Board Meeting - 1/12/2016

 

MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF SERRANO WATER DISTRICT

 

The Board of Directors of the Serrano Water District met in a regularly scheduled board meeting on Tuesday, January 12, 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 8:32 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

Laura Heflin                              Administrative Assistant

 

GUESTS PRESENT:

Adam Wood                            Curt Pringle & Associates

Dave Noyes                             Contract CEO, Irvine Lake

Diana Fascenelli                        Councilwoman, City of Villa Park

Brad Reese                              Resident, Villa Park

Arlene Springe              Resident, Villa Park

 

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

Arlene Springe reported that she was in attendance to protest the recent moratorium that was placed on the penalties and the institution of the banked units program.   Director Haight informed Ms. Springe that if the District does not make the State’s target, penalties will be instituted again.  Director Haight stated that the current penalty program requires some revision.  General Manager Vilander encouraged Ms. Springe to take advantage of the District’s complimentary water conservation concierge service.  President Pharris thanked Ms. Springe for her input.

 

Councilwoman Fascenelli announced that Councilman Greg Mills is now the Mayor for the City of Villa Park.  Councilwoman Fascenelli remarked upon an article she had recently read in the Orange County Register regarding special districts and redundancy in government.  Director Freschi offered to meet with Councilwoman Fascenelli to provide more information on the subject matter.  The Community Foundation is still part of the City of Villa Park.

 

BOARD MINUTES

Consideration of Serrano Water District Board Meeting minutes of December 8, 2015.   Director Freschi moved that the minutes of the December 8, 2015 meeting be approved as submitted, Director Haight seconded the motion, and the motion was unanimously carried with Directors Bryant, Haight, Pharris, and Freschi voting yes. 

 

GENERAL MANAGER REPORT

General Manager Vilander summarized the status of Board Committee and management matters as agendized for the month of December.  Highlighted items included an update on Well #3.  The District is still waiting on some parts.  General Manager Vilander will contact South West Pump regarding work completed.  Director Haight requested that General Manager Vilander research the pluses and minuses of CSDA membership and whether it is required in conjunction with being a member of ISDOC.  The project on Santiago will require three service and one fire connection.  This work is being completed by contractors due to time constraints with final inspection from Serrano Water District staff.

 

Director Bryant enquired about the capacity of the emergency power generators at the treatment plant and how long they are able to run at full load.  Parts for the L2 pump motor at Smith Reservoir are on order, and the District should have them by the beginning of February. 

 

The maintenance crew will be attending Cla-Val training.  WQTS’ analysis of minimum storage requirements at Smith Reservoir was discussed.  Those residents requesting fishing passes will be given them for now. 

 

STATUS OF DROUGHT RESPONSE AND WATER SUPPLY

General Manager Vilander reported that there was a 37% reduction in production for the month of December.  Following lengthy discussion, it was decided through consensus that a letter will be sent to residents notifying them that the moratorium on penalties will continue for the months of January and February.  General Manager Vilander reported that the Urban Water Management Plan is no longer necessary due to the fact that the District has less than 3,000 service connections and is under 3,000 acre feet.  A water audit is still required beginning in 2017.   This will put the District under a 25% conservation target and 21% if the District is able to get the proposed 4% credit being applied to the GWRS.   President Pharris requested that General Manager Vilander send an email to the State requesting confirmation of the above.

 

FINANCIAL REPORT

Following presentation of the financial report by Ann Michel, Director of Finance and Administration, it was moved (Director Haight), seconded (Director Freschi), and unanimously carried with Directors Bryant, Pharris, Freschi and Haight voting yes to approve the disbursements in the amount of $255,929.94. 

 

WATER REPORT

Ann Michel, Director of Finance and Administration, presented the water report.  The water report was received and filed.   Director Haight expressed concern about the disparity between the production and consumption numbers.  General Manager Vilander will look into this with Ann Michel, Director of Finance and Administration, and report back to Director Haight.

 

PROCESS FOR APPOINTMENT OF SUCCESSOR TO ROBERT F. “WOODY” RICKERL

Following lengthy discussion led by Attorney Kuperberg in which various options to fill the vacancy in Division 3 were summarized, it was moved (Director Haight), seconded (Director Freschi), and unanimously carried with Directors Bryant, Pharris, Freschi and Haight voting yes to authorize and direct staff to post “Notices of Vacancy” in three conspicuous places to include Serrano Water District offices, Villa Park City Hall, Villa Park Library, The Foothill Sentry,  and the District’s website; schedule a Special Board Meeting on February 16 at 8:30 a.m. to conduct interviews with resumes due by 3:00 p.m. on February 8 with the goal of making an appointment or calling for special election if necessary.

 

REDLINED BOARD OF DIRECTORS POLICIES

Following discussion, it was moved (Director Haight), seconded (Director Freschi), and unanimously carried with Directors Haight, Freschi, Pharris and Bryant voting yes to adopt the Board of Directors policies as presented.

 

 

COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS

Following presentation led by President Pharris, it was decided through consensus that committee assignments will be agendized at the next Board meeting.

 

CORRESPONDENCE

None.

 

DIRECTOR COMMENTS AND REPORTS

Director Freschi requested that the awards recently received by the District be placed on the District’s website and requested that The Foothill Sentry be informed. 

 

ATTORNEY’S REPORT

None.

 

The meeting was recessed at 11:00 a.m. to the SWD Recreation, Inc. meeting.  The meeting was reconvened at 12:10 p.m.

 

PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION POSITION TITLE: GENERAL MANAGER

The Board of Directors conducted a performance evaluation with General Manager Vilander.   It was announced that the General Manager will receive a 2% merit increase and a one-time salary adjustment in the amount of $9,000.

 

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was formally adjourned at 12:30 p.m.  The next regularly scheduled meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 12, 2016 @ 8:30 a.m. at the District office.                                                     

                                                                                               

                                   

                                                                                                            Laura Heflin, Administrative Assistant