Board Meeting - 2/26/2016

MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF SERRANO WATER DISTRICT

The Board of Directors of the Serrano Water District met in a special board meeting on Friday, February 26, 2016.  The meeting was held at the District Office located at 18021 Lincoln Street, Villa Park, California.

CALL TO ORDER:  President Pharris called the meeting to order at 8:45 a.m.

ROLL CALL:

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEMBERS PRESENT:

C.L. “Larry” Pharris, Jr.            President

Frank Bryant                            Vice President

Jerry Haight                              Board Member

Richard A. Freschi                    Board Member

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEMBERS ABSENT:

STAFF PRESENT:

Jerry Vilander                           General Manager

Ann Michel                               Director, Finance & Administration

Joel Kuperberg                         General Counsel, Rutan & Tucker

GUESTS PRESENT:

Duncan Moffat             Resident, City of Villa Park

PUBLIC COMMENT

Duncan Moffatt enquired about the status of penalties and conservation efforts moving forward.  As a result of this enquiry, Director Pharris announced that he was moving agenda items out of sequence.

CONSIDER MODIFICATIONS TO DISTRICT’S WATER CONSERVATION ORDINANCE AND PENALTY STRUCTURE

Following discussion led by General Manager Vilander, it was decided through unanimous Board consensus that staff will work with Attorney Kuperberg to hold a public hearing at the next regularly scheduled Board meeting to alter the penalty process and conservation guidelines.  Watering will be limited to two days per week with unlimited hand watering and the penalty process will be revised to include:  (1) written warning, (2) required complimentary conservation visit, (3) $50 penalty, (4) $100 penalty, and (5) $250 penalty.  The modified ordinance will also include a discretionary clause for the General Manager.  Attorney Kuperberg will research regulations required by the State.

Additionally, the Board agreed that General Manager Vilander should send correspondence to all residents notifying them that penalties will not be in place for March consumption and to encourage residents to continue to conserve.  Director Bryant requested that all penalty related information be suppressed on the bills moving forward including banked units and penalty information.

VACANCY IN THE OFFICE OF DIRECTOR OF DIVISION 3 OF THE DISTRICT

A.        A Resolution of the Serrano Water District Calling and Giving Notice of the Holding of a District Election to be Held on Tuesday, November 8, 2016, to Fill the Vacancy in the Office of Director of Division 3 of the District.

B.         A Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Serrano Water District Requesting the Board of Supervisors of the County of Orange to Consolidate a District Election to be held on Tuesday, November 8, 2016 with the Statewide Election to be Held on that Date Pursuant to §§ 10402 and 10403 of the Elections Code.

C.        A Resolution of the Board of Directors of Serrano Water District Adopting Regulations for Candidates for Elective Office Pertaining to Candidates’ Statements Submitted to the Voters at a District Election to be Held on Tuesday, November 8, 2016.

Following discussion, it was moved (Director Bryant), seconded (Director Haight), and carried with Directors Pharris, Haight, and Bryant voting yes (no - Director Freschi) to adopt Resolution No. 2016-02-01, Resolution No. 2016-02-02, and Resolution No. 2016-02-03 as presented.

The Board of Directors announced that the meeting would be recessed into closed session at 9:20 a.m.

RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION

Conference with real property negotiators (Government Code Section 54956.8)

Property: Approximately 20 acres adjacent to 4621 Santiago Canyon Road, Silverado Canyon, CA  92676

Agency Negotiator:  Jerry Vilander

Negotiating Parties:  County of Orange

Under Negotiation:  Price and terms

The meeting was recessed into open session at 9:30 a.m. and it was announced that the following reportable action had taken place. 

It was moved (Director Bryant), seconded (Director Pharris), and unanimously carried with Directors Freschi, Haight, Bryant and Pharris voting yes to take actions required under the lease with respect to termination; provide notice to the RV and boat storage tenants, inform them that the new company will be contacting them and provide customer information to The Irvine Company; and terminate all utilities on leased property not needed for water services effective March 31, 2016.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was formally adjourned at 9:35 a.m.   The next regularly scheduled meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 8, 2016 @ 8:30 a.m. at the District office.                                                         

                                                                                                Laura Heflin, Administrative Assistant