We are an equal opportunity employer and provider. BOARD OF DIRECTORS
February 22, 2021
The regular meeting of the Board of Directors of Bella Vista Water District convened at the Dis-trict Office Boardroom on Monday, February 22, 2021, at 5:35 p.m.
MODIFIED BROWN ACT PROCEDURES IN LIGHT OF COVID-19:
In Compliance with CA Executive Orders N-25-20 and N-29-20 some members of the Board of Directors and members of the public participated in this meeting by teleconference. There was not office space available for the public to participate in-person. The call-in information for the Board of Directors and the public was as follows:
Weblink: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86557718065?pwd=S2F6ZkdNMXEyMXBvL2RMQ01yZk1kZz09 or,
Dial in: US: or US: +16699009128,,86557718065#,,,,*098178# or +13462487799,,86557718065#,,,,*098178#
Meeting ID: 865 5771 8065 Passcode: 098178
Any member of the public on the telephone may speak during Public Comment or may email public comments to cwade@bvwd.org and comments will be read from each member of the public. Dur-ing this period of modified Brown Act Requirements, the District will use best efforts to swiftly re-solve requests for reasonable modifications or accommodations with individuals with disabilities, consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and resolving any doubt whatsoever in favor of accessibility.
Board Members Present:
President - Frank Schabarum Vice-President - Ted Bambino
Director - Bob Nash
Director - Jim Smith
Director - Leimone Waite (Participated by Zoom) Board Members Absent:
None
Officers and Staff Present:
General Manager/Secretary-Treasurer - David Coxey
District Engineer - Wayne Ohlin
Office Manager - Connie M. Wade
2. Public Comment None
3. Consent Calendar:
3-1 Approval of Minutes of January 25, 2021, Regular Meeting
RECOMMENDATION: Approval and Adoption of all items on the Consent Calendar. M/S: [Nash/Smith] The Board approved and accepted the consent calendar.
AYE: Bambino, Nash, Schabarum, Smith and Waite; NAY: None; ABSTAIN: None Old Business:
None
New Business:
4. Adopt Resolution 21-01 Authorizing Contract for Temporary Water Service Between the United States and Bella Vista Water District, Contract Number 21-WC-20-5725
General Manager, David Coxey explained the circumstances to be able to obtain this type of water and the cost-benefit to the District. David explained it takes the right set of circumstances for this type of water to be available. We do not anticipate that we will benefit in the immediate future given current circumstances, but this is an annual contract that would allow the District to divert and utilize flows under the right circumstances. Any water supply diverted under this Contract is separate and in addition to water allocated under our CVP Repayment Contract. M/S: [Nash/Smith] Adopt Resolution 21-01 Authorizing the Board President to execute the Contract for Temporary Water Service between United States of Bureau of Reclamation and Bella Vista Water District.
AYE: Bambino, Nash, Schabarum, Smith and Waite; NAY: None; ABSTAIN: None 5. Adopt Resolution 21-02 Adopting the 2020 Drought Contingency Plan
*Item was taken out of order. David explained that this was a long time in coming and the plan complies with Bureau guidelines and reviewed the process it took to get to this point of adopting the 2020 Drought Contingency Plan. District Engineer, Wayne Ohlin explained that the reason for the exercise was to qualify for a future water shortage contingency project grant. A general discussion ensued regarding local storage development which would require a new water treatment facility. David explained that in addition to the high capital and permitting requirements, it would present water quality challenges due to algae and organics which results in disinfection byproducts formation which is regulated with quite stringent levels.
M/S: [Waite/Bambino] Adopt Resolution 21-02 adopting the 2020 Drought Contingency Plan AYE: Bambino, Nash, Schabarum, Smith and Waite; NAY: None; ABSTAIN: None
6. 2021 Central Valley Project Water Supply Allocation
David explained the process that is reviewed to determine the allocation. Safe to say we are facing a lot of uncertainty. We did get a notice that we have been invited to a call tomorrow that will tell us the preliminary supply allocation. David further discussed possible allocations and the impacts to the District Customers.
Discussion Only
7. Review of Final 2021 Central Valley Project Water Rates
David reviewed the item as he does annually so that it is of record. David explained the Rate Process Overview briefly and Reclamation’s “Foreword” document, then reviewed the various rate book schedules. He explained that although the District has benefitted considerably from past ability-to-pay relief, we are no longer eligible to participate by choosing instead to convert our contract under the WIIN Act. David further explained how deficits occur and how deliveries and storage are calculated into the rates. All true-ups are based on a federal fiscal year and one year in arrears. David then explained the 2021 cost of service rates for Irrigation. Director Nash had a question about the pumping costs. David explained that project use energy for Wintu is included in the water rate as the Direct Pumping component rate. David discussed the deficit that is contained in the Irrigation rate component of $1.04 and the cumulative construction relief. The calculations are all based on project deliveries. David explained we still have an irrigation deficit of $73,297, which assumes an annual delivery of 3,452 acre-feet annually to repay by 2030; however, the deficit will continue to accrue interest charges. Under the current rate study, we are reserving $10.00/acre-foot but that is likely not enough and a number to keep an eye on. David reviewed his spreadsheets that track the current and historical rate components for both Irrigation and M&I water. Wayne explained the driving force in the rate increases as a result of these big jumps in the pass-through cost from the Bureau.
