HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - April 25, 2022 - UB
CITY OF AZUSA
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE AZUSA UTILITY BOARD
MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2022– 6:30 P.M.
Chair person: Andrew Mendez
Vice Chair person: Dennis Beckwith
Board Member: Robert Gonzales
Board M ember: Edward J. Alvarez
Board Member: Jesse Avila, Jr.
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 Light &
Water located at 729 N. Azusa, Azusa, California.
Chair person Mendez called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M.
ROLL CALL: R oll call was taken by Secretary Cornejo.
PRESENT: BOARD MEMBERS: AVILA Jr., ALVAREZ, GONZALES, BECKWITH, MENDEZ
ABSENT: BOARD MEMBERS: NONE
Pledge to the flag was led by Deputy City Manager Nico De Anda -Scaia .
ALSO PRESENT
Elected Officials: Secretary Cornejo
City Attorney: Marco Martinez
Staff Members: Interim General Manager Torres, Interim Assistant General Manager of Water Operations Barbosa,
Assistant General Manager of Customer Service Holmes, Assistant General Manager of Electric Operations Vuong,
Administration and Finance Manager Smith, City Manager Gonzalez, Deputy City Manager De Anda-Scaia, Interim
Chief Wenrick, Chief Deputy City Clerk Garcia, Environmental Programs Specialist Sagun
A. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
None
B. GENERAL MANAGER COMMENTS
Interim General Manager Torres reported about the success of the compost mulch give away, serving 95 cars and
households and the shred-a-thon with two events serving about 200 people and are planning another shredding event in
September. The Cypress transmission project is completed. One and a half miles of water main was replaced and expect
the replacement to last 100-years. The Azusa substation repair was completed April 21-22, it was a damaged bus-tie
PAGE 2 – 4/25/2022
with 9 -circuits out. They are working to come up with a plan to possibly communicate with larger companies who may
have refrigeration equipment for future outages due to maintenance. There are two substations with twenty circuits
serving Azusa customers. In the Azusa station there are 16 circuits, and the Kirkwall Substation serves 4 circuits. This
outage was only at the Azusa substation and took longer than expected due to needed bus tie modifications performed
by Edison.
Board member Gonzales inquired about the prior notice the businesses were given about the outages due to complaints
he had rec eived from customers with refrigerators. Mr. Torres responded critical customers received approximately a
weeks’ notice. Further stating he understands the safety issue of telling people when and where an outage will occur but
is in favor of a broad message to residents, specifically those who may have powered hospital equipment in the home so
they could be prepared.
After discussions between the Board and utility staff about the safety of giving residents prior notice of maintenance
outages, the utility department will look into sending out a message with vague location information for areas that may
experience a prolonged outage.
C. UTILITY BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS
1. None
D. SCHEDULED ITEMS
1. None
E. CONSENT CALENDAR
1. The Minutes of the March 28, 2022, Utility Board meeting was approved.
2. The general scope of work for a Mobile Work Order Management System (WOMS) and authorization of staff to
prepare, issue, and solicit proposals from qualified software services providers was approved.
3. Authorization to Increase the Blanket Purchase Order for Incontact, Inc. during fiscal year 2021-2022 in an
amount not -to-exceed $130,000 was approved.
4. Accept Cypress Transmission Main Capital Improvement project outlined in W-277 plans and specifications; and
approve the Notice of Completion; and authorizing the Mayor to execute the Notice of Completion on behalf of the
City; and authorize the City Clerk to submit the Notice of Completion for recordation to the Office of the County
Recorder of Los Angeles County was approved.
5. The Second Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement ("Second Amendment") adding $25,000 for
Construction Management and Inspection Services to M WH Constructors, for a total amount not -to-exceed of
$159,750, for Water Project W-277; and authorizing the Mayor to execute the Second Amendment, in a form acceptable
to the City Attorney, on behalf of the City was approved.
Moved by Board Member Gonzales, seconded by Board Member Avila Jr., to approve Items 1-5 of the Consent
Calendar: Unanimously passed 5-0.
AYES: BOARD MEMBERS: AVILA Jr., ALVAREZ, GONZALES, BECKWITH, MENDEZ
NOES: BOARD MEMBERS: NONE
ABSENT: BOARD MEMBERS: NONE
ABSTAIN: BOARD MEMBERS: NONE
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F. STAFF REPORTS/COMMUNICATIONS
1. Receive and file Staff's report on results of the February 16, 2022, GHG Allowance auction was approved.
Moved by Chair Beckwith, seconded by Board Member Avila Jr., and passed with a unanimous vote of 5-0.
AYES: BOARD MEMBERS: AVILA Jr., ALVAREZ, GONZALES, BECKWITH, MENDEZ
NOES: BOARD MEMBERS: NONE
ABSENT: BOARD MEMBERS: NONE
ABSTAIN: BOARD MEMBERS: NONE
G. VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS
1. Power Supply Update
Interim General Manager Torres reported Azusa Light and Water (ALW) is running very well and running on budget,
they will likely not be using all of the requested budget amendment. Renewables is improving and seasonal, as the heat
returns the wind outputs increase. Renewables will be running at 25% the first 3-months, it’s normal for this time of
year and expected to meet the year end 38.5% Renewable Portfolio Standard target. The only gas -fired generation is out
for it’s planned maintenance and it is expected back in mid-June. They are making up for it by using market purchases
and this is a good time to do it and prices are low. SB1020 which formalizes SB100 which is the target Bill to have
100% renewable… or clean energy by 2045. This Bill is proposing that there are step targets so that by 2035 all utilities
meet a 90% clean energy portfolio, however, they’re adding the definition, that you can include nuclear energy as well
as large hydro energy. With this definition, Azusa will be allowed to continue using Hoover, as well as its entitlement in
Palo Verde nuclear generation.
2. Water Supply Update
Interim General Manager Torres related that the rain supply is looking stable. The groundwater basin level is currently
at 180.9 feet. The state released the April snowpack summary report that provides a summary of summer water
conditions outlet. It did come dismal with only 40% of what the forecast would be. The state is in a drought. Azusa is
looking using local resources which still looks healthy and will increase their summer campaign for water conservation.
Currently, there aren’t any required actions to meet the Governor’s latest order, if so, the watering schedule may be
reduced to one or two days a week.
In looking for funds for infrastructure projects, Mr. Torres reported Azusa Light and Water used a lobbyist firm to seek
State funds of $4.5 million dollars to potentially replace the South Reservoir. In addition, they are seeking federal funds
of $2.5 million dollars for the rehabilitation of the Aspan well. That would open up the City’s money currently budgeted
for the Aspan and use it for other infrastructure projects.
H. CLOSED SESSION
None
I. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by consensus of the Utility Board.
TIME OF ADJOURNMENT: 6:53 P.M.
__________________________________________
CITY CLERK/SECRETARY