HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Water Utility Commission - 3/12/2012 MINUTES
ORO VALLEY WATER UTILITY COMMISSION
REGULAR SESSION
Monday, March 12, 2012
HOPI CONFERENCE ROOM
11000 N. LA CANADA DRIVE
CALL TO ORDER -AT OR AFTER 6:00 P.M.
ROLL CALL: 6:02 p.m.
PRESENT: Robert Milkey, Chair
Winston Tustison, Vice Chair
Richard Davis, Commissioner
John Hoffmann, Commissioner
Richard Reynolds, Commissioner
Elizabeth Shapiro, Commissioner
Richard Verlaque, Commissioner
STAFF PRESENT: Philip C. Saletta, Water Utility Director
Shirley Seng, Utility Director
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. APPROVAL FEBRUARY 13, 2012 MINUTES
MOTION: A Motion was made by Commissioner Shapiro and Seconded
by Vice Chair Tustison to approve the February 13, 2012 minutes as
written.
MOTION carried, 7-0.
3/12/2012 Water Utility Commission Minutes 1
2. PRESENTATION BY THE U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY REGARDING
THE ARIZONA GROUNDWATER AVAILABILITY STUDY AND REPORT
(Commissioner Hoffmann)
Commissioner Hoffmann introduced Mr. Fred Tillman a Research Hydrologist
from the USGS Geological Survey in Tucson, Arizona. Mr. Tillman mentioned
that the USGS studies were supported by the USGS Groundwater Resources
Program. The presentation covered the following details:
-USGS Regional Groundwater Studies -Arizona Groundwater Availability Pilot
Study
-Groundwater in Arizona Total Water Demands -Groundwater Withdrawals
Physical Environment -Estimated depth to bedrock Potential pumping effects
-Water budgets -Indicators of groundwater conditions -CAP canal projects
and agricultural fields -Summary of water level trends in wells and observations
between 1997-2006 and 2000-2008.
A discussion occurred about declining water well levels and that during
the period of 2007 through 2011 Oro Valley experienced a total average of 2.6
foot drop in well levels but Oro Valley has also experienced a 1 foot rise since
last year. Discussion occurred regarding Oro Valley's 5,500 AF per year
groundwater sustainability level and that the USGS did not get involve in any
sustainability water levels in the aquifer.
Call to audience: Mr. Joseph Alexander an Oro Valley resident asked about
water quality in the pilot study. Mr. Tillman discussed that water quality was not
included in the pilot study. There were no further discussions.
No Action was required or taken on this item.
3. DISCUSSION AND UPDATE REGARDING THE WATER RESOURCES
SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING (Commissioner Hoffmann & P. Saletta)
Commissioner Hoffmann reported that the subcommittee met 3/1/2012 and a
number of topics were discussed. Mr. Saletta also reported on the following:
-Discussed 142 acre feet of CAP water has been delivered to date. Develop a
water quality monitoring program to track CAP water through O.V. distribution
system
-Discussed future planning and the possibility of CAP water deliveries through
TW system south area along Oracle Road and possibly Countryside area
-Discussed the possibility of constructing a booster station for CAP future water
deliveries if increased from 1,500 to 3,000 acre feet per year. This will help with
blending water from the D to E pressure zones.
3/12/2012 Water Utility Commission Minutes 2
-Staff will present groundwater levels, well levels and water production level data
on a periodic basis to the Commission.
-Discussed the Reclaimed Water System Expansion and the potential
expansion of including the Pusch Ridge 9-hole golf course and River Front Park,
however, cost estimates determined that these areas were not feasible at this
time.
-Discussed that the Naranja Park town site could be the best site for expansion
when it is developed
-Discussed possibilities that some HOAs could connect if they are close to the
system
-Discussed the need to renegotiate Reclaimed Water IGA with Tucson
Water. Evaluate options for environmental rate (interruptible) versus (non-
interruptible rate)
-ADD Water Program- This is a long-term project to acquire, develop and
deliver Colorado River water through the Central Arizona Project Canal. Oro
Valley is involved through the Southern Arizona Water Users Association and we
are working closely with the Arizona Municipal Water Users Association, Central
Arizona Water Conservation District and Bureau of Reclamation.
-WRSC Future Agenda Item: Move forward with Renewal of Assured Water
Designation
A discussion occurred.
