Water Commission (now under Utilities Commission)

CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2020 WATER COMMISSION VA 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 REGULAR MEETING 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. The agenda items were considered in the order presented. CALL TO ORDER The Board of Water Commission regular meeting was called to order by President Saltzgaver at 9:02 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. PUBLIC COMMENT 1. 20-145WA August 20, 2020 Board of Water Commission Meeting Public Comments Page 1 of 10 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2020 WATER COMMISSION VA TELECONFERENCE/WEB, 9:00 AM MINUTES 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 20, 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 it was important for the technical issues related to teleconference meetings to be resolved before the August 27, 2020 Prop. 218 Public Hearing takes place via teleconference. He tasked Mr. Garner, the General Manager to be sure these issues are resolved before the 27th public hearing. President Salzgaver requested that staff once again alert the public that the Prop. 218 public hearing will be taking place at 7:00 P.M. via teleconference, and to be sure that the links to the login information are properly noticed. He requested that this notice include information that the public may listen to the hearing (online or via telehone), as well as make public comments. President Saltzgaver commented on the August 19, 2020 LA Times article regarding groundwater and sea level rise. He requested that staff pursue this issue. GENERAL MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. Garner commented on the technical issues related to the upcoming August 27th Prop. 218 teleconference meeting. He asked President Saltzgaver when he would be arriving in Yosemite so that IT staff could test his connectivity for the teleconference meeting. President Saltzgaver advised he would be arriving in Yosemite Thursday afternoon and would hopefully be in his room no later than 5:30 P.M. He advised that Vice President Martinez has been put on alert for that meeting in case he would need to conduct in the absence of President Saltzgaver. Vice President Martinez advised he felt another test teleconference meeting should be scheduled before the Thursday, Prop. 218 hearing. President Saltzgaver agreed that might not be a bad idea. Commissioner Shannon made comments about the possibility that he and Commissioner Levine might be able to meet in the Board room the night of the hearing in case they had any technical issues that could be addressed by staff in person. Mr. Garner advised that staff would schedule another test teleconference meeting; and if Page 2 of 10 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2020 WATER COMMISSION VA TELECONFERENCE/WEB, 9:00 AM MINUTES technical issues continued for Commissioner Sannon and Commissioner Levine staff would arrange for some type of accommodation. Mr. Anthony, Deputy City Attorney commented on the quorum issue that had been raised regarding teleconference meetings versus in-person meetings and the lack of a notice mentioning that some Board members might be attending the meeting "in-person". He advised he would get back to staff regarding this matter later in the day. There was a pause in the meeting at this point due to technical issues being experienced by the General Manager. President Saltzgaver advised they would skip the rest of Mr. Garner's report until later in the meeting if his technical issues had been resolved. 2. 20-146WA Review Board meeting schedule for September 2020 Board meetings President Saltzgaver asked the Board if they were okay with the scheduled September meetings - September 3rd and September 17th. These dates were agreed upon. At this point in the meeting Mr. Garner advised he was joining the meeting via telephone due to his technical difficulties with his online log on. Commissioner Shannon also noted he had rejoined the meeting via phone since he had lost his online connection. President Saltzgaver requested that Mr. Garner continue with the balance of his General Manager's report at this point in the meeting. Mr. Garner provided an update on ongoing labor negotiations that had been taking place with the various labor groups. He noted all groups had agreed to the proposed furlough program, except for the IAM and supervisors. He advised these agreements would be taken to the Council on Tuesday, August 25th. REGULAR AGENDA 3. 20-147WA Recommendation to approve minutes of the June 18, 2020 Special Meeting & June 25, 2020 Regular Meeting President Saltzgaver called for any questions or comments regarding the Page 3 of 10 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2020 WATER COMMISSION VA TELECONFERENCE/WEB, 9:00 AM MINUTES June 18, 2020 Special Board meeting minutes and the minutes of the June 25, 2020 regular meeting. Hearing none he 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 Cordero, 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 4. 20-148WA Recommendation to approve Transfer of Funds by Journal Entry dated August 20, 2020. President Saltzgaver called for any Commission comments or questions regarding the Transfer of Funds. He then called for any public comment. Hearing none he called for a motion & 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 5. 20-149WA Recommendation to approve Retirement Order RO 6159. These items have become obsolete or unrepairable during the current year. These items will not be sold at auction. BUREAU: Business - Finance President Saltzgaver asked the City Attorney if items 5. - 7. could be considered at the same time. Mr. Anthony advised yes. Mr. Falagan provided a staff report for items 5. - 7. One motion was made to cover all three items. Page 4 of 10 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2020 WATER COMMISSION VA TELECONFERENCE/WEB, 9:00 AM MINUTES President Saltzgaver called for a roll call vote. A motion was made by Commissioner Martinez, 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. 