HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Water Utility Commission - 2/9/2015 MINUTES
ORO VALLEY WATER UTILITY COMMISSION
REGULAR SESSION
Monday, February 9, 2015
HOPI CONFERENCE ROOM
11000 N. LA CANADA DRIVE
CALL TO ORDER —Vice Chair Davis called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Richard Davis, Vice Chair
Javier Arriaga, Commissioner
Anne Campbell, Commissioner
Richard Reynolds, Commissioner
Winston Tustison, Commissioner
Shanna Weagle, Commissioner
STAFF PRESENT: Philip C. Saletta, Water Utility Director
Shirley Seng, Water Utility Administrator
David Ruiz, Engineering Division Manager
Robert Jacklitch, Project Manager
CALL TO AUDIENCE -At this time, any member of the public is allowed to address the
Water Utility Commission on any issue not listed on today's agenda. Pursuant to the
Arizona Open Meeting Law, individual Commissioners may ask Town Staff to review the
matter, ask that the matter be placed on a future agenda, or respond to criticism made
by speakers. However, the Water Utility Commission may not discuss or take legal
action on matters raised during "Call to Audience." In order to speak during "Call to
Audience" please specify what you wish to discuss when completing the blue speaker
card.
There were no speakers.
1. ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR OF THE WATER UTILITY
COMMISSION (P. Saletta)
Vice Chair Davis turned the election process of Chair and Vice Chair over to Mr.
Saletta. Mr. Saletta gave a brief overview of the election process.
Commissioner Arriaga nominated Richard Davis for Chair and Rick Reynolds for
Vice Chair of the Water Utility Commission.
MOTION: A Motion was made by Commissioner Campbell and Seconded by
Commissioner Tustison to cease nominations and elect Richard Davis for Chair
and Richard Reynolds for Vice Chair of the Water Utility Commission.
MOTION carried, 6-0.
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2. APPROVAL JANUARY 12, 2015 MINUTES (Chair)
The minutes were amended as follows: Commissioner Weagle and Commissioner
Tustison abstained from approval of the January 12, 2015 minutes.
MOTION: A Motion was made by Commissioner Tustison and Seconded by
Commissioner Weagle to approve the January 12, 2015 minutes as amended.
MOTION carried, 6-0.
3. WATER UTILITY COMMISSION SUBCOMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS (Chair)
Chair Davis read the recommended appointments for the Water Utility Commission
subcommittees.
Water Conservation: Rick Davis, Chair -Anne Campbell, Member
Water Resources: Rick Reynolds, Chair -Javier Arriaga, Member -Shanna Weagle,
Member
Finance: Winston Tustison, Chair -Javier Arriaga, Member
Ms. Seng distributed the final Water Rates Report - 2014 to the Finance Subcommittee
members.
4. DISCUSSION AND UPDATE REGARDING LONG TERM STORAGE
CREDITS (P. Saletta)
Mr. Saletta reported that the Water Utility received a letter in October from the Bureau of
Reclamation (BOR) indicating they were selling 20,000 a/f per year of long-term storage
credits in the Tucson Active Management Area (TAMA). Oro Valley submitted a bid for
the purchase of the water but the offer was declined. The USBR did not disclose the
successful bidder, but details would be available after the contract is finalized. Oro
Valley will continue to build up credits by purchasing CAP's entire water allocation and
storing about 2500 to 2800 a/f per year. The utility would like to build our long-term
storage credits to about 30,000 acre feet within the next 5 to 10 years.
Mr. Saletta mentioned if there were any shortages of CAP water, the Arizona Water
Banking Authority (AWBA) in the Tucson Active Management Area (TAMA) was also
storing on behalf of other water utilities that have CAP contracts.
No action was required on this item.
5. DISCUSSION OF CASH RESERVE POLICY AND GROUNDWATER
PRESERVATION FEES (P. Saletta)
Mr. Saletta reported that over the past few year's staff had discussed reviewing the
cash reserve requirements. At the last Council meeting the Water Utility was directed
to review the Groundwater Preservation Fee (GPF). Since both these items are related
to the financial scenarios and water rates analyses, staff is recommending that the
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Finance Subcommittee review these items at their next meeting. Staff will bring the
Finance Subcommittee's recommendation to the Water Utility Commission for approval
in April. This item will be presented to Council in May.
