Board Meeting - 8/11/2015
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, August 11, 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
Ed Halligan Resident, City of Villa Park
Pam Dunn Resident, City of Villa Park
PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Fascenelli thanked the Board of Directors for holding the Special Board Meeting on July 30th. She remarked that she was disappointed with the turnout and some of the decisions made.
Kathleen Moran asked the Board of Directors to reconsider the methodology used to establish penalties prior to September 1st effective date and she doesn’t believe that it is an equitable system and discriminates against those residents who have previously conserved.
Duncan Moffat applauded the Board of Directors and the District for their handling of the drought situation. Mr. Moffat stated that he didn’t believe the recent rate increase of 24% would be enough based upon the reductions in revenue. He suggested that staff perform a study of fixed, variable and mixed costs and make an effort to show cost reduction to the community. He suggested that this study be shared with the public.
Ed Halligan remarked that exceptions to penalties are not a good idea as this may result in litigation.
BOARD MINUTES
Consideration of Serrano Water District Board Meeting minutes of July 14, 2015. Director Haight moved that the minutes of the July 14, 2015 meeting be approved as amended, Director Rickerl seconded the motion, and the motion was unanimously carried with Directors Bryant, Haight, Pharris, and Rickerl voting yes, (Director Freschi - abstained).
Consideration of Serrano Water District Board Meeting minutes of July 30, 2015. Director Haight moved that the minutes of the July 30, 2015 meeting be approved as submitted, Director Rickerl seconded the motion, and the motion was unanimously carried with Directors Bryant, Haight, Freschi, Pharris, and Rickerl voting yes.
GENERAL MANAGER REPORT
General Manager Vilander summarized the status of Board Committee and management matters as agendized for the month of July. Highlighted items included an update on a recent meeting with Southern California Edison regarding possible incentives, revised billing statements, ebill statements, and credit card payment options. General Manager Vilander will provide an update on the Carollo study by the end of October.
STATUS OF DROUGHT RESPONSE AND WATER SUPPLY
General Manager Vilander reported that there were 63 conservation visits for the month of July, 8 run off complaints and 9 pre-turf applications and 10 post turf inspections. The funds for turf replacement have been depleted. Penalties for the month of July consumption would have been approximately $59,000; however, these penalties have been waived.
FINANCIAL REPORT
Following presentation of the financial report by Ann Michel, Director of Finance and Administration, it was moved (Director Rickerl), seconded (Director Haight), and unanimously carried with Directors Bryant, Rickerl, Pharris, Freschi and Haight voting yes to approve the disbursements in the amount of $184,466.61.
Kathleen Moran requested the District’s policy regarding health insurance and asked that an item be agendized to review fixed costs. She also requested the names of the Directors that serve on the Finance and Personnel Committees, and President Pharris supplied her with them. Ms. Moran remarked that the insurance rates are too high and not within industry standard and requested to attend the next Committee meeting when such items are discussed. President Pharris remarked that she will be welcome to attend.
Attorney Kuperberg will obtain the specific statute for water districts regarding 1995 retiree medical, limiting lifetime medical for Board members. Director Rickerl remarked that the District eliminated lifetime medical for new hires in 2007.
WATER REPORT
Ann Michel, Director of Finance and Administration, presented the water report. The water report was received and filed. It was then moved (Director Rickerl), seconded (Director Freschi) and unanimously carried with Directors Bryant, Rickerl, Pharris, Freschi and Haight voting yes to receive and file the water report.
CORRESPONDENCE
None.
DIRECTOR COMMENTS AND REPORTS
None.
ATTORNEY’S REPORT
Attorney Kuperberg reported that the San Juan Capistrano case is final and legal precedent has been set which will affect a number of agencies (not Serrano Water District). Additionally, State legislation was enacted last year regarding the Sustainable Groundwater Act which will encourage a more collaborative approach. This will be less relevant in Orange County.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was formally adjourned at 9:45 a.m. The next regularly scheduled meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 8, 2015 @ 8:30 a.m. at the District office.
Laura Heflin, Administrative Assistant