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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - October 22, 2007 -UB AZUSA . ; .IGHT A WATER CITY OF AZUSA MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE AZUSA UTILITY BOARD/CITY COUNCIL MONDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2007 — 6:30 P.M. The Utility Board Members of the City of Azusa met in regular session, at the above date and time, at Azusa Light and Water Conference Room, located at 729 N. Azusa Avenue, Azusa, California. Call to Order Chairman Hanks called the meeting to order. Flag Salute Azusa Police Officer Paul Dennis led in the Pledge to the Flag. Roll Call ROLL CALL PRESENT: BOARD MEMBERS: GONZALES, CARRILO, MACIAS, HANKS, ROCHA ABSENT: BOARD MEMBERS: NONE Also Present ALSO PRESENT: City Attorney Ferre, City Manager Delach,Assistant to the Utilities Director Kalscheuer,Assistant Director of Resource Management Tang, Assistant Director of Water Operations Anderson, Assistant Director Customer Care and Solutions Vanca,Assistant Director of Electric Operations Ramirez, Business Development/Public Benefits Coordinator Reid, Finance Controller Aguilar, Police Officer Dennis, Customer Care Operations Supervisor Tapia, Deputy City Clerk Toscano. Assistant Director Customer Care and Solutions Vanca introduced new Meter Reader Martin Employee Charmenta, Customer Service Care Operations Supervisor Tapia introduced new employee Introductions Customer Service Representative Manuel Sencion and Assistant Director of Electric Operations introduced new Line Mechanic Todd Saint John. Public Participation Pub Part Ms. Kim Antoff and Linda Harnon of Crystal Canyon Homeowners Association addressed Council K. Antoff with concerns regarding the agenda item regarding a request from Covina Irrigating Company to Comments acquire a waterline easement within the City limits; she advised that they were not made aware of the items and requested that they be allowed to hear their side of the issue; she passed out a letter from their attorney regarding the issue. Mr. Jorge Rosales addressed item regarding additional compensation to Civiltec Engineering, J. Rosales Incorporated,with concerns that he has not been acknowledged when he submits questions and Comments also that they continue to award to the consultant without competitive bidding. Mr. Art Morales addressed item regarding the landscape and irrigation maintenance suggesting A. Morales that they should utilize artificial turf and eliminate edging and mowing; there is a need for native Comments plants, and talked about code compliance procedures. The CONSENT CALENDAR consisting of Items B-1 through B-11, was approved by motion of Consent Cal Board Member Rocha, seconded by Board Member Carrillo and unanimously carried with the Approved exception of items B-6, B-8, and B-10,which was considered under the Special Call portion of the Agenda. 1. The Minutes of the regular meeting of September 24, 2007, were approved as written. Min Appvd 2. Approval was given for a poster making contest amongst schools to promote recycling of Promotion of used oil and public awareness about illegal dumping; and the City Manager was authorized to Used Oil execute installation and production agreement with Clear Channel to use bus shelter Recycling advertising space to promote used oil recycling. 3. Authorization was given to staff to rebate Developers for refuse billing amounts billed to Rebate for vacant residential units in the Rosedale Development. Vacant units 4. Approval was given for an Easement Agreement with Canyon View Homeowners Association, Easement Incorporated; the City Manager was authorized to execute the Agreement and related Agmt Canyon documents and the City Clerk was authorized to have same recorded with the Los Angeles View HOA County Recorder's Office. 5. A RESOLUTION OF THE UTILITY BOARD/CITY COUNCIL FO THE CITY OF AZUSA ACCEPTING Res. 07-C87 A CERTAIN GRANT OF EASEMENT AND DIRECTING THE RECORDING THEREOF. (Owners at Grant of 939 N. Vernon Avenue, Los Angeles SMSA Limited Partnership d.b.a. Verizon Wirelss) Easement A RESOLUTION OF THE UTILITY BOARD/CITY COUNCIL FO THE CITY OF AZUSA ACCEPTING Res. 07-88 A CERTAIN GRANT OF EASEMENT AND DIRECTING THE RECORDING THEREOF. (Owners at Grant of 521 N. Virginia Avenue, Deborah Pauline Andrade) Easement 6. SPECIAL CALL ITEM. Spec Call 7. Authorization was given for the execution of Waiver of Right to Use Transmission Rights with Waiver of the California Independent System Operator and delegation of execution authority to the Rights Trans Director of Utilities or his designee. CISO 8. SPECIAL CALL ITEM. Spec Call 9. Approval was given to waive formal bidding procedures pursuant to Azusa Municipal Code LivingWise section 2-522(b) for turnkey interactive conservation program for Azusa sixth grade students Conservation and award purchase of same to LivingWise in amount of $37,650. Program 10. SPECIAL CALL ITEM. Spec Call 11. