VALLEY CENTER MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT
Regular Board Meeting
Monday, May 2, 2005
Time: 2:00 P.M.
Place: Board Room
29300 Valley Center Road
Valley Center, CA 92082
The Valley Center Municipal Water District Board of Directors’ meeting was called to order by President Broomell at 2:00 P.M.
ROLL CALL
Board members present were: Directors Broomell, Polito, Stone and Haskell. Director Aleshire was absent. Staff members present were: General Manager Arant, General Counsel de Sousa, Director of Operations Hoyle, District Engineer Grabbe, Board Secretary Stetson, Manager of Accounting Pugh and Project Manager Carrillo. Spectators present were Mr. Dean Meyer and Mr. Don Bunts.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Upon motion by Stone, seconded by Haskell and unanimously carried, the following consent calendar items were approved:
• Minutes of the Board meeting held April 18, 2005
• Concept approval of the Cahill Water Line Extension Project (TPM #19806) consisting of approximately 600 feet of 8-inch water main, one 6-inch fire hydrant and other appurtenances
• Concept approval of the Johnson Water Line Extension Project (TPM #20712) consisting of approximately 500 feet of 8-inch water main, one 6-inch fire hydrant and other appurtenances
• Audit demand check numbers 103592 through 103901
• Treasurer’s Report and Financial Statement for the period ended March 31, 2005
ACTION AGENDA
2. Public Hearing to Consider Proposed Increases in the District’s Meter Connection Charges:
The public hearing to consider proposed increases in the District’s meter connection charges was opened at 2:02 p.m. Director of Operations Hoyle reviewed that the District’s meter connection charges are collected to reimburse the District for labor, equipment and material costs associated with purchasing and installing meters and the meter connection. An analysis of the meter installation costs indicates a 3.5% average deficiency in the recovery of true costs, however, no change in the meter installation charge was proposed when the service lateral was installed by others (drop-ins). Proposed changes to the District’s meter connection charges when the service lateral is installed by the District were reviewed, which are outlined below:
Meter Size Current Charge Proposed Charge
¾” $2,070 $2,215
1” 2,170 2,322
1-½” 2,760 2,953
2” 2,945 3,151
3” 3,730 3,991
The proposed meter connection charges were published in the Valley Roadrunner Newspaper and posted. No written or oral comments were received and there were no comments from the audience. The public hearing was closed at 2:06 p.m. Increases in the meter connection charges would become effective July 1, 2005. Staff recommended adoption of Ordinance No. 2005-03 to implement the proposed increases in the District’s Meter Connection Charges.
Upon motion by Polito, seconded by Haskell and unanimously carried, the following ordinance, entitled:
ORDINANCE NO. 2005-03
ORDINANCE OF THE
VALLEY
CENTER
MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT AMENDING
THE ADMINISTRATIVE CODE TO PROVIDE
FOR CHANGES IN METER CONNECTION FEES
was adopted by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: Directors Broomell, Polito, Stone and Haskell
NOES: None
ABSENT: Director Aleshire
3. Proposed Modifications to the
Woods
Valley
Ranch Water Reclamation Facilities Agreement:
Newland Communities’ request for a modification of the Woods Valley Ranch Water Reclamation Facilities Agreement to allow for an increase in the issuance of interim sewer permits was presented for the Board’s consideration. District Engineer Grabbe explained that the water reclamation facilities agreement entered into with Newland Communities sets forth conditions for the issuance of interim sewer permits prior to completion of the permanent treatment facilities. The conditions for issuance of interim sewer permits ensures there will be adequate storage and treatment facilities available to dispose of wastewater generated by the Woods Valley Ranch development pending final construction of the permanent treatment facilities. Previous modifications (2) had been approved that allowed Newland Communities additional interim sewer permits to facilitate modification of the Major Use Permit and design of the permanent reclamation facility to provide for a more economically expandable project.
A proposed third modification of the agreement would allow additional interim sewer permits to be issued prior to completion of the permanent water reclamation facility. Approval of the modification as requested would assist Newland Communities to meet commitments to builders and allow for the design modification of the permanent facility to delete the solids handling facilities and increase capacity for the Orchard Run project.
District Engineer Grabbe stated that the interim plant has sufficient capacity to meet the wastewater demands expected during the construction period of the permanent facility. Staff further noted that there are acceptable alternatives if construction schedules are delayed and that Newland Communities has posted bonds at a level that can fund construction of the water reclamation facility. Approval of Newland Communities’ request to increase the issuance of interim sewer permits was recommended subject to the following conditions:
>200 but <254 Interim Sewer Permits Issued:
▪ Final acceptance of the interim treatment facility granted;
▪ Influent pump capacity that meets the full 50,000 gpd capacity of the
interim facility;
▪ Approval of the plans and specifications for the permanent facility;
▪ Additional deposits provided, and
▪ Service saddle issues resolved to the District’s satisfaction.
