CONTRA COSTA WATER DISTRICT

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

REGULAR MEETING

August 6, 2008

 

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:            Stephen J. Welch

            Legal Counsel:                           Robert B. Maddow

            District Secretary:                      Sharon L. Burris

 

President Campbell advised that General Manager Bishop was on vacation and that Assistant General Manager Engineering/Construction Steve Welch was Acting General Manager. 

 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 

Special Projects Manager Marguerite Naillon led the pledge of allegiance. 

 

ADOPTION OF AGENDA

 

Mr. Welch advised that there was a change to Agenda Item No. 1.a. – Future Services adding the Retirement Committee meeting on August 22. 

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

 

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

 

CONSENT CALENDAR

 

1.         Approve Directors’ Services/Business and Travel Expenses

            a.   Future Services – August

            b.   Expenses – July

            c.   Compensation – July

 

2.         Approve the following minutes:

            a.   June 12, 2008

            b.   June 18, 2008

            c.   July 2, 2008

           

3.         Approve the warrant register dated August 7, 2008.

 

4.         Authorize execution of a five-year renewal agreement with Western Area Power Administration for Transmission Services with a capacity of up to eight (8) megawatts. 

 

5.         Relieve Low Bidder and Award new Contract for FY09 Sulfuric Acid Water Treatment Chemicals

            a.   Relieve Sierra Chemical of their existing contractual obligation to provide sulfuric acid to the District due to unforeseen market conditions; and

            b.   Authorize purchase of sulfuric acid from Basic Chemical Solutions for the three-month period beginning August 7, 2008, at $0.2429 per pound.

 

6.         Authorize execution of an agreement with HDR Engineering, Inc. for professional engineering services in FY09 for the Treated Water Reservoir Rehabilitation Program for an amount not to exceed $169,000.

 

7.         Authorize execution of an agreement with Lee & Ro., Inc. for professional engineering services of $213,000 in FY09 and $149,000 in FY10 for the Treated Water Facility Improvements Program for a total amount not to exceed $362,000.

 

President Campbell advised that approval of the consent calendar would include revised Agenda Item No. 1.a. – Future Services.  He also advised that he did not attend the Board Study Session on June 12, 2008, and that he would be abstaining on Agenda Item No. 2.a. – Minutes – June 12, 2008. 

 

MOTION:  Boatmun/Anello to approve the consent calendar.  The motion carried by the following vote:  Agenda Item No. 2.a. – Ayes:  Boatmun, Anello, Burgh, and Wandry.   Abstain:  Campbell.   Agenda Items No. 2 b. and 2.c – the motion carried by a unanimous voice vote. 

 

ACTION

 

8.         Adopt Resolution No. 08-23 authorizing execution of an amendment to the sole source agreement with the United States Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation for the Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion Project for an additional amount not to exceed $1,300,000 for a revised agreement total not to exceed $3,800,000.

 

Mr. Welch advised that this item was placed on the action calendar due to the amount of the contract.  The $1,300,000 amendment would provide funding to complete the environmental review process and the federal feasibility study for the Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion Project.  Adoption of the amendment would bring the total agreement amount to $3,800,000.  He advised that a presentation was available for the Board if it was their desire.  It was the consensus of the Board that a presentation was not necessary.

 

Responding to a question from Director Wandry concerning whether the $3.8 million was just for the sole source agreement, Mr. Welch replied yes. 

 

MOTION:  Boatmun/Burgh to adopt Resolution No. 08-23 authorizing execution of an amendment to the sole source agreement with the United States Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation for the Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion Project for an additional amount not to exceed $1,300,000 for a revised agreement total not to exceed $3,800,000.   The motion carried by a unanimous voice vote. 

 

DISCUSSION AND INFORMATION

 

9.         Receive construction projects status report.

 

Mr. Welch reported that Director of Construction Dan Owre would be providing a presentation on the District’s construction projects.  The presentation would include the District’s two major projects, the Alternative Intake Project (AIP) and the CCWD/Brentwood Water Treatment Plant, and a variety of smaller projects.   

 

Mr. Owre began his presentation stating that the District managed 22 projects during the past 12 months.  Treated water projects totaled 15, with a contract value of $57.6 million.  Untreated water projects totaled 7, with a contract value of $68.4 million. 

 

Mr. Owre identified the key messages as follows:  all projects were within the budget; the construction was of the highest quality and was completed on schedule; the AIP and the CCWD/City of Brentwood Water Treatment Plant accounted for $108.2 million (over 80%) of the construction expenditure; and 96% of the capital construction budget was spent in FY08. 

 

Mr. Owre reviewed the purpose of the AIP and added that it was the most expensive project in construction this year.  The AIP consisted of three construction projects:  the Setback Levee, the Intake and Pump Station, and the Conveyance Pipeline projects. 

