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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Water Utility Commission - 11/13/2007 MINUTE SAi..., [oR ow 12--10-07 ORO VALLEY WATER UTILITY COMMISSION REGULAR SESSION (Co --a NOVEMBER 13,2007 ITEM HOPI CONFERENCE ROOM 11,000 N.LA CANADA DRIVE # CALL TO ORDER-AT OR AFTER 6:00 P.M. ROLL CALL-6:00 P.M. CALL TO ADUDIENCE MEMBERS PRESENT: David Powell,Chair Winston Tustison,Vice Chair Rick Davis,Commissioner John Hoffmann,Commissioner Brent Egbert,Commissioner Elizabeth Shapiro,Commissioner STAFF PRESENT: Philip'p C.Saletta,Water Utility Director Shirley Seng,Utility Administrator David Ruiz,Engineering Division Administrator Robert Jacklitch,Project Manager Karn Boyce,Water Conservation Specialist George Kendrick,Water Production Supervisor Mary Kobida,Water Distribution Supervisor Charles Soper,Water Utility Lead Operator- Water Quality Jim Peterson,Water Utility Regional Coordinator WELCOME NEW WATER COMMISSIONER- Chair Powell introduced new Commissioner Richard Davis (At-Large) presently employed by Rainbird. INTRODUCTION WATER CONSERVATION SPECIALIST - Ms. Seng introduced Karn Boyce as the new Water Conservation Specialist.Ms.Boyce previously worked as a Conservation Intern with the Utility for eight months. CALL TO AUDIENCE - Chair Powell mentioned that there were two specific times when Call to the Audience was available at the meeting. He mentioned that blue cards were available and should be filled out. There were no requests from those in attendance to speak to the Commission. ITEM #1 APPROVAL OF OCTOBER 8, 2007 MINUTES - Chair Powell entertained a motion for approval of the October 8,2007 minutes. MOTION: Commissioner Shapiro MOVED to approve the October 8, 2007 minutes. Commissioner Hoffmann SECONDED the motion.MOTION PASSED:Unanimously ITEM #2 - WATER QUALITY - Mr. Saletta introduced several Water Utility Staff: G. Kendrick, Water Production Specialist,M.Kobida,Water Distribution Supervisor,C.Soper,Water Utility Lead Operator- Water Quality. Mr.Ruiz made a presentation regarding water quality and Staff were present to answer questions. The following topics were covered in the Power Point presentation: • Overview: Public Water System, Regulatory Requirements, Water Quality Monitoring &Sampling, Water System Disinfection, Naegleria Fowleri • Public Water System: State Definition- Any water company having more than 15 service connections and regulated by Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ). Oro Valley Water System has 15,500 service connections, Countryside Water System has 2,500 service connections. • Regulatory Requirements - The Utility must comply with a water monitoring, sampling and reporting program.Pima County Department of Environmental Quality conducts surveys of these facilities every three years. 11-13-07 MINUTES,ORO VALLEY WATER UTILITY COMMISSION • Water Quality Monitoring 8E Sampling- The Utility tests for contaminants and other water quality requirements. The Water Utility is required to report and list contaminants tested within the system as required in the Annual Water Quality Reports. • Water System Disinfection - Oro Valley listed with ADEQ/PDEQ as a chlorinated system. Chlorine is the most common and effective method to kill microbiological contaminates. The Utilityutilizes sodium hypochlorite (chlorine solution) to disinfect all 22 wellheads in the water system prior to customer delivery. The water system is tested daily at 24 "end points".The disinfection process insures public health and safety while promoting public confidence. • Naegleria Fowleri- Regarding an article in Arizona Daily Star about Tucson Water and amoeba, Naegleria Fowleri, Tucson Water is participating in an on-going research program with the U of A, ADEQ, City of Peoria and several other water providers in the Phoenix area.Tucson Water sampled 35 wells and found several of their wells that tested positive for the amoeba however all follow-up tests have proven to be negative. Oro Valley Water checked with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Center for Disease & Prevention (CDC) and Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ), No warnings have been issued. Mr. Ruiz gave a brief description of the amoebic