CONTRA COSTA WATER DISTRICT

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

REGULAR MEETING

August 1, 2007

 

MINUTES

 

 

CALL TO ORDER 

 

President Campbell called to order a regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Contra Costa Water District at 6:30 p.m., at 1331 Concord Avenue, Concord, the regular meeting place of the Board.

 

ROLL CALL

 

            Directors Present:                      Joseph L. Campbell, President

                                                            Elizabeth R. Anello, Vice President

                                                            Bette Boatmun

                                                            John A. Burgh

                                                            Karl L. Wandry

            Acting General Manager:            Thomas J. Linville

            Legal Counsel:                           Robert B. Maddow

            District Secretary:                      Sharon L. Burris

 

President Campbell announced that the District’s General Manager Walter J. Bishop was on vacation, and that the Assistant General Manager of Engineering Tom Linville was Acting General Manager. 

 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 

Director of Construction Pete Schoemann led the Pledge of Allegiance. 

 

ADOPTION OF AGENDA

 

Mr. Linville advised that there were no changes to the agenda. 

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

 

President Campbell advised that Kim Dillon, a City of Concord resident, was present to speak to the Board and invited her to the podium. 

 

Ms. Dillon addressed the Board about concerns over her water bill.  She reviewed her documentation of contact with District staff.  She reported that a District customer service representative had advised her to write a letter stating that she had an unexplained water loss.  Ms. Dillon advised that she had written the letter and stated that she had received a water bill for the period April 25 to June 27, 2007 in the amount of $317.  The bill stated that she had used 87,766 gallons of water. 

 

Ms. Dillon noted that she received two letters from the District.  The first letter stated that the District had monitored her meter from June 26-July 6.  The results from the monitoring indicated that there were “no leaks.”   The second letter requested her to explain how the leak happened, when it happened, and asked her to send copies of proof of repair. 

 

Ms. Dillon reported that she spoke with the District’s Customer Service Supervisor John August about the unexplained water loss.  Mr. August advised that she could receive a 50% adjustment on her water bill.  Ms. Dillon expressed that this was not an acceptable solution.  At Mr. August’s suggestion, Ms. Dillon wrote a letter to Director of Finance Brice Bledsoe explaining the situation.  Ms. Dillon noted that she was contacted by Operations and Maintenance Supervisor Shawn Kelly.  Mr. Kelly assured her that the District had tested the meter and that the reading was correct.  Ms. Dillon advised that she then received a phone call from Mr. Bledsoe who offered her a 50% adjustment on her water bill.

 

Ms. Dillon expressed to Mr. Bledsoe that this was not an acceptable solution.  She commented that she did not use 86,766 gallons of water and that the District could not explain where that much water could have gone.  She did not feel this bill was her responsibility.   

 

Addressing the Board, Ms Dillon requested a one-time only exception to the 50% adjustment rule.  If the exception was not acceptable, then she advised that she would like a separate statement.  She wanted to be assured that there would be no interest added to the bill for the unexplained water loss.  She advised that she had made tentative arrangements with Mr. Bledsoe to pay $5 per month toward the bill. 

 

Ms. Dillon thanked the Board for their time.

 

President Campbell acknowledged that Ms. Dillon was unhappy with the situation.  He also gave background on how the District had arrived at the 50% rule and advised that it was explained in the District’s Code of Regulations.  He further explained that funds were set aside in the rate model to offset this type of situation.  He advised that the Board had adopted a resolution whereby the District would credit half of the water bill and the ratepayer would be responsible for paying the other half. 

 

President Campbell further explained that the Board could not make a decision at this meeting concerning Ms. Dillon’s request for an exception to the rule.  The item had not been agendized and properly noticed under the Brown Act.  He advised that two Boardmembers could make the determination to add the item to a future Board meeting agenda for discussion.  He then asked if there were Boardmembers in favor of agendizing the item for a future meeting.  There was no response.  President Campbell noted that due to the lack of support from the Boardmembers to agendize the item for a future meeting that the Board agreed that the current process was fair.  He also advised that he had checked with staff the previous day and was aware that the District had arranged a reasonable payment plan for her.    

 

Ms. Dillon was adamant that this situation was an exception to the rule and that there was no explanation for the water loss.  She reiterated that she did not feel that she should have to pay for something that could not be explained.  President Campbell commented that he understood her dilemma.   

Ms. Dillon stated that she understood that the rules could not be changed for one instance.

 

Ms. Dillon requested a separate account for this bill with no interest.  President Campbell advised that the Board did not engage in this detail.  He also advised that if it was possible that she would be accommodated. 

 

Ms. Dillon thanked the Board for their time. 

 

Director Wandry asked what would happen if the situation continued.  Mr. Linville advised that if the situation continued without a leak or meter problem that the meter would be replaced.  Director Wandry asked if the meter showed this flow when tested.  Mr. Linville responded that Ms. Dillon’s monthly billing cycles for the last 5-10 years had been consistent with using 6 units per billing period in the winter and 10-14 units in the summer.  This bill was approximately 115 units.  Ms. Dillon’s readings had been very consistent over the past several years and when the meter was checked after this episode the meter was working properly. 

