The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About08-06-25 Board Minutes 1 MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETINGS OF THE OTAY WATER DISTRICT AND OTAY WATER DISTRICT FINANCING AUTHORITY August 6, 2025 1. The meeting was called to order by President Lopez at 3:35 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL Directors Present: Gonzalez, Lopez, Rivera and Robak Directors Absent: Croucher Staff Present: General Manager Jose Martinez, General Counsel Dan Shinoff, Chief of Engineering Michael Long, Chief Financial Officer Joe Beachem, Chief of Administration Adolfo Segura, Chief of Operations Andrew Jackson, Confidential Executive Assistant Jenny Diaz, Executive Assistant Felicia Montano and others per attached list. 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA A motion was made by Director Robak, seconded by Director Gonzalez, and carried with the following vote: Ayes: Directors Gonzalez, Lopez, Rivera and Robak Noes: None Abstain: None Absent: Director Croucher to approve the agenda. 5. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR BOARD MEETINGS OF JUNE 4, 2025, AND JULY 2, 2025, AND SPECIAL BOARD MEETING OF JUNE 25, 2025 A motion was made by Director Robak, seconded by President Lopez, and carried with the following vote: Ayes: Directors Gonzalez, Lopez, Rivera and Robak Noes: None Abstain: None Absent: Director Croucher to approve the minutes of the regular board meetings of June 4, 2025, and July 2, 2025, and special board meeting of June 25, 2025. 2 6. PRESENTATION OF AWARDS FOR THE 2025 “STUDENT POSTER CONTEST” WINNERS Communications Assistant Eileen Salmeron provided a PowerPoint presentation of the winners and their posters and noted that middle school students did not participate in the contest. Five winners were recognized, four of them were able to attend the meeting in person and provide a background of their artwork. The students responded to comments and questions from the board. Mrs. Garcia-Baez, teacher from Olympic View Elementary School, was acknowledged for supporting students. 7. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION – OPPORTUNITY FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO SPEAK TO THE BOARD ON ANY SUBJECT MATTER WITHIN THE BOARD'S JURISDICTION BUT NOT AN ITEM ON TODAY'S AGENDA Mr. Jeff Shelton addressed the board about his concerns about fluoride in the water supply and urged the board to discuss fluoridation, enhance transparency via public records, and lead on public health policy re-evaluation. An email from Mr. Shelton was received after the board meeting and is attached to the August 6, 2025, board minutes at his request. UCONSENT ITEM 8. ITEMS TO BE ACTED UPON WITHOUT DISCUSSION, UNLESS A REQUEST IS MADE BY A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OR THE PUBLIC TO DISCUSS A PARTICULAR ITEM: A motion was made by Director Rivera, seconded by Director Robak and carried with the following vote: Ayes: Directors Gonzalez, Lopez, Rivera and Robak Noes: None Abstain: None Absent: Croucher to approve the following consent calendar items: a) ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 4460 APPROVING THE SEWER ANNEXATION OF THE PROPERTY OWNED BY SCOTT AND ANA O’RYAN, 3671 CALAVO DRIVE, SPRING VALLEY, CA 91977, APN: 501-282-62-00, TO THE OTAY WATER DISTRICT AND SEWER IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT NO. 18 b) AUTHORIZE THE GENERAL MANAGER TO ISSUE PURCHASE ORDERS FOR THE PURCHASE OF FIVE (5) FLEET VEHICLES INCLUDING ONE (1) COMBINATION SEWER CLEANING VACTOR TRUCK, ONE (1) EMERGENCY STANDBY GENERATOR FOR THE 1655-1 HYDRO-STATION, ONE (1) SCISSOR LIFT WITH TRAILER, WHEN PRICING AND UNITS ARE AVAILABLE, 3 AND TO DECLARE AS SURPLUS UNIT #220 AND ONE (1) GENSET LOCATED AT THE 1655-1 HYDRO STATION ACTION ITEMS 9. BOARD a) AUTHORIZE THE GENERAL MANAGER TO SUBMIT PAYMENT OF $141,370 FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2026, TO THE WATER CONSERVATION AUTHORITY Mr. Mitch Thompson addressed the board advocating for the extension of the Water Conservation Garden’s lease with Cuyamaca College to secure its future and the capital needs for the facility’s expansion. After the board meeting, Mr. Jeff Shelton emailed a statement to be added to the August 6, 2025, minutes regarding water conservation. Directors Lopez and Gonzalez praised the garden’s new leadership, volunteer support (including a $100,000 donation), and role in addressing California’s 75% rainfall drop and drought cycles. Free entry days and educational programs were highlighted as key for ratepayers. A motion was made by Director Gonzalez, seconded by Director Rivera and carried with the following vote: Ayes: Directors Gonzalez, Lopez, Rivera and Robak Noes: None Abstain: None Absent: Croucher to authorize the general manager to submit payment of $141,370 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, to the Water Conservation Authority. b) DISCUSS THE 2024 BOARD MEETING CALENDAR Confidential Executive Assistant Jenny Diaz stated that the Engineering Committee meeting will be held on August 19, and the Finance Committee meeting will be held on August 20. She also reminded board members of the California Special Districts Association Conference during the week of August 24. There were no changes to the board calendar. U REPORTS 10. GENERAL MANAGER REPORT General Manager Martinez indicated that he had nothing to report. 4 11. SAN DIEGO COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY UPDATE Director Robak provided updates on CWA matters that included the finalization of the agency’s budget of an 8.3% rate increase and projects that are going through bidding process. 