories were prioritized as:
1. Having previous commitments or are seen as critical to the District.
2. Will not be ready for construction in the next fiscal year, or are otherwise seen as
not critical at this time.
Projects prioritized in the 2nd category as outlined above were discussed as follows:
~ Cole Grade Road Pipeline Replacement from Fruitvale Road to Oak Glen Road – The County is preparing plans to widen Cole Grade Road. A previous budget appropriation provides for design costs for this project. No appropriation was proposed in FY 2003-04 as it is not anticipated the County will be ready to go to bid and construction prior to the end of that fiscal year.
~ Nelson Way Pipeline Replacement – Budget request reduced to $12,000 to supplement design expenses and right-of-way costs. Due to the right-of-way acquisition needs for this project, the project is not expected to be ready for bid prior to Fiscal Year 2004-2005.
~ Rodriquez Road and Lilac Road Pipeline Replacement Projects – Appropriation requests reduced to $90,000 for each project for design and right-of-way costs as the projects will not be ready for bid and construction in Fiscal Year 2003-2004.
~ SCADA System Improvements - Improvements to the SCADA System modified for a total cost of $500,000 (from $1.4 million). As proposed, the SCADA System Improvements in Fiscal Year 2003-2004 include adding SCADA to a few more sites, continuing to monitor the Pilot Program, planning for the data collection from the SCADA System, and establishment of a control center.
Total requested expenditures for capital projects as modified for the proposed Fiscal Year 2003-2004 budget will be $4,069,700. Director of Finance Jeffrey stated that the expenditure of $4 million for capital projects in a fiscal year can be sustained without affecting reserve levels. The capital projects as modified will be included in the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2003-2004.
GENERAL MANAGER’S AGENDA
8. Review of Miscellaneous Information Items:
General Manager Arant reviewed the following informational items:
~ ACWA Region 10 is accepting nominations for its Board officers and members. Director Aleshire serves as the District’s Region 10 representative.
~ San Diego County Water Authority’s refund to its member agencies amounting to approximately $14 million was distributed. The District received $635,111 which was calculated based on an all-end financial contribution for the past 5-year period. Approval to deposit these funds in the District’s rate stabilization fund will be considered by the Board at a subsequent meeting.
~ A Geographical Information System (GIS) Symposium will be held in San Diego from July 5th through July 11th. If interested in attending, the Board was requested to contact staff as individual applications must be processed for security reasons. Such applications for VIP passes will provide access to the symposium’s map gallery and exhibit hall.
~ Noise Complaint from a Resident on Turner Heights Drive was received regarding the noise emitted from the gear drives of the gas engines at the District’s Betsworth Pumping Station. Ms. Lori Hatley has asked that the noise levels from the Betsworth Pumping Station be investigated. Staff reported that sound measurements have indicated the District is in compliance with the county’s noise standards. Staff further reported that due to changes in energy costs, the operation of the electrical pumps rather than the gas engines at night will be more cost effective. However, during peak usage periods, the gas engines will need to be utilized in the evening.
The gas engines at the Betsworth Pumping Station were recently replaced and new measurements with the Noise Pollution Control District’s representative will be pursued to verify continued compliance with the noise standards. The Board will be provided a copy of Ms. Hatley’s letter and the District’s response addressing the noise measurements.
~ Corporate Facility Needs Assessment is continuing in which comments on the preliminary design were received and will be forwarded to the consultant. A preliminary design indicates that a new corporate facility could be constructed at the District’s existing administrative site with the additional acquisition of approximately 2 acres. Director Aleshire noted that an economic analysis of building on the current site or acquisition of a new site should be pursued. General Manager Arant stated that the consultant, Gillis & Associates Architects, Inc., will estimate costs to build a new corporate facility on the District’s existing site compared to building on an unconstrained site. It was noted, however, that a new site would need to accommodate the District’s waste disposal.
