Water Commission (now under Utilities Commission)

CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, JULY 23, 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 & FINAL MINUTES The Water Commission minutes are prepared and ordered to correspond to the Water Commission agenda. Agenda items can be taken out of order during the meeting. Agenda item 8. was taken out of order before agenda item 7. CALL TO ORDER The Board of Water Commission regular meeting was called to order by President Saltzgaver at 9:01 A.M. This 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, Gloria Cordero and Present: Robert Shannon PUBLIC COMMENT 1. 20-122WA July 23, 2020 Board of Water Commission meeting public comments. President Saltzgaver opened the public comment period and asked if any Page 1 of 12 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, JULY 23, 2020 WATER COMMISSION VIA TELECONFERENCE/WEB, 9:00 AM MINUTES written public comment had been received. Ms. Fox advised no written public comment had been received for the July 23, 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. PRESIDENT'S REPORT President Saltzgaver advised that the Depuity City Attorney would need to leave today's meeting at 9:58 A.M. President Saltzgaver reported that the August 27, 2020 Prop. 218 hearing would be held via teleconference as noticed. He advised that the General Manager and himself were preparing information packets for budget briefings with the City Council members. He advised it was not yet determined if they would want to schedule individual in-person briefings. GENERAL MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. Garner reported to the Board that meetings had been held with employees within the department regarding race. He said five meetings had been held - some via Zoom and some in-house with social distancing taking place for those meetings. He noted he would open these meetings, and then leave the room. He advised these meetings were being facilitated by staff members, Jillian Croci and Dwayne McGee and had received feedback that these discussions had gone well. He thanked them for their assistance with these meetings. He advised the Board that staff had had recent discussions with Managers to receive feedback regarding COVID testing and COVID protocols in the workplace. He advised the impact for the operations workers to wear masks while working in holes and in the field during hot weather. Managers are addressing these concerns by accommodating this concern by offering additional rest periods which may impact the completion dates for some projects. Mr. Garner thanked Mr. Crumby for his work with the Long Beach Water Department for the past few years. He advised Mr. Crumby is leaving to work as the Public Works Director in Huntington Beach. He noted that Mr. Crumby, Mr. Falagan and Mr. Tseng had worked well together as part of the leadership team. Page 2 of 12 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, JULY 23, 2020 WATER COMMISSION VIA TELECONFERENCE/WEB, 9:00 AM MINUTES Mr. Crumby made comments regarding his employment with the Long Beach Water Department. Commissioner Levine thanked Mr. Crumby for his service. Commissioner Martinez commented on Mr. Crumby's employment with the Long Beach Water Department. Mr. Garner also thanked Mr. Crumby for his double-duty service in leading both the Engineering staff at the Long Beach Water Department as well as at Energy Resources. Commissioner Cordero also thanked Mr. Crumby for his service. Commissioner Martinez inquired if Mr. Crumby's replacement would also be providing double duty at LBWD as well as Energy Resources. Mr. Garner responded. President Saltzgaver advised it was critical to maintain the great partnerships with the Public Works and Energy Resources departments. REGULAR AGENDA 2. 20-123WA Review August 2020 Board Meeting schedule. President Saltzgaver reviewed the August 2020 board meeting schedule with the Commissioners. He noted the August meetings would be as follows: August 6, 2020 - Teleconference Meeting - 9:00 A.M. August 20, 2020 - Teleconference Meeting - 9:00 A.M. August 27, 2020 - Telecoonference Prop. 218 Public Hearing - 7:00 P.M. Commissioner Shannon questioned why no in-person meeting for the public hearing. President Saltzgaver responded that all Board and Commissions are mandated to meet via teleconference under the Governor's Executive Order that is still in place. Page 3 of 12 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, JULY 23, 2020 WATER COMMISSION VIA TELECONFERENCE/WEB, 9:00 AM MINUTES 3. 20-124WA Recommendation to approve May 14, 2020 Board meeting minutes & May 21, 2020 Special Board meeting minutes. A motion was made by Commissioner Levine, seconded by Commissioner Cordero, to approve recommendation. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 5 - Harry Saltzgaver, Frank Martinez, Art Levine, Gloria Cordero and Robert Shannon 4. 20-125WA Recommendation to approve Transfer of Funds by Journal Voucher dated July 23, 2020. BUREAU: Business - Finance President Saltzgaver called for any questions regarding agenda item 4. Commissioner Shannon requested background information related to item #171. Mr. Falagan responded. Commissioner Shannon requested information regarding items #176 and #177 regarding budget. He noted it appears that we will go over budget, and requested an explanation. Mr. Garner responded that he would be having a discussion with Energy Resources staff regarding these items, and would report back to the Board if there is something unusual that shows up during that conversation. President Saltzgaver called for any public comment. Hearing none he called for a motion and a second. He then called for a roll call vote. A motion was made by Commissioner Martinez, seconded by Commissioner Levine, to approve recommendation. The motion carried by the following vote: Page 4 of 12 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, JULY 23, 2020 WATER COMMISSION VIA TELECONFERENCE/WEB, 9:00 AM MINUTES Yes: 5 - Harry Saltzgaver, Frank Martinez, Art Levine, Gloria Cordero and Robert Shannon 5. 