Water Commission (now under Utilities Commission)

CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2020 WATER COMMISSION VIA TELECONFERENCE/WEB, 9:00 AM MINUTES Frank Martinez, President Robert Shannon, Secretary Arthur Levine, Vice President Gloria Cordero, Commissioner Naomi Rainey, Commissioner Christopher J. Garner, General Manager Richard Anthony, Deputy City Attorney REGULAR MEETING - 9:00 A.M. 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 except agenda item 4. was taken out of order before agenda item 3. CALL TO ORDER The Board of Water Commission regular meeting was called to order by President Martinez at 9:00 A.M. This regular 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. 20-190WA November 19, 2020 Board of Water Commission public comments. Page 1 of 10 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2020 WATER COMMISSION VIA TELECONFERENCE/WEB, 9:00 AM MINUTES President Martinez 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 November 19, 2020 Board meeting. President Martinez 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 Martinez wished everyone a fantastic, safe Thanksgiving holiday. GENERAL MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. Garner called on Ms. Weatherly for an update on the Historical Society Partnership Agreement and how the deliverables would need to change due to the COVID situation. She advised staff would be developing three different e-blasts to be sent out in the ext few weeks regarding water in conjunction with the Historical Society. Ms. Weatherly then provided an update on how staff would be developing an outreach strategy for community events in light of the COVID pandemic. She advised the department would be using video components to inform and educate the public. She advised these videos could be retained and used on an as-needed basis. Commissioner Rainey expressed concern about these internet-based products that would make it difficult for non-tech savvy constituents to receive this information. She also expressed concerns for non-English speakers to receive this information. Ms. Weatherly responded. President Martinez called for any other Commission comments or questions. Commissioner Cordero spoke about the changes to the Historical Society agreement. President Martinez spoke about the importance of outreach and connectivity with the community. There was a general discussion regarding the department use of community digital billboards. Page 2 of 10 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2020 WATER COMMISSION VIA TELECONFERENCE/WEB, 9:00 AM MINUTES Mr. Garner called on Ms. Croci for a report on a current grant application that staff is working on. Ms. Croci provided background information regarding the USBR grant that she noted could be used for the Water System Optimization study. She advised that if the grant was awarded to LBWD she would be bringing this item back to the Board at a later date. M. Garner introduced Mr. Robert Katzenberger, Superintendent of Water Services and advised the Board that he would be retiring effective November 19, 2020 with 31-1/2 year of service. Mr. Garner provided background information regarding Mr. Katzenberger's career at Long Beach Water. Mr. Katzenberger provided comments regarding his career at the Long Beach Water Department and the city. The Board members made congratulatory comments. Commissioner Cordero suggested that someone reach out to Mr. Saltzgaver to possibly write a story regarding Mr. Katzenberger's retirement. Mr. Garner advised he would contact Mr. Saltzgaver. REGULAR AGENDA 2. 20-191WA Recommendation to approve October 1, 2020 Board meeting minutes. President Martinez called for a motion to approve the October 1, 2020 Board of Water Commission meeting minutes. He called for any public comments. Hearing none he then called for a roll call vote. A motion was made by Secretary Shannon, seconded by Commissioner Rainey, to approve recommendation. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 5 - Gloria Cordero, Naomi Rainey, Robert Shannon, Art Levine and Frank Martinez Page 3 of 10 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2020 WATER COMMISSION VIA TELECONFERENCE/WEB, 9:00 AM MINUTES 4. 20-193WA Recommendation to adopt Specifications WD-13-20, and authorize the General Manager to execute an agreement with Golden Bell Products, Inc. to furnish and deliver sewer cleaning degreaser and lift station degreaser in an amount not to exceed $50,000 for a period of one year, and to authorize the General Manager to exercise the option to renew for two additional one-year periods, subject to a maximum annual increase of 4 percent. BUREAU: Operations NOTE: AGENDA ITEM 4. WAS TAKEN OUT OF ORDER BEFORE AGENDA ITEM 3. DUE TO TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES WITH THE PRESENTATION FOR AGENDA ITEM 3. Ms. Jennifer Rojas provided the staff report for this item and provided background information regarding the bid process. President Martinez inquired why there was only one bid. Ms. Rojas responded. President Martinez inquired if LBWD had worked with this vendor before. Ms. Rojas responded. President Martinez called for any public comment. Hearing none he called for a roll call vote. A motion was made by Vice President Levine, seconded by Commissioner Cordero, to approve recommendation. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 5 - Gloria Cordero, Naomi Rainey, Robert Shannon, Art Levine and Frank Martinez 3. 