Water Commission (now under Utilities Commission)

CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 2021 WATER COMMISSION VIA TELECONFERENCE, 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. 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 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 Acting Executive Assistant to the Board, Dynna Long took the roll call and confirmed a quorum. Also present: Christopher J. Garner, General Manager; B. Anatole Falagan, Assistant General Manager; Erin Weesner-McKinley, Deputy City Attorney; Dynna Long, Acting Executive Assistant to the Board. Commissioners Gloria Cordero, Naomi Rainey, Robert Shannon, Art Levine and Present: Frank Martinez Page 1 of 12 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 2021 WATER COMMISSION VIA TELECONFERENCE, 9:00 AM MINUTES PUBLIC COMMENT 1. 21-046WA Public Comments for April 1, 2021 Board of Water Commission Meeting President Martinez opened the public comment period and asked if any written public comments had been received. Ms. Long advised no written public comments had been received for the April 1, 2021 Board meeting. President Martinez then inquired if there was anyone from the public on the line who would like to speak. Hearing none he closed the public comment period. PRESIDENT'S REPORT President Martinez had no report. He did note that he had his appointment for his second COVID vaccination. GENERAL MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. Garner advised that the Mayor had reported that 85% of the seniors in Long Beach had been fully vaccinated. He reminded the Board to check their e-mail for the March 31, 2021 Carpi Clay federal legislative report. He commented on the following items from that report: 1); Advised COVID-19 Relief Package in the amount of $1.9 trillion had been approved by Congress and signed by the President; 2) $25 billion of this package has been set aside for Emergency Rental Assistance which will also allow for payments of utility bills that are in arrears. He advised staff is working with the City on this issue. He also reported there may be funding for water and infrastructure investment. He advised staff is working with the Mayor's office to get more information regarding this funding. He spoke about the LB CAP Program which will assist with utility (electric; gas and water) payments that are in arrears due to COVID. Page 2 of 12 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 2021 WATER COMMISSION VIA TELECONFERENCE, 9:00 AM MINUTES He also spoke regarding President Biden's proposed $3 trillion infrastructure plan which includes funding for water systems; affordable housing, etc. President Martinez asked Mr. Garner to comment on the percentage of LBWD employees who had been vaccinated. Mr. Garner responded that all LBWD employees had been given the opportunity to receive a vaccination, but employers were not able to inquire if an employee had actually been vaccinated. Mr. Verceles introduced the new engineering Manager of Facilities division, Wendy Chen. Ms. Chen provided her career background. Commissioners provided congratulatory comments. Ms. Zhang introduced Kevin Hoang, new Laboratory Services Officer for the Treatment Plant. Mr. Hoang provided his career background. Commissioners provided congratulatory comments. REGULAR AGENDA 2. 21-047WA Recommendation to approve the February 18, 2021 regular meeting minutes. President Martinez called for a motion to approve the February 18, 2021 Board meeting minutes. He called for any Commission comments or questions. Hearing none a roll call vote was taken. A motion was made by Secretary Shannon, 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 Page 3 of 12 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 2021 WATER COMMISSION VIA TELECONFERENCE, 9:00 AM MINUTES 3. 21-048WA Recommendation to Adopt Resolution No. WD-1437 authorizing the General Manager to sign and submit all necessary documents associated with the application for a grant agreement from the United States Bureau of Reclamation’s WaterSMART Grants: Small-Scale Water Efficiency Projects for the Direct Install Garden Program for Disadvantaged Communities Project. BUREAU: Legislation & Grants President Martinez introduced agenda item 3. Mr. Wang provided a staff report. He then thanked staff for their efforts in overseeing the Direct Install Garden Program for Disadvantaged Communities Project (DIG). He specifically mentioned the efforts of James Morgutia who had been managing the Conservation Programs. He noted that Mr. Morgutia would be leaving LBWD for a position with MWD in two weeks. President Martinez thanked Mr. Morgutia for his work with LBWD and wished him well with his new position. President Martinez called for any Commission questions or comments. Commissioner Cordero inquired if it would be helpful for the grant application submittal if staff would mention exact locations in the city where these programs would be utilized as pilot programs. Mr. Wang responded. Commissioner Cordero thanked Mr. Morgutia for his assistance with the Conservation programs while at LBWD. President Martinez called for any additional Commissioner comments or questions. He then called for any public comment. Hearing none he called for a motion. He then called for a roll call vote. A roll call vote was taken. A motion was made by Commissioner Rainey, 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 Page 4 of 12 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 2021 WATER COMMISSION VIA TELECONFERENCE, 9:00 AM MINUTES 4. 