HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-18-20 Board Minutes 1
MINUTES OF THE
SPECIAL BOARD MEETING OF THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OTAY WATER DISTRICT
March 18, 2020
1. The meeting was called to order by President Croucher at 12:02 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
Directors Present: Croucher, Gastelum, Robak, 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, Asst. Chief of Engineering, Dan Martin,
District Secretary Susan Cruz and others per attached list.
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
4. 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.
5. DISCUSS OTAY WATER DISTRICT’S CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) RESPONSE
General Manager Jose Martinez presented an update of how the District is
responding to the Federal, State and Local Orders. He also provided a response to
the board’s inquiries/requests from the March 16th special board meeting. On
March 16th, customers received a notification via email that the District would be
closing its lobby effective March 18, 2020. Customers who do not have email or
social media access were notified via auto phone dialer.
Communications Officer Tenille Otero presented a draft COVID-19 postcard with
information that the virus has no impact on the District’s tap water and is safe to
drink. The postcard also directs customers to the District’s website for additional
information.
Staff responded to comments and questions from the board concerning the draft
COVID-19 postcard. Because of the cost to print and mail the postcard,
approximately $15,000, Director Thompson stated that he is not in favor of sending
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it to customers since the District has not received many phone calls concerning the
COVID-19 pandemic.
A motion was made by President Croucher, seconded by Director Smith and carried
with the following vote:
Ayes: Directors Croucher, Gastelum, Robak and Smith
Noes: Director Thompson
Abstain: None
Absent: None
to approve the printing and mailout of the COVID-19 postcard to customers.
President Croucher requested that board members complete COVID-19 training.
General Counsel Jeanne Blumenfeld reported than an Executive Order from
Governor Newsom suspends individual gatherings at local governing agency
meetings and provides flexibility to Brown Act requirements.
RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION
6. CLOSED SESSION
The board recessed to closed session at 12:45 p.m. to discuss the following matter:
a) EMERGENCY DISCUSSION RELATING TO CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)
AND PUBLIC SERVICES [GOVERNMENT CODE §54957]
RETURN TO OPEN SESSION
7. 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 12:57 p.m. and General Counsel Dan
Shinoff reported that the board took no reportable actions in closed session.
8. ADJOURNMENT
With no further business to come before the board, President Croucher adjourned
the meeting at 12:57 p.m.
___________________________________
President
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ATTEST:
District Secretary
SC:TRK