~ Wastewater Systems that will serve the Country Town were discussed. Proponents of the Village Square development near Cole Grade and Valley Center Roads have requested that the District operate and maintain its proposed leach fields that will serve as the development’s wastewater disposal system. The Regional Water Quality Control Board requires that a public agency operate the subsurface disposal system. A policy that will establish parameters for the District’s operation and maintenance of such disposal systems will be developed.
A future sewer assessment district to construct a sewer system for the country town area and the affects of the proposed Village Square upon such an assessment district, as it is proposed to be served by a subsurface disposal system, were discussed. It is felt that the Village Square property does not encompass enough acreage to successfully negate a vote for formation of a sewer assessment district in the country town area as a larger area would need to be included in the assessment district for it to be economically viable. It was the unanimous opinion of the Board that a community sewer system would be the most cost effective and preferred system rather than several package treatment systems serving different developments. Such a community sewer system to serve the Woods Valley Ranch, Orchard Run and Bell/Alti developments and interested nearby properties (Country Town Southern Node) will be facilitated upon initiation by the affected property owners.
Included in the assessments to operate and maintain the proposed Village Square sewer disposal system would be a charge for the maintenance or replacement of the facilities. Such funds could be used in the future for upgrades to the subsurface disposal system or to purchase capacity rights in a regional sewer system.
~ A shortage of treated Water Supply may occur this summer and possibly through to 2007 during summer time peak water use. The “peaking” situation is when water supplies are adequate, but water treatment plants cannot keep up with the demand for water. Water Authority personnel have reported that water treatment plants reached their maximum capacity several days last summer. New treatment plants are being built and existing ones are being expanded, but the increased demands for treated water may not be met during the summer’s peak water use until the facility improvements are completed and on-line. Demands on the region’s treated water supplies have been discussed for several years, but planned improvements at the City of San Diego’s treatment plants (Miramar and Alvarado Plants) are behind schedule. Skinner Treatment Plant’s expansion project will be completed in 2007. District operations are being evaluated for potential modifications in an extended hot spell.
Incentive programs for the Authority’s member agencies may be implemented to develop additional storage and/or treatment capacity. Installation of filter units at Lake Turner to generate additional flow to possibly blend into the District’s supply will be investigated. Also, construction of Miller Reservoir (25 MG) will be pursued.
The San Diego County Water Authority will be contacting landscape irrigation contractors to inform them of the “peaking” situation and request their cooperation to shift watering schedules to the weekends as commercial irrigation demands are heavy on Mondays and Tuesdays. On-line access of the Authority’s water supply and demand status may become available for customers.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ AGENDA
9. Regional Water Treatment Plant:
At the April 24th San Diego County Water Authority Board meeting, preliminary design and the environmental permitting for a regional water treatment plant location were approved. The Twin Oaks Valley Diversion Structure is considered the preferred alternative as it is located at the cross over and will serve most of the member agencies (except Fallbrook PUD).
10. Report on ACWA Spring Conference:
Director Aleshire provided a summary of the ACWA/JPIA meetings stating that it was reported that property and liability insurance rates will remain intact, but workers’ compensation insurance premiums will increase 25%. Establishment of compensation levels for injuries such as the loss of a limb may be implemented and the importance of reinforcing pre-employment medical examinations is being recognized. Data was provided on the decline of natural gas storage in the United States.
CLOSED SESSION
11. A Closed Session was called by President Broomell at 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.
San Diego 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, et al.
San Diego County Superior Court Case No. GIC798230
· Government Code §54956.9(a), Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation.
Name of Case: Cougar Pass Coalition v. John Braman, et al.
San Diego County Superior Court Case No. GIN028464
· Government Code §54957.6(a), Conference with Labor Negotiations
Agency Representatives: Gary T. Arant, General Manager
William J. Jeffrey, Director of Finance
The Regular Board meeting was reconvened at No action was reported.
ADJOURNMENT
12. Upon motion by Aleshire, seconded by Haskell and unanimously carried, the meeting was adjourned at
ATTEST: ATTEST:
______________________________ ______________________________
Secretary President