 

President Campbell asked if the setback levee was substantially complete.  Mr. Owre responded yes.  He then asked if the District was assuming maintenance on it.  Mr. Owre replied yes and it was being turned over to the intake and pump station contractor to continue work on the levee.  President Campbell asked if there was a workmanship guarantee on it.  Mr. Owre responded yes. 

 

Mr. Owre presented an aerial photograph of Victoria Island before construction of the AIP.  He identified Old River, Old River Pump Station, Victoria Canal, and where the setback levee and new pump station would be located.  He also identified where the six-foot diameter conveyance pipeline would be located.  He then presented a photograph of the Island since construction.

 

President Campbell asked Mr. Owre to identify the location of the homes on the island that he and Director Boatmun had seen on a recent tour of the project.  Mr. Owre identified the location and noted that they were built without service or permits. 

 

Director Wandry asked if the pipeline was tunneled under Old River.  Mr. Owre responded yes.  Director Wandry asked if the tunnel was completed first or at the end of the pipeline.  Mr. Owre replied that both projects would be constructed simultaneously. 

 

Mr. Owre then presented the CCWD/City of Brentwood Water Treatment Plant (WTP).  He reported that the City of Brentwood (City) was funding the project and the District would own and operate the WTP.  The project was completed with a minimum of change orders and water was delivered to the City ahead of the projected schedule.  Using aerial photographs, he compared the project’s progress from July 2007 – July 2008. 

Addressing some of the District’s smaller projects, Mr. Owre reported on the Midhill II Reservoir Project, the Bisso Generator Project, the Bollman WTP Ozone Quenching Project, and the Lateral 14 Sliplining Project.  He advised that the latter project was unique; it was next to a large storage building, two railroad tracks, a large gas pressurized main and the District’s pipeline was 15 feet deep.  He then explained the sliplining process. 

 

Mr. Wandry asked how long the sliplining would last.  Mr. Welch responded 50 years or longer. 

 

Mr. Owre reviewed the Seminary Reservoir Improvement Project and explained that the reservoir was rehabilitated to improve water quality and to meet new seismic code.  The Randall-Bold Water Treatment Plant pH Control Project, which allowed for improved water quality by adding a small dose of sulfuric acid to the untreated water making it possible to use fewer chemicals in the treatment process. 

 

Mr. Owre advised that the projects were being constructed to improve water quality, improve water service reliability, improve the District’s emergency preparedness and improve the District’s ability to operate and maintain the treated and untreated water systems. 

 

President Campbell asked if there were any comments.

 

Director Burgh commented positively on the design and progress of the Brentwood WTP, which also provided a great benefit to the ratepayers.  He commended District staff on the project’s success.

 

The Board thanked Mr. Owre for the interesting presentation. 

 

REPORTS FOR DISCUSSION

 

10.        Committee Report(s)

            a.   Bay Area Water Forum Post-Meeting Report (7/28/08)

 

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

                                   

11.        Schedule Future Meeting Dates and Times

 

Mr. Welch reminded the Board that the staff hosted barbeque would be held on August 20.

 

REPORTS

 

12.        General Manager

 

Mr. Welch gave a brief update on the District’s efforts concerning a project at Franks Tract.   

 

13.        Legal Counsel

 

Mr. Maddow reported briefly on litigation concerning the Paso Nogal Pump Station.  He advised that the case of CCWD vs. Tico Construction had been settled within the parameters set by the Board. 

 

14.        Board Members

 

Director Burgh reported that he attended the Contra Costa Chapter Special Districts Association meeting on July 21.  He passed along a commendation to Water Conservation Supervisor Chris Dundon from Contra Costa Central Sanitary District (CCCSD) Director Mario Menesini for support provided at an Environmental Alliance meeting.  He also reported that CCCSD received an award from the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) for achieving 100 percent permit compliance.  CCCSD also received recognition from NACWA for their achievement in removing mercury from wastewater.  He asked that the Board acknowledge CCCSD for their accomplishments.    

 

Director Boatmun reported that she attended the Board of Supervisors Water/Delta Workshop meeting on July 29, where Assistant General Manager Water Resources Greg Gartrell was one of the speakers.  She also reported that the District’s water conservation tips were being disseminated to members of the Pittsburg Chamber of Commerce

 

Vice President Anello reported that she would be attending the Finance Committee meeting on August 25.

 

Director Wandry reported that he was unable to attend the Board of Supervisors Water/Delta Workshop on July 29.  He advised that he had watched the televised program and complimented Mr. Gartrell on a job well done. 

 

President Campbell did not have a report. 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

At 7:08 p.m., President Campbell adjourned the meeting to the next regular meeting of the Board of Directors scheduled for August 20, 2008 commencing at 6:30 p.m.

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                        

                                                                                                Joseph L. Campbell, President

ATTEST:

 

                                               

Sharon L. Burris

District Secretary