organism and mentioned that the findings indicated that Naegleria Fowleri rarely caused diseases or infections. A CDC fact sheet and a letter from Arizona Department of Health Services were included in the Commissioner's packet. The Utility tests monthly for bacteria and total and fecal coliform. Mr. Ruiz indicated that chlorination is an effective treatment for Naegleria Fowleri. • Summary- The Utility being a public system must comply with all regulatory requirements for monitoring, testing and reporting. The Oro Valley Water Utility has not received any questions or concerns from its customers regarding Naegleria Fowleri issue. Mr.Ruiz ended his presentation. An answer and question occurred. -Hypochlorite Injection System(Vice-Chair Tustison).Mr.Kendrick indicated that any malfunction with the system would be letected at the end points,which should never fall below the minimum level. .Plans for Sampling Emerging Contaminates and Endocrine Disruptors (Commissioner Hoffmann). Mr. Soper indicated that the Federal Government initiates Water Quality Standards and EPA is required to review at least fifteen new contaminants every three years. He mentioned there were plans to review eleven new contaminants that are unregulated at this time. However,the EPA or ADEQ has not released any requirements regarding endocrine disruptors. -Oro Valley's Water Total Dissolved Solid Levels G.Peterson).Mr. Soper indicated that Oro Valley's groundwater TDS levels were 80 ppm- 120 ppm(parts per million). Chair Powell thanked the Water Utility staff for their effort and the very fine work they do, in particular Mr. Kendrick's security and protection efforts regarding our water system. Chair Powell invited members of the audience to speak or comment on any'item and asked if they would fill out a blue card. There being no further questions Mr.Ruiz ended his report. ITEM#3 -WATER POLICY-EXEMPT WELLS-Mr.Saletta reported the following: -Water Utility Commission Communication 11/13/07: Due to a recent request by an Oro Valley landowner for an exempt well permit from Arizona Department of Resources within Oro Valley's service area,the Oro Valley Water Utility Staff would like to add Section C.7. regarding existing exempt wells to the Water Policy.Recent legislation which created ARS 45-454 was placed into law 2005. The law would limit and not allow exempt wells within areas that had service from a water provider if the property was within 100 feet of a pipeline. On August 29, 2007 ADWR developed a Substantive Policy Statement regarding ARS 45-454 Subsection (D) (4). Policy Statement: Indicates that both the landowner and the Water Provider would need to agree that an exempt well could be constructed under (D) (4) subsection. The proposed policy is presented to the Commission for recommendation to Council, and is consistent with ADWR Policies. The policy states that the Town would not send a verification letter to the State or andowner regarding an exempt well if adequate water service is within 100 feet of the landowner's property. A Resolution was included in the Commission's packet. The Resolution will be presented to Council on December 5, 2007 depending on the Commission's recommendation.Mr.Saletta reviewed the proposed Section C.7.- Exempt wells. 2 11-13-07 MINUTES, ORO VALLEY WATER UTILITY COMMISSION An answer and question occurred. -Need to Define Renewable Water Resources Item#3 of C.7. (Commissioner Hoffmann).Ms. Seng explained that the Mayor &Council Water Policies listed definitions including Renewable Water Resources. -Need to Define Available Item#9 of C.7.— (Commissioner Hoffmann).Mr.Saletta explained that the text was taken directly out of the statutes and Legal Department approved the language. -Time Frame for a Landowner to Have a Meter or Receive Water(Chair Powell). — Mr. Saletta explained that in a subdivision the Utility would stub outa few feetfrom the property line so that adequate flow and pressure is available,upon request unless some additional construction is required. -Adequate Flow and Pressure on Exempt Wells (Commissioner Egbert). - Adequate flow on an exempt well should be less than 35 gpm. -Water Rights Associated with Exempt Wells (Commissioner Egbert). Mr. Saletta explained there were no water rights