MINUTES

DEPARTMENT OF WATER & POWER
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
MINUTES FOR A SPECIAL MEETING
MARCH 29, 2005

A Special Meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the Department of Water & Power, City of Big Bear Lake, was called to order at 8 a.m. by Treasurer Conley, at the DWP Board Room, 41972 Garstin Drive, Big Bear Lake, California.

FLAG SALUTE: Led by Board Member Speyers

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:

Susan Conley, Treasurer
Bill Speyers, Board Member
Barbara Willey, Board Member

BOARD MEMBERS EXCUSED:

Rick Herrick, Chairman
Eddie Etter, Vice Chairman

OTHERS PRESENT:

Jerome D. Gruber, General Manager
Scott Heule, Assistant General Manager
Diane Muir, Administrative Manager
Robyn Bratton, Secretary to the Board
One Member of the Public

ITEM NO. 2 - PUBLIC FORUM

No one from the public wished to speak.

ITEM NO. 3 - RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING THE CLASSIFICATION, SALARY RANGE, & FUNDING OF A WATER CONSERVATION SPECIALIST

GM Gruber reviewed the background regarding the request to approve a resolution to establish the classification, salary range, and funding of a water conservation specialist.

Treasurer Conley asked if the person hired would be a union person. GM Gruber responded yes.

GM Gruber stated that the DWP will recruit City-wide and our objective is to hire the most qualified person for the job.

Treasurer Conley asked when interviews will begin. GM Gruber responded that we will: (1) obtain approval from the Board, (2) HR will release a flyer, (3) there is a two-week application period, and (4) hopefully, we will have someone on board by May 1.

Board Member Willey stated that one of the requirements of the job is six months water conservation experience. Are there any employees within the City who have that type of experience. GM Gruber responded there are people in our office who have worked closely with water conservation; however there are also people Valley-wide who do have six months of experience.

Board Member Willey asked if Bill La Haye will be a part of the interview process. Administrative Manager Muir stated yes. Board Member Willey felt it was very important that Bill be included in the interview process.

Treasurer Conley asked if AGM Heule would be a part of the interview process as she felt he should be involved. Staff responded that AGM Heule would be involved in the 2nd round of interviews.

Treasure Conley felt it was very important that Bill La Haye interview the candidates. The Principal Analyst should be involved in the interview process.

Board Member Willey asked if staff sees all of the applications. GM Gruber stated no. Human Resources reviews all applications, and pulls the ones that meet the criteria and qualifications required, and are accepted on that basis. Then HR has the DWP review the chosen applications.

Treasurer Conley felt that because the DWP's new Organization Chart shows AGM Heule is in more of an authority position, he should be involved in the hiring process, and the general manager doesn't always need to make the final decision.

Fred Miller asked if the DWP employees were part of the City. The response was that the DWP employees are employees of the City but work for the DWP. Mr. Miller also stated that he has seen the DWP and other agencies become more close knit, and seem to be working together better than ever as a team.

Motion made by Treasurer Conley, seconded by Barbara Willey, and carried 3-0 to approve Resolution No. DWP-2005-XX Establishing the Classification, Salary Range, and Funding of the Water Conservation Specialist, and in body of the Class Specification itself, wherever the word "City" is shown, and change to "DWP".

ITEM NO. 3 - WELL REHABILITATION & PUMPING EQUIPMENT MODIFICATION AUTHORIZE LUHDORFF & SCALMANINI CONSULTING ENGINEERS TO PROCEED

AGM Heule stated that Luhdorff & Scalmanini Consulting Engineers (LSCE) investigated and submitted a report of their findings and recommendations for rehabilitation and repairs for five of our wells. These wells have not been producing to their full capacity due to clogged perforations, sand production, failing pumping equipment, and other contributing factors.

The DWP may also add the Pennsylvania Well to the other five. This well has also had low production and is very important to get full capacity prior to the summer.

Treasurer Conley stated that if the Pennsylvania Well was added then wouldn't the cost have to be added to LSCE's cost estimate? AGM Heule stated that there might be some other ways to obtain the needed funds for the Pennsylvania Well.

Board Member Willey asked if the column "replacement equipment costs" includes all material costs. AGM Heule stated yes, but the new materials would only be installed and paid for if they were found to be necessary.

Treasurer Conley asked if the three-week schedule was a realistic timeframe. AGM Heule stated yes but also depends upon how quickly we can get good Bacti samples. We have to have at least two clean samples before the well can go back on line, but are hopeful there won't be any problems.

Motion made by Board Member Willey, seconded by Board Member Speyers, and carried 3-0 to approve the scope of work and authorize LSCE to proceed with well rehabilitation and pumping equipment modifications as described in their letter/report dated March 22, 2005.

Staff stated that to date, 11 wells have been rehabilitated.

ITEM NO. 4 - ADJOURN

There being no further business to come before the Board, Treasurer Conley adjourned the meeting at 9 a.m.

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Robyn Bratton
Secretary to the Board

Approved at meeting dated: April 26, 2005

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