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Home My WebLink AboutE-1.1. Minutes of the Regular Utility Board Meeting on July 22, 2019_APPROVEDCITY OF AZUSA MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE AZUSA UTILITY BOARD MONDAY, JULY 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. Chairman Alvarez called the meeting to order at 6:31 P.M. Pledge to the flag was led by City Manager Gonzalez. ROLL CALL: Roll call was taken by Secretary Cornejo. Vice Chairman Carrillo arrived at 6:34 p.m., after roll call. PRESENT: BOARD MEMBERS: ALVAREZ, CARRILLO, ROCHA, MACIAS ABSENT: BOARD MEMBERS: GONZALES ALSO PRESENT Elected Officials: Secretary Cornejo City Attorney: Jeff Ferre Staff Members: City Manager Gonzalez, Utilities Director Robledo, Assistant Director of Water Operations Macias, Engineering Associate Barbosa, Utilities Programs Specialist Reid, Utilities Administrative and Financial Services Manager Tran, Senior Management Analyst Smith, Director of Finance Johnson, Police Chief Hunt, Police Captain Bertelsen, and Chief Deputy City Clerk Garcia. A.PUBLIC PARTICIPATION None B.UTILITIES DIRECTOR COMMENTS Utilities Director Robledo reported acceptance testing for the Automated Metering Infrastructure (AMI) project is underway and going well. Deployment of the full project may begin in September. With full deployment of AMI, customers will be able to view online their electric and water usage in 15-minute and hourly increments respectively in order to manage usage. Customers with multiple meters will be able to view aggregate usage. In response to Board Member questions, Utilities Director Robledo related that customers can set alerts for both water and electric usage and receive an email notice if their usage exceeds a specified amount. Staff is working with the City Manager and the Human Resources Department to review compensation for power line mechanic staffing. Staff will likely present the Utilities Board with a recommendation in September, which could include the creation of a new position for electric E-1 UB-5 Approved Utility Board 9/23/2019 troubleshooter, reclassifying one current employee, and proposing competitive compensation for the power line mechanic staffing. The new job classification and pay scale should not negatively impact the budget. Board Members commented that some potential employees may prefer a higher quality of life over higher compensation and choose to work for a smaller municipal utility. Compensation changes to recruit and retain employees have to be balanced with the effects on bargaining units. C. UTILITY BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS None. D.SCHEDULED ITEMS E.CONSENT CALENDAR Moved by Vice Chair Carrillo, seconded by Board Member Rocha, to approve the Consent Calendar by the following vote of the Board: AYES: BOARD MEMBERS: ALVAREZ, CARRILLO, ROCHA, MACIAS NOES: BOARD MEMBERS: NONE ABSENT: BOARD MEMBERS: GONZALES ABSTAIN: BOARD MEMBERS: NONE 1.The minutes of the June 24, 2019 regular Meeting of the Utility Board were approved. 2.EES having completed the Relocating Bus Charger Service Equipment Relocation project consistent with plans and specifications for Project LD2019-1, the Notice of Completion was approved; the Mayor was authorized to execute the Notice of Completion on behalf of the City; and the City Clerk was authorized to submit the Notice of Completion for recordation to the Office of the County Records of Los Angeles County within ten days of the Utility Board approval as required by Section 3093 of the California Civil Code. 3.The competitive purchase requirements pursuant to Section 2-521(a), Article VII, Chapter 2 of the Azusa Municipal Code (Cooperative and Piggyback Purchasing) were waived; the purchase of three (3) new 2019 Toyota Tacoma 2WD SR Access Cab 6' bed trucks for Field Services Operations was approved; and the issuance of a Purchase Order to National Auto Fleet Group in the amount not-to-exceed $98,696.82 including sales tax and delivery charges was authorized. 4.The Office Lease Agreement between the City of Azusa and the San Gabriel River Water Committee was approved; and the City Manager was authorized to execute the Agreement, in a form acceptable to the City Attorney, on behalf of the City. 5.The cancellation of the Utility Board's regular meeting on August 26, 2019 was approved. F.STAFF REPORTS/COMMUNICATIONS 1.Annual SB 1037 Report. Utilities Director Robledo advised that the report documents customer energy savings generated by energy efficiency programs. The goal was a savings of 1% of sales, and the savings totaled 1.2% of sales. The program for LED lighting continues to pay dividends. UB-6 G.VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS 1.Power Supply Update Utilities Director Robledo indicated renewable power resources have risen to 31.6% year to date. ALW is meeting its goals. An independent verification of the compliance report regarding greenhouse gas produced by resources found no anomalies. Staff has submitted the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) compliance report to the California Energy Commission (CEC). Staff has determined 27.5 MW in local capacity resource will be needed in 2020 and Azusa could potentially purchase such capacity from the City of Vernon for September. Board Members noted the pie chart has changed drastically in the last few years and reflects staff's work to convert power supply to renewable resources. The City of Berkeley now prohibits the use of natural gas in new residential construction. Utilities Director Robledo added that natural gas as an energy source will be needed until energy storage is feasible and renewable resources can supply power more consistently. 2.Water Supply Update Utilities Director Robledo reported rainfall totals remain above average. The level of ALW's key well is approaching the lower level of the operating range. The water supply is in good shape for summer usage. As the river continues to flow, the County will divert water to the upper basin and the treatment plant. 3.General Policy and Regulatory Updates Utilities Director Robledo related that no significant water legislation is pending. The legislation proposing a wildfire fund has been amended such that publicly owned utilities will not contribute to the fund. Staff continues to monitor and oppose legislation that proposes a central procurement of power resources. H.CLOSED SESSION 1.CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION - Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(d)(2) Number of potential cases: 1 The Utility Board reconvened at 7:10 P.M.; City Attorney Ferre announced that there was no reportable action. I.ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned by consensus of the Utility Board. TIME OF ADJOURNMENT: 7:10 P.M. __________________________________________ CITY CLERK/SECRETARY UB-7