6. TOWN COUNCIL MEETINGS/COMMUNICATIONS (Councilmember
Hornat)
Councilmember Hornat reported on:
-Stone Canyon property rights
-Discussion on 2.5% Sales tax
-Purchase of El Conquistador Country Club and filing of court appeal
-Ventana Medical facility expansion
-Biotech development
7. SUBCOMMITTEE/COMMISSIONER REPORTS
a. Finance Subcommittee
Commissioner Tustison had no report.
b. Conservation Subcommittee
There was no meeting. Commissioner Davis reported that they will continue looking into
AquaHawk's process and making it more intuitive.
c. Water Resources Subcommittee
Commissioner Reynolds had no report.
8. STAFF REPORTS
a. Customer Service Report (S. Seng)
Ms. Seng reported the following:
-Total Metered Connections as of 1/31/15: 19,117
-New Meter Installations as of 1/31/15: 91 January: 5 -
-Actual EDU's as of 1/31/15: 205 January: 6
-AMI Meter Installations: 9,063 FY 14-15: 2,384
Estimated completion for this project December 2015.
-Water Conservation Audits as of 1/31/15: 75 January: 11
Total audits completed from inception: 1,875
Ms. Seng also reported on the number of credit card payments, ACH Customers, E-Bill
Customers and the registered AquaHawk accounts.
b. Capital Projects (B. Jacklitch)
Mr. Jacklitch reported on:
Construction Projects
-Countryside Service Area -Installation of 12-inch water main Completion
by: December 2015
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-Tangerine Road widening -Relocation of existing reclaimed water and potable water
mains. This project is part of the RTA program. -Construction schedule: January 2016
-Lambert Lane/La Canada west to Rancho Sonora: DIS department will be working
on converting the street to 4 lanes. The Water Utility will install a 12-inch water main.
-Energy Efficiency program: The utility continues work on energy efficiency boosters
and wells.
-Naranja Road CAP blending station: The utility installed a 12-inch pipe crossing for a
future booster station.
-Arizona Power Authority: The application process will continue for another month and
should end in March. The application will be made available in March.
c. Potable and Reclaimed Water System Report (D. Ruiz)
Mr. Ruiz reported the following:
-Total Annual Water Production: January 2015
-2014-15 Monthly Water Production Report
-2014-15 Monthly Reclaimed Water Deliveries
-Daily Demand Operations Report & Daily Precipitation: January 2015
-Reclaimed Water System deliveries: January 2015
9. DIRECTOR'S REPORT (P. Saletta)
a. Colorado River Basin Snowpack Reports
Mr. Saletta reported on:
-Colorado River Water Supply - January 25, 2015: Lake Powell and Lake Mead water
levels
-Arizona Snowpack - February 5, 2015
-Colorado Snowpack - February 5, 2015
-Utah Snowpack - February 5, 2015
-Wyoming Snowpack - February 5, 2015
Snow pack is below normal in most areas with average levels in the Central and
northern Rocky Mountains.
b. Annual Report Schedule
Staff is currently working on the Annual Report and plans to forward an electronic copy
to the Commission by February 26. The Commission's comments and recommendation
will be considered at the March 9 meeting. Staff will prepare the final report and request
Council's acceptance at their April 1 meeting.
c. Upcoming Meetings - SAWUA Forum
-2/18: Town Council meeting
-3/4: Town Council meeting
-3/6: SAWUA Forum
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-3/9: WUC meeting
-WUC Quick Reference list: Commissioners had no changes
-A billing insert was sent last week advertising for a Countryside Water Service Area
Water Utility Commission representative.
Future Agenda Items
-Overview of Water Utility Financial aspects (Commissioner Tustison)
-Field tour of reservoirs and wells (Chair Davis)
-Review Drought Response Plan (Commissioner Weagle)
CALL TO AUDIENCE -At this time, any member of the public is allowed to address the
Water Utility Commission on any issue not listed on today's agenda. Pursuant to the
Arizona Open Meeting Law, individual Commissioners may ask Town Staff to review the
matter, ask that the matter be placed on a future agenda, or respond to criticism made
by speakers. However, the Water Utility Commission may not discuss or take legal
action on matters raised during "Call to Audience." In order to speak during "Call to
Audience" please specify what you wish to discuss when completing the blue speaker
card.
There were no speakers.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: A Motion was made by Commissioner Tustison and Seconded by
Commissioner Reynolds adjourn the Water Utility Commission meeting.
MOTION carried, 6-0.
I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the minutes of
the regular session of the Water Utility Commission of Oro Valley, Arizona held on the
£ day of4 , 2015. I further certify that the meeting was duly called and held
and that a quorum wa present.
Dated this /3 day of 744.zA , 2015.
Prepared by:
alietuo
Iris L. ChaparPb
Senior Office Specialist
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