HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-04-23 Board Minutes 1
MINUTES OF THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETINGS OF THE OTAY WATER DISTRICT AND OTAY WATER DISTRICT FINANCING AUTHORITY October 4, 2023
1. The meeting was called to order by President Robak at 3:34 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL
Directors Present: Croucher (Remote), Keyes, Lopez, Robak and Smith General Counsel Dan Shinoff indicated that Director Croucher requested to remotely attend the meeting as he is attending to a significant family issue.
In response to questions from General Counsel Shinoff, Director Croucher provided the address where he is currently located, stated that he posted the agenda outside his location within 72 hours prior to the meeting, and that his parents Walter and Ann Stevenson were in the room with him.
A motion was made by Director Smith, seconded by Director Robak, and carried with the following vote: Ayes: Directors Keyes, Lopez, Robak and Smith
Noes: None Abstain: None Absent: None to approve Director Croucher to attend the meeting remotely/virtually.
Directors Absent: None 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, 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 Smith, seconded by Director Keyes, and carried with the
following vote: Ayes: Directors Croucher, Keyes, Lopez, Robak and Smith
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Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None to approve the agenda.
5. WELCOMING OF THE NEW SAN DIEGO COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY GENERAL
MANAGER DAN DENHAM Mr. Dan Denham, General Manager of the San Diego County Water Authority (SDCWA), provided a PowerPoint Presentation to the board. He shared his 18-year history at
SDCWA and provided a history of the agency, its projects and future plans. An update on
LAFCO and SDCWA matters was also provided to the board. Director Smith stated that Otay Water District and other agencies are seeking fixed costs and more diversity in water resources from SDCWA. He also discussed financial impacts
to special districts and other agencies within San Diego County boundaries due to
LAFCO’s approval of the Rainbow Municipal Water and Fallbrook Public Utility Districts’ Detachment proposal. Mr. Denham responded to additional comments and questions from the board.
President Robak shared that there will be a Politifest Event on October 6 and 7 and noted that Mr. Denham will be on the QSA Panel to discuss water matters. 6. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR BOARD MEETINGS OF AUGUST
2, 2023 AND SEPTEMBER 6, 2023. A motion was made by Director Smith, 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 minutes of the regular board meetings of August 2, 2023 and September 6, 2023. 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. Larry Olds addressed the board and discussed his concerns about how water is being distributed in the northern region of California, wasting water, and the financial impacts to customers.
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CONSENT 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 Smith, 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 following consent calendar item:
a) APPROVE CHANGE ORDER NO. 2 TO THE EXISTING CONTRACT WITH CCL CONTRACTING, INC. IN AN AMOUNT OF $62,366.00 FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE PASO DE LUZ/TELEGRAPH CANYON (CIP P2612) AND VISTA GRANDE/VISTA SIERRA (CIP P2616) WATERLINE REPLACEMENT PROJECT
ACTION ITEMS 9. BOARD
a) DISCUSS THE 2023 BOARD MEETING CALENDAR General Manager Jose Martinez reminded the board that the next regular board meeting will be held on November 8.
President Robak stated that he will not be at the November 8 board meeting and that Director Lopez will preside the meeting. INFORMATIONAL ITEM
10. ITEMS ARE PROVIDED TO THE BOARD FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. NO ACTION IS REQUIRED ON THE FOLLOWING AGENDA ITEMS a) ANNUAL DIRECTORS’ EXPENSE REPORT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023
The board waived the presentation as Director Smith stated that it was noted at the September Finance and Administrative Committee that the annual directors’ expense report for fiscal year 2023 was under budget.
b) FISCAL YEAR 2023 YEAR-END REPORT OF THE DISTRICT’S FISCAL YEARS 2023-2026 STRATEGIC PLAN
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The board waived the presentation and President Robak thanked Information Technology
Manager Michael Kerr and his staff for their efforts to gather information to provide the
District’s Strategic Plan updates. REPORTS
11. GENERAL MANAGER REPORT
Mr. Martinez shared that the district hosted a tour of its Mexico interconnection near the US/Mexico border for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s Planning Conference and noted that there was also a tour of the Sweetwater Authority’s Reynolds Groundwater
Desalination Facility. He also discussed written compliments from customers who were
thankful to meter readers and the Customer Services Department. In response to a question from Director Smith, Chief Financial Officer Joe Beachem stated that July water sales were low due to cooler temperatures and water conservation
that month. Director Smith directed staff to continue monitoring impacts to water sales.
