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Current WateringSchedule
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MINUTESDEPARTMENT OF WATER & POWER
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
MINUTES OF A REGULAR BOARD MEETING
JUNE 26, 2007A Regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the Department of Water & Power, City of Big Bear Lake, was called to order at 8:03 a.m., by Chairwoman Willey, at the DWP Board Room, 41972 Garstin Drive, Big Bear Lake, California.
FLAG SALUTE:
Vice Chairwoman Conley
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:
Barbara Willey, Chairwoman
Susan Conley, Vice Chairwoman
Bill Speyers, Treasurer
Fred Miller, Board Member
Bill Giamarino, Board MemberBOARD MEMBERS EXCUSED:
None
OTHERS PRESENT:
Jerry Gruber, General Manager
Bill La Haye, Acting Assistant General Manager
Diane Muir, Administrative Manager
Steve Wilson, Water Superintendent
Robyn Bratton, Board Secretary
Darrell Mulvihill, Council Member, City of BBL
Rick Ollila, Board Member, Big Bear City, CSD
Bob Colven, Board Member, Big Bear City, CSD
Brian Charles, Grizzly Newspaper
Paul Mitton, Channel 6
13 Members of the PublicITEM NO. 2 - Agenda Approval
Motion made by Vice Chairwoman Conley, seconded by Board Member Miller, and carried 5-0 to Approve the Agenda as presented.
GM Gruber stated that he received a telephone call from Tony Tamberchi, of Hilton Hotel Gardens. Mr. Tamberchi requested that Consent Calendar Item #5.4 be removed from the Agenda. This item will be addressed at the Board’s July Board meeting.
Motion made by Board Member Miller, seconded by Vice Chairwoman Conley, and carried 5-0 to approve the Agenda as amended.
ITEM NO. 3 - Presentation to Susan Conley
Chairwoman Willey presented outgoing Vice Chairwoman Conley with a drought tolerant Blue Juniper Cedar and plaque as a gift to convey the DWP Board and staff’s thanks and appreciation for all her hard work during her term on the Board, especially her dedication to the conservation program.
GM Gruber talked about Vice Chairwoman Conley’s history with the DWP and stated that she was instrumental in bringing conservation standards to what they are at present. Vice Chairwoman Conley stated that the current conservation standards need to be continued.
ITEM NO. 4 - Public Forum
Stan Miller – Knickerbocker Resort B&B
Mr. Miller stated that not only was he speaking for himself, but for hundreds of other people in the Valley. He has carefully studied the Cost of Service Analysis and did not find anywhere in the analysis any statements that said commercial customers were using more water than residential customers. He feels private home rentals should be charged the same as commercial customers. Mr. Miller also stated that the DWP pays too much for vehicles and the DWP is overstaffed. Units of water should be the same for every single customer.
Darrell Mulvihill – City Council Member
Council Member Mulvihill thanked Vice Chairwoman Conley for her service to the DWP Board, and that he was one of the Members to appoint Chairwoman Conley. He also stated that she always has good questions and doesn’t have her own agenda.
ITEM NO. 5 - Consent Calendar
5.1 Minutes of a Regular Meeting Dated 5/22/07, Special Meeting Dated May 31, 2007, and Special Meeting Dated 6/5/07
5.2 Monthly Management Staff Reports
5.3 Year-end Payroll Transfers FY 2006/07 --- Approve
5.4 New Service Fee Refund – Hilton Hotel Gardens --- Approve
5.5 Water Management Secretary Updated Classification Specifications, Title Update, and Salary Range Increase --- Approve
Motion made by Vice Chairwoman Conley, seconded by Board Member Giamarino, and carried 5-0 to approve the Consent Calendar with the exception of Item #5.4.
ITEM NO. 6 - Items Removed from the Consent Calendar
#5.4 – This item was removed at the request of Tony Tamberchi, of Hilton Hotel Gardens.
ITEM NO. 7 – Finance/Variance Reports & Authenticate Check Registers
Motion made by Vice Chairwoman Conley, seconded by Board Member Miller, and carried 5-0 to Authenticate the Check Registers as presented.
ITEM NO. 8 – General Manager’s Report
GM Gruber reviewed his report with the Board and there was general discussion.
ITEM NO. 9 – Discuss Community Input Relating to Proposition 218
GM Gruber addressed the Board, staff, and public and stated that at the last Council meeting, there was a two-hour discussion from Chief Morley about having enough water for fire flow if there was a fire in the Valley; however, there was no discussion about the infrastructure of the DWP’s water pipelines. GM Gruber also stated that the Board and staff came up with a compromise for the rates, with two alternatives for the proposed water rate increases that are presented in the “Recommendations” portion of his staff report. If the two alternatives are approved by the Council, the DWP will not recoup the needed revenues, and will continue to fall farther behind.
