HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-03-21 Board Minutes 1
MINUTES OF THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETINGS OF THE
OTAY WATER DISTRICT
AND
OTAY WATER DISTRICT FINANCING AUTHORITY
November 3, 2021
1. The meeting was called to order by President Smith at 3:34 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
Directors Present: Croucher, Keyes, Lopez, Robak and Smith
Staff Present: General Manager Jose Martinez, General Counsel Dan
Shinoff, General Counsel Jeanne Blumenfeld, Chief of
Engineering Rod Posada, Chief Financial Officer Joe
Beachem, Chief of Administration Adolfo Segura, Chief of
Operations Andrew Jackson, Asst. Chief of Finance Kevin
Koeppen, District Secretary Tita Ramos-Krogman and others
per attached list.
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
A motion was made by Director Croucher, seconded by Director Keyes, and carried
with the following vote:
Ayes: Directors Croucher, Keyes, Lopez, Robak and Smith
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
to approve the agenda.
5. APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR BOARD MEETING OF
OCTOBER 6, 2021
A motion was made by Director Robak, seconded by Director Lopez, and carried
with the following vote:
Ayes: Directors Croucher, Keyes, Lopez, Robak and Smith
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
to approve the minutes of the regular board meeting of October 6, 2021.
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6. 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
No one wished to be heard.
UCONSENT ITEMS
7. 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 Lopez, seconded by Director Robak and carried
with the following vote:
Ayes: Directors Croucher, Keyes, Lopez, Robak and Smith
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
to approve the following consent calendar items:
a) APPROVE THE ADOPTION OF A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION
FOR THE COTTONWOOD SEWER LIFT STATION REPLACEMENT
PROJECT (S2069)
b) AWARD A CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT TO ADVANCED INDUSTRIAL
SERVICES, INC. FOR THE 458-1 RESERVOIR INTERIOR/EXTERIOR
COATING & UPGRADES PROJECT (P2593) IN AN AMOUNT NOT-TO-
EXCEED $774,169.00
c) AUTHORIZE THE PURCHASE OF (6) SIX FLEET VEHICLES WITH A
TOTAL COST OF $203,443.97
d) AUTHORIZE A TWO-YEAR FIXED AGREEMENT AND (3) THREE ONE-
YEAR OPTIONS WITH NATURESCAPE SERVICES, INC. FOR
LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE SERVICES IN AN AMOUNT NOT-TO-
EXCEED $617,724.00
ACTION ITEMS
8. BOARD
a) AUTHORIZE STAFF TO CONDUCT REMOTE TELECONFERENCE
MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, INCLUDING COMMITTEE
MEETINGS, PURSUANT TO RESOLUTION NO. 4401 WHICH THE BOARD
ADOPTED AT A SPECIAL BOARD MEETING ON SEPTEMBER 27, 2021,
AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF GOVERNMENT
CODE §54953(e) FOR THE NEXT 30 DAYS BECAUSE (1) A STATE OF
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EMERGENCY RELATED TO COVID-19 IS CURRENTLY IN EFFECT; (2)
LOCAL OFFICIALS IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY HAVE IMPOSED OR
RECOMMENDED MEASURES TO PROMOTE SOCIAL DISTANCING IN
CONNECTION WITH COVID-19; AND (3) DUE TO THE COVID-19
EMERGENCY, MEETING IN PERSON WOULD PRESENT IMMINENT
RISKS TO THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF ATTENDEES
A motion was made by Director Croucher, seconded by Director Keyes, and carried
with the following vote:
Ayes: Directors Croucher, Keyes, Lopez, Robak and Smith
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
to authorize staff to conduct remote teleconference meetings of the board of
directors for the next 30 days, including committee meetings, pursuant to Resolution
No. 4401 which the Board adopted at a special board meeting on September 17,
2021, and in accordance with the provisions of Government Code §54953(e).
b) DISCUSS THE 2021 BOARD MEETING CALENDAR
President Smith indicated that there will be no board meeting in December 2021
unless the board decides to extend remote teleconference board meetings,
including committee meetings, for another 30 days.
9. FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION
a) AUTHORIZE A TWO-YEAR FIXED AGREEMENT, PLUS (3) THREE ONE-
YEAR OPTIONS WITH AZTEC JANITORIAL SERVICES, FOR JANITORIAL
SERVICES IN AN AMOUNT NOT-TO-EXCEED $525,181.20
Purchasing and Facilities Manager Kent Payne provided the staff report to the
board and responded to their questions.
Director Robak noted that at the October 20, 2021, Finance and Administration
Committee meeting, staff indicated that the incumbent contract holder T&T
Janitorial, Inc. did not meet the District’s expectations for janitorial services.
