HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Water Utility Commission - 9/11/2023MINUTES
WATER UTILITY COMMISSION
REGULAR SESSION
September 11, 2023
HOPI CONFERENCE ROOM
11000 N. LA CAÑADA DRIVE
REGULAR SESSION AT OR AFTER 5:00 PM
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Hitt called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Alan Forrest, Vice Chair
Patricia Olson, Commissioner
Niranjan Vescio, Commissioner
David Atler, Commissioner
Kay Lantow, Commissioner
Tom Marek, Commissioner
Greg Hitt, Chair
Staff Present:David Allred, Operations Manager
Mary Rallis, Water Utility Administrator
Peter A. Abraham, Water Utility Director
CALL TO AUDIENCE - at this time, any member of the public is allowed to address the Commission on
any issue not listed on today’s agenda. Pursuant to the Arizona open meeting law, individual
Commission members 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 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.
REGULAR SESSION AGENDA
1.REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE AUGUST 14, 2023 REGULAR SESSION MEETING MINUTES
Motion by Commissioner David Atler, seconded by Commissioner Patricia Olson
Vote: 7 - 0 Carried
2.UPDATE AND DISCUSSION ON THE PARTNERED AND INDEPENDENT NWRRDS PROJECT (P.
ABRAHAM)
9/11/23 Minutes, Water Utility Commission Regular Session 1
Water Utility Director Peter Abraham provided the following regarding an update on the NWRRDS
Partnered project:
The foundation of the NWRRDS Project
NWRRDS partnered project update
CMAR qualifications with 5 qualified candidates
Two-step process
Review committee will submit their scores on 9/17
Water Utility Director Peter Abraham provided the following update on the NWRRDS Independent
Project:
Oro Valley requires its own reservoir and booster station that will pump water into the E-Zone
La Canada will have a two zone booster (check audio for this section)
Independent portions that haven't been moved forward with are the partnered forebay reservoir
and the Independent Booster Station
500,000 gallon reservoir
Discussion ensued between the commission and Water Utility Director Peter Abraham.
Vice Chair Forrest and Water Utility Peter Abraham discussed the amount of water distributed within
the past year. Further discussion ensued between Commissioner Niranjan Vescio and Water Utility
Director Peter Abraham regarding groundwater and CAP water and the amount of water being
delivered to the community, and how much of the water is being stored. Discussion again ensued
between Vice Chair Alan Forrest and Water Utility Director Peter Abraham. Commissioner Vescio
asked for clarification on hydrogeology. Commissioner Tom Marek asked if Public Works is going to
have some involvement in the project. Vice Chair Alan Forrest asked if CMAR is one project.
3.UPDATE AND DISCUSSION ON THE COLORADO RIVER WATER SHORTAGE IMPACTS (P.
ABRAHAM)
Water Utility Director Peter Abraham provided an update on the following:
Reservoir levels have increased due to the rainfall
Upper and lower basin states water entitlements
In 2024, Oro Valley will be under a tier 1
CAP water reductions
Discussion ensued between the Commission and Water Utility Director Peter Abraham regarding the
Colorado River System.
4.DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE ARIZONA WATER BANK FIRMING
AGREEMENT (P. ABRAHAM)
Water Utility Director Peter Abraham provided information on the following:
What the Arizona Water Bank is
Who benefits from the Water Bank
What the AZ Water Bank firming agreement is and what the process is to apply for it
Agreement highlights
Discussion ensued between the Commission and Water Utility Director Peter Abraham regarding the
Arizona Water Bank firming agreement.
Water Utility Director Peter Abraham presented the recommendation for Council to the commission
approve the intergovernmental agreement between the Arizona Water Banking Authority and the
Town of Oro Valley for Municipal and Industrial Firming.
Motion by Commissioner David Atler, seconded by Commissioner Niranjan Vescio to approve the
9/11/23 Minutes, Water Utility Commission Regular Session 2
Motion by Commissioner David Atler, seconded by Commissioner Niranjan Vescio to approve the
recommendation to Town Council to approve the intergovernmental agreement between the Arizona
Water Banking Authority and the Town of Oro Valley for Municipal and Industrial Firming.
Vote: 7 - 0 Carried
5.TOWN COUNCIL MEETINGS/COMMUNICATIONS (COUNCILMEMBER BOHEN)
Town Councilman Timothy Bohen provided an update on the following:
Conditional Use Permit was approved for a drive-through on La Canada
36 acre annexation in Moore and La Canada southwest
Discussion ensued among the commission and Water Utility Director Peter Abraham.
6.DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Water Utility Director Peter Abraham provided a report on the following:
September Town Council meeting date
SAWUA Forum reminder
October Town Council meeting date
October Water Utility Commission meeting
Water News on the Colorado River System Reservoir Status
Information on Water Conservation Grant Fund
The NWRRDS program was selected for review on September 25, 2023
CALL TO AUDIENCE - at this time, any member of the public is allowed to address the Commission on
any issue not listed on today’s agenda. Pursuant to the Arizona open meeting law, individual
Commission members 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 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 public speakers.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Chair Greg Hitt, seconded by Commissioner Tom Marek to adjourn the meeting at 5:57
p.m.
Vote: 7 - 0 Carried
I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the minutes of the regular session of the
Town of Oro Valley Water Utility Commission of Oro Valley, Arizona held on the 11th day of September 2023. I
further certify that the meeting was duly called and held and that a quorum was present.
Dated this 14th day of November 2023.
___________________________
Maritza M Valenzuela
Senior Office Specialist
9/11/23 Minutes, Water Utility Commission Regular Session 3