Board Meeting - 9/8/2015
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, September 8, 2015. 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 8:30 a.m.
ROLL CALL:
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEMBERS PRESENT:
C.L. “Larry” Pharris, Jr. President
Frank Bryant Vice President
Robert F. (Woody) Rickerl Board Member
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 Mayor, City of Villa Park
Brad Reese Resident, City of Villa Park
Duncan Moffat Resident, City of Villa Park
Kathleen Moran Resident, City of Villa Park
Vincent Sanchez Office of Congresswoman Mimi Walters
PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Fascenelli reported that a 5,200 square foot building is being built with intention of Dunkin Donuts occupying the space. Also, the City is putting up “share the road” signs.
Kathleen Moran asked the Board of Directors to agendize the penalty structure at the October meeting for possible reconsideration as she does not believe that it is an equitable system and discriminates against those residents who have previously conserved. Additionally, she has asked for the data on the amount of penalties for individuals without specifically asking for names. She stated that she is most interested in what triggers a penalty for individuals and what the penalty actually is. This data would be preferable in electronic form.
Director Haight requested that the Committee look at different penalty options i.e., the State is calculating water consumption cumulatively versus the District levying penalties in relation to monthly use and report back at the Board meeting.
Brad Reese asked about the status of the water table. General Manager Vilander reported that there is no perched water table in Orange County.
BOARD MINUTES
Consideration of Serrano Water District Board Meeting minutes of August 11, 2015. Director Haight moved that the minutes of the August 11, 2015 meeting be approved as presented, Director Freschi seconded the motion, and the motion was unanimously carried with Directors Bryant, Haight, Pharris, Freschi and Rickerl voting yes.
Director Haight asked for an update on the fixed and variable cost study. General Manager Vilander reported that this has not been completed at this time.
GENERAL MANAGER REPORT
General Manager Vilander summarized the status of Board Committee and management matters as agendized for the month of August. Highlighted items included an update on a recent meeting with Irvine Ranch Water District. In relation to the seismic study, more affordable options are being reviewed between $1.2 and $2.5 million. These options have not been approved by the Division of Safety of Dams. Additionally, General Manager Vilander remarked that well #3 has gone down and they are currently looking into the situation. Director Haight requested that General Manager Vilander include Recreational Committee meetings in his monthly report. Director Freschi asked about the reservoir at Sycamore and Taft. General Manager Vilander replied that staff is currently working with Carollo and will have options shortly.
STATUS OF DROUGHT RESPONSE AND WATER SUPPLY
General Manager Vilander reviewed conservation targets for upcoming months.
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, Rickerl, Pharris, Freschi and Haight voting yes to approve the disbursements in the amount of $213,384.46. It was requested that the cash report include a line item for penalties collected. Director Haight remarked about the amount of gasoline used. General Manager Vilander reported that the meter reading truck is now being used as the on call vehicle.
WATER REPORT
Ann Michel, Director of Finance and Administration, presented the water report. The water report was received and filed.
BUDGET 2015/16 FISCAL YEAR
The General Manager and Director of Finance and Administration presented the proposed budget for the 2015/16 fiscal year. Following discussion, it was moved (Director Rickerl), seconded (Director (Haight) and unanimously carried to approve the District’s budget for the 2015/16 fiscal year.
CORRESPONDENCE
None.
DIRECTOR COMMENTS AND REPORTS
Director Bryant commented on the informative presentation given by the F.B.I. at the recent WACO meeting. They reported that intrusions into agency networks have shifted from energy to water. A group has been formed that the District may join.
ATTORNEY’S REPORT
Attorney Kuperberg reported that there is a reasonable chance that the BPP may increase a little bit for the remainder of the year. Right now it is at 70% and will possibly move up to 76%. This will be discussed by the Orange County Water District again next week. There are rumors currently circulating that the State is going to enact a water tax to be imposed on water agencies based upon the amount of water used. The State Office of Planning and Research has published new draft regulations for implementing CEQA, which will impact the District when it builds facilities.
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to paragraph (d)(2) of Section 54956.9: One potential case.
It was announced at 10:27 a.m. that the meeting of the Board of Directors was moving into closed session. The meeting was then reconvened into open session at 11:10 a.m. and it was announced that there was no reportable action.
Director Haight announced to the Board that he was resigning from all District and SWD Recreation, Inc. committees.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was formally adjourned at 11:15 a.m. The next regularly scheduled meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 13, 2015 @ 8:30 a.m. at the District office.
Laura Heflin, Administrative Assistant