20-126WA Recommendation to Authorize the General Manager to execute a first-year renewal option and issue a Purchase Order with The National Theatre for Children, Inc. for an amount not to exceed $150,000, for Long Beach Utility Services Environmental Education program services for one year with an option to renew two (2) additional years. BUREAU: Business - Public Affairs Ms. Weatherly introduced the agenda item and noted that the Board would be receiving two presentations regarding this item - one from the vendor staff (National Theatre for Children, Inc.) and one from Ms. Weatherly summarizing the success of the first year program. Mr. Matt Levine and Ms. Katie Miesen from the National Theatre for Children, Inc. provided a verbal rand PowerPoint presentation regarding this agenda item. Ms. Weatherly provided a verbal report and a PowerPoint presentation regarding this agenda item, and noted how the COVID-19 pandemic had affected how this program would be administered in the coming contract year. President Saltzgaver called for any Commissioner comments or questions. Commissioner Levine advised he had no comments at this time. Commissioner Shannon inquired if the partner City departments had approved their portion of the funding. Ms. Weatherly responded yes. Commissioner Shannon made a motion for approval with the request that the General Manager return to the Board at the end of the renewal period with a project update before any additional renewals were approved. Commissioner Cordero seconded that motion. Commissioner Cordero commented regarding the program. She inquired who could access this program. Page 5 of 12 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, JULY 23, 2020 WATER COMMISSION VIA TELECONFERENCE/WEB, 9:00 AM MINUTES Ms. Weatherly and Mr. Levine responded. Commissioner Cordero asked if any parochial schools were on the approved list. Ms. Miesen advised she would check, and noted that private or parochial schools could be added if there was an interest. Commissioner Martinez expressed an interest that the Board be invited to attend some of these on-line presentations to review the effectiveness of the program prior to the next renewal option. Commissioner Martinez also requested that staff come up with some data points to compare the different vendors and measure their success with this type of program, in the coming years. Commissioner Martinez expressed his interest in reviewing this type of data. President Saltzgaver made closing remarks regarding the program. President Saltzgaver called for any public comment. Hearing none he called for a roll call vote. A motion was made by Commissioner Shannon, seconded by Commissioner Cordero, to approve recommendation. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 5 - Harry Saltzgaver, Frank Martinez, Art Levine, Gloria Cordero and Robert Shannon 6. 20-127WA Recommendation to authorize the General Manager to execute Agreement WD-3535 to sell reclaimed water to the Water Replenishment District for the Leo J. Vander Lans Water Treatment Facility. BUREAU: Water Resources Mr. Wang provided a staff report regarding the agenda item. President Saltzgaver called for any Commission questions or comments. He then called for any public comment. Hearing none he called for a roll Page 6 of 12 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, JULY 23, 2020 WATER COMMISSION VIA TELECONFERENCE/WEB, 9:00 AM MINUTES call vote. A motion was made by Commissioner Shannon, seconded by Commissioner Martinez, to approve recommendation. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 5 - Harry Saltzgaver, Frank Martinez, Art Levine, Gloria Cordero and Robert Shannon Note: Agenda item 8. was taken out of order before agenda item 7. 8. 20-129WA Recommendation to authorize the General Manager to permit Estrella Media, Inc. (formerly Liberman Broadcasting, Inc.), Lessee under Lease Agreement WDL-81 with the Board of Water Commissioners of the City of Long Beach, to defer rental payments totaling $17,885.42, for space occupied by Lessee at the Long Beach Water Department’s J.W. Johnson Reservoir, located at 2200 University Drive, for the operation and maintenance of a communication tower used for the transmission of radio and microwave signals, broadcast, and other compatible uses BUREAU: Administration Mr. Garner requested that agenda item 8. be taken out of order before agenda item 7. before the Deputy City Attorney needed to leave the meeting. Mr. Bott provided a staff report and reviewed a presentation with the Board for this agenda item. Mr. Anthony provided additional background information regarding this agenda item regarding the new vendor and the previous bankruptcy. President Saltzgaver noted the vendor is still making the lease payments. Commissioner Shannon made brief comments regarding the agenda item. President Saltzgaver called for any additional comments or questions from the Board. He then called for any public comment. Hearing none he called for a roll call vote. Note: Deputy City Attorney Anthony left the teleconference meeting at Page 7 of 12 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, JULY 23, 2020 WATER COMMISSION VIA TELECONFERENCE/WEB, 9:00 AM MINUTES 9:58 A.M. and noted he had a conflicting call and would not return to the meeting. A motion was made by Commissioner Shannon, seconded by Commissioner Martinez, to approve recommendation. