CONTRA COSTA WATER DISTRICT

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

REGULAR MEETING

August 19, 2009

 

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

                                                            Karl L. Wandry, Vice President

                                                            Bette Boatmun

                                                            John A. Burgh

            Directors Absent:                       Elizabeth R. Anello

            General Manager:                       Walter J. Bishop

            Legal Counsel:                           Robert B. Maddow

            District Secretary:                      Sharon L. Burris

 

President Campbell advised that Director Anello was absent and that she had notified the Board. 

 

President Campbell thanked Assistant General Manager (AGM) of Planning/Operations and Maintenance Jerry Brown and AGM of Engineering/Construction Steve Welch for filling in while Mr. Bishop was on vacation.   

 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 

Director of Construction Dan Owre led the pledge of allegiance.

 

ADOPTION OF AGENDA

 

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

 

PUBLIC COMMENT 

 

President Campbell invited Oakley resident Gary Gray to the podium. 

 

Mr. Gray advised that he was present to speak regarding an exceptions request submitted on behalf of the Frandoras Circle Water Group.  He reported that the group understood the formula used to arrive at the allocation under the District’s Drought Program.  He had reviewed the data and reported that there was a 24% reduction in water consumption from 2004 to the historical base usage period of 2005-2007.  Many members had reduced usage up to 50% since 2004 and were being asked to reduce another 45%.  He requested that the group’s allotment reduction be 20%.   

 

Mr. Gray also advised that he had received the District’s response to the exceptions request at the Board meeting this evening.  The basic reason for the denial was that the group used more water than the average user.  He advised that this area was one-acre lots and the water was for landscaping usage and not potable water. 

 

Mr. Bishop advised that the District offers a water conservation audit for its customers, and the Frandoras Circle Water Group had not taken advantage of this free service. The audits typically show that residents are using twice the amount of water needed. 

 

President Campbell advised that there was an appeals process to address this issue.  Mr. Gray stated that he had not received the denial to the exceptions request until this evening and agreed to appeal the exceptions request.  `

 

Mr. Bishop advised that the District’s Conservation Department would need to complete a water audit before the appeal process could take place.  

 

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

 

CONSENT CALENDAR

 

1.         Approve Directors’ Services/Business and Travel Expenses

a.   Expenses – July

 

2.         Approve the minutes of July 1, 2009.

                                   

3.                   Approve the warrant register dated August 20, 2009.

 

4.                   Adopt Resolution No. 09-19 amending the Code of Regulations – Chapter 3.08, Conflict of Interest Code. 

 

5.                   Authorize the purchase of four heavy equipment trailers from Pape Machinery in the amount of $99,274, including sales tax and delivery. 

 

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

 

ACTION

 

6.         Award of Contract – Rock Slough Fish Screen Cofferdam and Levee Project

a.       Authorize execution of a contract with Maggiora & Ghilotti, for construction of the Rock Slough Fish Screen Cofferdam and Levee Project, in the amount of $1,863,863, with a 10% change order authority of $186,386, for a total amount not to exceed $2,050,249;

b.       Authorize an amendment to the Brown and Caldwell Design Services Agreement for additional biological monitoring during construction in the amount of $125,000, for a total amount not to exceed $860,000; and

c.       Authorize an amendment to the Kleinfelder Services Agreement for additional materials testing services in the amount of $50,000, for a total amount not to exceed $345,000.  

 

Mr. Bishop reported that the project was being funded by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).  The District had received written confirmation advising that all costs incurred for the project would be reimbursed by Reclamation.  He reviewed the scope of work for the project and noted that three bids were received.  The lowest responsive, responsible bidder was Maggiora & Ghilotti, Inc.   He commended Mr. Brown, Mr. Welch and staff for their efforts to expedite the project.   

 

President Campbell advised that the Board was very aware of the project.  He also noted that it was one of the topics of discussion during the Board legislative visits to Washington, D.C. on July 29-31.  

 

President Campbell asked if the Board had any questions.  There were no questions. 

 

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

 

MOTION:  Boatmun/Burgh to a) authorize execution of a contract with Maggiora & Ghilotti, for construction of the Rock Slough Fish Screen Cofferdam and Levee Project, in the amount of $1,863,863, with a 10% change order authority of $186,386, for a total amount not to exceed $2,050,249; b) authorize an amendment to the Brown and Caldwell Design Services Agreement for additional biological monitoring during construction in the amount of $125,000, for a total amount not to exceed $860,000; and c) authorize an amendment to the Kleinfelder Services Agreement for additional materials testing services in the amount of $50,000, for a total amount not to exceed $345,000.  The motion carried by a unanimous voice vote. 

 

REPORTS FOR DISCUSSION

 

7.         Schedule Future Meeting Dates and Times

 

Director Boatmun reported that the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) Region 5 would be holding a meeting on October 1 and 2 in Walnut Creek.  President Campbell directed the District Secretary to include the event on the October Board activities calendar for Board consideration. 

 

REPORTS

 

8          General Manager

 

Mr. Bishop reminded Boardmembers to contact the District Secretary if they were interested in serving on an ACWA Committee for the 2010-2011 term. 

 

Mr. Bishop reported that AGM of Water Resources Greg Gartrell testified at the Joint Hearing of the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee and the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee concerning the 2009 proposed water legislation.  Dr. Gartrell’s testimony was consistent with Board policy on legislation and Delta issues.  A copy of the document was distributed to the Board and made available to the public.  He commended Dr. Gartrell for his participation at the hearings and for his expertise as a credible witness. 

 

9.         Legal Counsel

 

Mr. Maddow did not have a report. 

 

10.               Board Members

 

Vice President Wandry did not have a report.

 

Director Burgh reported on the Mayors’ Conference he attended with Director Boatmun and President Campbell on August 6.   He also advised that there was a possibility he would be out of town and not able to attend the October 7 Board meeting. 

 

Director Boatmun reported that she attended the Contra Costa Council Water Task Force meeting on August 18.  The meeting focused on a task force from Contra Costa County and John Muir Hospital that was reviewing alternatives for community health indicators that would be reviewed by all of the Council’s task forces.  John Muir Hospital and the County Health Department would schedule a forum at a later date.  She advised that a series addressing the social determinance of health would be airing in October on KQED. 

 

Director Boatmun also reported on the Monument Community Project meeting that she attended on August 12.  Other attendees included representatives from the health department, the agricultural department, JFK University, the City of Concord and the Farm Bureau.  The topic for discussion was urban farming.  She found the meeting very interesting and hoped that the District would support the effort.   

 

Director Boatmun also suggested that the District consider a liaison committee with Central Contra Costa Sanitary District.  The purpose of the Committee would be to have dialogue as needed on an ongoing basis.  She proposed that the Committee be comprised of Directors and staff from both agencies.  She also reported that she would not be present at the Board meeting on October 7. 

 

President Campbell reported that he made a presentation to the Concord Rotary on August 7.   He also made a presentation to the Sons in Retirement in Walnut Creek on August 17.  Topics for both presentations included the history of the District, conservation measures and the drought, the Los Vaqueros (LV) Expansion and the upcoming LV Environmental Impact Report. 

 

President Campbell also commented on an envelope in his Board packet that did not have a return address.  He stated that in keeping with his practice, he would not be opening it and it would be returned to the District Secretary. 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

At 7:05 p.m., President Campbell adjourned the meeting to the regular meeting of the Board of Directors scheduled for September 2, 2009, commencing at 6:30 p.m.

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                        

                                                                                                Joseph L. Campbell, President

ATTEST:

 

                                               

Sharon L. Burris

District Secretary