HomeMy WebLinkAboutE-1.1. 9-25 UB Draft MinutesCITY OF AZUSA
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE AZUSA UTILITY BOARD
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2023– 6:30 P.M.
Chairperson: Dennis Beckwith
Vice Chairperson: Edward J. Alvarez
Board Member: Robert Gonzales
Board Member: Andrew N. Mendez
Board Member: Jesse Avila, Jr.
Secretary: Jeffrey Lawrence Cornejo, Jr.
The Utility Board of the City of Azusa met in regular session, at the above date and time, in the Azusa Light
& Water Building First Floor Conference Room located at 729 N. Azusa Avenue, Azusa, California.
Chairperson Beckwith called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M.
ROLL CALL: Roll call was taken by Secretary Cornejo.
PRESENT: BOARD MEMBERS: AVILA Jr., ALVAREZ, GONZALES, MENDEZ, BECKWITH
ABSENT: BOARD MEMBERS:
The pledge to the flag was led by Hien Vuong, Assistant General Manager Electric Operations.
ALSO PRESENT
Elected Officials: Secretary Cornejo
City Attorney: Jeff Ferre
Staff Members: City Manager Sergio Gonzalez, Interim General Manager Alicia Holmes, Assistant
General Manager of Electric Operations Hien Vuong, Assistant General Manager Power Resources Richard
Torres, Environmental Programs Manager Paul Reid, Administration and Finance Manager Danny Smith,
Interim Assistant General Manager – Water Operations Carlos Solis, Captain Robert Landeros, Chief
Deputy City Clerk Adrian Garcia.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Nelson Chamberlin provided public comment regarding the low rates of light and water by being their own
entity and should consider taking advantage of hydroelectric market rates to finance projects going forward
for electric infrastructure. Hundreds of acres are available for a hydro regeneration system and storage of
grid usage in the Azusa area and provided material for the Utility Board.
Approved
Utility Board
10/23/2023
PAGE 2 – 9/25/23
GENERAL MANAGER COMMENTS
Interim General Manager Holmes stated there are no general manager comments and General Manager
Singh is on vacation.
UTILITY BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS
Mayor Gonzales thanked staff for a very successful compost and mulch event, it was very well attended.
Twenty tons of compost were distributed.
SCHEDULED ITEMS
None
CONSENT CALENDAR
Chair Beckwith asked if any Board Members wished to pull an item.
1. The Minutes of the Utility Board Meeting on August 28, 2023, were approved.
2. The Professional Services Agreement (“Agreement”) with Invoice Cloud, in an amount not to
exceed $275,000 annually, in accordance with Azusa Municipal Code Section 2-517(a)(22); and
authorize the mayor to execute the Second Amendment, including any related forms required by
Invoice Cloud, in a final form acceptable to the City Attorney was approved.
3. The Professional Services Agreement (“Agreement”) with Infosend, in an amount not to exceed
$275,000 annually, in accordance with Azusa Municipal Code Section 2-517(a)(16); and authorize
the mayor to execute the Third Amendment, including any related forms required by Infosend, in
a final form acceptable to the City Attorney was approved.
Board Member Gonzales moved, seconded by Board Member Mendez, to approve Items 1-3 of the Consent
Calendar: Unanimously passed 5-0.
AYES: BOARD MEMBERS: AVILA Jr., GONZALES, ALVAREZ, MENDEZ, BECKWITH
NOES: BOARD MEMBERS: NONE
ABSENT: BOARD MEMBERS: NONE
ABSTAIN: BOARD MEMBERS: NONE
Motion Passed 5-0-0
STAFF REPORTS/COMMUNICATIONS
None
VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS
1. Power Supply Update
Assistant General Manager Power Resources Richard Torres reported they are out of the woods for
extreme heat tolls on the power grid. Tropical Storm Hilary caused severe flooding in the Palm
Springs area. The Mesa Wind project received 6” of rain in eight hours, washing out the main
access road and halting work for three weeks. Installation of three turbines remains, meteorological
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tower installation has begun, substation energization is scheduled for September 26, and
commercial operation is scheduled for December. Azusa Light and Water (ALW) participation in
renewable energy since 2003 provided energy and historic credits to the city. They currently
participate in two wind projects, five solar projects, and two small hydro projects. The two projects
that sunset this year are Highwinds project (Birds Landing California) and MWD small hydro
projects. The use of ‘banked’ excess and credits allow ALW to meet their annual targets for
renewable energy. The Mesa Wind project will boost ALW’s RPS in 2024 and their goal is to meet
mandated targets good through 2028. New project planning is underway.
2. Water Supply Update
Interim Assistant General Manager – Water Operations Carlos Solis provided the water supply
update. The total rain for the season was slightly over forty-six inches. September saw close to half
an inch of rain. The local groundwater elevation at Key Well is at 227.1 feet. Morris Dam is being
emptied in preparation for the rainy season. San Gabriel Dam is almost completely empty for the
five-year cleanup project that is currently underway. Water supply reservoirs for the state are at
about 70% capacity. SWP 2023 Allocation is currently at 100% and has been since April. San
Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District is also at 100% allocation. There is still a balance of
21,626 AF that needs to be delivered.
Azusa Light & Water staff answered Board Member questions.
CLOSED SESSION
None
ADJOURNMENT
The Regular meeting of the Utility Board was adjourned by consensus of the Utility Board.
TIME OF ADJOURNMENT: 6:56 P.M.
__________________________________________
CITY CLERK/SECRETARY