HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-21-24 Minutes1
MINUTES OF THE
SPECIAL BOARD MEETING OF THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OTAY WATER DISTRICT
February 21, 2024
1.President Lopez called the meeting to order at 12:15 p.m.
2.ROLL CALL
Directors Present:Croucher, Keyes, Lopez, Robak and Smith
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 THE 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.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.
6.WORKSHOP
a)RALPH W. CHAPMAN WATER RECLAMATION FACILITY’S (RWCWRF)
DISINFECTION SYSTEM IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
Sr. Civil Engineer Lito Santos provided a PowerPoint presentation to give an update
on the district’s RWCWRF Disinfection System Improvement Project. He noted that
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the district plans to replace the current chlorine disinfection system with a new UV
disinfection system. He discussed the process of the transition. He indicated that
the new UV disinfection system will be delivered by May 2024, and construction of
the project is anticipated to be completed by late summer of 2025.
General Manager Jose Martinez discussed the benefits of replacing the chlorine
disinfection system with a UV disinfection system from an operational standpoint.
There was a discussion on UV treatment vs. chlorine treatment and which treatment
gets closer to providing pure water. There was also a discussion on cost
advantages, which the UV system is more cost efficient and prolongs the system’s
life expectancy.
Director Croucher discussed collaborating with Sweetwater Authority, opportunities
to upgrading to the next level (i.e. study, grants, etc.), and opportunities for
groundwater discharge within the district’s jurisdictional boundaries.
There was a discussion and update on the district’s efforts to work with the County
Sanitation District for waste management.
Director Smith suggested staff conduct a pilot study that includes spacing and
grants for upgrading the treatment plant. In addition, staff responded to his
questions about the distribution system of recycled water within the district’s
jurisdictional boundary, and the possibility of collaborating with other agencies for
cost efficiency.
b) WATER CONSERVATION GARDEN UPDATE
Director Mark Robak provided an update on matters of the Water Conservation
Garden (WCG). He responded to questions from board members, which included
WCG’s financial/budget status, hiring of a legal counsel, funding requests, number
of staff and volunteers, business model and long term planning. There was also a
discussion on the impacts of the WCG closing.
RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION
7. CLOSED SESSION
The board recessed to closed session at 1:10 p.m. to discuss the following matters:
a) SECURITY OF PUBLIC SERVICE OR FACILITIES [GOVERNMENT CODE
§54957]
b) CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS [GOVERNMENT CODE
§54957.6]
AGENCY DESIGNATED REPRESENTATIVES: GARY CROUCHER AND
JOSE LOPEZ
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EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATION: OTAY WATER DISTRICT EMPLOYEES’
ASSOCIATION
AND
ALL REPRESENTED AND UNREPRESENTED PERSONNEL, INCLUDING
MANAGEMENT AND CONFIDENTIAL EMPLOYEES
c) CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
[GOVERNMENT CODE §54956.9]
RETURN TO OPEN SESSION
8. 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 3:43 p.m. and General Counsel Dan
Shinoff reported that the board took no reportable actions in closed session.
9. ADJOURNMENT
With no further business to come before the Board, President Lopez adjourned the
meeting at 3:43 p.m.
President
ATTEST:
District Secretary