12. DIRECTORS' REPORTS/REQUESTS Director Lopez was honored for saving Director Suzanne Till’s life with the Heimlich Maneuver at a Council of Water Utilities luncheon. His swift, discreet action underscored the district’s community-focused philosophy, earning board gratitude. Directors present discussed meetings they attended and will submit their written reports to District Secretary Ramos-Krogman, which will be attached to the minutes for today’s meeting. 13. PRESIDENT’S REPORT President Lopez will submit his written report to District Secretary Ramos-Krogman, which will be attached to the minutes for today’s meeting. 14. RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION The board recessed to closed session at 4:44 p.m. to discuss the following matter: a) CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION [GOVERNMENT CODE §54956.9] MARK COZIAHR, ET AL. vs. OTAY WATER DISTRICT, CASE NO. 37-2015-000-CU-MC-CTL b) CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION [GOVERNMENT CODE §54956.9] OTAY WATER DISTRICT vs. CITY OF SAN DIEGO; CASE NO. 37-2017-00019348-CU-WM-CTL c) PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION [GOVERNMENT CODE §54957.6] TITLE: GENERAL MANAGER 15. RETURN TO OPEN SESSION REPORT ON ANY ACTIONS TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION. THE BOARD MAY ALSO TAKE ACTION ON ANY ITEMS POSTED IN CLOSED SESSION. The board reconvened from closed session at 6:15 p.m. and General Counsel Dan Shinoff reported that the board took action on Agenda Item 13c, Public Employee 5 Performance Evaluation [Government Code §54957.6] Title: General Manager, to simply review the contract that had been voted upon and approved at the July 2 board meeting. No other reportable actions were taken in closed session. OTAY WATER DISTRICT FINANCING AUTHORITY 16. NO MATTERS TO DISCUSS There were no items scheduled for discussion for the Otay Water District Financing Authority board. 17. ADJOURNMENT With no further business to come before the Board, President Lopez adjourned the meeting at 6:16 p.m. President ATTEST: District Secretary OTAY WATER DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS PER-DIEM AND MILEAGE CLAIM FORM Pay To: Jose Lopez Period Covered: Employee Number: From: 03/01/25 To: 03/31/25 ITEM DATE MEETING PURPOSE / ISSUES DISCUSSED 1 03/04/25 South Bay Economic & Development Council Council Meeting 2 03/05/25 OWD Regular Board Meeting 3 03/07/25 Chula Vista Chamber of Commerce 1st Friday Breakfast (GMs) Meeting 4 03/08/25 Water Conservation Garden Tomatomania Event 5 03/13/25 OWD Committee Agenda Briefing 6 03/17/25 OWD Engineering Committee Meeting 7 03/18/25 Council of Water Utilities COWU Luncheon Meeting 8 03/19/25 OWD Finance & Admin Committee Meeting 9 03/25/25 Water Conservation Garden WCG Meeting 10 03/27/25 OWD Board Agenda Briefing Mark Robak From:7/1/2025 7/31/2025 ITEM DATE MEETING PURPOSE / ISSUES 1 7/2/2025 Otay Water District Board Meeting 2 7/10/2025 San Diego Chamber of Commerce Small Business Awards at UCSD - NO CHARGE 3 7/11/2025 East County Chamber of Commerce First Friday Breakfast - NO CHARGE 4 7/12/2025 Otay Water District Summer Picnic - NO CHARGE 5 7/15/2025 East County Chamber of Commerce Government Affiars Committee 6 7/16/2025 East County Economic Development Council Board Meeting 7 7/16/2025 East County Chamber of Commerce Membership & Ambassadors Meeting - NO CHARGE 8 7/18/2025 San Diego LAFCO Special Districts Advisory Board at Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District 9 7/22/2025 Otay Water District Engineering, Operations, and Water Resources (EO&WR) Committee 10 7/22/2025 Otay Water District Discuss upcoming SDCWA Board Meeting with Otay GM - NO CHARGE 11 7/23/2025 East County Caucus Discuss upcoming SDCWA Board Meeting with neighboring agencies 12 7/25/2025 Albondigas South County Hear from CEO of San Ysidro Health - NO CHARGE 13 7/28/2025 East County Economic Development Council Gillespie Field Bus Tour - NO CHARGE 14 7/31/2025 East County Chamber of Commerce Monthly Board of Directors Meeting 15 7/31/2025 East County Chamber of Commerce Dine & Dialogue with Assemblman Carl DeMaio - NO CHARGE OTAY WATER DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS PER-DIEM AND MILEAGE CLAIM FORM Pay To:Period Covered Employee Number From:JeffShelton To:Tita Ramos-Krogman Subject:Written Public Comment – Hydrologic Cycle & Water Conservation Messaging Date:Thursday, August 7, 2025 8:00:20 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of Otay Water District. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. Dear Ms. Ramos-Krogman, I noticed you weren’t at yesterday’s board meeting—hope all is well. Thank you again for your help coordinating the public participation process. Although I already addressed fluoride-related concerns during public comment, I would alsolike to formally submit an additional statement regarding the current messaging on water conservation. Please find my written comment below. I respectfully request that it be entered into the officialpublic record and shared with the Board: “The claim that water is scarce or running out in absolute terms is scientifically misleading. Water is part of a continuous hydrologic cycle — evaporating, condensing into clouds,falling as precipitation, and being stored in aquifers or surface reservoirs. Water is not destroyed or used up; it is transformed and recycled. Even wastewater can be treated andreused. Instead of promoting fear-based scarcity narratives, the District should emphasize wise water management grounded in the natural science of the water cycle.” Thank you for ensuring transparency and balanced communication with the public. Sincerely, Jeff Shelton Chula Vista, CA