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Home My WebLink AboutE-1.1. 06-28-2021 Utility Board minutesCITY OF AZUSA MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE AZUSA UTILITY BOARD MONDAY, JUNE 28, 2021– 6:30 P.M. Chairperson: Jesse Avila, Jr. Vice Chairperson: Andrew Mendez Board Member: Robert Gonzales Board Member: Edward J. Alvarez 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. Chairperson Avila called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M. ROLL CALL: Roll call was taken by Secretary Cornejo. PRESENT: BOARD MEMBERS: ALVAREZ, GONZALES, MENDEZ, AVILA ABSENT: BOARD MEMBERS: MACIAS Pledge to the flag was led by Chairperson Avila. ALSO PRESENT Elected Officials: Secretary Cornejo City Attorney: Jeff Ferre Staff Members: Deputy City Manager DeAnda-Scaia, Utilities Director Robledo, Assistant Director of Water Operations Macias, Assistant Director of Electric Operations Vuong, Assistant Director of Customer Care and Solutions Holmes, Assistant Director of Resources Management, Environmental Programs Manager Reid, Utilities Administrative & Financial Services Manager Smith, Senior Management Analyst Paez, Assistant Chief Deputy City Clerk Juarez A.PUBLIC PARTICIPATION None B.UTILITIES DIRECTOR COMMENTS Utilities Director Robledo reported ALW owns water rights in both the upper basin and main San Gabriel basin; staff proposes selling rights in the main basin and using the proceeds to purchase rights in the upper basin due to the drought and ALW's reduced allocation from the State Water Project; in 2014, ALW purchased a diesel-powered Vactor truck, which caused ALW to be subject to AQMD's regulation for vehicles to use alternative fuels; ALW may have to replace a diesel vehicle with a compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicle to achieve compliance; rehabilitation of Well 7 and the Triangle underground valve project are complete; replacement of the Cypress Avenue water line is approximately 10% complete; recoating the interior of the north water storage tank will begin in August, the August meeting of the Utility Board will be canceled; the building at the Electric yard has been repainted; and Yesenia Paez is a new senior utility analyst who will also be the public's first contact for new service. E-1Approved Utility Board 7/26/21 PAGE 2 – 06/28/2021 Utilities Director Robledo responded to questions, stating ALW may sell the Vactor truck for $70,000 and purchase a used CNG Vactor truck for $150,000; a CNG Vactor truck does not have sufficient power for the hills and will be used in the flatlands; and staff is exploring several possibilities and will return with a recommendation. C. UTILITY BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS Utilities Director Robledo responded to questions, stating staff has enhanced water conservation communications to the public; there are no plans to impose water restrictions at this time; and ALW is purchasing water rather than imposing restrictions. D. SCHEDULED ITEMS 1. Approval of the City of Azusa Wildfire Mitigation Plan Update Dated June 15, 2021 Utilities Director Robledo advised that SB 901 requires all utilities in California to implement wildfire prevention measures; equipment located in high fire-threat zones is located underground and poses little risk for starting wildfires; vegetation management and equipment inspections will continue to occur yearly; after reviewing the plan and state laws, and staff did not need to revise the plan other than to update the appendix to reflect compliance with SB 901. Moved by Board Member Gonzales, seconded by Board Member Vice Chairman Alvarez, to approve the City of Azusa Wildfire Mitigation Plan Update dated June 15, 2021 by the following vote of the Board: AYES: BOARD MEMBERS: ALVAREZ, GONZALES, MENDEZ, AVILA NOES: BOARD MEMBERS: NONE ABSENT: BOARD MEMBERS: MACIAS ABSTAIN: BOARD MEMBERS: NONE E. CONSENT CALENDAR Moved by Board Member Gonzales, seconded by Vice Chair Mendez, to approve the Consent Calendar by the following vote of the Board: AYES: BOARD MEMBERS: ALVAREZ, GONZALES, MENDEZ, AVILA NOES: BOARD MEMBERS: NONE ABSENT: BOARD MEMBERS: MACIAS ABSTAIN: BOARD MEMBERS: NONE 1. The minutes of the May 24, 2021 meeting of the Utility Board were approved as written. 2. The 2020 Power Source Disclosure Report was approved. 3. The water rights lease agreements with the San Gabriel Valley Water Company were approved; and the Mayor was authorized to execute such water rights leases pursuant to Utility Board Resolution 09-C69. 4. The Second Amendment to the Agreement for Maintenance Services with General Pump Company was approved; and the Mayor was authorized to execute the Second Amendment, in a form acceptable to the City Attorney, on behalf of the City. 5. The Second Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Northstar Chemical, as a DBA of Pacific Star Chemical, in an amount not to exceed $187,000 in accordance with Azusa Municipal Code Section 2- 517(a)(24) was approved; and the Mayor was authorized to execute the Second Amendment in a form accept to the City Attorney, on behalf of the City. PAGE 3 – 06/28/2021 6. A Certificate of Acceptance of Grant of Permanent Easement for Electric utility purposes from property owner for site address 407 S. Motor Avenue in the City of Azusa was approved; Resolution No. 2021-UB-09 was adopted; and the City Clerk was authorized to file said easement documents of the Office of the Los Angeles County Recorder. F. STAFF REPORTS/COMMUNICATIONS 1. Annual Adjustment of Replacement Water Cost Adjustment Factor Utilities Director Robledo stated the water base rate covers infrastructure and staffing costs; the replacement water cost adjustment pays for the purchase of replacement water and is based on the rate charged by the Watermaster; the replacement water cost adjustment rate is decreasing from $0.4888 to $0.4319 per hundred cubic feet (ccf); and customers will see the rate decrease on their July bills. G. VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS 1. Power Supply Update Utilities Director Robledo related that renewable energy currently comprises 36.4% of power resources; ALW is on track to meet the 35.8% target by the end of 2021; the drought is affecting hydroelectric power resources; demand for electricity is 4% lower year-to-date than in 2020; the Mesa Wind project has received its permit from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and ordered turbines, but permitting delays have delayed power generation from April to December 2022; ALW will purchase energy and renewable energy credits (REC) to mitigate the delay; staff is negotiating a ten-year extension of the San Dimas hydroelectric power agreement, which expires in 2022; electric generation capacity has improved over 2020, but ALW may have to reduce load under extreme conditions; service to customers will be interrupted as a last resort and for about an hour; and staff has prepared a video for community outreach. Utilities Director Robledo responded to a question, stating rolling blackouts occurred in 2005 and 2012. 2. Water Supply Update Utilities Director Robledo advised that the water level in the key well is below the operating range; rainfall year-to-date is 15 inches below average; local reservoirs are at minimum levels; purchased water will be divided between the treatment plant and the spreading grounds; ALW's allocation from the State Water Project is 5%; reservoirs across the state are approaching minimum levels; the Watermaster is extending its water purchase agreement with the Municipal Water District (MWD); and conservation messaging is underway via bus shelter posters, bill inserts, email, and social media. H. CLOSED SESSION None I. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned by consensus of the Utility Board. TIME OF ADJOURNMENT: 7:03 P.M. __________________________________________ CITY CLERK/SECRETARY