21-049WA Recommendation to authorize the General Manager to execute seven (7) separate three-year contracts for On-Call Engineering Support Services with DRP Engineering, Inc., JIG Consultants, Kleinfelder, Inc., Tetra Tech, Inc., AKM Consulting Engineers, GHD Inc., and Psomas, each in the amount of $1,500,000, with provision to extend for an additional period of one year, subject to the approval of the Board. BUREAU: Engineering President Martinez introduced agenda item 4. Mr. Vercles provided a staff report for this item. President Martinez called for any Commission comments or questions. Commissioner Cordero inquired if consideration of diversity had been used in the selection of the contractors. Mr. Verceles responded. President Martinez called for any other Commission comments or questions. Commissioner Shannon inquired if a departure in the selection process had been made for these contracts. Mr. Verceles responded. He noted that none of these contractors were guaranteed to receive money through this type of contract. He noted the $1.5 million was a total of the contract that could be shared for completed work amongst the seven contractors. Commissioner Shannon questioned the contract limits for the three previous contracts for this type of work. Mr. Verceles responded. Commissioner Shannon expressed concern regarding these types of contracts. He asked if staff would be bringing the individual contracts awarded under this contract back to the Board for Board approval. Mr. Verceles responded that the plan was for staff to provide annual reports on the various projects awarded to these contractors. Page 5 of 12 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 2021 WATER COMMISSION VIA TELECONFERENCE, 9:00 AM MINUTES Commissioner Shannon advised that due to the substantial amount of these contracts this item should be referred to the Engineering Committee [sic] (Infrastructure Committee) for review. Mr. Garner spoke. Commissioner Shannon noted that as the board letter action was currently written that a total of $10,500,000 could be awarded for these contracts. Mr. Verceles responded. Commissioner Shannon called for the Deputy City Attorney to comment on this issue. Ms. Erin Weesner-McKinley made comments. She noted that as the current recommendation was written that $1,500,000 could be awarded to each contractor. President Martinez suggested that this board item be re-drafted and brought back to the Board. Mr. Garner spoke. Commissioner Cordero advised she would like staff to take a second look at the diversity of the contractors and their employees. Commissioner Shannon advised this item should be discussed in committee before being brought back to the Board. Commissioner Shannon made a motion to refer this item to the Engineering Committee [sic] Infrastructure Committee. Commissioner Cordero seconded the motion. President Martinez called for a roll call vote. A roll call vote was taken. 5-0. President Martinez inquired if there was an urgency to having these contracts approved. Mr. Verceles commented on on-call pending projects. President Martinez asked Chair Levine to work with Ms. Long on dates to schedule an upcoming Infrastructure Committee meeting for this item to be discussed. Page 6 of 12 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 2021 WATER COMMISSION VIA TELECONFERENCE, 9:00 AM MINUTES Commissioner Shannon made additional comments. President Martinez called for any public comment. Hearing none he moved on in the agenda. This WA-Agenda Item was withdrawn. 5. 21-050WA Recommendation to authorize the General Manager to execute an Assignment and Amendment of Developer’s Agreement WD-2805 from Boeing Realty Corporation to Douglas Park Associates IV, LLC for the construction of New Potable Water Mains, New Sanitary Sewer Mains, New Reclaimed Water Mains, and Appurtenances to serve Douglas Park - Segment 7 Development. BUREAU: Engineering President Martinez introduced agenda item 5. Mr. Santos provided a staff report. President Martinez called for any Commission questions or comments. Hearing none he callled for any public comment He then called for a motion. A roll call vote was taken. A motion was made by Secretary Shannon, 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 6. 