HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - April 22, 2019 - UBCITY OF AZUSA
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE AZUSA UTILITY BOARD
MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2019 – 6:30 P.M.
Chairman: Edward J. Alvarez
Vice Chairman: Angel A. Carrillo
Board Member: Joseph R. Rocha
Board Member: Robert Gonzales
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.
Board Member Macias called the meeting to order at 6:31 P.M.
Pledge to the flag was led by Police Chief Hunt.
ROLL CALL: Roll call was taken by Secretary Cornejo. Vice Chairman Carrillo arrived at 6:36 p.m., after roll call.
PRESENT: BOARD MEMBERS: CARRILLO, ROCHA, GONZALES, MACIAS
ABSENT: BOARD MEMBERS: ALVAREZ
ALSO PRESENT
Elected Officials: Secretary Cornejo
City Attorney: Jeff Ferre
Staff Members: Utilities Director Robledo, Assistant Director of Water Operations Macias, Assistant Director of
Electric Operations Palmer, Utilities Programs Specialist Reid, Public Works Director Bobadilla, Police Chief Hunt,
Storekeeper Alvarez, Chief Deputy City Clerk Garcia
A. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Jorge V. Rosales inquired about the reason why ALW proposed leasing water rights to three entities in Item E-3 when
citizens pay a monthly charge to purchase water rights.
B. UTILITIES DIRECTOR COMMENTS
Utilities Director Robledo reported ALW was assessed $4 million for the Watermaster's water purchases. ALW passed
the assessment to customers through the Replacement Water Cost Adjustment Factor (RWCAF). In a water shortage,
ALW is charged $834 per acre foot for water supplied to customers outside the City and $200 per acre foot for water
supplied to customers within the City. Leasing the water rights will realize revenue for ALW at a rate of $767 per acre
foot, and this revenue is used partially to purchase water at $200 per acre foot. This has been done for the last several
years and is budgeted as such, so a rate adjustment would be needed without the lease of these water rights. On
customers' utility bills, the RWCAF charge will be changed to Water Cost Adjustment (WCA), which is the term used in
the rate schedule. Because of recent rains, water sales were down due to less irrigation. As part of Clean and Green
events, 20 tons of compost and 10 tons of mulch were provided to approximately 120 households. Forty-two people
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attended a smart gardening workshop, where a master gardener talked about organic gardening, drought-tolerant planting,
and composting. City departments and the public participated in the Shred-A-Thon. A hazardous and electronic waste
collection day is scheduled for April 27. Three tours of the filtration plant during Drinking Water Week in May are fully
subscribed. Additional tours are planned at the end of the summer. Water conservation giveaways are planned for May 9.
ALW staff produced a video highlighting water activities, and it, along with two other Light and Water videos, will be
placed on the website.
C. UTILITY BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS
Board Member Gonzales thanked staff for organizing the Shred-A-Thon and the compost and mulch event.
D. SCHEDULED ITEMS
1. None
E. CONSENT CALENDAR
Moved by Board Member Macias, seconded by Board Member Gonzales, and carried by the following vote of the Board
to approve Items E1-E5, with the exception of Item E-6 which was handled under the Special Call portion of the agenda:
AYES: BOARD MEMBERS: CARRILLO, ROCHA, GONZALES, MACIAS
NOES: BOARD MEMBERS: NONE
ABSENT: BOARD MEMBERS: ALVAREZ
ABSTAIN: BOARD MEMBERS: NONE
1. The minutes of the regular meeting of March 25, 2019 were approved as written.
2. The scope of work of adding a 12,000 Volt main circuit breaker at the Azusa Substation was approved; and
issuance of a Request for Proposals for engineering, procurement, and construction of a 12,000 Volt circuit break
at the Azusa Substation was authorized.
3. Water rights lease agreements with the City of Monrovia, Valley County Water District, and San Gabriel County
Water District were approved; and the Mayor was authorized to execute such water rights leases pursuant to
Utility Board Resolution 09-C69.
