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Home My WebLink AboutMinutes - October 22, 2108 - UBCITY OF AZUSA MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE AZUSA UTILITY BOARD/CITY COUNCIL MONDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2018 – 6:30 P.M. Chairman: Robert Gonzales Vice Chairman: Edward J. Alvarez Board Member: Joseph R. Rocha Board Member: Angel A. Carrillo Board Member: Uriel E. Macias Secretary: Jeffrey Lawrence Cornejo, Jr. The Utility Board/City Council of the City of Azusa met in regular session, at the above date and time, in the Azusa Light and Water (ALW) Conference Room, located at 729 North Azusa Avenue, Azusa, California. Chair Gonzales called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M. Pledge to the flag was led by Board Member Macias. ROLL CALL: Roll call was taken by Secretary Cornejo. PRESENT: BOARD MEMBERS: GONZALES, ALVAREZ, ROCHA, CARRILLO, MACIAS ABSENT: BOARD MEMBERS: NONE ALSO PRESENT Elected Officials: Secretary Cornejo City Attorney: Jeff Ferre Staff Members: City Manager Gonzalez, Utilities Director Robledo, Assistant Director of Water Operations Macias, Utilities Communications and Environmental Programs Specialist Sagun, Utilities Programs Specialist Reid, Senior Electrical Engineer Vuong, Utilities Administrative & Financial Services Manager Tran, Electric Distribution Supervisor Patterson, Public Works Director Bobadilla, IT/Library Services Director Graf, Recreation and Family Services Director Carpenter, Police Captain Bertelsen, Assistant Chief Deputy City Clerk Juarez A. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION None B. UTILITIES DIRECTOR COMMENTS Utilities Director Robledo reported a few households were affected by a service outage during a recent rain and wind event. Staff reset a transformer to restore service. The tree trimming program is doing well. Staff has caught up with repairs to water main leaks. ALW is recruiting for two line mechanics and three assistant directors. Interviews are scheduled for the end of October and the beginning of November. The advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) project is going well, and staff expects good results. A video taken by a line mechanic won an award from the Public Power Association. Utilities Director Robledo shared a video of linemen changing a pole in response to a customer comment. PAGE 2 – 10/22/2018 In response to questions from Board Members, Utilities Director Robledo advised that a pole-climbing certification is required for a journeyman line mechanic but not for an apprentice line mechanic. A journeyman line mechanic has completed an apprenticeship, and pole climbing is part of the apprenticeship. Apprentice applicants who have climbing experience perform better on the test. ALW line mechanics have to climb poles located behind houses. Electric Distribution Supervisor Patterson advised that ALW sends apprentice line mechanics to a four-year apprenticeship training program in Riverside at a cost of approximately $10,000. Employees attend apprentice training on Saturdays for classwork and several consecutive days for field experience such as climbing. Utilities Director Robledo indicated ALW receives many applications for apprentice positions but few for journeyman positions. ALW seeks highly qualified candidates and tries to stay competitive with private employers in order to retain employees. Employment with ALW requires apprentice employees to reimburse ALW for the cost of apprentice school if the employees leave within a certain time. In response to proposed legislation, Southern California Edison will shut off power during high-wind events. During a recent high-wind event, Edison shut off power to two traffic signals and one elementary school in Azusa. ALW is working to provide power to the traffic signals so that future Edison outages will not affect them. The Azusa Unified School District will have to take action regarding power to the elementary school. The area around Irwindale Avenue is served by Edison because building the infrastructure to supply power to that area would be more expensive than allowing Edison to serve the customers. City Manager Gonzales related that the City is communicating with Edison behind the scenes. C. UTILITY BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS In reply to Board Member Macias' query, Utilities Director Robledo explained that rust occurs inside the iron water mains. A fast water flow will dislodge the rust and carry it to the tap. If discoloration persists, customers should contact staff, who will flush the hydrant. Board Member Rocha read portions of a Government Finance Officers Association letter, wherein the ALW Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for fiscal year ending 2017 received a certificate of achievement for excellence in financial report. D. CONSENT CALENDAR Moved by Board Member Carrillo, seconded by Board Member Macias, to approve the Consent Calendar by the following vote of the Board: AYES: BOARD MEMBERS: GONZALES, ALVAREZ, ROCHA, CARRILLO, MACIAS NOES: BOARD MEMBERS: NONE ABSENT: BOARD MEMBERS: NONE ABSTAIN: BOARD MEMBERS: NONE 1. The minutes of the regular meeting of September 24, 2018 were approved as written. 