Board Meeting - 8/9/2016
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, August 9, 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 8:30 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
Laura Heflin Administrative Assistant
GUESTS PRESENT:
Katie Pringle Curt Pringle & Associates
Brad Reese Villa Park Resident
Diana Fascenelli Villa Park Council Woman
Andie Mills The Foothill Sentry
Greg Mills Villa Park Council Man
PUBLIC COMMENT
Council Woman Fascenelli invited the Board of Directors to attend the concert at Villa Park High School on August 19th. A Heroes Hall Veterans Foundation is being formed and has a space at the Orange County Fair Event Center. Three City Council members are joining. Council Woman Fascenelli stated that she will leave information with staff to determine if the Board of Directors has an interest. School is back in session on August 24th so traffic will be impacted. There are two openings on the Villa Park City Council with one application turned in. The deadline is August 17th.
Director Freschi thanked Andie Mills for attending the meeting and requested representation in The Foothill Sentry.
BOARD MINUTES
Consideration of Serrano Water District Board Meeting minutes of July 12, 2016. Director Freschi moved that the minutes of the July 12, 2016 meeting be approved as submitted, Director Haight seconded the motion, and the motion was unanimously carried with Directors Bryant, Haight, Freschi and Pharris 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 a discussion of Well #3 VFD/automation project. General Manager Vilander reported that the Smith Reservoir bypass feasibility study does not appear to be a viable option at this point. Consultants are now looking at using one side of the Reservoir. More information will be available next week and this information will be presented to the Construction Committee with ultimate Board of Directors review and decision.
Director Haight expressed concern about money being spent on the dam tower retrofit project. Attorney Kuperberg remarked that the State has not accepted the District’s argument at this point which is the least costly retrofit alternative. Director Haight requested documentation from the State requiring that that the District perform dam tower retrofit. General Manager responded that he will provide Director Haight with this information. Director Haight expressed concern about the Lake level and General Manager Vilander responded that the Lake level is going up.
The following agenda item was moved out of sequence as it related to the comments in the Ad-Hoc Irvine Lake Committee agenda and talking points.
IRVINE LAKE PROPERTY LINE SURVEY PROPOSAL FROM BUSH & ASSOCIATES
Following discussion led by General Manager Vilander, it was moved (Director Haight), seconded (Director Bryant), and unanimously carried with Directors Bryant, Pharris, Freschi and Haight voting yes to authorize General Manager Vilander to move forward with option number three as presented in the proposal by Bush & Associates.
STATUS OF DROUGHT RESPONSE AND WATER SUPPLY
General Manager Vilander reported that the residents of the District are consuming more water. Exact numbers are not available at this point as the billing has not been processed. Director Haight raised the question of whether or not it makes sense to have multiple staff reading meters simultaneously. General Manager Vilander responded that it does make sense from a system wide perspective as billing periods are consistent for the most part.
FINANCIAL REPORT
Following presentation of the financial report by Ann Michel, Director of Finance and Administration, it was moved (Director Freschi), seconded (Director Haight), and unanimously carried with Directors Bryant, Pharris, Freschi and Haight voting yes to approve the disbursements in the amount of $323,143.10. It was moved (Director Freschi), seconded (Director Haight) and unanimously carried to approve disbursement for SWD Recreation, Inc. in the amount of $8,073.75.
Director Haight talked about a potential rate adjustment in light of increased revenues in the future. President Pharris concurred with this statement.
Following discussion about Garry James Productions and insurance requirements, it was determined that Attorney Kuperberg will work with General Manager Vilander to draft a license agreement which will incorporate insurance requirements.
Director Freschi enquired as to whether additional bids had been obtained for the Genterra project. General Manager Vilander responded that additional bids had not been obtained due to the fact that very few companies actually do seismic studies.
WATER REPORT
Ann Michel, Director of Finance and Administration, presented the water report. It was moved (Director Haight), seconded (Director Freschi), and unanimously carried with Directors Bryant, Pharris, Freschi and Haight voting yes to receive and file the water report.
CORRESPONDENCE
None.
DIRECTOR COMMENTS AND REPORTS
Director Bryant reported that he had attended the recent WACO meeting in which the Hoover Commission and disaster preparation was discussed. A county-wide exercise will be held September 29th. General Manager Vilander will follow up to determine the District’s involvement. Additionally, the District’s emergency response plan will be reviewed by staff and presented to Committee for ultimate Board approval. Director Bryant reported that he will be attending a disaster planning seminar on Thursday which is presented by the office of Mimi Walters.
ATTORNEY’S REPORT
Attorney Kuperberg announced that the Conflict of Interest Code will be agendized in September for both Serrano Water District and SWD Recreation, Inc. Director Haight asked Attorney Kuperberg about when LAFCO review is due. President Pharris requested that a meeting be scheduled with Carolyn Emery of LAFCO.
It was announced that there wasn’t a need for closed session.
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
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was formally adjourned at 9:35 a.m. The next regularly scheduled meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 13, 2016 @ 8:30 a.m. at the District office.
Laura Heflin, Administrative Assistant