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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Water Utility Commission - 2/11/2008 MINUTES ORO VALLEY WATER UTILITY COMMISSION REGULAR SESSION FEBRUARY 11,2008 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 AUDIENCE MEMBERS PRESENT: David Powell, Chair Winston Tustison,Vice Chair Rick Davis, Commissioner Elizabeth Shapiro,Commissioner MEMBERS ABSENT: John Hoffmann, Commissioner STAFF PRESENT: Philip C. Saletta,Water Utility Director Shirley Seng,Utility Administrator David Ruiz,Engineering Division Administrator Robert Jacklitch,Project Manager Jim Peterson,Water Utility Regional Coordinator OTHERS PRESENT: Barry Gillaspie, Council Liaison K.C. Carter, Council member CALL TO AUDIENCE—There were no requests to speak. Chair Powell recognized Mr.Robert Milkey who was present for the Water Utility Commission meeting. Commissioner Hoffmann was not present but was able to participate via telephone for approval of Items #1 and#2. ITEM #1 APPROVAL OF JANUARY 14, 2008 MINUTES- Chair Powell entertained a motion to approve the January 14,2008 minutes. MOTION: Vice Chair Tustison MOVED to approve the January 14, 2008 minutes. Commissioner Shapiro SECONDED the motion. MOTION PASSED: Unanimously. ITEM #2 DISCUSSION ON THE WATER CONSERVATION PROGRAM — Commissioner Davis reported on the following: • Water Conservation Meeting held January 24,2008 • Name change for Subcommittee Chair Powell entertained a motion to approve the name change to the Water Conservation Subcommittee. MOTION: Commissioner Davis MOVED to recommend that the subcommittee be titled 'Water Conservation Subcommittee". Vice Chair Tustison SECONDED the motion. MOTION PASSED: Unanimously. A question and answer session followed: • Rationale for subcommittee's name change (Chair Powell). Commissioner Davis explained the subcommittee's background and why the changes were necessary. Commissioner Davis mentioned that Karn Boyce, Water Conservation Specialist would be giving a power point presentation to the Commission explaining several Water Conservation Program Objectives. 2-11-08 MINUTES, ORO VALLEY WATER UTILITY COMMISSION Ms.Boyce thanked Commissioner Davis for his participation in the Water Conservation Subcommittee. She explained the following: • Overview: Programs and Services • Education and Outreach: -Enhance/improve the Conservation Website -Provide water conservation literature &publications -Promote water conservation at special events -Develop a New Customer reference guide -Collaborate with other departments to guide projects promoting water conservation -Develop classes/educational programs -Member of Water CASA -Oro Valley Vista (WaterWays published as part of OV Vista) • Audit Program: -Develop a residential audit checklist -Expand program to assist restaurants, schools, hotels,golf courses,other commercial customers - Simplify HOA audit process • Incentives: -Secure funding for incentive programs (grants or budget funding for potential rebates in the future). • Policy: -Collaboration with other municipalities (Drought Response Plan) -Develop partnership with all departments to develop a Town wide ordinance and Management plan that recognizes fountain grass, buffelgrass as an invasive plant. Commissioner Davis explained that residents that have had audits are requesting additional audits because they are not following through with the original information. An answer and question occurred: -Residents versus Second Audits (Chair Powell). Commissioner Davis explained that second audits were frequently requested by the same homeowners. He explained that perhaps for the large users (e.g. H.O.A.) the Water Utility could develop a fee schedule that if they do not follow through within 60 days we could charge them for additional services. -Audit Requests: HOA, Commercial customers, Businesses (Commissioner Shapiro). Ms. Boyce explained that the audit program was available to Residents,HOA,and Commercial. -Audit Data Q. Peterson). Ms. Boyce indicated that the Utility tracks audits and has saved approximately 2M gallons per year. -High Efficiency versus Low Flow Toilets (Chair Powell). Ms. Boyce felt that the high efficiency toilets were becoming a better product than low flow toilets. Commissioner Davis gave a brief update about the work being done by E.P.A.Water Sense Program (certifying fixtures e.g. aerators, dual flush toilets). -Conservation/Visionary Changes (Chair Powell). Ms. Boyce explained that she would like to concentrate water audits towards higher water users e.g. businesses\residential. Commissioner Davis also explained that staff had limited resources but would like to target high water users (e.g. Ranch Vistoso Homeowners Association)who are requesting a second water audit that would take staff at least a week to complete. He mentioned that there were some helpful ADWR incentive programs in progress (e.g. rinse device fixtures). -Reasons for HOA Failure to Follow-up with Audits (Commissioner Shapiro). Ms. Boyce said that some of the HOA's explained that they did not have resources or knowledge to make changes e.g. (remove turf, change vegetation). Ms. Boyce felt that streamlining the process for the HOA's would be very helpful. Vice Chair Tustison emphasized that the politics and changes in Board Members have a considerable effect on HOA's limitations. Chair Powell felt strongly that educating the public and HOA's about the desert and water conservation was just as important. A brief discussion occurred about Tier Rates\Meter sizes and HOA's. H.O.A. average size meter (1, 11/2 - 2 inches). There were no further questions Ms. Boyce ended her report. ITEM #3 — UPDATE AND STATUS ON THE WATER RATES ANALYSIS — Ms. Seng reported on the following: • Completed: Baseline data for Impact Fee Funds (Alternative Water Resources Development Impact Fee & Potable Water System Development Impact Fee) Process: Reviewed existing revenue and revenue requirements. Baseline data for Enterprise Fund is in progress. • Completed: Water Use