In response to a question from Director Croucher, staff stated that they documented
performance issues with T&T Janitorial, Inc.
Staff responded to additional questions from the board.
A motion was made by Director Croucher, seconded by Director Lopez, and carried
with the following vote:
Ayes: Directors Croucher, Keyes, Lopez, Robak and Smith
Noes: None
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Abstain: None
Absent: None
to approve staff’s recommendation.
b) ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 4402 REQUIRED FOR A GRANT FUNDING
APPLICATION SUBMITTED TO THE UNITED STATES BUREAU OF
RECLAMATION’S WATERSMART: WATER AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY
GRANT FUNDING PROGRAM FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022
Customer Service Manager Andrea Carey, and Environmental Compliance
Specialist Lisa Coburn-Boyd, provided the staff report to the board and responded
to their questions.
A motion was made by Director Robak, seconded by Director Keyes, and carried
with the following vote:
Ayes: Directors Croucher, Keyes, Lopez, Robak and Smith
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
to approve staff’s recommendation.
c) APPROVE THE AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE FISCAL
YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2021
Senior Accountant Marissa Dychitan provided the staff report to the board and
responded to their questions.
Mr. Joshua Calhoun of Teaman Ramirez & Smith, Inc. provided a PowerPoint
Presentation to the board which included a review of the audit process and results
of the audit.
Director Robak stated that the audit was pretty much straight forward and that the
auditors indicated that there were no management comments for fiscal year ended
June 30, 2021.
Staff responded to additional questions from the board.
A motion was made by Director Robak, seconded by Director Keyes, and carried
with the following vote:
Ayes: Directors Croucher, Keyes, Lopez, Robak and Smith
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
to approve staff’s recommendation.
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UREPORTS
10. GENERAL MANAGER’S REPORT
General Manager Martinez presented information from his report that included the
District’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, District’s 65th Anniversary, and
Employee Appreciation Meeting.
11. SAN DIEGO COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY UPDATE
President Smith indicated that CWA adopted a resolution to Activate Level 1 of its
Water Shortage Contingency Plan and also adopted a position to support various
assembly bills relating to low-income water customer assistant programs. He also
shared information on MWD’s budget reserves, which may be used to reduce rates
and pre-fund CalPERS.
Director Croucher provided an update on CWA’s refund to Otay Water District,
MWD matters, and LAFCO’s Rainbow-Fallbrook Reorganization. He also provided
an update on CWA’s general counsel recruitment.
12. DIRECTORS' REPORTS/REQUESTS
Written reports from Directors Croucher, Keyes, Lopez and Robak were submitted
to District Secretary Ramos-Krogman, which will be attached to the minutes for
today’s meeting.
13. PRESIDENT’S REPORT
President Smith indicated that he began his new role as Chair of the Council of
Water Utilities on October 19, 2021.
President Smith appointed himself (Chair) and Director Croucher to the Recycled
Water Agreement Ad-Hoc Committee, and he appointed Directors Robak (Chair)
and Lopez to the Redistricting Ad-Hoc Committee. He indicated that the
redistricting of the District must be completed by April 2022.
A written report from President Smith was submitted to District Secretary Ramos-
Krogman and will be attached to the minutes for today’s meeting.
URECESS TO CLOSED SESSION
14. CLOSED SESSION
The board recessed to closed session at 4:51 p.m. to discuss the following matters:
a) DISCUSSION RELATING TO CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) AND PUBLIC
SERVICES [GOVERNMENT CODE §54957]
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b) CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS pursuant to
California Government Code section 54956.8
Property: SALT CREEK GOLF COURSE
525 HUNTE PARKWAY
CHULA VISTA, CA 91914
Agency negotiator: General Counsel
Under negotiation: Disposition of Property
c) 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
d) CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION
[GOVERN-MENT CODE §54956.9]
MARK COZIAHR, ET AL. vs. OTAY WATE DISTRICT, CASE NO. 37-2015-
00400000-CU-MC-CTL
e) CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION
(§54956.9)
NAME OF CLAIMANT: THARSOS, INC.
f) CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION
(§54956.9)
NAME OF CLAIMANT: WEIR CONSTRUCTION
URETURN TO OPEN SESSION
15. 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 approximately 5:38 p.m. and General
Counsel Dan Shinoff reported that the board took no reportable actions in closed
session.
UOTAY WATER DISTRICT FINANCING AUTHORITY
16. NO MATTERS TO DISCUSS
There were no items scheduled for discussion for the Otay Water District Financing
Authority board.
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17. ADJOURNMENT
With no further business to come before the Board, President Smith adjourned the
meeting at 5:39 p.m.
President
ATTEST:
District Secretary