VALLEY CENTER MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT
Regular Board Meeting
Monday, May 16, 2005
Time: 2:00 P.M.
Place: Board Room
29300 Valley Center Road
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 and Haskell. Director Stone was absent. Staff members present were: General Manager Arant, General Counsel Cowett, Director of Finance Jeffrey, Director of Operations Hoyle, District Engineer Grabbe, Board Secretary Stetson, and Water Facilities Supervisor Stetson. Spectators present were: Lon House, ACWA Energy Consultant; Lawrence Slominski and Carsten Bethge of WorldWater & Power; Kevin Ross, Powerlight; Principal Wendy Heredia, Valley Center Elementary Lower School; Principal Shannon Hargrave, Valley Center Lilac School; Fourth Grade Poster Contest winners; Stephen Tueting, and Christine Gootee, Engineering Services Supervisor.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
1. Upon motion by Polito, seconded by Aleshire and unanimously carried, the agenda was amended to add Board consideration of the District’s position concerning HR 1815, Department of Defense’s Remediation Exemption, and a request for authorization to apply for disaster assistance due to the storms of February 2005.
CONSENT CALENDAR
2. Upon motion by Aleshire, seconded by Polito and unanimously carried, the following consent calendar items were approved:
• Minutes of the Board meeting held May 2, 2005
• Audit demands
• Board of Director’s request for reimbursement of expenses and per diem compensation
ACTION AGENDA
3. Fourth Grade Water Awareness Poster Contest:
All 4th grade students of the Valley Center Elementary Lower School and Valley Center Lilac School were invited to participate in the water awareness poster contest for 2005 in which the theme was Water Conservation and Me!
The fourth grade teachers had received information to assist the students in creating a poster relating to the theme which illustrated the importance of water in our lives, our region’s limited water supply and conservation practices for the home, both indoor and outdoor. Of the 180 entries received for the poster contest, 3 were selected for top awards and 7 received Honorable Mention awards. The winners are:
1st Place Sandra Tinajero
2nd Place Sofia Pinamonti
3rd Place Michaela Wilbanks
Honorable Mentions: José Avila, Vanessa Heredia, Allie Duchnak,
Maximilian Schmitt, Melina Heredia,
Ariana Henry and Monica Robinson
Award certificates, ribbons and conservation material were presented to the top winners in the poster contest, and U.S. Savings Bonds were also presented to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place winners. And, the District’s top 3 posters will be included in the North County Water Agencies’ calendar for 2006. In addition, all participants of the poster contest received a Certificate of Recognition from the District and various water conservation booklets and material.
Principals Heredia (Valley Center Elementary Lower School) and Hargrave (Valley Center Lilac School) and the fourth grade teachers were thanked for their continued support of the District’s water education programs.
4. Presentation on ACWA Solar Power Preferred Business Partner Program:
General Manager Arant explained that the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) has entered into a preferred business partner arrangement for solar power generation. Dr. Lon House, ACWA’s Energy Consultant, and representatives from the two preferred providers, Lawrence Slominski and Carsten Bethge (WorldWater & Power), and Kevin Ross (Power Light), were present to address the Board. ACWA completed a selection process and chose WorldWater & Power and Power Light as the two preferred business partners for its solar power program.
Dr. Lon House and the representatives from WorldWater & Power and Power Light toured potential solar power sites of the District; namely, Betsworth Pump Station/Lake Turner property and the Miller Reservoir & Pump Station property. It was noted that approximately 3 to 5 acres are needed for each megawatt produced through a solar photovoltaic system. An agreement with Power Light within ACWA’s solar power program guarantees that the net cost of the electricity produced by the installation will be equal to or less than any competitors and WorldWater & Power guarantees that it will meet or beat any competitor’s price in terms of installed capacity.
The California Energy Commission’s Self Generation Incentive Program provides incentives to businesses and individuals who invest in distributed generation. The incentive rebate available for solar projects is $3.50 per watt. At this time, however, there are no rebates available, but an application should be completed so it can be processed when rebates are reinstated. Dr. House emphasized that there is competition for the limited rebates, and that the window of opportunity to secure a rebate when available is expected to be very restricted. Also, there is the uncertainty as to how long the rebates will be offered. The CPUC will be meeting in June to evaluate reallocation of funds from other sources to provide rebate incentive funds. The following factors have resulted in it being an optimal time for water agencies to consider solar energy:
• Advances in technology that make solar realistic for large scale uses by water suppliers;
• Increasing electricity costs for energy supplied by the utilities and pending rate changes that will penalize those who use electricity during peak periods (critical peak pricing);
• Availability of incentive programs that improve the economic feasibility of solar and uncertainty about how long such incentives will be available.