20-150WA Recommendation to approve Retirement Order RO 6160. These items have become obsolete or unrepairable during the current year. Request that these items be removed from the department's Fixed Asset record and sold at auction. BUREAU: Business - Finance Mr. Falagan provided a staff report for items 5. - 7. One motion was made to cover all three items. A roll call vote was taken. A motion was made by Commissioner Martinez, 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 7. 20-151WA Recommendation to approve Retirement Order RO 6161. These items have become obsolete or unrepairable during the current year. These items will not be sold at auction. BUREAU: Business - Finance Mr. Falagan provided a staff report for items 5. - 7. One motion was made to cover all three items. A roll call vote was taken. Page 5 of 10 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2020 WATER COMMISSION VA TELECONFERENCE/WEB, 9:00 AM MINUTES A motion was made by Commissioner Martinez, 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 8. 20-152WA Recommendation to authorize the General Manager to execute a Developer’s Agreement with Taricco Corporation/Aquila 14 LLC for the construction of a New Potable Water Main, Water Service Connections and Appurtenances to serve a proposed Manufacturing Facility located at 2111 W. 14th Street (Development). BUREAU: Engineering Mr. Verceles provided the staff report. President Saltzgaver called for any Commissioner comments or questions. Hearing none he called for any ublic comment. 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: Yes: 5 - Harry Saltzgaver, Frank Martinez, Art Levine, Gloria Cordero and Robert Shannon 9. 20-153WA Recommendation to authorize the General Manager to sign and file all necessary documents associated with the WaterSMART: Drought Response Program Grant Agreement R19AP00108 from the US Bureau of Reclamation for the West Coast Basin Well 1 Project. BUREAU: Legislation & Grants At this point in the meeting Commissioner Shannon reconnected online to the teleconference meeting. He inquired what had been determined for the September Board meeting schedule. President Saltzgaver confirmed Sepember 3rd and September 17th as the meeting dates. Page 6 of 10 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2020 WATER COMMISSION VA TELECONFERENCE/WEB, 9:00 AM MINUTES Ms. Croci provided the staff report for agenda item 9. Pesident Saltzgaver called for any Commission comments or questions. He 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 10. 20-154WA Recommendation to authorize the General Manager to execute an amendment to Agreement WD-3288 with Climate Pro Mechanical, Inc., to extend heating, ventilation and air conditioning (AC) maintenance services through August 31, 2021, in an amount not to exceed $200,000. BUREAU: Operations Due to technical difficiulties Mr. Tseng was unable to provide the staff report for agenda item 10. President Saltzgaver asked Mr. Garner if the Treatment Plant was also included in this contact. Mr. Tseng responded yes. 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 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 11. 20-155WA Receive report regarding Metropolitan Water District August 18, 2020 Page 7 of 10 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2020 WATER COMMISSION VA TELECONFERENCE/WEB, 9:00 AM MINUTES Board meeting. Metropolitan Water District Director, Gloria Cordero Ms. Gloria Cordero, Director of the Metropolitan Water District provided a report about the August 18, 2020 MWD Board meeting. She advised that the MWD Board had made their selection of The Hawkins Group to pursue the selection of the new MWD General Manager. She advised the final list of qualified firms had been a total of five. She then provided background information regarding the selection criteria.. CONSIDER STANDING COMMITTEE REFERRALS President Saltzgaver called for any Standing Committee referrals. Commissioner Martinez inquired when a Finance Committee meeting could be scheduled. Mr. Sorensen advised that meeting could be scheduled for September 17th at 8:00 A.M. Commissioner Martinez made a motion to schedule the next Finance Committee meeting for September 17, 2020 at 8:00 A.M. Commissioner Levine seconded the motion. President Satzgaver called for any Commission comments or questions. He then called for any public comment. A roll call vote was taken; 5-0 was the vote. Motion carried unanimously. NEW BUSINESS President Saltzgaver called for any new business. He reported that so far only one Councilmember had requested a budget briefing. He advised that briefing would take place today with Councilmember Price. Hearing no further new business President Saltzgaver moved onto adjournment. ADJOURNMENT President Saltzgaver adjourned the meeting at 9:32 A.M. to the August 27, 2020 Special Page 8 of 10 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2020 WATER COMMISSION VA TELECONFERENCE/WEB, 9:00 AM MINUTES Meeting, Prop. 218 PUblic Hearing via teleconference at 7:00 P.M. Note: A digital recording of this meeting will be available at the Long Beach Water Department. The Long Beach Water Department provides reasonable accommodation in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. If a special accommodation is required, or if an agenda is needed in an alternative format, please call the Board of Water Commissioner Executive Assistant, 48 hours prior to the meeting at (562) 570-2302 or (562) 570-6626 (telecommunications for the deaf). The Board of Water Commission email: watercommission@lbwater.org is available for correspondence purposes. Written materials relating to any item on the Commission’s agenda which are submitted to the Commission after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at the Water Department Administration Offices located at 1800 E Wardlow Road, Long Beach, CA 90807. Page 9 of 10 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2020 WATER COMMISSION VA 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 10 of 10