associated with drilling of exempt wells. Pumping is allowed if under 35 gpm criteria is met. In addition,a permit is necessary and the well must be registered. Mr. Saletta pointed out that he was instructed to forward a letter to ADWR indicating that the landowner would not receive water from OVWU by the landowner. Mr.Saletta mentioned he had denied the request because the landowner was within the 100 feet from an OVWU pipeline and adequate water service. In answer to Chair Powell's question,Mr.Saletta explained that the issue resulted from a landowner's request within a subdivided property after the water development plan was approved and the pipelines installed and operational. At the request of Commissioner Egbert, Mr. Saletta clarified the significance of the verification letter for adequate water service within the 100 feet property and that permit requests for new exempt wells would not affect any existing wells. There were no further questions or discussions. Mr. Saletta indicated that staff was requesting action on this item and asked the Commission to consider the suggested motion in the Communication.If approved,this item would be forwarded to Council December 5,2007. Chair Powell entertained a motion for approval of the Water Utility Commission Communication to Town Council regarding the Exempt Well. MOTION: Commissioner Shapiro MOVED to recommend to Town Council to approve the proposed Resolution amending the Town of Oro Valley Water Utility Mayor and Town Council Policy by adding C.7. Exempt Wells.Vice Chair Tustison SECONDED the motion.MOTION PASSED: Unanimously ITEM#4 UPDATE ON RECLAIMED WATER SYSTEM—Mr.Ruiz reported on the Reclaimed Water System: -Reclaimed Water Phase II: Phase II consists of three projects: Painted Sky Elementary School (Woodbume &Moore). E1 Conquistador -Relining of two Ponds & La Canada Pipeline. All three projects have been bid and contractors have been selected. -El Conquistador Project - The contract awarded to Ashton Company, Inc. A notice to proceed will be issued this week. Construction on the North pond will be first with the South pond to follow. Mr. Ruiz indicated that the north pond could be on line by March,South pond online by July 2008.Potable water estimated savings 500,000 acre-feet per year. -The apparent low-bidders: Smyth Steel for Painted Sky Elementary and Ashton Company for the La Canada Pipeline. OVWU will request Council 1 to award these contracts at the December 5, 2007 meeting. Construction should begin in January.Mr.Ruiz gave a summary of the project costs. There were no questions,Mr.Ruiz ended his report. Mr. Saletta gave an overview of discussions with Tucson Water regarding the reclaimed water system and Intergovernmental Agreement negotiations. Pima County Regional Wastewater Reclamation Department has future plans for the Ina and Roger Road Wastewater Facilities that could affect reclaimed water service. The goal regarding the Tucson Water and OVWU IGA > to develop a rate whereby Oro Valley will obtain firm delivery of reclaimed water through Tucson's Reclaimed Water iystem. Currently OVWU receives non-interruptible service at an interruptible rate, if negotiations move forward Tucson Water would like to set a new and higher rate.Mr.Saletta indicated that OVWU has invested infrastructure which Tucson uses to pump Oro Valley Water,therefore not only are we a customer but a partner.Tucson Water recognizes Oro Valley as a 3 11-13-07 MINUTES, ORO VALLEY WATER UTILITY COMMISSION partner and understands the customer versus partnership concept, and is willing to renegotiate the rate keeping in mind that Oro Valley invested in capital infrastructure for Tucson Water facilities at the Thornydale Pump Station and the Mountain View In-lune Booster. Mr. Saletta emphasized that Oro Valley Water must look to establish a rate from Tucson Water for delivery because in October 2010 Oro Valley's IGA will be up for renewal and a new rate must be in place. An answer and question occurred. -Pima County Issues and Effects on Town of Marana- (Chair Powell). Mr. Saletta said that Tucson Water serves about 80% of Marana. Any wastewater effluent from water that Tucson Water delivers to Marana goes to the Ina Road facility and belongs to Tucson Water. If Marana