Water Commission (now under Utilities Commission)

CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2020 WATER COMMISSION VIA TELECONFERENCE/WEB, 9:00 AM MINUTES Harry Saltzgaver, President Robert Shannon, Commissioner Frank Martinez, Vice President Gloria Cordero, Commissioner Arthur Levine, Secretary Christopher J. Garner, General Manager Richard Anthony, Deputy City Attorney FINISHED AGENDA & DRAFT MINUTES CALL TO ORDER The Board of Water Commission special meeting was called to order by President Saltzgaver at 9:01 A.M. This special meeting was held via teleconference pursuant to Executive Order N-29-20 issued by Governor Gavin Newsom. ROLL CALL Executive Assistant to the Board, Sandra Fox took the roll call and confirmed a quorum. Also present: Christopher J. Garner, General Manager; B. Anatole Falagan, Assistant General Manager; Tai Tseng, Assistant General Manager - Operations; Sean Crumby, Deputy General Manager - Engineering; Sandra Fox, Executive Assistant to the Board. Commissioners Harry Saltzgaver, Frank Martinez, Art Levine, Robert Shannon Present: and Gloria Cordero PUBLIC COMMENT 1. 20-098-WA June 11, 2020 Board of Water Commission Regular Board Meeting Public Comments President Saltzgaver opened the public comment period and asked if any written public comment had been received. Ms. Fox advised no written public comment had been received for the June 11, 2020 Board meeting. President Saltzgaver then inquired if there was any public on the line who would like to speak. Hearing none, he closed the public comment period. Page 1 of 7 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2020 WATER COMMISSION VIA TELECONFERENCE/WEB, 9:00 AM MINUTES PRESIDENT'S REPORT President Saltzgaver praised and thanked the Long Beach Water Department staff for continuing to do outstanding work during these difficult times and conditions. President Saltzgaver advised the Board that it is critical that they have their June 18, 2020 board packet (for review at the meeting) which will contain information regarding the budget and rates adoption. He noted this packet would also contain a budget presentation. He asked the Board members to contact staff if they did not receive their packets in the mail in a timely manner. GENERAL MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. Garner recapped the number of protest incidents that had taken place in the City of Long Beach. He noted that Water Department property had only received minor incidents of graffiti tagging. He reported that department staff were working to facilitate conversations regarding the Black Lives Matter movement and race relations in general to improve relationships in the department. He noted these facilitated conversations were being held on a voluntary basis within the department and would comply with COVID meeting restrictions. Commissioner Cordero advised she had heard that similar types of conversations were being discussed by staff at city hall. She asked if the Water Department would be holding their planned conversations separately. Mr. Garner responded that the City had provided departments with guidelines regarding these types of conversations. He advised there had been conversations regarding the City Manager holding an upcoming town hall meeting, but he advised he did not yet know the topic of this event. Mr. Garner provided additional information regarding the conversation events that were being planned for Water Department staff. Ms. Croci provided an update on two recent US Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) Title 16 grant awards that the department had received for the El Dorado Duck Pond conversion for recycled water and also for the conversion of Alamitos Tanks #19 and #20 for recycled Page 2 of 7 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2020 WATER COMMISSION VIA TELECONFERENCE/WEB, 9:00 AM MINUTES water. Commissioner Shannon requested clarification on the 75% cost share the department would have to spend related to these grants. Ms. Croci and Mr. Garner responded. President Saltzgaver commented. Commissioner Martinez congratulated staff regarding the increased activity that had been made in seeking grants for the department. Mr. Garner advised the department's press release regarding the budget and water rate increase had been published. Mr. Garner reminded the Board that their cubby items (Federal Update from Carpi & Clay; copy of Office of Sustainability MOU with LBWD, and copy of MWD May 12, 2020 Board meeting minutes) had been e-mailed to them. Commissioner Levine inquired if the budget meeting wold be publicized to the public. Mr. Garner responded yes. REGULAR AGENDA 2. 20-099WA Recommendation to approve minutes of April 2, 2020; April 16, 2020 and April 30, 2020 Board meetings. President Saltzgaver called for a motion. President Saltzgaver called for a roll call vote. The roll call vote carried unanimously. A motion was made by Commissioner Cordero, seconded by Commissioner Levine, to approve recommendation. The motion carried by the following vote: Page 3 of 7 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2020 WATER COMMISSION VIA TELECONFERENCE/WEB, 9:00 AM MINUTES Yes: 5 - Harry Saltzgaver, Frank Martinez, Art Levine, Robert Shannon and Gloria Cordero 3. 