Water Commission (now under Utilities Commission)

CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 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 REGULAR MEETING - 9:00 A.M. BOARD OF WATER COMMISSION MEETING VIA TELECONFERENCE & WEB PURSUANT TO EXECUTIVE ORDER N-29-20 ISSUED BY GOVERNOR NEWSOM WATER ADMINISTRATION BUILDING IS CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC PUBLIC WILL HAVE THE OPTION TO PROVIDE COMMENTS REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS BY E-MAILING THE BOARD AT: watercommission@lbwater.org August 6, 2020 Water Commission Board Meeting Please join our meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone. https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/195076021 You can also dial in using your phone. United States: +1 (571) 317-3122 Access Code: 195-076-021 New to GoToMeeting? Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts: https://global.gotomeeting.com/install/195076021 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. The agenda items were considered in the order presented. Page 1 of 14 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2020 WATER COMMISSION VIA TELECONFERENCE/WEB, 9:00 AM MINUTES CALL TO ORDER The Board of Water Commission meeting was called to order by President Saltzgaver at 9:00 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; Sandra Fox, Executive Assistant to the Board. Commissioners Harry Saltzgaver, Frank Martinez, Art Levine, Gloria Cordero and Present: Robert Shannon PUBLIC COMMENT 1. 20-133WA August 6, 2020 Board of Water Commission 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 August 6, 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 congratulated Commissioner Cordero on her recent appearance on CBS news regarding the plight of the Navajo Nation regarding water issues. President Saltzgaver advised the Unfinished Business item 2. for Los Alamitos Cottonwood event was being pulled from the agenda, since we had just learned that this event will be cancelled for 2020. Page 2 of 14 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2020 WATER COMMISSION VIA TELECONFERENCE/WEB, 9:00 AM MINUTES GENERAL MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. Garner reported that the City had just released their 2021 budget. He noted there was currently a $30 million shortfall in the General Fund which had led to cutbacks in all departments except for the Health Department which is mostly funded through grants. He advised of staff reductions in both Police and Fire, and noted the City is also reducing 136 positions throughout the city. He noted these reductions could lead to some layoffs, and possible seniority bumping in some classifications. He reported he had sent all Long Beach Water Department staff a memo regarding these reductions, and let them know in these instances the department would do everything to minimize any layoffs or bumping. He advised the proposed budget also includes twenty-six days of furlough which equals a 10% pay reduction for most employees. He noted there could be some exceptions for some operations staff at the Water Treatment Plant. He advised the City is still in ongoing discussions with the labor unions regarding these points. He advised that right now the plan is to close city facilities every other Friday (or payday Fridays). He advised the Water Department will probably follow this same schedule for most employees. President Saltzgaver inquired how the furloughs would affect the LBWD budget. Mr. Garner responded. President Saltzgaver advised the furlough had to be agreed to by all bargaining groups. Mr. Garner said that was correct - all eleven bargaining units would need to review and approve the furlough program. Mr. Garner commented on a recent news story regarding field employees at Los Angeles Department of Water and Power staying home since April, but still getting paid. He said in contrast the City of Los Angeles Public Works department staff are all back to work and fully functional. He reported that Long Beach Water Department field employees have been back to work since April, as well as Water Treatment staff. He also advised that a lot of the LBWD office staff has returned to work from previous work at home scenarios and operating under social distancing protocols. Page 3 of 14 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2020 WATER COMMISSION VIA TELECONFERENCE/WEB, 9:00 AM MINUTES Mr. Verceles introduced three new managers in the Engineering Bureau and provided education and employment background for each of them - Jinny Wang; Dennis Santos and Chris Pincherli. President Saltzgaver called for any Commission questions or comments related to Mr. Garner's report. Commissioner Shannon inquired if all City Hall field workers were also back to work. Mr. Garner responded. Commissioner Cordero commented on the three recent promotions within the department. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 2. 20-134WA Recommendation to authorize attendance and sponsor the Rancho Los Alamitos Foundation 9th Annual Cottonwood Awards Luncheon, honoring Bonnie Lowenthal, President of Port of Long Beach Board and honoring John Hancock with the Special Recognition Award at the Rancho Los Alamitos in Long Beach, California September 17, 2020 - new date. BUREAU: Executive This WA-Agenda Item was withdrawn. REGULAR AGENDA 3. 20-135WA Recommendation to approve Board of Water Commission meeting minutes for July 23, 2020 & August 6, 2020. Page 4 of 14 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2020 WATER COMMISSION VIA TELECONFERENCE/WEB, 9:00 AM MINUTES 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 4. 