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 5 - Harry Saltzgaver, Frank Martinez, Art Levine, Gloria Cordero and Robert Shannon 7. 20-128WA Recommendation to authorize the General Manager to execute a First Amendment to the Amended and Restated Lease WDL-95 with Los Angeles SMSA Limited Partnership, a California limited partnership, doing business as Verizon Wireless, memorializing additional routes for utilities and fiber, and the ancillary equipment related thereto, to be installed at Long Beach Water Department’s Alamitos Reservoir, located at 1849 Reservoir Drive East. BUREAU: Administration Mr. Bott and Ms. Hall provided background staff report information. President Saltzgaver called for any questions or comments from the Commission. Hearing none he called for any public comment. He then called for a roll call. 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, Gloria Cordero and Robert Shannon Note: Agenda item 8. was considered earlier in the agenda. 9. 20-130WA Adopt Specifications WD-06-20 for the Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation and Replacement Program (SSRRP) Project No.5 (SC-0365) and authorize the General Manager to sign a construction contract with Insituform Technologies, LLC in the amount of $895,399. BUREAU: Engineering Page 8 of 12 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, JULY 23, 2020 WATER COMMISSION VIA TELECONFERENCE/WEB, 9:00 AM MINUTES Mr. Verceles provided the staff report. President Saltzgaver asked about the time frame for this project. Mr. Verceles responded. Commissioner Shannon inquired why Sancon and Nu-Line Technologies were termed to be non-responsive. Mr. Verceles responded. President Saltzgaver called for a motion. He then called for public comment. Hearing none he called for a roll call vote. A motion was made by Commissioner Levine, seconded by Commissioner Martinez, to approve recommendation. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 5 - Harry Saltzgaver, Frank Martinez, Art Levine, Gloria Cordero and Robert Shannon 10. 20-131WA Grant Update BUREAU: Legislation and Grants Ms. Croci provided a verbal review and presentation regarding the department's grants. The report included the following components: 1) Grant Matrix Update; 2) Grant Application Process; 3) Grant Application Award Process; 4) Grant Funding Opportunities - Engineering Solutions Services (ESS); 5) Grant Funding Opportunities - Dudek; 6) Upcoming Grant Funding Opportunities Commissioner Cordero commented on the report. Commissioner Martinez made comments regarding the report. President Salzgaver called for any additional Commission comments or questions. Hearing none he called for public comment. Mr. Falagan thanked Ms. Croci for her efforts in working with the different department bureaus, consultants and legislative advocates in developing Page 9 of 12 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, JULY 23, 2020 WATER COMMISSION VIA TELECONFERENCE/WEB, 9:00 AM MINUTES the grant opportunities. 11. 20-132WA Report of the Metropolitan Water District Board Meeting of July 14, 2020 Ms. Cordero provided a report regarding the July 14, 2020 Metropolitan Water District Board Meeting , She noted that the General Manager selection process is ongoing. She advised the Board she would send them a copy of the Board letter related to this subject. She advised there was quite a bit of public comment regarding this topic also, and listed some of the points the public included in their comments. She reported that the Board had approved two Local Resource applications: 1) San Diego County Water Authority & East County Advanced Water Purification Program JPA ; 2) San Diego County Water Authority & City of Escondido. She also briefly commented on the stay being lifted against SDCWA for their lawsuit with MWD. President Saltzgaver called for any Commission comments or questions. Commissioner Martinez advised he was interested in seeing the Board letter regarding the MWD General Manager recruitment. CONSIDER STANDING COMMITTEE RFERRALS President Saltzgaver called for any Standing Committee Referrals. He asked Commissioner Martinez if he was going to hold off scheduling a Finance Standing Committee meeting until after the Prop. 218 hearing. Commissioner Martinez asked Finance staff to comment on the time frame for a Finance Standing Committee meeting. Mr. Sorensen advised the next topic for the Finance Standing Committee would be a 3rd Quarter Financial review. He advised staff is currently gathering information on the estimates to close. He advised he would work with Mr. Garner and Mr. Falagan to put Page 10 of 12 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, JULY 23, 2020 WATER COMMISSION VIA TELECONFERENCE/WEB, 9:00 AM MINUTES together a timeline for this meeting. President Saltzgaver advised his preference would be to hold this meeting after the Prop. 218 hearing had taken place. NEW BUSINESS President Saltzgaver called for any new business. Commissioner Cordero provided a report regarding the local Rotary making face shields and selling them for $4.00 a piece. She asked if there was a need at Long Beach Water Department for this type of item. Mr. Garner advised that the department has been successful in obtaining personal protective equipment supplies for the department employees, and has no need for additional supplies at this time. ADJOURNMENT President Saltzgaver adjourned the Board meeting at 10:32 A.M. to the next teleconference regular meeting to be held on Thursday, August 6, 2020 at 9:00 A.M. Page 11 of 12 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, JULY 23, 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 12 of 12