2. Resolution No. 2018-UB-04 accepting a Grant of Permanent Easement for water utility purposes from property owner Meritage Homes of California, Inc., for Tract 74512-1 of Lot 1 & B in the City of Covina was adopted; a Grant of Permanent Easement for water utility purposes from property owner Meritage Homes of California, Inc., for Tract 74512-1 of Lot 1 & B in the City of Covina was accepted; and the City Clerk was authorized to file the easement documents in the Office of the Los Angeles County Recorder. 3. Resolution No. 2018-UB-05 accepting a Quitclaim of Easement on Tract 74512-1 in the City of Covina was adopted; a Quitclaim of Easement on Tract 74512-1 in the City of Covina was accepted; and the City Clerk was authorized to file the easement documents in the Office of the Los Angeles County Recorder. 4. Professional Engineering Services for the Cypress Transmission Rehabilitation Project W-277 was awarded to Stantec Consulting Services, Inc., under the existing Professional Services Agreement for a not-to-exceed price of $170,800. PAGE 3 – 10/22/2018 E. SCHEDULED ITEMS None F. STAFF REPORTS/COMMUNICATIONS 1. Streetlight Maintenance Update (LED Replacements) Utilities Director Robledo advised the Board that staff will no longer replace individual high pressure sodium lights with high pressure sodium lights. Instead, staff will use LED lights. Capital projects to replace all lights along a street will continue. G. VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS 1. Power Supply Update Utilities Director Robledo remarked that ALW is back to normal winter loads. All contractual power is being received. Staff purchased some capacity from Riverside for the 2019 year and will probably purchase 50 megawatts (MW) more for the 2019 summer months. Staff is exploring the purchase of 5 MW of geothermal energy and 30 MW of wind energy. Geothermal energy is more reliable, but wind energy is less expensive. In answer to a Board Member question, Utilities Director Robledo indicated prices have not risen to date, but prices will probably rise, as power supply is purchased. ALW's power portfolio currently contains 29% renewable energy, and the purchase would add 10%. This energy is priced at 6¢ compared to ALW's average of 9-10¢. Staff will present a recommendation to the Board for consideration. 2. Water Supply Update Utilities Director Robledo reported the San Gabriel Basin remains at an all-time low. The Watermaster is arranging to purchase water to recharge the Main Basin because water is needed to ensure the wells continue to function. The Pasadena conduit has been repaired, and raw water from the San Gabriel Reservoir is flowing into the treatment plant. The San Gabriel River Reservoirs contain a significant amount of water. ALW will receive its state water allocation through the end of October. The winter watering schedule will return soon, and it will be enforced. Under the winter schedule, residents can water until 9:00 a.m. The public will be reminded about the change through bill statement messages, the monthly newsletter, banners, reader boards, the cable channel slide show, the website, social media, and water patrol. ALW will provide a grace period of up to two months. In response to Board Member Macias' inquiry, Utilities Director Robledo explained that ALW would need a huge capital project to pump reclaimed water from Whittier to Azusa. ALW has a rebate program for customers who purchase rain barrels. During heavy rains, automated gates divert water from the river to the treatment plant. The San Gabriel River Reservoirs capture rainwater in the canyon. Currently, rain water goes to the treatment plant or to the spreading grounds to recharge groundwater. Public Works Director Bobadilla added that the Regional Water Quality Control Board is requiring all development to implement best management practices for retention of as much water as possible. The City is a member of an enhanced watershed management group whose goal is to capture as much rainwater as possible and return it to the ground. 3. General Policy and Regulatory Updates None H. CLOSED SESSION None PAGE 4 – 10/22/2018 I. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned by consensus of the Utility Board. TIME OF ADJOURNMENT: 7:03 P.M. __________________________________________ CITY CLERK/SECRETARY