20-136WA Recommendation to authorize the General Manager to execute contracts with Eurofins Eaton Analytical Laboratories and Weck Laboratories, for professional laboratory services in a total combined amount not to exceed $350,000 over a three-year period (8/1/20 to 7/31/23). BUREAU: Operations Mr. Tseng provided a staff report. President Saltzgaver called for any Commission questions or comments. Commissioner Shannon inquired why the past expenditures for 2008 and 2011 were substantially higher. Mr. Tseng responded. Commissioner Shannon requested that staff further review this request and bring a report back to the Board. President Saltzgaver called for any public comment. Hearing none he called for a roll call vote. 5. 20-137WA Recommendation to authorize the General Manager to Execute a Change Order to Contract # WD-3435 with Aloha Island Cable, Inc., to increase fees to provide additional labor and material for the EO-3509 LBWD Fiber Optic Installation project, by $257,657, to an amount not-to-exceed $1,313,967. BUREAU: Operations Mr. Tseng provided the staff report for this agenda item. President Saltzgaver called for any Commission questions or comments. Page 5 of 14 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2020 WATER COMMISSION VIA TELECONFERENCE/WEB, 9:00 AM MINUTES Commissioner Shannon commented that the nature of the contract appeared to have substantially changed. He asked why this was not re-bid. Mr. Tseng responded. Commissioner Shannon asked Deputy City Attorney Anthony if he agreed to not have this contract re-bid. Mr. Anthony responded. Commissioner Martinez inquired if there was any specific issues (or items missed) that caused the need for the change order. Mr. Tseng responded. Commissioner MartineZ expressed his concern with the 20% change order increase. Mr. Tseng responded. President Saltzgaver expressed his concern with the project delay, especially in light of the speed that technology is changing so quickly, and the possibility that in the meantime technology might change to WiFi. Mr. Tseng responded. President Saltzgaver called for any public comment. Hearing none he called for a roll call vote. A motion was made by Commissioner Martinez, seconded by Commissioner Shannon, to approve recommendation. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 5 - Harry Saltzgaver, Frank Martinez, Art Levine, Gloria Cordero and Robert Shannon 6. 20-138WA Recommendation to Authorize Appointment of Jillian Croci, as Member, and Christopher J. Garner, B. Anatole Falagan, and Tai Tseng, as Alternate Members to the Governing Board of the Los Angeles Gateway Region Integrated Regional Water Management Joint Powers Authority Page 6 of 14 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2020 WATER COMMISSION VIA TELECONFERENCE/WEB, 9:00 AM MINUTES by adopting Resolution WD-1433. BUREAU: Executive Mr. Falagan provided the staff report for this agenda item. Commissioner Cordero inquired if the City of Long Beach also had a representative on this Board. Mr. Falagan responded. Mr. Garner also commented. Commissioner Cordero inquired if Orange County has a similar Board like GWMA. Mr. Falagan responded. President Saltzgaver called for any other Commission comments or questions. 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, Gloria Cordero and Robert Shannon 7. 20-139WA Recommendation to authorize the General Manager to execute all documents necessary, including any as-needed contracts, for the relinquishment of the Long Beach Water Department's right of first refusal, permitting the sale of real property, located in the City of Long Beach and the City of Lakewood, lying immediately north of Cover Street, bounded on the east by Heinemann Avenue, and the Long Beach Airport on the south and west (APN’s 7149-001-052, 7149-003-010, 7149-016-001 through 004, 7149-017-006 and 007), and owned by The Boeing Company (successor by merger to McDonnell Douglas Corporation). BUREAU: Administration Page 7 of 14 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2020 WATER COMMISSION VIA TELECONFERENCE/WEB, 9:00 AM MINUTES Mr. Bott provided a verbal staff report and reviewed a presentation with the Board. President Saltzgaver called for any Commission comments or questions. He then called for any public comment. President Saltzgaver noted since this was a real estate matter the Board had previously met in closed session regarding this item. President Saltzgaver 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, Gloria Cordero and Robert Shannon 8. 20-140WA Recommendation to authorize the General Manager to execute all necessary documents to convert 6,434.35 acre-feet of Central Basin carryover to storage in an amount not to exceed $2,348,538. BUREAU: Water Resources Mr. Wang provided a staff report for agenda items 8. and 9. and reviewed a presentation with the Board. Commissioner Shannon requested a description of what retired water rights means. Mr. Wang responded. President Saltzgaver noted that the two agenda items would need to be voted on separately, but advised questions or comments could be taken together. Commissioner Martinez thanked Mr. Wang for the detailed explanation, and complimented him on planning ahead during these uncertain fiscal times. President Saltzgaver commented on the reason LBWD was purchasing MWD water while LBWD has water in storage. Page 8 of 14 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2020 WATER COMMISSION VIA TELECONFERENCE/WEB, 9:00 AM MINUTES Mr. Wang responded. President Saltzgaver called for a roll call vote on agenda item 8. 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 9. 