delivers their own water and acquires their own wastewater facility,those facilities would be.exempt from any deliveries to Pima County. If they deliver wastewater to the Ina Road facility they would be subject to relinquish 10% of their effluent to Pima County also a portion of the effluent would be relinquished under the Southern Arizona Water Rights Settlement Act. -Tucson Water Sweetwater Facility&Oro Valley Water Partnership- (Commissioner Shapiro).Mr. Saletta indicated that Oro Valley would not necessarily partner in Tucson Water's Sweetwater facility. Mr. Saletta clarified that if Tucson builds a new reclamation facility at the Ina Road wastewater treatment plant that would be the site Oro Valley could participate in. -Oro Valley Capital Investment & Debt Financing with Tucson - (Vice Chair Tustis on). Mr. Saletta explained that Oro Valley's potential cost sharing for a new Ina Road Water Reclamation facility has not been discussed. He described a few financial ideas and explained there could be other potential partners. A rough estimate of a new plant could be in the $40 to $60 Million cost range. Charge End User True Cost for Reclaim in the Future - (Commissioner Davis). Mr. Saletta said,if you look at infrastructure in general all users share in benefits. By building a reclaimed water system in Oro Valley, less groundwater will be depleted. That is why the community of Oro Valley benefits from the Reclaimed Water System. Oro Valley's future direction is to charge the golf courses on reclaimed water a lower groundwater preservation fee because they are not using the groundwater. There were no further questions Mr.Saletta ended his report. ITEM #5 UPDATE ON NORTHWEST WATER PROVIDERS - Mr. Saletta gave an update on the NW Water Providers activities. The N.W.Water Providers met on November 8,2007. They discussed N.W.Reliability Storage and have retained a lobbyist to assist with securing federal funding in the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation budget for Northwest Reliability Storage Reservoir and facilities. The Slowsand Filter Reverse Osmosis Project is going well and there will be an addition of a VSEP unit for additional reverse osmosis research and an Ion Exchange process. A new proposed alternative for the pipeline route was discussed. Mr. Saletta gave a brief description of the pipeline route. Carollo Engineers will prepare a cost estimate for the new proposed route. All costs will be shared with other water providers. There were no further questions Mr.Saletta ended his report. TOWN COUNCIL MEETINGS/COMMUNICATIONS- No Report SUBCOMMITTEE/COMMISSIONER REPORTS -Conservation Subcommittee: Commissioner Shapiro reported on the Central Arizona Water Conservation District Meeting and that reliability storage for CAP water delivery to Tucson Area and the NW Water Providers was discussed. The Board seemed supportive.Ms. Shapiro also discussed the possible reopening of the Yuma Desalting Plant and that the recent testing of the plant was successful. Mr. Peterson also informed the Commission that the CAP Board has directed their staff to investigate whether it might be feasible for CAP to operate the Yuma Desalting Plant. The water treated from Wellton-Mohawk Irrigation District would 'eave a substantial amount of water in Lake Powell for the Lower Colorado River Basin. 4 11-13-07 MINUTES, ORO VALLEY WATER UTILITY COMMISSION Chair Powell and Commissioner Hoffmann reported their attendance to a seminar on"Tucson Conversation on Water". Mr. Saletta thanked the Commissioners for attending. Chair Powell also reminded the Commissioners that all seminars are applied towards educational credits. STAFF REPORTS Ms.Seng reported the following: -New Water Conservation Specialist: Ms. Seng reported that the Conservation Specialist would be holding Conservation Subcommittee meetings. The subcommittee is looking for participants from the Commission. Commissioner Egbert is the only member at this time. -Rate Analysis Schedule:Finance Subcommittee will meet the week of Thanksgiving.Topic:Timing of the Rate Analysis Ms.Seng ended her report. Mr.Ruiz reported the following: -Potable Water System and Reclaimed Water System: For the benefit of new Commissioner Davis Mr. Ruiz gave a brief explanation