Water Commission (now under Utilities Commission)

CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 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. BOARD OF WATER COMMISSION REGULAR 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 December 3, 2020 Water Commission Board Meeting Please join mour meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone. https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/266253277 You can also dial in using your phone. United States: +1 (669) 224-3412 Access Code: 266-253-277 New to GoToMeeting? Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts: https://global.gotomeeting.com/install/266253277 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 that agenda item 5. was taken after Public Comment. Page 1 of 10 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2020 WATER COMMISSION VIA TELECONFERENCE/WEB, 9:00 AM MINUTES 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. Commissioners Gloria Cordero, Naomi Rainey, Robert Shannon, Art Levine and Present: Frank Martinez 1. 20-195WA Recommendation to receive public comment for the December 3, 2020 Board meeting. 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 December 3,2020 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. NOTE AGENDA ITEM 5. WAS TAKEN OUT OF ORDER AT THIS POINT IN THE AGENDA. 5. 20-199WA Recommendation to adopt Resolution No. WD-1436 and authorize the General Manager to enter into a contract with Bailey Valve Inc. for the repair of two existing sleeve valves and the procurement of an additional new sleeve valve as backup in an amount not to exceed $632,500. BUREAU: Operations Page 2 of 10 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2020 WATER COMMISSION VIA TELECONFERENCE/WEB, 9:00 AM MINUTES Mr. Tseng provided the staff report and reviewed a presentation with the Board. President Martinez called for any Commissioner questions or comments. Commissioner Rainey inquired about a routine maintenance schedule for these types of valves. Mr. Tseng responded. Commissioner Rainey made additional comments regarding the maintenance records for these valves. Mr. Tseng responded. Commissioner Cordero requested information regarding repairing the valve rather than replacing it. Mr. Tseng responded. Commissioner Shannon inquired why this item had not been brought to the Board earlier for review and action. Mr. Tseng responded. Mr. Garner spoke regarding his expenditure authority as it related to this original repair. Commissioner Shannon inquired how old these valves are and requested explanation for reason to replace both valves. Mr. Tseng responded they are almost forty years old. He then described the reasoning behind replacing both of the valves. President Martinez asked if any of these valves had needed maintenance in the last five to ten years. Mr. Tseng responded no. President Martinez noted that an assessment needed to be made immediately regarding this type of equipment. He then inquired about the Page 3 of 10 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2020 WATER COMMISSION VIA TELECONFERENCE/WEB, 9:00 AM MINUTES normal life span of these types of valves. Mr. Tseng responded that these types of valves are warranted for twenty-five years. President Martinez recommended that staff make more frequent checks of this type of equipment that is twenty-five years or older. He also inquired if there were other local agencies who might have this type of equipment to assist in LBWD repairs. Mr. Tseng responded. Commissioner Cordero made additional comments regarding these types of valves. Mr.Tseng responded. Commissioner Cordero inquired how emergency repairs are approved. Mr. Tseng responded. Commissioner Cordero requested that staff bring a valve assessment report back to the Board at a later date. Mr. Garner made comments regarding this valve repair/replacement. President Martiinez called for any additional comments or questions from the Board. Hearing none he called for a motion. He then called for any public comment. Mr. Dave Shukla (member of the public) commented on the toxins being released into the environment from wildfires. Mr. Garner responded. Mr. Tseng provided information regarding LBWD water quality testing. Hearing no further comments President Martinez called for a roll call vote. Page 4 of 10 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2020 WATER COMMISSION VIA TELECONFERENCE/WEB, 9:00 AM MINUTES A motion was made by Commissioner Cordero, seconded by Vice President Levine, to approve recommendation. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 5 - Gloria Cordero, Naomi Rainey, Robert Shannon, Art Levine and Frank Martinez 2. 