CONTRA COSTA WATER DISTRICT

ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING

BOARD STUDY SESSION

November 2, 2007

 

MINUTES

 

 

CALL TO ORDER 

 

President Campbell called to order an adjourned regular meeting of the Board of Directors at 8:20 a.m., at the District Administration Building, located 2411 Bisso Lane, Concord.

 

ROLL CALL

 

Directors Present:              Joseph L. Campbell, President

                                         Elizabeth Anello, Vice President

                                         Bette Boatmun (arrived at 8:28 a.m.)

                                         John A. Burgh

Directors Absent:              Karl Wandry

General Manager:               Walter J. Bishop

Legal Counsel Absent:        Robert B. Maddow

District Secretary:               Sharon L. Burris

 

President Campbell noted that Director Wandry was absent from the meeting and that he had previously notified the District.

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS

 

President Campbell asked if there were any public comments.  There were no public comments.     

 

ADOPTION OF AGENDA    (Organization of Meeting)

 

Mr. Bishop reported that there were no changes to the agenda. 

 

President Campbell then turned the meeting over to facilitator Lee Shuff. 

 

Mr. Shuff reviewed the purpose, desired outcome of the study session, and described the ground rules.  He also reviewed the purpose of the “Issue Bin.”

 

Mr. Bishop reported that the District’s State and Federal lobbyists would be providing updates on the 2008 Legislative Program.  He reviewed and identified the 2008 legislative key objectives as to: protect source water quality, secure federal and state funding to offset ratepayer costs, support programs for water quality improvement, and proactively engage on legislation that has a significant impact on the District’s mission. 

DISCUSSION & INFORMATION

 

1.         State Legislative Representative

 

Mr. Bishop reviewed the three key state objectives.  The first objective was to improve Delta water quality.  The second objective was to provide urban flood control for East County; and, the third objective was to receive funding through the 2008 Water Bond.  He advised that the District’s state lobbyist Julee Malinowski-Ball and would be giving a presentation.

 

Ms. Malinowski-Ball reported positively on the District’s legislative strategy.  The District’s objectives were clear and had remained focused on the issues.  The Budget and Policy Committee had been informed that District projects were “ready to go.”   She commented positively on the recognition that the Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion Project had received for the District.   She also commented on the Alternative Intake Project (AIP) and funding for the projects. 

 

Discussion took place on Proposition 84, the 2008 Water Bond, and the Department of Water Resources (DWR).   

 

Director Boatmun arrived at 8:28 a.m.

 

A discussion ensued on key legislative contacts in both the senate and assembly who supported District projects. 

 

Ms. Malinowski-Ball commented positively on the District’s efforts educating the legislators and the public on the benefits of the emergency response immediate actions for the Delta.  She also commented on the legislative special session on water policy taking place in Sacramento.  The key focus of one of the special sessions was bond issues concerning water.   One of the bonds supports building or expanding dams.  The other bond includes money for local water agencies to support water supply projects.  She emphasized that there was not a set deadline for the special session and that it would remain open until gaveled closed. 

 

Discussion took place on the political aspect of the special session and the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) position on the bond issues.   

 

President Campbell commented that the immediate actions plan was introduced one year ago.  He also commented positively on the District’s role in educating the legislators and public concerning the importance of these actions.     

 

Ms. Malinowski-Ball reported that Governor Schwarzenegger’s budget for 2008-2009 would be out in January 2008.  She spoke positively about the possibility of the District receiving funding in the budget.  She also addressed term limits and advised that, if there was a change in leadership, it could affect the District’s situation. 

 

Discussion took place on the AIP and the benefits that it would produce.  Discussion also ensued on the size of Los Vaqueros and the benefits the Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion Project would provide for the District and other agencies.   

 

Director Boatmun announced that Ms. Malinowski-Ball would be the guest speaker at the Contra Costa Chapter Special Districts Association quarterly meeting on January 28, in Pleasant Hill. 

 

There was a short break at 9:25 a.m.  The Board Study Session reconvened at 9:35 a.m.

 

2.         Federal Legislative Representative

 

Mr. Bishop reviewed the federal objectives and identified them as:  protecting Delta water quality, obtaining federal authorizations and appropriations; legislation regarding the California Bay-Delta Authority, or a successor agency; revenue enhancement; and Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) authorization and appropriations. 

 

The District’s federal lobbyist, Marcus Faust began his presentation by advising that after a seven year effort, Congress had passed the WRDA bill.  The bill included $23 million of funding for the lining of the Contra Costa Canal.  He commented positively on the support received from Representative Ellen Tauscher’s office.  He also reported that President Bush had vetoed the bill, but it was anticipated that the House of Representatives would override the veto.    

 

Mr. Faust advised that the District’s Emergency Response Immediate Actions Plan was presented to Congressman George Miller’s Legislative Assistant, Ben Miller.  Discussion took place on Congressman Miller’s role in Washington, DC and of the support he has provided the District.  President Campbell commented positively on a meeting that had taken place with the Congressman in Washington, DC during the District’s legislative visit in July. 

 

Discussion took place on Federal District Court Judge Oliver Wanger’s decision regarding shutting down pumping in the Delta.  Mr. Faust reported that the Central Valley Project representatives had requested a new hearing, in light of Judge Wanger’s decision. 

 

The role and effectiveness of the Delta Vision Task Force was also discussed.  

 

Discussion took place on the importance of the AIP funding and reimbursement.  Mr. Faust advised that $2 million for the project was in the budget and that it was also in the House and Senate appropriations. 

 

Director Boatmun asked if ACWA’s presentation concerning the peripheral canal also indicated that saving the Delta was equally important.  Mr. Faust responded, yes.   

 

Mr. Faust commented on the leadership concerning water issues at the state and federal levels of government.  He also commented on the District’s strong leadership.  Discussion took place on expectations and desired outcomes for District projects. 

 

Mr. Faust advised that there was discussion in Washington concerning domestic spending bills vs. the war in Iraq.  He indicated that the President would obtain defense spending bills for the war.  Discussion took place on public opinion polls concerning Congress.    He advised that issues in Washington, DC and Sacramento were similar.   

 

Discussion took place on spending in FY09 and the possibility of a continuing resolution in FY08.

 

The Folsom South Coalition and the standby charges were also discussed.  Mr. Bishop gave a brief history on how the coalition was formed and the expectations.  A discussion ensued concerning Sacramento County and Sacramento Municipal Utility District and their respective water concerns. 

 

Mr. Maddow commented on the situation taking place in the Southeast and water issues involving the Endangered Species Act.  

 

Addressing emergency situations, Director Burgh commented on information received at the Mayors’ Conference on October 4.  Supervisor Ulkima applauded the effectiveness of the system that was utilized in San Diego during the recent fires. 

 

3.         General Manger/Legal Counsel/Board Member Comments

 

Mr. Shuff asked for comments. 

 

Mr. Bishop recapped the projects and discussed the construction of the AIP, the canal replacement project, and the Draft Environmental Impact Report for the Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion Project.  Discussion took place on the timing and anticipated completion of the projects and the funding sources using different scenarios. 

 

Mr. Shuff recapped the action items from the meeting.   

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

The meeting adjourned at 11:05 a.m.  The next regular meeting of the Board of Directors would be November 7, 2007, starting at 6:30 p.m.

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Joseph L. Campbell, President

ATTEST:

                                   

Sharon L. Burris

District Secretary