Summary. Explained the process for CY 2007 (Data: By user type, meter sizes obtain average monthly usage (gal.). Use data to project revenue. • Handout: Summary of Residential Water Use (Single&Multi Family 5"x 3/4"water meters) 2 2-11-08 MINUTES, ORO VALLEY WATER UTILITY COMMISSION -Currently average monthly water use for 5/8" meter is 8600 gals. Prior years' use was 10,000 gals (the reduction confirms customers are conserving water or that the adjusted tier rate is working.) Ms. Seng continued to review the Residential Water Use table and explained that it was important to understand at which level revenue will be generated, so rates could be set in order to generate the required revenue. The majority of customers using 5/8"meter equal 83.9% of the total customer base (equivalent to 15,135 customers). Total customer base 18,035. Discussion followed: -50% Tier 1 residential users conserving water (Chair Powell). Ms. Seng explained that if customers significantly conserve water, there could be an impact on the water rates. Chair Powell emphasized that the Utility would need to establish a public education campaign to explain its basis should this occur. Schedule -Upcoming Finance Subcommittee meeting(last week in February/first week in March) -Water Utility Commission Meeting March 10 (staff will review results) -Council Study Session—April 9 —April 14 (looking for final recommendation on water rates) -Notice of Intent to Adopt Rates—April 16 (tentative) -Public Hearing—May 21 There were no further questions Ms. Seng ended her report. Mr.Ruiz reported on Reclaim and Potable Water Projects: -Potable Peak Daily Demand Operations/Precipitation January 2008 - (Demand under 7MM gal. per day based on increase precipitation) -Potable Operations Report January 2008 —jReservoir Storage highest peak January 22, 2008.) The Utility has been able to keep its reservoirs full. -Reclaimed Water System Report January 2008—(Demand increases to 12,854 Million gal. per day.) ITEM #4 UPDATE AND STATUS ON THE POTABLE AND RECLAIMED WATER SYSTEMS —Mr. Ruiz gave a power point presentation on the Hilton Golf Course North Pond progress: Power Point Slides • Explanation of Relining • Draining of Ponds -Pond Excavation -Pond Inlet Structure -New Pond Inlet&Outlet Structure • North Pond Sand Bedding -North Pond Liner Placement -North Pond Shotcrete Application Mr. Ruiz indicated that the pond would be filled by May 2008 and that the pipeline work was being coordinated with Public Works roadway project. • Painted Sky School Project — Location: Woodburne & Moore Road. The water main extension is under construction and will go south to the school. A pump station will be built. Completion: End of April 08. Online Target date for both North and South ponds and Painted Sky School end of July 08. There were no further questions Mr. Ruiz ended his report. No action was taken or required on this item. TOWN COUNCIL MEETINGS/COMMUNICATIONS — Council Liaison Gillaspie reported on the Town Council's monthly activities: • Council approved Naranja Town Site project • Active discussions about the meaning of regionalism between Pima County,and City of Tucson are ongoing. • State Land: Important discussions and questions being raised regarding Arroyo Grande Annexation versus Adequate Water Supply. 3 2-11-08 MINUTES, ORO VALLEY WATER UTILITY COMMISSION SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS—No reports. STAFF REPORTS—Mr.Jacklitch reported on CIP: • Capital Projects -Pusch View Lane Bridge for Well C-9 — Construction: Conduit and waterline installed. There are several administrative issues to be resolved before the construction of the bridge could begin. -Bid process to take place in March for Well Equipping. -Oracle Road Water Main Relocations -ADOT plans to widen Oracle Road -Design Process: La Canada Reservoir 2MM gal. in-ground concrete reservoir Location: King Air Design Completion Date:June 08 -Slowsand Filter Reverse Osmosis Project — Project is up and operating. Delivery for the testing equipment is pending.An update will be given next month. -Aquifer Level Monitoring Project — Several wells are being newly equipped, well casings inspections are taking place. Once inspections are complete instruments will be installed in order to monitor the aquifer levels. There were no questions Mr.Jacklitch ended his report. No action was taken or required on this item. DIRECTORS REPORT—Mr. Saletta reported on: -W.U.C. Vacancies —Town Council communication dated February 20 to appoint Robert Milkey as Commissioner is in progress. A press release for a Commercial/Turf representative is being advertised. Interviews for this position will take place mid-March and recommendations will be forwarded to Town Council April 2. The new commissioner will be ready to attend April 14 Water Utility Commission meeting. -Annual Report 2008 — Mr. Saletta is working on the report along with other staff. A draft will be provided to the Commission by March 4. Request Commission Approval March 10. The Annual Report will be forwarded to Town Council for approval April 2. Mr. Saletta will provide an electronic copy of the Annual Report to the Commissioners. -Storm Water Billing: Customers billed as of February 2008 -Upcoming Meetings —Northwest Managers -2/14/08, Town Council — 2/20, City of Tucson 2/20 (Topic: Regional Study.) Mr. Saletta ended his report. No action was taken or required on this item. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS • Approval February 11,2008 Minutes • Update City of Tucson and Pima County Topic:Regionalism (W.Tustison) • Schedule field trip: El Conquistador Pond Relining site&La Canada pipeline construction CALL TO AUDIENCE—There were no requests to speak. NEXT MEETING: March 10,2008 Location: Hopi Conference Room Chair Powell entertained a motion to adjourn the meeting: MOTION: Vice Chair Tustison MOVED to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Shapiro SECONDED the Motion. MOTION PASSED: Unanimously. ADJOURNMENT: 7:05 P.M. Prepared by, Iris L. Chaparro Senior Office Specialist 4