4. The lease of eight (8) 2019 Chevy Bolt electric vehicles for 35 months was approved; and the Director of Finance
or his designee was authorized to issue purchase orders to MK Smith Chevrolet in an amount not-to-exceed
$108,765.60 over a 35-month period and to execute a three (3) year lease agreement in a form acceptable to the
City Attorney.
5. Resolution 2019-UB-03 was adopted and entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AZUSA, CALIFORNIA, WITHDRAWING
FROM MEMBERSHIP IN THE JOINT POWERS AUTHORITY KNOWN AS THE FINANCING
AUTHORITY FOR RESOURCES EFFICIENCY OF CALIFORNIA
6. Special Call
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Special Call
WITHDRAWL FROM MEMBERSHIP IN THE JOINT POWERS AUTHORITIES KNOWN AS THE POWER
AGENCY OF CALIFORNIA
Utilities Director Robledo responded to questions posed by the Board stating that the Power Agency of California is not
associated with the Independent Service Operator (ISO). The Joint Powers Authority has no staff, no projects, and no
current obligations. The Southern California Public Power Authority (SCPPA) does essentially the same thing as the
Power Agency.
Board Member Macias offered Resolution No. 2019-UB-04 entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AZUSA, CALIFORNIA, WITHDRAWING FROM
MEMBERSHIP IN THE JOINT POWERS AUTHORITY KNOWN AS THE POWER AGENCY OF CALIFORNIA
Moved by Board Member Macias, seconded by Vice Chair Carrillo, and carried by the following vote of the Board to
adopt Resolution No. 2019-UB-04 to withdraw from the Joint Powers Authority known as the Power Agency of
California:
AYES: BOARD MEMBERS: CARRILLO, ROCHA, GONZALES, MACIAS
NOES: BOARD MEMBERS: NONE
ABSENT: BOARD MEMBERS: ALVAREZ
ABSTAIN: BOARD MEMBERS: NONE
F. STAFF REPORTS/COMMUNICATIONS
1. None
G. VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS
1. Power Supply Update
Utilities Director Robledo advised that the amount of renewable power resources has increased to 19.9%. Renewable
resources will continue to increase with energy supplied by the DSR2 solar project and the San Gabriel Valley Water
District hydroelectric plant. If necessary, ALW can utilize its banked credits in order to comply with the requirement for
29% renewable resources. Final negotiations are underway regarding the Mesa Wind project. Hopefully, an agreement
will be ready for Board approval in May. The existing turbines will be removed, and eight new turbines will be installed
to produce 30 MW of energy. ALW will be the only entity receiving power from the Mesa Wind project.
In response to a Board Member's inquiry, Utilities Director Robledo indicated Garnet is a renewable wind energy resource
from the same area near Palm Springs.
2. Water Supply Update
Utilities Director Robledo related that water supplies are in good shape. The water table is rising but is 30 feet below
average. The snow pack level is above average. Water conservation measures remain in place. The levels of reservoirs
across the state are good. He will present a water supply update to the City Council in May.
3. General Policy and Regulatory Updates
Utilities Director Robledo reported staff is following SB 1083, AB 854, AB 56, AB 915, AB 1371, SB 288, SB 772, and
AB 1609 because they could affect ALW. AB 56 proposes a State power procurement organization, which could remove
local control. Another concept under consideration is regionalization or a regional power grid of western states. ALW
removed the high voltage conductors and installed a low voltage insulated line near the end of Hilltop Drive to eliminate
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the risk of wildfire. In addition, ALW trims 10 feet around high voltage lines annually. Both measures will be featured in
ALW's Wildfire Prevention Plan.
H. CLOSED SESSION
None
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by consensus of the Utility Board.
TIME OF ADJOURNMENT: 6:59 P.M.
__________________________________________
CITY CLERK/SECRETARY