 

Discussions took place on the possibility of an underground leak.  Mr. Linville advised that a meter reading had taken place since this time, and it was verified that the meter was still working properly and the water consumption was back to normal. 

 

Director Burgh asked if the District had offered water conservation information to Ms. Dillon.  Mr. Bledsoe responded that he had communicated to Ms. Dillon that the District’s Water Conservation Department would be contacting her. 

 

President Campbell asked if there were any other public comments.  There were none. 

 

CONSENT

 

1.         Approve Directors’ Services/Business and Travel Expenses

            a.   Future Services – August

      b.   Expenses – July

      c.   Compensation – July

 

2.         Approve the minutes of July 11, 2007.

 

3.         Approve the warrant register dated August 2, 2007.

 

4.         Adopt Resolution No. 07-21 Authorizing a Grant Application to Obtain Proposition 50, Chapter 4a.4 Grant Funding. 

 

MOTION:  Boatmun/Anello to approve the consent calendar.  The motion carried by a unanimous voice vote. 

ACTION

 

5.         Election for Region 3 Representative on the Board of Directors of the California Special Districts Association

            a.   Determine if the Board will select a candidate for whom the vote will be cast; and

            b.   Based on that decision, either select the candidate to be voted for as Representative of Region 3 or allow the District’s Representative to vote his/her conscience on this election. 

 

President Campbell commented that due to Director Boatmun’s involvement with special districts that his preference would be to appoint her to vote her conscience.  He also commented that Pleasant Hill Park and Recreation Director Sherry Sterrett was a candidate for Region 3 and that he would lobby for her.  Vice President Anello was in agreement with President Campbell.  Director Wandry also agreed with President Campbell and also endorsed Ms. Sterrett’s candidacy. 

 

MOTION:  Wandry/Burgh to appoint Director Bette Boatmun to vote her conscience for the District on the California Special District Association’s Board of Directors from Region 3.  The motion carried by a unanimous voice vote. 

 

DISCUSSION AND INFORMATION

 

6.         Receive construction projects status report and slide presentation.

 

Mr. Linville advised that a construction update was provided to the Board every year.  He noted that the Director of Construction Pete Schoemann would be providing a presentation on this year’s update. 

 

Mr. Schoemann’s advised that there were 14 projects currently under management.  Eleven of the projects were for treated water and three of the projects were for untreated water.  The treated water projects totaled approximately $66 million and the untreated projects totaled approximately $2.7 million, for a total of approximately $68.7 million. 

 

 Mr. Schoemann advised that all of the projects were within Board authorization.  He noted that four projects were ahead of the original schedule primarily due to favorable weather conditions.   He advised that 94% of the capital budget was expended in FY07. 

 

Using an overview of the Randall-Bold Water Treatment (WTP) campus, Mr. Schoemann identified the location of the City of Brentwood Water Treatment Plant.   He outlined the progress of the project beginning in October 2006 through July 2007 and advised that the overall cost of the project was $40 million. 

 

Mr. Schoemann reviewed the Sedimentation Basins Project at the Randall Bold WTP.  He advised that the project cost was approximately $13 million and construction was now complete.  Using a map he identified the location of the sedimentation basins. 

 

The San Miguel Pump Station Rehabilitation Project was reviewed by Mr. Schoemann.  The $2.4 million project was completed ahead of schedule.  He highlighted the new improvements and identified the location of the new emergency generator and new electrical building.  He reported that a plumbing improvement was made in this part of the distribution system.  Prior to the project, crews were manually operating valves on Treat Boulevard to move water between Zone 2, and with the new improvements the zone valves are now tied into the SCADA System.   The valves can now be moved remotely, which improves operational efficiency and worker safety. 

 

Mr. Schoemann reviewed the $4 million Midhill Reservoir II Project.  He advised that the project was over 80% complete and had also benefited from the dry weather conditions.  He outlined the progress of the project from start to finish.  The date for the project to be online was projected to be during the fall of 2007.    

 

Director Wandry asked if there was ever an instance where a “tilt up” could be used.  Mr. Schoemann commented that tilt-ups were used more for buildings.  Director Boatmun asked if the slide they were viewing would be how the area would look when complete.  Mr. Schoemann replied that the area would be softened with landscaping. 

 

The Treated Water Fault Crossings Project was an $800,000 project and was approximately 85% complete.  Mr. Schoemann noted that manifold and piping had been installed at three locations along the Concord fault, which would enable the District to bypass the main pipes in the event of a major earthquake. 

 

Mr. Schoemann reviewed the South Pleasant Hill Main Replacements Project and advised that the project was approximately $1.2 million.   Responding to a question from President Campbell asking how far along the project was, Mr. Schoemann replied approximately 50%. 

 

The last two projects highlighted were intertie projects.  The first one was the City of Pittsburg Emergency Intertie Project.  The project cost was approximately $326,000.  Mr. Schoemann advised that the project was just getting underway and that the two interties would be near the Pittsburg Golf Course. 