21-051WA Recommendation to authorize the General Manager to execute an Agreement with Harper & Associates Engineering, Inc., to provide Engineering Design and Construction Management Services for the Alamitos Tanks No. 8 and 10 Rehabilitation Project (EO-3558), in the amount not-to-exceed $284,780. BUREAU: Engineering President Martinez introduced agenda item 6. Ms. Chen provided a staff report. President Martinez called for any Commissioner questions or comments. Page 7 of 12 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 2021 WATER COMMISSION VIA TELECONFERENCE, 9:00 AM MINUTES Commissioner Shannon inquired if this type of contract required specialized skills. Ms. Chen responded yes. The Deputy City Attorney requested clarification on the motion makers. President Martinez responded. President Martinez called for any additional Commission comments or questions. He then called for any public comment. Hearing none he called for a roll call vote. A roll call vote was taken. A motion was made by Commissioner Cordero, 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 7. 21-052WA Recommendation to authorize the General Manager to execute an Agreement with Wood Rodgers, Inc., to provide Engineering Design and Construction Management Services for the Rehabilitation of Wells Commission 14 and Citizens 10 Project (EO-3553), in the amount not-to-exceed $568,831. BUREAU: Engineering President Martinez introduced agenda item 7. Ms. Chen provided a staff report. President Martinez called for any Commission questions or comments. Commissioner Shannon inquired if this contractor needed to have special expertise for this project. Ms. Chen responded yes. President Martinez called for any additional Commission questions or comments. He then called for any public comment. Hearing none he called for a roll call vote. A roll call vote was taken. Page 8 of 12 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 2021 WATER COMMISSION VIA TELECONFERENCE, 9:00 AM MINUTES 8. 21-053WA Receive verbal AMI Update. BUREAU: Water Resources President Martinez introduced agenda item 8. Mr. Wang provided a verbal report and reviewed a presentation with the Board. President Martinez called for any Commission comments or questions. Commissioner Shannon congratulated Mr. Wang on a terrific job regarding this project. Mr. Garner echoed that comment. He made additional comments regarding the AMI project. He also thanked Michael Herrbach (LBWD employee) for his work on the project in supervising the LBWD AMI fielld crew. Mr. Wang made comments. Commissioner Cordero congratulated Mr. Wang and his team for their work on this project. President Martinez made comments and thanked Mr. Wang for his work on this project. He requested that an AMI Lessons Learned presentation be added to the upcoming Infrastructure Committee agenda. President Martnez called for any additional Commission questions or comments. He then called for any public comment. Hearing none he noted this item would be filed. 9. 21-054WA Recommendation to authorize the General Manager to exercise the option to renew the contract with WaterSmart Software for a Water Efficiency Outreach and Customer Portal Solution for a period of one-year in an amount not to exceed $114,500. BUREAU: Water Resources President Martinez introduced agenda item 9. Mr. Wang provided a staff report. Page 9 of 12 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 2021 WATER COMMISSION VIA TELECONFERENCE, 9:00 AM MINUTES President Martinez called for any Commissioner questions or comments. Hen then called for any public comment. Hearing none he called for a motion. He then called for a roll call vote. A roll call vote was taken. 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 CONSIDER STANDING COMMITTEE REFERRALS President Martinez called for any Standing Committee Referrals. Hearing none, he acknowledged the pending Infrastructure Committee meeting (no date set yet) that had been discussed earlier in the meeting. NEW BUSINESS President Martinez called for any new business. Commissioner Shannon thanked Deputy City Attorney, Erin Weesner-McKinley for covering the Board meeting in Deputy City Attorney, Mr. Anthony's absence. ADJOURNMENT President Martinez read the Closed session language into the record: Closed session pursuant to California Government Code Section 54957(a) with Shaun Curtis, Manager, Security and Emergency Preparedness, to discuss and assess threats to public services or facilities. President Martinez called for any public comment. Hearing none he adjourned the Board to the closed session at 10:13 A.M. He reconvened the Board meeting at 11:32 A.M. and advised he had nothing to report from the Closed Session. Page 10 of 12 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 2021 WATER COMMISSION VIA TELECONFERENCE, 9:00 AM MINUTES President Martinez adjourned the Board meeting at 11:33 A.M. to the teleconference Board meeting on April 15, 2021 at 9:00 A.M. Page 11 of 12 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 2021 WATER COMMISSION VIA TELECONFERENCE, 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