20-196WA Recommendation to receive Bay Delta Conveyance report. President Martinez announced agenda item 2. - Bay Delta Conveyance Report. He called on Mr. Falagan for introductory comments. Mr. Stephen Arakawa, Metropolitan Water District Manager of Bay Delta In Initiatives provided a report to the Board and reviewed a presentation. President Martinez asked if Mr. Falagan had anything to add to the report. Mr. Falagan responded. Mr. Garner commented on the links provided in the last slide of the presentation for excellent reference background information. Commissioner Rainey inquired about the EIR related to this project. Mr. Arakawa responded. Commissioner Rainey made additional comments regarding the EIR for the one tunnel project. Mr. Arakawa made follow-up comments. Commissioner Cordero commented on the pending project and inquired why the Feather River agency did not choose to participate in this plan. Mr. Arakawa responded. Commissioner Cordero made comments regarding how this project will affect Native tribes in the area of the project. Mr. Arakawa responded. Page 5 of 10 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2020 WATER COMMISSION VIA TELECONFERENCE/WEB, 9:00 AM MINUTES Commissioner Cordero commented on her recent discussion as an MWD Director with the Tribal Engagement officer from the Department of Water Resources regarding the project's potential impact on Native tribes. Mr. Arakawa responded. Commissioner Cordero also spoke about the Sierra Club concerns regarding the proposed Bay Delta conveyance project. Mr. Arakawa commented . President Martinez inquired if MWD Director Cordero needed any additional input from the Board of Water Commissioners regarding the upcoming MWD vote that will take place on December 8th, 2020. Commissioner Cordero responded. Mr. Falagan provided background information regarding what the MWD Board would be voting on at their December 8, 2020 Board meeting. At this point in the meeting Deputy City Attorney Anthony reminded President Martinez to call for any public comment. President Martinez called for public comment regarding this agenda item. Hearing none he moved on in the agenda. PRESIDENT'S REPORT President Martinez commented on the recent City of Los Angeles revised Safer at Home Order. He requested that Mr. Garner provide information regarding current health orders that are in place that affect the City of Long Beach. Mr. Garner responded. He also mentioned the change in quarantine protocols that have been put in place by the Long Beach Health Department related to positive COVID cases for city employees and how this is affecting LBWD employees. President Martinez inquired about the possibility of utility shutoffs (including water) for businesses that are in violation of the current LA County health order. Mr. Garner responded. Page 6 of 10 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2020 WATER COMMISSION VIA TELECONFERENCE/WEB, 9:00 AM MINUTES Mr. Garner also reported on the distinct possibility that a decision will be made soon to reinstate water shutoffs for the customers who have not been paying their bills. He reminded the Board that these shutoffs have been on hold since mid-March. He advised he would keep the Board updated on this situation. GENERAL MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. Garner reported on preliminary information regarding vaccinations in the City of Long Beach and how these vaccinations would be distributed. He also commented on questions related to whether agencies could require their employees to be vaccinated. REGULAR AGENDA 3. 20-197WA Recommendation to approve October 15, 2020 and October 29, 2020 Board meeting minutes. President Martinez called for a motion to approve the October 15, 2020 and October 29,2020 Board meeting minutes. He then called for any questions or comments from the public. 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 4. 20-198WA Recommendation to receive The Gualco Group's Annual State Legislative Update BUREAU: Legislation & Grants Ms. Jillian Croci made introductory comments. Mr. Jackson Gualco and Ms. Kendra Daijogo provided the annual 2020 State Legislative update. Page 7 of 10 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2020 WATER COMMISSION VIA TELECONFERENCE/WEB, 9:00 AM MINUTES They also commented on the upcoming appointment in the Senate to replace the seat being vacated by Kamala Harris, and how this could create a ripple effect depending on who will be appointed. President Martinez called for any Commission comments or questions. Commissioner Cordero expressed her concerns regarding local legislative officials who do not seem to be engaged in water issues. Mr. Gualco responded. Commissioner Cordero inquired about involvement with the local officials regarding the Delta Conveyance project. Mr. Gualco commented regarding this issue. Mr. Gualco advised the Board that later on in the day revised health guidance from the state will be coming related to ICU capacity. President Martinez called for any public comment regarding this report. Hearing none he moved on in the agenda. NOTE: AGENDA ITEM 5. WAS CONSIDERED EARLIER IN THE AGENDA. 6. 20-200WA Recommendation to receive Grant Funding Update. BUREAU: Legislation & Grants Ms. Jillian Croci provided a Grant Update and presentation. President Martinez recommended including a matching funds column in the Grant Update report. President Martinez called for any comments or questions from the Board. Hearing none he called for any public comment. No public comment was provided so he moved on in the agenda. Page 8 of 10 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2020 WATER COMMISSION VIA TELECONFERENCE/WEB, 9:00 AM MINUTES 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. Hearing none he moved on in the agenda. ADJOURNMENT President Martinez adjourned the meeting at 10:55 A.M. to the December 3, 2020 teleconference board meeting. Page 9 of 10 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 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