 

The larger of the two intertie projects was the East Bay Municipal Utility District Untreated Water Intertie to the Mokelumne Aqueduct.  This $2 million project was 90% complete.  Using a map he identified the Los Vaqueros pipeline and where the intertie would be located.  He advised that the other side of the connection tied into the Mokelumne Aqueduct No. 2. 

 

Mr. Schoemann concluded his presentation with a photo of the new overpass near the Antioch Service Center.  He commented that the overpass was a result of the State Route 4 Bypass Project. 

 

President Campbell commented positively on the presentation and thanked Mr. Schoemann.   Director Burgh commended Mr. Schoemann and his staff for the exemplary work that been accomplished. 

 

REPORTS FOR DISCUSSION

 

7.         Committee Report(s)

            a.   Bay Area Water Forum Post-Meeting Report (7/23/07)

 

President Campbell asked for comments on the committee report.  There were no comments.

8.         Schedule Future Meeting Dates and Times

 

Mr. Linville advised that the Annual Employee Picnic was scheduled for Sunday, September 23, at the Concord Community Park on Cowell Road.    

 

REPORTS

 

9.         General Manager

 

Mr. Linville reported briefly on the state budget and advised that the budget had not yet been adopted.  He also reported on the ACWA Public Education Program and advised that staff would be monitoring the program and providing input through the ACWA Communications Committee.  He advised that there would be a Communications Committee conference call on Thursday, August 2.  

 

Director Boatmun advised that she had distributed copies of the Contra Costa Council’s Delta Vision Statement of Principles and articles from the Contra Costa Times regarding the District’s concerns at the July 27 ACWA Board of Directors meeting.  She also advised that, at the meeting, she stressed the importance of addressing the concerns in the Delta. 

 

10.        Legal Counsel

 

Mr. Maddow did not have a report.

 

11.        Board Members

 

Director Burgh reminded the Board that he would not be present at the September 5 Board meeting.   He also advised that he would be attending the Mayors’ Conference on September 6 in Pittsburg and that he and Director Boatmun would be carpooling. 

 

Vice President Anello reported that she would be attending the Mayors’ Conference.  She also advised that she would be attending the Finance Committee meeting on August 16 and the Employee Picnic on September 23. 

 

Director Wandry did not have a report.

 

Director Boatmun commented positively on the Habitat Conservation Plan Approval Ceremony that she and Vice President Anello attended on July 25, at Kreiger Peak. 

 

President Campbell reported that he contacted four Clayton City Councilmembers concerning the possibility of the Clayton Regency pipeline and that there did not appear to be any issues. 

 

President Campbell also reported on the legislative visits in Washington, D.C. on July 26 that he attended with Mr. Bishop and the District’s Federal Lobbyist Marcus Faust.  He gave an overview of each of the meetings where the focus of discussion was the Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion Project, the Alternative Intake Project, and the Contra Costa Canal Replacement Project. 

President Campbell reported that the first meeting was held with the Bureau of Reclamation Deputy Commissioner Larry Todd and four staff members.  The topics of discussion included the District’s partnership with the Bureau on the Alternative Intake Project and Los Vaqueros.  Discussions also took place on slippage and spillage.

 

The next meeting was with Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher, who was called to the floor.  The meeting took place with a staff person from her office, Paul Kidwell.  One of the topics discussed was the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA).  He commented positively on the meeting and noted that Mr. Faust advised that Mr. Kidwell was well informed on the issues.  The next meeting was with John Watts, from Senator Dianne Feinstein’s office. 

 

President Campbell reported that a subsequent meeting was held with Congressman Jerry McNerney.  He and Mr. Bishop thanked Congresswoman Tauscher and Congressman McNerney for requesting that the District’s projects were included in the President’s budget.  He advised that he had extended an invitation to Congressman McNerney for a site visit and tour of the Los Vaqueros Reservoir.  The Congressman accepted the offer and a date would be set for the tour.  The next meeting was with Congressman John Doolittle where they thanked him for the help he had provided the District in the past.

 

The last meeting was with Congressman George Miller.  President Campbell reported that Congressman Miller was due on the floor but that he had taken time to accommodate them and addressed some of the District’s concerns.  He indicated that he would provide support with WRDA and also with the slippage and spillage issues.  He commented that it was a very interesting and positive meeting with Congressman Miller.  

 

President Campbell also commented on the recent passing Irvin Deutscher.  He noted that Mr. Deutscher had been very involved in forming the YMCA in Pleasant Hill.  He also noted the recent passing of former Contra Costa Times Business Editor John Leykam.   

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

At 7:49 p.m., President Campbell adjourned the meeting memory of Mr. Deutscher and Mr. Leykam.  The meeting was adjourned to the next regular meeting of the Board of Directors scheduled for August 15, 2007 commencing at 6:30 p.m.

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                        

                                                                                                Joseph L. Campbell, President

ATTEST:

 

                                               

Sharon L. Burris

District Secretary