12. SAN DIEGO COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY UPDATE Director Croucher shared that CWA will host a workshop in November 2023 and January
2024. He stated that the workshops are essential as there are approximately 14 new
board members on CWA. Director Smith reported that CWA’s Controller’s Report indicated that water sales were down by 15% and Metropolitan’s water sales were down by 14% due to the wet weather
conditions in fiscal year 2022-2023. He also discussed the expectation of a conservation percentage in time, which experts provided an estimate of 3% by the year 2035. Lastly, he shared Metropolitan’s Climate Adaptation Master Plan (CAMP) for water process that relates to CWA in terms of projects worth $27 billion dollars. Director Smith responded to questions and comments from President Robak.
13. DIRECTORS' REPORTS/REQUESTS Written reports from Directors Croucher, Keyes and Smith were submitted to District Secretary Ramos-Krogman, which will be attached to the minutes for today’s meeting.
Director Smith reported that he and Director Keyes met with Otay Water District’s finance staff to discuss the Reserve Policy and OPEB information. 14. PRESIDENT’S REPORT
President Robak and General Manager Martinez discussed the state’s water conservation rules and regulations. A written report from President Robak was submitted to District Secretary Ramos-
Krogman and will be attached to the minutes for today’s meeting.
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15. CLOSED SESSION
The board recessed to closed session at 5:06 p.m. to discuss the following matters: a) CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION [GOVERNMENT CODE §54956.9]
NAME OF CLAIMANT: Mater Dei High School b) CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION GOVERNMENT CODE 54956.9(d)(2) – 1 ITEM
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 RETURN TO OPEN SESSION 16. 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 5:44 p.m. and General Counsel Dan Shinoff reported that the board voted 5-0 on Agenda Item 14a to reject the claim from Mater Dei High School.
No other reportable actions were taken in closed session. OTAY WATER DISTRICT FINANCING AUTHORITY
17. NO MATTERS TO DISCUSS There were no items scheduled for discussion for the Otay Water District Financing Authority board.
18. ADJOURNMENT With no further business to come before the Board, President Robak adjourned the meeting at 5:44 p.m.
President
ATTEST:
District Secretary
Mark Robak
7014 From:9/1/2023 9/30/2023
ITEM DATE MEETING PURPOSE / ISSUES
MILEAGE HOME
TO OWD OWD TO
HOME
MILEAGE
OTHER
LOCATIONS
1 9/6/2023 Otay Water District Board Meeting 7 0
2 9/8/2023 East County Chamber of
Commerce
First Friday Breakfast at Foohills Church - NO
CHARGE 0 0
3 9/9/2023 Vista Irrigation District 100th Anniversary Event 0 88
4 9/14/2023 Meeting with Steve
Castenada
Discuss Water Conservation Garden - NO
CHARGE 0 0
5 9/14/2023 Otay Water District Committee Agenda Briefing 0 0
6 9/15/2023 LAFCO Special Districts
Advisory Board
Discuss various matters effecting special
districts 0 34
7 9/19/2023 Otay Water District Engineering, Operations, and Water Resources
(EO&WR) Committee 7 0
8 9/26/2023 Chula Vista State of the City
Address The Mayor discussed issues affecting the City 0 40
9 9/27/2023 San Diego Regional Chamber
of Commerce Circle of Influence Reception - NO CHARGE 0 0