>254 Interim Sewer Permits Issued:
▪ Permanent reclamation facility at least 50% complete.
Director Stone disclosed that he may have a conflict on this issue as he has an interest in a partnership that is currently involved in a real estate transaction with Newland Communities. Due to this potential conflict, Director Stone abstained from discussion on this issue and removed himself from the Board Room.
Upon motion by Polito, seconded by Haskell and unanimously carried, the following resolution, entitled:
RESOLUTION NO. 2005-13
RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF
VALLEY
CENTER
MUNICIPAL WATER
DISTRICT AMENDING THE WATER RECLAMA-
TION FACILITIES AGREEMENT FOR THE WOODS
VALLEY RANCH DEVELOPMENT
was adopted by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: Directors Broomell, Polito and Haskell
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: Director Stone
ABSENT: Director Aleshire
4. Ratification of Position of Oppose, Assembly Bill 194:
Board ratification of the letter sent to the Members of the Assembly Local Government Committee urging their “No” vote on the proposed Assembly Bill 194 (Dymally) which relates to the Brown Act was requested. Currently, the Brown Act allows a public agency the opportunity to correct an alleged violation of the Brown Act prior to the commencement of any legal action. AB 194, as proposed, would shift the burden of proof regarding alleged Brown Act violations to the local agencies by requiring that the public agency prove by “clear and convincing evidence” that the action was not in violation of specified sections of the Brown Act.
Upon motion by Stone, seconded by Haskell and unanimously carried, the Board ratified the position of “oppose” regarding the proposed Assembly Bill 194 (Dymally).
5. Review of FEMA Disaster Sites:
Director of Operations Hoyle reported that claim reimbursements have been submitted to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for 24 sites damaged during the rain storms from December 27, 2004 through January 11, 2005. Reimbursement estimates total $94,834. Repairs to 20 of the 24 sites have been completed and a pictorial presentation of the damaged sites and the repairs and corrective measures was viewed.
GENERAL MANAGER’S AGENDA
6. Review of Miscellaneous Informational Items:
▪ Department of Water Resources Snow Survey – An Advisory by the Department of Water Resources on the final snow survey results for the 2004-05 season was distributed which reports that as of late April 2005, the snow measurements range between 168% to 190% of the long term average. The snow-water content is used by hydrologists to prepare water supply forecasts.
▪ Peak Management Program Meeting – A notice of a meeting to be held at the District’s office on June 1st to discuss the peak management program will be mailed to 33 of the District’s largest agricultural customers who have 50 meters and account for over 20% of the District’s water demands. At this meeting, the San Diego County Water Authority’s projection of insufficient water treatment capacity to meet severe peak demands in the summer of 2006 will be reviewed, and input requested from the District’s top agricultural customers to assist in planning on how to effectively deal with the expected treated water shortages. Staff feels it is prudent to plan on how to effectively deal with treated water shortages at this time. Representatives from the Metropolitan Water District, San Diego County Water Authority, Farm Bureau and the UC Cooperative Extension will also be invited to attend this forum. It was noted that the two regional treatment capacity expansion projects underway are not expected to be completed until the summer of 2007.
▪ Agreement Reached Between the San Diego County Water Authority and City of Carlsbad on the Seawater Desalination Project - A proposed agreement on the development of a regional seawater desalination facility has been reached between the San Diego County Water Authority and the City of Carlsbad pending approval of the Authority’s board and the Carlsbad City Council. A news release on the agreement states that the desalination facility, located at the Encina Power Station in Carlsbad, “would provide a new, drought-proof source of water to the region, producing up to 80 million gallons per day of treated water.” Upon approval of the agreement by the parties’ governing
boards, the San Diego County Water Authority will begin negotiations with Poseidon Resources and Cabrillo Power, the leaseholder of the desalination facilities site at the Encina Power Station and the owner of the Encina Power Station, respectively.
A letter congratulating the San Diego County Water Authority on reaching an agreement with the City of Carlsbad for the seawater desalination project at the Encina Power Station will be sent and encouragement will be conveyed that the negotiations with Poseidon Resources and Cabrillo Power are successfully completed.
ADJOURNMENT
7. Upon motion by Polito, seconded by Stone and unanimously carried, the meeting was adjourned at
3:14 p.m.
ATTEST: ATTEST:
____________________________ _______________________________
President Secretary