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AZUSA DECLARING ITS APPROVAL Res. 07-C 106 OF FINAL TRACT MAP NO. 63780. (Property located at 740 S. Azusa Avenue — Leton Tract Map Townhouses) No. 63780 10/22/07 PAGE TWO Special Call Items Spec Call Board Member Rocha addressed item regarding agreement with Sprint for Cell Tower Site on 10"' street asking if there were plans for the revenue received from the fees for the site. City Manager Rocha Delach responded that the fee will go into the general fund. Mr. Rocha asked if part of the funds Comments can be considered for seed money for Poverty Summit to have vouchers for youth/people and that Sprint Agmt the item be placed on the November 5th agenda. Moved by Board Member Rocha,seconded by Board Member Gonzales and unanimously carried to approve Communications Site License Agreement with Sprint PCS Assets, LLC for use of 900 Corn Site Lic square feet of property at 1020 East 10th Street, Azusa, for a cellular tower site; and the City Agmt Sprint Manager was authorized to execute agreement. Approved Board Member Rocha addressed item regarding reimbursable compensation to Civiltec Engineering, for continuing inspection services on the Rosedale Water Reservoirs fiscal impact, Rocha asking for the cost. Assistant Director of Water Operations Anderson responded that the City's Comments share is approximately 72%of the cost, but not necessarily 72%of the inspection; he stated that Civiltec Engr for Sierra Madre and the 1023 Reservoirs is 100%ALP. Rosedale Wtr Reservoir Moved by Board Member Rocha, seconded by Board Member Gonzales and unanimously carried to approve the reimbursable addition of $60,000 to Civiltec Engineering, Incorporated contract Civiltec Engr pursuant to Azusa Municipal Code section 2-517 (h) for continuing inspection of the Rosedale Inspection Development water storage reservoir and water pump stations. Rosedale Wtr Reservoir Question and answer session regarding Landscape and Irrigation Maintenance Specifications for Azusa Light and Water Facilities. It was noted that the contractor will comply with the Drought Question/ Ordinance. Further discussion was held regarding plant maintenance, and contact information; Answer Specs Board Member Rocha requested that all Board Members be provided with that information. Landscape - Maintenance Moved by Board Member Rocha, seconded by Board Member Gonzales and unanimously carried to approve the Landscape and Irrigation Maintenance Specifications for Azusa Light &Water Specs Land Facilities and authorize the City Clerk to commence advertisement for formal bids. Maint L&W appvd Scheduled Items Sched Items Assistant Director of Resource Management Tang presented the budget amendment for purchased water costs, stating that due to the drought water is being purchased from the B. Tang Metropolitan Water District (MWD) and the percentage cost is very high compared to normal Budget years. This was not anticipated during the budget process and staff's projection through Amend December is that they will have incurred approximately$800,000 in the amount of procurement Purchase of from MWD; he recommended the budget amendment in that amount. Water Chairman Hanks addressed the issue suggesting that public service announcements (PSA) be made and perhaps in partnership with Azusa Pacific University; he suggested a mechanism to Hanks fund the PSA be from the Azusa Agricultural Water Company fund as money is set for water Comments related issues. He asked that an amendment be made to the item for a not to exceed $10,000, to develop the PSA's for the purpose of promoting drought consciousness. Discussion was held regarding the issue of public service announcements; statistics regarding water consumption and overall reduction; the suggested funds from the Azusa Agricultural water Discussion fund; proposed San Gabriel Valley Waterline service; release of water from the dam; Phases I and II of the Drought ordinance; and other options i.e. mutual operation of wells. 10/22/07 PAGE THREE Board Member Carrillo offered a Resolution entitled: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AZUSA, CALIFORNIA,AMENDING THE Res. 07-C89 FISCAL YEAR 2007-2008 OPERATING BUDGET FOR THE WATER UTILITY TO PAY FOR Amend Bdgt PURCHASED WATER. Purchase wtr Moved by Board Member Carrillo, seconded by Board Member Rocha to waive further reading and adopt. Resolution passed and adopted by the following vote of the Council: AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: GONZALES, CARRILLO, MACIAS, HANKS, ROCHA NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE ABSENT:COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE City Manager Delach addressed item regarding request from Covina Irrigating Company to acquire City Mgr a waterline easement clarifying that the item is to consider setting a public hearing for the matter; Covina he explained why the Covina Irrigating Company, a public utility, is requesting the easement. Irrigating Co. After discussion it was moved by Board Member Macias,seconded by Board Member Rocha and Staff directed unanimously carried to direct staff to prepare the documentation and notices necessary to To prepare conduct a public hearing regarding consideration of Covina Irrigating Company to acquire a water notices PH easement within the City. Staff Reports/Communications Staff Rpts Assistant Director of Resource Management Tang presented the Monthly Update on the Water WTP