Discussion Only
8. Adopt Annual Adjustments for 2021 Water Rates, Charges and Fees for Service
District Engineer, Wayne Ohlin explained that our rate study is based on our pass-through water costs. The next item is CPI-U and then the next adder or not is the percentage of up to 2%. Direc-tor Nash had a question about a breakdown of the costs. Wayne reviewed the breakdown of costs for the delivery of water. David explained that through the rate study, we allocated .50 AF of M&I water to each account which provides a water treatment benefit component and also pro-vides some shortage year reliability for Agricultural Accounts that may receive a zero allocation. Wayne explained “Table C Water Usage Charges and the Bi-monthly base rates.” David gave some examples of why the staff is recommending CPI-U + 2%. Directors Bambino and Waite expressed concerns with the 2% staff recommendation.
M/S: [Nash/Waite] Adopt the annual adjustments for 2021 Water Rates, Charges, and Fees for Service of CPI-U + 0%
AYE: Bambino, Schabarum, Smith and Waite; NAY: None; ABSTAIN: None
9. Authorize the Purchase of 2021 Supplemental Water from the McConnell Founda-tion
David explained the letter received offering supplemental water for a specific cost of $250 per acre-foot. David explained how the Supplemental Water Program ordinarily works, the cumula-tive quantity requested, and the number of Agricultural Customers. David explained the need and recommendation to purchase supply above the cumulative quantity requested depending on the CVP allocation announcement.
M/S: [Bambino/Smith] The Board authorized the General Manager to purchase up to 2,000 AF of water based upon the Bureau allocation received.
AYE: Bambino, Nash, Schabarum, Smith and Waite; NAY: None; ABSTAIN: None 10. Award Akrich St. and Moody Creek Dr. Water Main Replacement Project
Wayne explained we received 13 bids on this project. The engineer’s estimate for the project was $415,000-$460,000. Wayne confirmed the number with the winning bidder for backfill and also checked around with other entities that had used this firm. All previous experience require-ments were met.
M/S: [Waite/Bambino] The Board authorized (1) award of the contract to Builder Solutions, Inc.; and (2) the General Manager to execute a contract in the amount of $390,722 with Builder Solutions, Inc. once they have furnished the required bonds and insurance; and (3) the General Manager to approve change orders up to 10% of the construction contract ($39,000).
AYE: Bambino, Nash, Schabarum, Smith and Waite; NAY: None; ABSTAIN: None Reports & Communications
11. Engineer’s Report
a. Water Production and Deliveries Update
Wayne reviewed the production still using substantially less water than 2013 and reviewing the chart we show we will exceed 11,000 AF. Wayne stated he believes the increase this year is more weather related.
b. Project Updates
Wayne informed that we have already reviewed Akrich-Moody Creek amd USBR Water Smart Grant projects and as to Well No. 4 we engaged PACE to make sure we get the product we want and the quality. The final steps are to select a pump, pay for it and get it installed.
12. Manager’s Report
General Manager David Coxey reported the District is restoring data from a cyber event and uti-lizing offsite backups has restored 100% of data prior to November 13, 2020. SCADA and oper-ations were not affected as they are not connected to the internet or domain. However, all com-puters and devices powered on within the domain were impacted. Data recovery is occurring methodically. With regards to operations, the second of two Wintu variable frequency drives have been upgraded with new cells and a new control system completed by Siemens Corp. PG&E has completed some pole replacement work related to the Wintu 60 kV feeder and the Wintu Pumping Plant is now fully operational. We will be pumping the remaining CVP surface water supply over the next couple of weeks. There is considerable uncertainty with regards to the 2021 CVP supply allocation and we are expecting very low numbers in the next day or so. The District has hired a new Meter Reader, Seth Moore, that started a couple of weeks ago. We continue to monitor COVID related restrictions on open meetings. We will be deploying a vehi-cle telematics system in the weeks to come that will provide a suite of tools for improved asset management and safety. Lastly, David reported on informational items in the Board packet that includes the District’s letter to the County regarding the proposed Tierra Robles Development Project and legislation sponsored by ACWA, SB 323 (CABALLERO) to address the water and sewer rate-setting process.
13. Board Member Comments and Reports None
CLOSED SESSION
The meeting adjourned to Closed session at 7:32 pm
10. Conference with Real Property negotiator pursuant to the Government Code 54956.8 Property: Supplemental Water
Negotiating parties: General manager and various water entities Under negotiation: Terms to acquire Supplemental Water
11. Reconvene to Open Session, Announce Any Actions Taken While in Closed Session, Adjourn
The Board reconvened to open session at 8:00 pm and announced that direction was provided but no board action was taken while in closed session.
BELLA VISTA WATER DISTRICT
STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) ) SS COUNTY OF SHASTA )
I, DAVID J. COXEY, Secretary to the Board of Directors of the Bella Vista Water District, presented to the Board of Directors the minutes of the Board Meeting of February 22, 2021, for approval by the Board of Directors.
_________________________________________ David J. Coxey, Secretary of the Board of Directors
STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) ) SS COUNTY OF SHASTA )
I, DAVID J. COXEY, Secretary of the Board of Directors of Bella Vista Water District, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that the aforementioned minutes attached hereto were approved by the Board of Directors of said District at their meeting of March 22, 2021.
Ayes: Bambino, Nash, Schabarum, Smith, and Waite Noes: 0
Absent: 0 Abstain: 0
_________________________________________ David J. Coxey, Secretary to the Board of Directors
Date: March 23, 2021