on the following reports: -Peak Daily Demand Reservoir Storage October 2007: Demand increase due to golf course over seeding season, In addition two golf courses still remain on potable water. -Peak Daily Demand October 2007: Potable storage demand is stable. Reclaimed Water System Status -Reclaimed Water Phase I: October 2007 Total Usage was 68,956,000 gal. due to golf course over seeding however the system will experience a substantial reduction during the winter months. Mr.Ruiz ended his report. Capital Projects Status: Mr.Jacklitch reported the following: -Completed Projects: Stone Canyon Reservoir on line. Several construction and design projects will be forwarded to Town Council in December. Details will be provided at the next Commission meeting. -Pusch View Lane Well:Bid process in January. Main Modification Oracle Road: Currently advertised.Bids Opening:November 30. -La Canada Reservoir:The in ground reservoir is currently under design.Location:King Air and Moore Road. -Slowsand Filter Reverse Osmosis Project: The interim report will be sent to staff by end of the month, a final report should be available in January. Staff will be able to give an update and perhaps deliver the Interim report to the Commission in January.All equipment will be labeled at the site and the Water Utility Operation staff will install the signs. Mr.Jacklitch ended his report. DIRECTOR'S REPORT-Mr.Saletta reported the following: -Town Code-Water Code 15-4-3 Membership Composition,Terms and Qualifications: He reported that Mr. Calabro recently resigned as Commissioner and was the current turf representative. Mr. Saletta suggested bringing forward at the next meeting language to change the code regarding existing turf membership composition and presenting it to the Commission for review and approval. He reviewed the Terms and Qualifications and the possibility of combining the Commercial, Turf, School district and Industry representative into one position thereby creating another At-Large position. This item would be forwarded to Council in January after the Commission's approval. It is anticipated a new Commissioner would be appointed by the March WUC meeting. -Upcoming Meetings: -Alternative Water Resources Development Impact Fee Working Group:November 15,2007 Time:6:00 p.m. -Finance Subcommittee:November 20,2007 Time: 5:00 p.m. -Regular Town Council: December 5,2007 Mr. Saletta thanked Customer Service Supervisor, Carolyn Schneider for her work with Public Works regarding the Storm Water Utility Fee billings. He mentioned that Storm Water Utility Fees would be included in the Utility's water bill beginning ebruary 2008.Town Council has approved the Storm Water Utility and associated changes to the Town Code. Mr. Saletta also mentioned substituting a title change for the Public Information & Education Subcommittee to Water Conservation Subcommittee. 5 11-13-07 MINUTES, ORO VALLEY WATER UTILITY COMMISSION -Commissioner's Quick Reference List: Any changes such as contact information should be sent to I. Chaparro,the OVWU Senior Office Specialist. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: 1. Approval of WUC 11/13/07 minutes 2. Town Code-Water Code- 15-4-3 Membership Composition,Terms and Qualifications CALL TO AUDIENCE : Ms.Diane Uhl,indicated that she serves as a representative to a Homeowners Association board in Oro Valley. Residents are concerned about Water Conservation. She explained that one of the concerns facing the residents was landscaping and personal usage. Chair Powell indicated that Oro Valley was one of the most progressive conservation communities in the region. He explained that free water audits were available and emphasized that Oro Valley offered rain gauges to customers at reduce cost to help with conservation. Chair Powell suggested that Ms. Uhl contact the Water Conservation Specialist to schedule water audits for the HOA and its residents. NEXT MEETING: Monday,December 10,2007 Location:Hopi Conference Room Chair Powell entertained a motion to adjourn the meeting. MOTION: Commissioner Hoffmann MOVED to adjourn the meeting. Vice Chair Tustison SECONDED the motion.MOTION PASSED: Unanimously. ADJOURNMENT: 8:00 p.m. Prepared by, J4,4; (ie diatzo Iris L. Chaparro Senior Office Specialist 6