Chairwoman Willey stated that the elimination of the $9.77 fee for excessive outdoor water usage is temporary, and the high users will be monitored for a year to see if conservation measures will be adhered to and make a decision after that time.
Chairwoman Willey also stated that even though the alternative for a the 50 percent increase now, and the remaining 50 percent being paid in 18 months, is ample time for business owners to incorporate the increase into their budgets; this alternative will still present a loss to the DWP.
Vice Chairwoman Conley stated that the DWP staff and employees are doing a wonderful job in maintaining the water system.
Board Member Giamarino wanted to thank Chairwoman Conley for her service on the Board. He feels that the DWP has communicated as much as possible to get correct information to the public and feels the DWP has the people’s interest at heart.
Board Member Speyers stated that Vice Chairwoman Conley has always been extremely articulate and also agrees with her statements.
Motion made by Vice Chairwoman Conley, seconded by Board Member Giamarino, and carried 5-0 to: (1) Eliminate the excessive outdoor water usage rate of $9.77 per ccf and charge all commercial usage charges at one tiered rate, while monitoring the highest outdoor usage for the highest users and (2) Phase-in the proposed commercial rate increases over the next 18 months starting September 1, 2007. Phase 1 will be effective September 1, 2007, and will reflect a 50 percent increase of the proposed rate increase from $2.06 per ccf to $3.22 per ccf. Phase 2 will be effective March 1, 2009, and will reflect the remaining 50 percent of the proposed rate increase from $3.22 per ccf to $4.37 per ccf.
ITEM NO. 10 – Adopt the City of Big Bear Lake Department of Water (DWP) Financial Plan and Water Rate Study (March 2007) Prepared by Camp Dresser & McKee (CDM)
GM Gruber stated that the Financial Plan and Water Rate Study is a good, reliable document and prepared by the best of the best. He stated that some people were trying to discredit the report. He said that if anyone has questions about anything, they are always welcome to call the DWP.
GM Gruber explained that because the Financial Plan & Water Rate Study (prepared by CDM) was not previously approved by the Board, it was not available for the public to review.
GM Gruber showed the public a section of water pipe that had many repair clamps on it and stated that a great deal of the pipe in the ground is old boiler pipes salvaged from merchant ships in the 40s. He stated that the two-inch pipe needs to be replaced with 8” pipe and also showed a sample of an 8” pvc pipe.
GM Gruber stated that the DWP was the second highest user of electricity in the Valley. This is partially due to the condition of the pipe. The disintegration of some of the pipes puts a strain on the flow of the water that travels through the pipes, thereby affecting the integrity of the well stations. This also reduces the life expectancy of the wells by wearing out the infrastructure.
Motion made by Vice Chairwoman Conley, seconded by Board Member Giamarino, and carried 5-0 to adopt the City of Big Bear Lake, Department of Water (DWP) Financial Plan and Water Rate Study, prepared by CDM (March 2007).
ITEM NO. 11 – Board Member Reports
Board Member Miller stated he would miss Vice Chairwoman Conley and that she was his best teacher.
Vice Chairwoman Conley stated she has thoroughly enjoyed her time on the Board. Her prior experience was in the health care industry. She has had previous board experience but no water experience, and has gained a vast amount of knowledge of the water business over the past six years.
ITEM NO. 12 – Future Agenda Items
July
- Carryovers from FY 2006/07 – Approve Resolution No. DWP 2007-14
- Auditor’s Report for FY 2006/07
- Authorize Bidding for New Lakeplant Well #6
- Capital Project Updates
As discussed earlier in the meeting, Consent Item #5.4 will be moved to the July Board meeting.
Chairwoman Willey adjourned the meeting for a break at 9:15 a.m.
Chairwoman Willey reconvened the meeting at 9:43 a.m.
ITEM NO. 13 - Closed Session
(1) CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS Pursuant to Section 54956.8 of Government Code Property: APN: #304-126-04 Agency Negotiators: Jerome D. Gruber, Department of Water & Power, and Jeff Ballinger, from the DWP Attorney’s Office
Negotiating Parties: Joan D. West, Successor Trustee of the Dorothy
Allen Porter Living Trust and Mike GiebelhouseUnder Negotiation: Price and Terms (2) PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION Pursuant to Section 54957 of Government Code General Manager
Into Closed session at 9:43 a.m.
ITEM NO. 14 - Open Session
Into Open Session at 10:45 a.m. – No reportable action taken.
ITEM NO. 15 - ADJOURN
No further business came before the Board. Chairwoman Willey adjourned the meeting at 11:25 a.m.
Robyn Bratton
Secretary to the BoardApproved at meeting dated: 7/24/07