Treatment Plant Project report stating that it is 32.92% complete. Update Assistant Director of Resource Management Tang presented the Power Resources Division B. Tang Monthly Report stating that the power supply has been impacted by the recent fires in the San Pwr Res Diego area; lines have come down and they have had to be replaced with local supply. The fires Monthly Rpt have not affected the distribution. He responded to questions posed regarding impacts if major power resources go down, warning time, and rolling blackouts. Assistant Director of Resource Management Tang presented the Emergency Water Update stating Water that the Upper Basin water pumping deficit continues and we are pumping more water than Emergency replenishing. The water from the State is still not available because of the pipeline being Update constructed and we are living with purchases from MWD. La Nina condition is evident and might cause continued drought this winter. Stage II water emergency condition has been met and will commence November 1St, and Phase HI will begin December 1St. The notices are being published in the Examiner on October 18th,the SGV Tribune on October 19th.Staff is working on: publishing in BNA magazine in English and Spanish, announcements for local schools, set up of a drought Hotline, information on the City's Website, working with large water users and restaurant establishments to disseminate water conservation information and implement water saving measures. Staff is also working to increase sources of water with private well operators to bring their wells into service and with ALP to get their pipeline back as soon as possible and continue discussions with MWD to ensure availability of purchased water. Board Member Rocha expressed concern regarding the implementation of Phase Ill in just one Rocha month when statistics are not in indicating that Phase II is working; he also would like the PSA's to Comments be implemented. He asked about the number of citations given, which was not available at this time. He also requested that staff take a more aggressive approach on giving citations for those who are abusing the use of water. 10/22/07 PAGE FOUR He referred to a newspaper article and noted that other cities are not implementing water Rocha conservation ordinances. He also talked about the $200 penalties and termination of water Comments services. City Manager Delach responded stating that the City of Azusa is unique with regard to water City Mgr sources and talked about the ordinance requiring a thirty day notice to begin Phases, but noted Comments they could call off Phase III, if needed, i.e. if we get rain, or if the San Gabriel line comes into service, and the releasing of water from Morris Dam continues. Assistant to the Utilities Director Kalscheuer explained that it appeared necessary to go to the C. Kalscheuei Phase III declaration since the Utility was seeing the water table drop even though consumption Comments was reduced by nearly 10%; the surcharge strategy was also explained as applying to those who blatantly ignore the water use restrictions in Phase I and do not reduce water usage. Assistant Director of Resource Management Tang concurred with Mr. Kalscheuer and noted that B. Tang citations outside of the city (60%)will be implemented as of November 1. He noted that there is Comments a need for more Water Patrol personnel; currently there is only one. Discussion was held regarding PSA's within and outside the City and shared concern regarding Phase III implementations. Board Member Rocha expressed concern regarding having only one water police stating that Rocha residents don't take the issue serious. Mr. Tang responded stating that there would be more than Comments one and responded to questions regarding the monitoring of those abusers as there is no automatic meter reading. Assistant Director of Resource Management Tang advised that he would update board members B. Tang on a weekly basis, noting the steps that should be taken. He responded to questions regarding an Comments appeal process which will go to the Director of Utilities and will be evaluated on a case by case basis. Additional discussion was held regarding the County area compliance, 10%reduction,concern of Add'I running out of water, and procedures and planning to proceed with the enforcement efforts, i.e. Discussion additional water patrol and citation books. Directors Comments Dir Cmts Moved by Board Member Carrillo,seconded by Board Member Gonzales and unanimously carried Cert of to approve a Certificate of Appreciation to Valleydale Elementary School, for honoring the Apprec Veterans this coming Veteran's day, to be presented at the school on November 9, 2007 Valleydale Moved by Board Member Carrillo,seconded by Board Member Gonzales and unanimously carried Cert of to approve a Certificate of Appreciation to Paramount Elementary School, for honoring the Apprec Veterans this coming Veteran's day, to be presented at the school on November 9, 2007 Paramount Moved by Board Member Rocha, seconded by Board Member Carrillo and unanimously carried to Adjourn adjourn. TIME OF ADJOURNMENT: 7:44 P.M. ASSISTANT SE 'Y NEXT RESOLUTION NO. 07-C90 10/22/07 PAGE FIVE