Dr. House concluded that water agencies should secure long-term energy supplies and solar electric systems offer members the ability to use onsite solar generation to reduce and control energy costs. Completion of an application for submittal to the regional energy office to reserve a rebate for a solar energy project was recommended.
Presentations outlining the benefits of solar energy installations were given by the representatives of WorldWater & Power and PowerLight and background information on the two solar energy providers was distributed along with data on their solar technology experience.
Upon motion by Polito, seconded by Aleshire and unanimously carried, staff was directed to pursue completion of an application for an incentive rebate for the development of a solar energy system.
5. Extension of Time Frame for Completion of Conceptual Phase of Master Plan –
Lake
Turner
Recreational Agreement:
In April 2004, the District entered into an agreement with the Valley Center Parks and Recreation District for recreational development on the District’s Lake Turner property. The agreement set forth Phase 1 development, the Master Plan Phase, stipulating that within 18 months of the effective date of the agreement, or by October 2005, the Valley Center Parks & Recreation District shall complete the conceptual phase of a master plan for the ultimate development of recreational uses at Lake Turner. A letter was received from the Parks and Recreation District stating that, though they had begun to proceed with the “due diligence” aspect of investigating the feasibility of taking on the Turner Lake facility for recreational purposes, due to financial constraints their board had voted to postpone implementing the terms of the agreement and to pursue it at a later time, if and when it is feasible. Staff recommended proposing an extension of the time frame for completion of the conceptual phase of the master plan for recreational development at Lake Turner by 3 to 5 years. Director Aleshire stated that it is likely that the Parks and Recreation District will again request voters to approve an assessment to fund operations and, if approved, their financial concerns would be substantially alleviated. Therefore, a two-year extension for completion of the conceptual phase of the master plan was recommended.
Upon motion by Aleshire, seconded by Haskell and unanimously carried, an amendment of Subsection 5.2 of Section 5, Phase 1-Master Plan Phase, of the agreement with the Valley Center Parks and Recreation District was approved to extend for a two–year period the time frame for the completion of the conceptual phase of the “Master Plan” pursuant to recreational development at Lake Turner, or until October 2007. Said amendment will be presented to the Valley Center Parks and Recreation District for concurrence.
6. Comprehensive Employee Training and Development Program:
In compliance with an established Strategic Plan specific goal to develop a comprehensive employee training and development program, the document “Critical Asset Management: Employee Recruitment, Training/Development, Retention and Succession Planning” was compiled. This document organizes the District’s practices already in place concerning: 1) Employee Recruitment, 2) Training and Education, 3) Retention, and 4) Succession Planning.
Changes proposed from current practices include the establishment of a new Employee Training and Education Program based upon the departmental training and education plans and specific training and development programs designed to effect succession planning. In addition, critical positions and successor candidates will be identified and short-term contingency and successor development plans developed.
Director Aleshire suggested that the document summarize information, such as a list of training each employee at the District will receive, identify departmental training and training per job classification. This summary information will be incorporated in the document and presented to the Board at a subsequent meeting for consideration of adoption.
7. Ordinance Approving Increases in the
Lower
Moosa
Canyon
Water Reclamation Facility Monthly Sewer Service Charge and Pressure Sewer Maintenance Fee:
The District’s proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2005-06 includes an increase in the monthly sewer service charge for connections to the Lower Moosa Canyon Water Reclamation Facility from $37.00 to $38.50/EDU to be effective July 1, 2005. This increased charge would raise approximately $41,000 annually which will be earmarked for funding the facility replacement reserve, operational expenses and to offset inflation costs.
An increase in the septic tank effluent pump (STEP) maintenance fee of $1.00 per month to $32.00/EDU per month is also proposed in the FY 2005-06 budget which will offset inflation.
Adoption of Ordinance No. 2005-05 was recommended In order for the charges to become effective as of the billings beginning July 1, 2005. Staff noted that the proposed increases could be rescinded prior to the effective date if changes to the budget so dictate.
