HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-24-20 Board Minutes 1
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL BOARD MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OTAY WATER DISTRICT
August 24, 2020
1. President Croucher called the meeting to order at 2:05 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL
Directors Present: Croucher, Gastelum, Robak (arrived 2:11 p.m.), Smith, and Thompson Staff Present: General Manager Jose Martinez, General Counsel Dan
Shinoff, General Counsel Jeanne Blumenfeld, Chief Financial
Officer Joe Beachem, Chief of Operations Pedro Porras, Chief of Engineering Rod Posada, Chief of Administration and Information Technology Adolfo Segura, Asst. Chief of Finance Kevin Koeppen, District Secretary Susan Cruz and others per
attached list.
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 4. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
A motion was made by Director Smith, seconded by Director Thompson and carried with the following vote: Ayes: Directors Croucher, Smith and Thompson
Noes: None
Abstain: Director Gastelum Absent: Director Robak 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. RECEIVE THE SDCWA REGIONAL CONVEYANCE SYSTEM FEASIBILITY (PHASE A RESULTS) AND REVIEW, INCLUDING ANALYSIS FROM THE MEMBER AGENCY MANAGERS’ INDEPENDENT CONSULTANTS
Staff and the San Diego County Water Authority (CWA) provided and update on CWA’s Regional Conveyance System Feasibility (RCS) Phase A Study. Chief Financial Officer Joe Beachem indicated that the Otay Water District joined a group
2
of Member Agency Managers to engage an independent consultant, DLM, to review
the RCS Feasibility Phase A Study. DLM completed their review which was published on July 21, 2020. CWA’s Deputy General Manager Dan Denham provided a PowerPoint presentation that included information on the Phase A and Phase B Studies (please refer to Attachment B of the staff report for the details of
Mr. Denham’s presentation).
Mr. Dan Denham also indicated that the RCS will be agendized for action at CWA’s board meeting on August 27, 2020. At that time, CWA staff will present a board memo with their response to the financial aspects of DLM’s report. In addition, Mr.
Denham indicated that CWA’s Colorado River Work Group met and recommended
delaying the RCS Feasibility Phase B Study for three (3) months to provide additional time for Member Agency Managers and the public to review the financial assumptions in the Phase A Study.
Director Smith provided his input and stated that he is in support of the RCS
Feasibility Phase B Study as it would explore funding and partnership opportunities. Director Thompson provided comments and stated that he is in support of the RCS Feasibility Phase B Study to pursue other alternatives for water supply.
In response to a question from Director Gastelum, Mr. Denham indicated that in 2003 an exchange agreement with the Metropolitan Water District (MWD) included an “out clause” that allows CWA to terminate the agreement provided MWD is given a five-year advance notice.
Director Robak provided his input and stated that the District has already incurred expenses in studying the feasibility of Phase A of the RCS and felt that the District should continue forward. He stated he supports the Phase B Study.
7. ADJOURNMENT
With no further business to come before the board, President Croucher adjourned the meeting at 3:02 p.m.
___________________________________ President ATTEST:
District Secretary
SC:TRK