-ADD Water's involvement with additional future CAP water deliveries
-Reclaimed Water IGA renewal period and reviewing the environmental rate
(interruptible) versus the non-interruptible rate
-Effluent water rights through Tucson Water and delivery limitations.
There were no further discussions. No Action was required or taken on this
item.
4. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE ORO VALLEY
WATER UTILITY COMMISSION ANNUAL REPORT APRIL, 2012. (P.
Saletta)
Mr. Saletta gave a presentation and reviewed the various sections of the Oro
Valley Water Utility Commission Annual Report.
Chair Milkey asked for a motion to consider approval of the Annual Report and
stated that any additional Commission comments were due back to Staff no later
than March 15, 2012.
3/12/2012 Water Utility Commission Minutes 3
MOTION: A Motion was made by Commissioner Shapiro and Seconded
by Commissioner Davis to approve the Annual Report — April, 2012
and forwarded to Council for acceptance after some final editing.
MOTION carried, 7-0.
5. TOWN COUNCIL MEETINGS/COMMUNICATIONS (Councilmember
Gillaspie)
Councilmember Hornat mentioned that Council was very appreciative of the CAP
Water Project and was pleased to handout the recognition certificates to the
Water Staff.
6. SUBCOMMITTEE/COMMISSIONER REPORTS
a. Finance Subcommittee (Commissioner Tustison)
Vice Chair Tustison had no report.
b. Conservation Subcommittee (Commissioner Davis)
Commissioner Davis had no report.
c. Water Resources Subcommittee (Commissioner Hoffmann)
Commissioner Hoffmann had no other reports.
7. STAFF REPORTS
a. Customer Service Report (S. Seng)
Ms. Seng gave a brief presentation on:
-Conservation Study Results: Complied October 2010 by Western Resource
Advocates
Ms. Seng also provided information on the Customer Service Report for February
2012, Meter replacements and Countryside AMI project.
Ms. Seng reported that the National Groundwater Association has declared the
week of 3/12/2012 as groundwater awareness week.
b. Capital Projects (B. Jacklitch)
Mr. Jacklitch reported on several projects: Lambert Lane Water Main
improvements; El Conquistador Booster Station; Campo Bello Water Main
Replacement Project.
c. Potable and Reclaimed Water System Report (D. Ruiz)
Mr. Ruiz presented several slides on Potable and Reclaimed Water Systems.-
Monthly Water Production Report-2011-12
-Reclaimed Water System - February 2012
-Potable Water System Overall Reservoir Storage and Precipitation - February
2012
3/12/2012 Water Utility Commission Minutes 4
8. DIRECTOR'S REPORT (P. Saletta)
a. Possible refunding of 2003 Series Bonds
Mr. Saletta reported that the Water Utility Staff, Finance Department and
Financial Advisor were evaluating the possibility of refinancing 2003 series
bonds. These bonds are at a higher rate and the Utility is looking to refinance at
lower interest rates. A Finance Subcommittee meeting will be scheduled
to discuss the bond refinancing process. Staff will also present this information to
the Commission at the next meeting and to Council on April 18th.
b. Colorado River Snowpack and Streamflow Reports
Mr. Saletta presented information on the following topics: Arizona & Colorado
Streamflow reports; Arizona Snow Water Equivalent; Current Snow Water
Equivalent, Lake Mead & Powell Colorado River Water Storage.
c. Upcoming Meetings
Mr. Saletta reported on his Washington, DC trip and A1NWA's support of
the Water Infrastructure Financing Innovation Act.
-Finance Subcommittee Meeting: To be determined.
-4/4: Town Council Meeting
-4/9: WUC Meeting
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
-Discuss the 5,500 AF Groundwater Sustainable rate process and how it
was determined
-Update on 2012 Refunding of the 2003 Bonds
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 Shapiro and Seconded
by Commissioner Davis to adjourn the meeting.
MOTION carried, 7-0.
ADJOURNMENT: 7:45 P.M.
3/12/2012 Water Utility Commission Minutes 5
Prepared by:
h0.(af (1.6,..e),
Iris L. Chaparroy
Senior Office Specialist
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 12th day of March 2012. I further certify that the meeting was
duly called and held and that a quorum was present.
Dated this ID's' day of /9o ./ , 2012.
3/12/2012 Water Utility Commission Minutes 6