Upon motion by Aleshire, seconded by Polito and unanimously carried, the following ordinance, entitled:
ORDINANCE NO. 2005-05
ORDINANCE OF THE
VALLEY
CENTER
MUNICIPAL
WATER DISTRICT AMENDING THE ADMINISTRATIVE
CODE TO PROVIDE FOR CHANGES IN SEWER RATES
was adopted by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: Directors Broomell, Polito. Aleshire and Haskell
NOES: None
ABSENT: Director Stone
8. Declaration of a Portion of
Lake
Turner
Property as Surplus:
Engineering Services Supervisor Gootee explained that Mr. Stephen Teuting, who is a new owner of property adjacent to the northeast portion of the District’s Lake Turner property, has requested permission to use a portion of the District’s property (approximately .50 acres of APN 186-602-04) for agricultural staging/transport and slope/erosion repair and construction. Upon review of the property, it is apparent that the previous owner had used this portion of the District’s property, as a road had been graded and gates installed for agricultural uses. The foundation of the home on Mr. Teuting’s property is damaged due to slope erosion and a portion of the District’s property is required for its proper repair.
Staff recommended that the approximately .50 acres of the District’s Lake Turner property be declared surplus and offer it for sale as the property is surplus to the District’s needs and it would safeguard the District from any liability from any continued unauthorized use of the property. The process toward offering the property for sale per the Government Code was reviewed, which is:
▪ Declare the approximately .50 acre portion of APN 186-602-04 as surplus and authorize the sale
▪ Obtain deposit for survey, mapping and appraisal from Teuting
▪ Obtain survey of the property
▪ Request quotes for and obtain a letter appraisal of the property
▪ Notify Public agencies of the available property
▪ Notify adjoining property owner (Teuting) of the available property
▪ Request Board approval of the offer to purchase
▪ Process boundary adjustment with the county
▪ Complete sale of property with escrow and title process
Upon motion by Aleshire, seconded by Polito and unanimously carried, the approximately .50 acres of Assessor Parcel No. 186-602-04 of the District’s Lake Turner property was declared surplus and sale of said property was authorized.
9. Approval for Disclaimer of Interest,
Valley Center Road
Properties with Sewerage System Easements:
Notification was received from the County of San Diego regarding the District having an interest in a complaint in eminent domain for properties where right of way was to be acquired by the County for the Valley Center Road project. The District’s interest is the sewerage system easement documents granted in favor of the District pursuant to the Central Valley Sewer Project. Quitclaim of Easement documents had been prepared by the District for the affected properties, but the recording of the documents was the responsibility of the property owners and no record of the
recording of the quitclaim documents has been found. County Counsel has requested the District sign Disclaimer of Interest documents for the following affected properties:
APN 189-094-21
APN 189-091-21
APN 189-092-13, 14 & 15
Upon motion by Aleshire, seconded by Polito and unanimously carried, execution of the Disclaimer of Interest documents for the above listed properties was approved.
10. Authorization to Apply for Disaster Assistance for the Storms of February 2005:
Board authorization to apply for federal and state disaster assistance to recover costs incurred as a result of the severe storms of February 16-23, 2005, was requested. Director of Finance Jeffrey estimated that costs incurred from these storms range from $30,000 to $40,000.
Upon motion by Polito, seconded by Haskell and unanimously carried, the Board authorized staff to apply for federal and state disaster assistance to recover costs incurred as a result of the storms of February 16 to 23, 2005.
11. Board Authorization of Position of Oppose on HR 1815:
General Manager Arant reported that HR 1815, as proposed, would exempt the Department of Defense from the responsibility of cleaning up soil and groundwater contamination for perchlorate and other defense related contaminants. Such an exemption would result in the burden for site remediation on the state and local governments. California has military facilities that have been identified as having defense-related perchlorate contamination and the loss of any groundwater sources would place additional pressure on already strained surface water sources. The Board’s approval of a position of Oppose on HR 1815 was recommended.
Upon motion by Polito, seconded by Aleshire and unanimously carried, a position of “Oppose” regarding the proposed HR 1815 was approved.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ AGENDA
12. Session on Global Warming:
Director Aleshire, who is chair of the ACWA Region 10, reported that the Program hosted by Region 10 on global warming at the recent ACWA Conference was well received. Dr. B. J. Miller was moderator and informative presentations were given on the historical results of global warming and the impacts to California’s water system, which would be devastating. Solutions to secure the State’s water supply for the future discussed were construction of a peripheral canal for the State Water Project and additional storage facilities.
CLOSED SESSION
13. A Closed Session was called to order by President Broomell at
4:08 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.
San Diego Superior Court Case GIC 760743
$ Government Code '54957.6, Conference with Labor Negotiators:
Designated Representative: Gary T. Arant, General Manager
Employee Organization: Valley Center Municipal Water
District Employees Association
The Regular meeting was reconvened at 5:10 p.m. No action was reported.
ADJOURNMENT
14. Upon motion by Polito, seconded by Haskell and unanimously carried, the meeting was adjourned at
5:12 p.m.
ATTEST: ATTEST:
____________________________ _______________________________
President Secretary