HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - February 22, 2021 - UBCITY OF AZUSA
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE AZUSA UTILITY BOARD
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2021– 6:30 P.M.
Chair person: Uriel E. Macias
Vice Chair person: Jesse Avila
Board Member: Robert Gonzales
Board M ember: Edward J. Alvarez
Board Member: Andrew Mendez
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 via Zoom virtual
meeting in accordance with Executive Order N-29-20.
Chair person Macias called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M.
ROLL CALL: Roll call was taken by Secretary Cornejo.
PRESENT: BOARD MEMBERS: MACIAS, AVILA, GONZALES, ALVAREZ, MENDEZ
ABSENT: BOARD MEMBERS: NONE
Pledge to the flag was led by Captain Landeros .
ALSO PRESENT
Elected Officials: Secretary Cornejo
City Attorney: Jeff Ferre
Staff Members: Utilities Director Robledo, Assistant Director of Electric Operations Vuong, Assistant Director of
Water Operations Macias, Assistant Director of Customer Care & Solutions Holmes, Assistant Director of Resource
Management Torres, Senior Management Analyst Smith, City Manager Gonzalez, Deputy City Manager DeAnda -Scaia,
Captain Landeros , Chief Deputy City Clerk Garcia
A. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
None
B. UTILITIES DIRECTOR COMMENTS
Utilities Director Robledo reported no major outages or interruptions in service; water line extension and main
replacement projects are progressing well; electric sales are down; deficits for fiscal year (FY) 2021 and into FY 2022 are
projected; plans to use rate stabilization funds, pay off $2.8 million electric bonds, and reduce the capital program rather
than to increase electric rates; and water revenue increased due to the new water meters accurately measuring water usage.
He demonstrated the online customer hourly usage dashboard.
Utilities Director Robledo responded to questions, stating usage data through midnight of the prior day is available online;
and monthly emails, social media, and bill stuffers will highlight the usage dashboard.
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C. UTILITY BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS
None
D. SCHEDULED ITEMS
None
E. CONSENT CALENDAR
Moved by Board Member Mendez, seconded by Board Member Gonzales, to approve the Consent Calendar by the
following vote of the Board:
AYES: BOARD MEMBERS: MENDEZ, ALVAREZ , GONZALES, AVILA, MACIAS
NOES: BOARD MEMBERS: NONE
ABSENT: BOARD MEMBERS: NONE
ABSTAIN: BOARD MEMBERS: GONZALES (Item E-1 only)
1. The minutes of the January 25, 2021 meeting of the Utility Board were approv ed as written.
2. The Professional Services Agreement to MWH Constructors for construction management and inspection services
for North Reservoir Rehabilitation Project W-356 in an amount not to exceed $121,706 was approved; and the
Mayor was authorized to execute the Contract in a form acceptable to the City Attorney.
3. The Certificate of Acceptance of Grant of Permanent Easement for wa ter utility purposes from property owner
SBH Real Estate Group, Inc. for site address 1477 N. Azusa Avenue in the City of Covina was approved;
Resolution Number 2021-UB-04 was adopted; and the City Clerk was authorized to file said easement documents
with the Office of the Los Angeles County Recorder.
F. STAFF REPORTS/COMMUNICATIONS
1. Fiscal Year 2020-21 Second Quarter Budget Reports for Water and Electric Funds
Utilities Director Robledo noted positive cash flow, revenues at 51% of budget, operating expenses at 47% of budget,
increased retail sales, and sufficient funding for cash reserves and debt service in the water funds; and positive cash flow,
revenues at 53% of budget, operating expenses at 46% of budget, increased retail sales over 2020, and good debt service
coverage in the electric funds.
Utilities Director Robledo responded to questions, stating several hundred customers continue to have difficulty paying
their bills due to COVID-19; staff makes payment arrangements with customers who request assistance; and customers
have a year to pay arrearages.
Moved by Board Member Alvarez, seconded by Chairperson Macias, to receive and file the Fiscal Year 2020-21 2nd
Quarter Budget Reports for Water and Electric funds.
AYES: BOARD MEMBERS: MENDEZ, ALVAREZ, GONZALES, AVILA, MACIAS
NOES: BOARD MEMBERS: NONE
ABSENT: BOARD MEMBERS: NONE
ABSTAIN: BOARD MEMBERS: NONE
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G. VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS
1. Power Supply Update
Utilities Director Robledo advised that renewable energy is tracking with expectations; the target for renewable energy is
35.8%; the recent arctic blast caused higher energy prices in California; low spring snow runoff has reduced hydroelectric
power; Southern California Edison is planning for fewer Public Safety Power Shutoffs; and the Metropolitan Water
District (MWD) hydro expects reduced capacity due to water conditions.
2. Water Supply Update
Utilities Director Robledo indicated rainfall has been below average; the groundwater basin level has fallen to 198.6 feet;
ALW's state water project allocation is 10%; less than 4,000 acre feet of water stored in the Canyon Reservoir is available
for release; and water levels in reservoirs across the state are low.
H. CLOSED SESSION
1. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6
Agency designated representative: Manny Robledo, Director of Utilities
Employee Organization: IBEW
City Attorney Ferrer advised that no reportable action is expected from the Closed Session.
I. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by consensus of the Utility Board.
TIME OF ADJOURNMENT: 6:58 P.M.
__________________________________________
CITY CLERK/SECRETARY