20-141WA Recommendation to authorize the General Manager to execute an Agreement to lease 1,946.59 acre-feet of Allowable Pumping Allocation to the City of Lakewood for the period of July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020 and to execute an Agreement to lease 1,946.59 acre-feet of Allowable Pumping Allocation from the City of Lakewood for the period of July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021. BUREAU: Water Resources The staff report and discussion for agenda item 9. was combined with agenda item 8. President Saltagaver called for a motion. He then called for any 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. 20-142WA Recommendation to authorize the General Manager to execute the Letter of Intent to collaborate with the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California on future agreements for the purchase and delivery of advanced treated recycled water. BUREAU: Water Resources Mr. Wang provided a staff report for agenda item 10. Page 9 of 14 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2020 WATER COMMISSION VIA TELECONFERENCE/WEB, 9:00 AM MINUTES President Saltzgaver called for any Commission comments or questions. He then called for any public comment. 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, Gloria Cordero and Robert Shannon 11. 20-143WA Recommendation to authorize the General Manager to execute a Memorandum of Agreement with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) and a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Port of Long Beach (POLB) regarding a feasibility study to convey recycled water to the POLB area. BUREAU: Water Resources Mr. Wang provided introductory comments regarding agenda item 11. He noted that the partners regarding this item were also online: James Vernon, Port of Long Beach; Jesus Gonzalez and Brianna Plancarte from Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. Ms. Rhee provided the staff report and reviewed a presentation with the Board. Mr. James from the Port of Long Beach made comments. President Saltzgaver called for any Commission comments or questions. Commissioner Martinez commented. He also requested that staff provide interim reports to the Board regarding this project. Commissioner Shannon inquired who in the Port Area would benefit from this project. Mr. Wang advised this project would not only serve Port tenants, but also could become available to other agencies in the area. Ms. Rhee made additional comments. Page 10 of 14 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2020 WATER COMMISSION VIA TELECONFERENCE/WEB, 9:00 AM MINUTES Mr. Garner spoke. Commissioner Cordero commented on the collaborative partnerships. President Saltzgaver called for a motion. He then 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 12. 20-144WA AMI UPDATE - VERBAL REPORT BUREAU: Water Resources Mr. Wang provided a verbal report and reviewed a presentation with the Board. He explained how the COVID-19 crisis had affected the install and completion dates. Commissioner Martinez inquired if it might be necessary to dip into the contingency fund in light of the affect of COVID on the project. Mr. Wang responded. President Saltzgaver inquired if LBWD staff is trouble-shooting the problem meter boxes as previously discussed. Mr. Wang responded yes. Commissioner Martinez mentioned that an employee wearing a CORIX vest had been working in his neighborhood. Mr. Wang provided an explanation regarding the use of CORIX employees in assisting with some of the easier meter box problems. President Saltzgaver asked if he radio control tower technology installation was completed. Page 11 of 14 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2020 WATER COMMISSION VIA TELECONFERENCE/WEB, 9:00 AM MINUTES Mr. Wang responded yes, and noted that over half of the water customers were being billed through the AMI system. President Salatzgaver called for any other Commission comments or questions. He then called for any public comment. Hearing none he moved on in the agenda. CONSIDER STANDING COMMITTEE REFERRALS President Saltzgaver called for any Standing Committee referrals. Hearing none he moved on in the agenda. NEW BUSINESS President Saltzgaver called for any new business. Commissioner Shannon advised it is very important that any technical glitches with the GoToMeeting platform needs to be resolved before the August 27, 2020 Prop. 218 public hearing. President Saltzgaver reported that he will be out of town in Yosemite on August 27th, but plans to run the Prop. 218 hearing from that location. He alerted Vice President Martinez that he should be prepared to take over that meeting in case there were any technical glitches from President Saltzgaver's location that evening. Commissioner Martinez asked MWD Director Cordero if she had any updates on the Metropolitan Water District search for a new General Manager. Director Cordero advised she had no news, but advised there is a meeting taking place next week, so she will have something to report after that. Commissioner Shannon inquired who else besides himself was attending todoay's commission meeting via telephone. Commissioner Levine also advised he was on the line attending the meeting via telephone. President Saltzgaver asked staff how many written Prop. 218 protests had been received. Ms. Fox advised a total of 285 protests had been received as of today's date. Page 12 of 14 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2020 WATER COMMISSION VIA TELECONFERENCE/WEB, 9:00 AM MINUTES ADJOURNMENT Preident Saltzgaver adjourned the Board meeting at 10:27 A.M. to the next regular teleconference meeting taking place on August 20, 2020 at 9:00 A.M. Page 13 of 14 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 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 14 of 14