10 9/29/2023 Otay Water District Agenda Briefing 0 0
11 9/30/2023 Water Conservation Garden Perennial Party - Fundraiser for the Garden -
NO CHARGE 0 0
14 162
$ 1,155
176 Miles
GM Receipt: Date: ___________________
FOR OFFICE USE: TOTAL MILEAGE REIMBURSEMENT: $ _____________
Pay To:Period Covered
Employee Number
Total Mileage
Claimed:
Director Signature
($165 PER MEETING)
Total Meeting Per
Diem:
OTAY WATER DISTRICT
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PER-DIEM AND MILEAGE CLAIM FORM
(Director’s Signature)
GM Receipt: Date:
FOR OFFICE USE: TOTAL MILEAGE REIMBURSEMENT: $
OTAY WATER DISTRICT
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PER-DIEM AND MILEAGE CLAIM FORM
Pay To: Gary Croucher Period Covered:
Employee Number: 7011 From: 09/01/23 To: 09/30/23
ITEM DATE MEETING PURPOSE / ISSUES
DISCUSSED (Via Teleconference) MILEAGE
HOME to OWD OWD to HOME
MILEAGE
OTHER LOCATIONS
1 09/05/23 Director’s Quarterly Board
Meeting
Met with General Manager Martinez to
discuss district matters
- -
2 09/06/23 Otay Water District Monthly Regular Board Meeting 6 -
3 09/19/23 CWA/GM Matters Meeting Met with Director Smith and GM
Martinez to discuss CWA matters
- -
4 09/26/23 CWA Matters Meeting Met with Director Smith and GM
Martinez to discuss CWA matters
- -
5 09/27/23 East County Caucus Discuss East County issues with agencies
and CWA
16 -
Total Meeting Per Diem: $825
($165 per diem)
Total Mileage Claimed: 22 miles
1896 From:9/1/23---9/30/23
ITEM DATE MEETING PURPOSE / ISSUES MILEAGE HOME
TO OWD OWD TO
HOME
MILEAGE
OTHER
LOCATIONS
1 9/6/2023 OWD Board Mtg Monthly Board Meeting
2 9/18/2023 Finance Mtg Special Finance Meeting
3 9/20/2023 F&A Committee Mtg Monthly F&A Committee Mtg
4 9/21/2023 CSDA Class Save the Drama:Managing Challenging
Employee Situations
5 9/23/2023 CSDA Class ACA 13 Membership Overview
6 9/24/2023 CSDA Class How your financing gets priced in capital
markets
7 9/26/2023 Chula Vista State of the City Chula Vista Mayoral Address (no charge)
8 9/29/2023 CSDA Class Independent Contractors, Dynamex, and AB5
9
10
11
$1,155.00
GM Receipt:
OTAY WATER DISTRICT
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PER-DIEM AND MILEAGE CLAIM FORM
Pay To: Ryan Keyes Period Covered
Employee Number
Total Mileage
Claimed:
($165 PER MEETING)
Total Meeting Per
Diem:
Director Signature
Miles
Date: ______________
Tim Smith
1845 From: 9/1/2023 to 9/30/2023
ITEM DATE MEETING PURPOSE / ISSUES
MILEAGE HOME
TO OWD OWD TO
HOME
MILEAGE
OTHER
LOCATIONS
1 9/5/2023 Mtg with Padre Dam GM Discuss East County issues 0 30
2 9/6/2023 OWD Board Meeting Monthly Board Meeting 26 0
3 9/18/2023 Finance & Admin Mtg
Discuss Financial Issues with GM and Staff and
Dir. Keyes 26 0
4 9/19/2023 SDCWA Matters
Discuss SDCWA matters with GM and Dir.
Croucher - SDCWA Mtg 0 0
5 9/20/2023 Finance & Admin Committee
Mtg
Discuss Finance & Administrative issues for
next Board Mtg 26 0
6 9/26/2023 SDCWA Matters
Discuss SDCWA matters with GM and Dir.
Croucher - SDCWA Mtg 0 0
7 9/27/2023 East County Caucus
Dicuss East County issues with agencies and
CWA 0 44
8
9
10
11
78 74
$ 1,155.00
152 Miles
GM Receipt:
FOR OFFICE USE: TOTAL MILEAGE REIMBURSEMENT: $_____________
Pay To:Period Covered
Employee Number
Total Mileage
Claimed:
Director Signature
($165 PER MEETING)
Total Meeting Per
Diem:
OTAY WATER DISTRICT
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PER-DIEM AND MILEAGE CLAIM FORM
Date: ______ ______