20-192WA Recommendation to authorize the General Manager to execute an agreement with Stantec Consulting Services Inc., to provide professional engineering services for the Recycled Water to Port of Long Beach via Harbor Area Infrastructure Feasibility Study, in an amount not-to-exceed $253,467. Page 4 of 10 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2020 WATER COMMISSION VIA TELECONFERENCE/WEB, 9:00 AM MINUTES BUREAU: Water Resources NOTE: AGENDA ITEM 3. WAS TAKEN OUT OF ORDER AFTER ITEM 4. DUE TO TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES. Ms. Rhee provided the staff report and reviewed a presentation with the Board. Commissioner Shannon inquired if either Mr. Garner or Mr. Falagan had served on the selection committee for this agenda item related to allocation costs/cost benefit analysis. Mr. Garner responded no. Mr. Falagan advised he had not directly been involved in the discussions. He then went on to explain his involvement. Mr. Garner commented on the non-availability of LBWD recycled water projects on the west side of the city. He further advised that this proposed project was a valuable partnership to bring recycled water to the west side. Commissioner Shannon inquired why LADWP was interested in this project. Ms. Rhee responded. Commissioner Shannon made additional comments. Mr. Wang provided comments regarding the selection committee and cost benefits. Commissioner Shannon made additional comments regarding cost benefits to LBWD, LADWP and the Port of Long Beach. Commissioner Cordero advised she supported this partnership project. President Martinez spoke regarding the proposed project. President Martinez welcomed the LADWP staff who were on the line to make comments. Commissioner Shannon reiterated his concerns that the costs for the study Page 5 of 10 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2020 WATER COMMISSION VIA TELECONFERENCE/WEB, 9:00 AM MINUTES and the project are shared equitably. President Martinez 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 Vice President Levine, seconded by Secretary Shannon, to approve recommendation. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 5 - Gloria Cordero, Naomi Rainey, Robert Shannon, Art Levine and Frank Martinez 5. 20-194WA Report of the Metropoitan Water District (MWD) Board Meeting held on November 10, 2020. Director Cordero provided a summary report regarding the November 10, 2020 Metropolitan Water District (MWD) Board meeting. She reminded the Board that a representative from MWD would be providing a presentation/report on the Delta Conveyance project at the LBWD December 3, 2020 Board meeting. She advised the Board that she would be sending them additional documents regarding the conveyance project. She advised the MWD Board is considering the planning and pre-construction costs for the project which is projected to cost $340 million dollars, with the MWD portion to be $81 million dollars. She advised here had been a lot of public comment regarding this project. She advised that she had taken part in a ZOOM meeting with the Sierra Club participants regarding the project. She reported that she had also participated in a teleconference with Tribal representatives from the Shasta area regarding how DWR and MWD are addressing their concerns regarding the conveyance project. She advised she had brought up the topics of community benefits and mitigation and how they might benefit the tribal concerns. She asked the LBWD commissioners to contact her regarding questions Page 6 of 10 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2020 WATER COMMISSION VIA TELECONFERENCE/WEB, 9:00 AM MINUTES or concerns they might have regarding the Delta Conveyance project. President Martinez call for any Commission comments or questions regarding this report. Hearing none he inquired about the status of the recruitment for the new MWD General Manager and ZOOM calls that are coming up regarding public input. Director Cordero advised that one session would be held in the evening and one during the day. President Martinez spoke about these ZOOM calls. Mr. Falagan spoke about increased public engagement for MWD Board meetings. Director Cordero spoke on this topic as well. President Martinez asked Director Cordero how many employees worked for MWD. Director Cordero said there were approximately 1,750 and noted that most are working remotely. Mr. Falagan also commented on the number of MWD employees. Director Cordero made additional comments regarding the recent white paper regarding the Delta Conveyance (that she noted she had shared with the LBWD Commissioners). She also reported that a number of people had inquired why MWD wasn't waiting for their most recent Integrated Resources Plan (IRP) to be completed before making a decision regarding the Delta Conveyance project Pase 1. President Martinez inquired why they had to re-study the tunnel project. Director Cordero and Mr. Falagan responded regarding a one tunnel project versus a two tunnel project. President Martinez called for any additional Commission comments or Page 7 of 10 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2020 WATER COMMISSION VIA TELECONFERENCE/WEB, 9:00 AM MINUTES questions. Hearing none he moved on in the agenda. CONSIDER STANDING COMMITTEE REFERRALS President Martinez called for any Standing Committee referrals. Hearing none he moved on in the agenda. NEW BUSINESS President Martinez called for any new business. Commissioner Shannon inquired if Mr. Anthony was on the line. Mr. Anthony responded yes. Commissioner Shannon inquired if the arguments for the Sacramento Prop 218 case would be taking place in December. Mr. Anthony responded yes, he believed the date to be December 17, 2020. Commissioner Shannon asked if City of Long Beach staff would be monitoring these proceedings. Mr. Anthony advised the City's counsel would be attending this hearing, or listening in if in-person attendance was not allowed. Commissioner Shannon asked if the City's counsel could report back to the LBWD Commission. It was agreed that a closed session regarding existing litigation would be scheduled after the January 7, 2021 board meeting. Commissioner Shannon noted there had been a number of problems with the GoToMeeting teleconference meeting platform so asked if staff had considered moving to a different platform such as ZOOM. Mr. Garner advised that staff would research this request and report back to the Board. Page 8 of 10 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2020 WATER COMMISSION VIA TELECONFERENCE/WEB, 9:00 AM MINUTES ADJOURNMENT President Martinez adjourned the meeting to the teleconference meeting of December 3, 2020 at 9:00 A.M. I, Sandy Fox, Executive Assistant to the Board of Water Commissioners, certify that the agenda was posted not less than 72 hours prior to the meeting. 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. Page 9 of 10 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 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 10 of 10