20-100WA Recommendation to authorize the General Manager to execute a one (1) year Revocable Facility Use Permit with an option to extend the term two (2) times for a period of one (1) year each, with Overland, Pacific & Cutler, LLC (OPC), for use of 2,000 sq. ft. of space at Long Beach Water Department-owned property at St. Louis Avenue and 32nd Street, for the storage of two trailers and one container, which would be used to temporarily maintain green waste, and to store riding mowers, and other tools and equipment used to service City of Long Beach-owned vacant lots. BUREAU: Business - Administration Mr. Bott provided the staff report and presentation for agenda item 3. President Saltzgaver called for questions or comments from the Commission. He then called for any public comment. Hearing none he called for a roll call vote. A motion was made by Commissioner Shannon, seconded by Commissioner Levine, to approve recommendation. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 5 - Harry Saltzgaver, Frank Martinez, Art Levine, Robert Shannon and Gloria Cordero 4. 20-101WA Recommendation to adopt the 2020 Federal and State Policy Platform to inform staff of strategic engagement and actions on behalf of the Long Beach Water Department BUREAU: Legislation & Grants Ms. Croci provided the staff report. She thanked all of the Water Department staff who had assisted in compiling the information for the platform which would help guide staff in making legislative decisions. Commissioner Cordero thanked Ms. Croci and staff regarding this comprehensive guide. She inquired if this platform would be shared with the Mayor's Chief of staff and the Council member's Chiefs of Staff. Page 4 of 7 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2020 WATER COMMISSION VIA TELECONFERENCE/WEB, 9:00 AM MINUTES Mr. Falagan responded this was an excellent idea and advised staff would comply with this request. He noted that throughout the development of the platform that Ms. Croci had been in touch with city staff to coordinate the various legislative issues. President Saltzgaver made comments. President Salzgaver called for any more comments from the Commission. He then called for any public comments. Hearing none he called for a roll call vote. A motion was made by Commissioner Cordero, seconded by Commissioner Martinez, to approve recommendation. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 5 - Harry Saltzgaver, Frank Martinez, Art Levine, Robert Shannon and Gloria Cordero 5. 20-102WA Report of the Metropolitan Water District (MWD) June 9, 2020 Board meeting. BUREAU: Metropolitan Water District Director MWD Director Cordero provided a summary report for the June 9, 2020 Board meeting. She reported on the following items: 1) MWD Board approved support for AB 3256 and had approved a watch and engage position on SB 625 (Central Basin Receivership) and noted the impact for MWD and member agencies regarding these bills. Commissioner Shannon requested clarification on the opposition's position regarding AB 625. Director Cordero responded. Commissioner Shannon requested additional background information on the Central Basin Municipal Water District receivership. Mr. Falagan responded. Director Cordero advised she would send a copy of the MWD Board letter to the Board related to the Central Basin issue. Page 5 of 7 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2020 WATER COMMISSION VIA TELECONFERENCE/WEB, 9:00 AM MINUTES Commissioner Martinez requested an update on the process for replacement of MWD General Manager Kightlinger. Director Cordero responded. CONSIDER STANDING COMMITTEE REFERRALS President Saltzgaver called for any Standing Committee referrals. Hearing none he moved on in the agenda. NEW BUSINESS President Saltzgaver asked the Deputy City Attorney if there was a need to hold the agendized closed session. Mr. Anthony responded no. Commissioner Shannon inquired about the information displayed on the teleconference screen. Mr. Wong responded to this inquiry. President Saltzgaver commented. Mr. Garner spoke. ADJOURNMENT President Saltzgaver adjourned the meeting at 9:37 A.M. to the next special meeting to be held Thursday, June 18, 2020 via teleconference/web. Page 6 of 7 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2020 WATER COMMISSION VIA TELECONFERENCE/WEB, 9:00 AM MINUTES NOTE: If written language translation of the Commission agenda and minutes for non-English speaking persons is desired, please make your request by phone to the Office of the City Clerk at (562) 570-6101, 72 business hours prior to the Commission meeting. Kung nais ang pagsasalin ng nakasulat na wika ng agenda ng Komisyon at ang minutes para sa mga taong hindi nagsasalita ng Ingles, mangyaring isagawa ang iyong hiling sa pamamagitan ng telepono sa Opisina ng Clerk ng Lungsod sa (562) 570-6101, 72 oras ng negosyo bago ang pagpupulong ng Commission. Si desea obtener la traducción escrita en otro idioma de la agenda y actas de la comisión para personas que no hablan inglés, haga su solicitud por teléfono a la Oficina de la Secretaría Municipal al (562) 570-6101, 72 horas hábiles antes de la reunión de la comisión. Page 7 of 7