Water Commission (now under Utilities Commission)

CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 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 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 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; Richrd Anthony, Deputy City Attorney; Sandra Fox, Executive Assistant to the Board Commissioners Naomi Rainey, Robert Shannon, Art Levine and Frank Martinez Present: Commissioners Gloria Cordero Excused: 1. 21-057WA Recommendation to receive public comments for the April 15, 2021 Board of Water Commission Meeting. Page 1 of 11 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2021 WATER COMMISSION VIA TELECONFERENCE, 9:00 AM MINUTES President Martinez opened the public comment period and asked if any written public comments had been received. Ms. Fox advised no written public comments had been received for the April 15, 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 reported that Commissioner Cordero was absent from today's Board meeting as she was participating in three days of special Metropolitan Water District (MWD) meetings to interview candidates for the replacement of the MWD General Manager. He asked if these meetings were being held in closed session. Mr. Falagan responded yes. Commissioner Shannon inquired if these interviews were being conducted by the full MWD board. President Martinez advised these meetings were being conducted in closed session by the MWD Executive Committee, but that MWD Board members could dial in to listen but not verbally take part. President Martinez advised he would be providing a report later on in the agenda regarding the Infrastructure Committee meeting that held on April 7, 2021. President Martinez reminded the Commissioners regarding the April 23, 2021 Communications workshop that would begin at 9:00 A.M. GENERAL MANAGER'S REPORT Mr.Garner reported that the City Manager had sent out an e-mail to all employees advising them that successful negotiations had been held with all bargaining groups to advise the furlough program would be ending sooner (sometime in April 2021) rather than October 2021. Page 2 of 11 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2021 WATER COMMISSION VIA TELECONFERENCE, 9:00 AM MINUTES Mr. Garner reported that the City Manager had sent out an e-mail to all employees on April 14, 2021 ginvg them a 30-day notice that they could be called back to work their regular schedules. He advised this would probably be some type of hybrid work schedule with employees still working from home some days and then other days working from their offices. REPORT OF THE APRIL 7, 2021 INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE MEETING President Martinez, Member of the Infrastructure Committee provided a report of the April 7, 2021 meeting. The Committee reviewed the On-Call Engineering Support letter that was discussed at the April 1, 2021 Board meeting and clarified the contract language and dollar amounts. They agreed to refer this item back to the full Board at their May 13, 2021 Board meeting. President Martinez congratulated staff for recognizing the need to increase the On-Call Engineering Support bench. President Martinez reported that the Committee had received a lessons learned presentation led by Mr. Falagan in Mr. Wang's absence. He suggested that a follow-up report of this same subject be brought back to the full Board at a later meeting. At this point in the meeting Mr. Garner called on Mr. Tseng to make a staff promotion announcement. Mr. Tseng advised that Jennifer Rojas had been promoted to be Director of Sewer and Field Operations. He introduced Ms. Rojas and she made comments regarding her career. Commissioners made congratulatory comments. President Martinez inquired about her replacement. Mr. Garner made comments regarding the excellent work provided by Ms. Rojas as the supervisor in sewer. Mr. Garner announced that Ms. Lou Vargas who had recently retired from the Long Beach Water Department had recently accepted a position in Manhattan Beach. Page 3 of 11 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2021 WATER COMMISSION VIA TELECONFERENCE, 9:00 AM MINUTES REGULAR AGENDA 2. 21-058WA Review May 2021 Board meeting calendar. President Martinez asked the Commissioners to consider some potential budget workshop dates as they reviewed the May calendar. Mr. Sorensen advised potential budget workshops had been scheduled for the May 13th, May 27th, and June 10th meetings with the target of adopting the budget at the June 24, 2021 Board meeting. There was discussion regarding the May 13th Finance Committee for review of 2nd quarter financial data. Commissioner Shannon suggested that this information be reviewed by the entire Board rather than just the committee members. May Board meeting dates were set for May 13th and May 27th. At this point in the meeting President Martinez commented on the good job that Deputy City Attorney, Erin Weesner-McKinley had done at the April 1st meeting in place of Deputy City Attorney Anthony. 3. 21-059WA Recommendation to approve March 4, 2021 Board meeting minutes. President Martinez called for a motion to approve the March 4th Board meeting minutes. President Martinez called for any Commission comments, or any public comment. 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: 4 - Naomi Rainey, Robert Shannon, Art Levine and Frank Martinez Excused: 1 - Gloria Cordero Page 4 of 11 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2021 WATER COMMISSION VIA TELECONFERENCE, 9:00 AM MINUTES 4. 21-062WA Recommendation to adopt Request for Proposal (RFP) for Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) and Radio Communication Network Support Services and authorize the General Manager to enter into a contract with Mitra Automation Inc. to provide SCADA and radio communication network services in an amount not to exceed $750,000 over a three year period. BUREAU: Operations President Martinez introduced agenda item 4. Ms. Zhang provided a staff report and reviewed a presentation with the Board. President Martinez called for any Commission comments or questions. Commissioner Shannon requested that a SCADA field trip be scheduled after the COVID restrictions had been lifted. Commissioner Rainey asked if diversity had been considered when choosing the potential contractors. Mr. Garner responded. President Martinez advised he had been approached by a Veterans in Business group who advised that veterans considered for hiring were given special points by the Los Angeles Harbor Department, Long Beach Harbor Department and the Los Angeles Airport Commission. He asked that staff bring a report back to the Board advising how veterans are handled by other City and Water Department hiring scenarios. Commissioner Rainey also noted that any terminology that was covered in hiring issues should be reviewed by the City's Equity Officer. Mr. Garner responded. President Martinez inquired about the need for phasing the SCADA upgrades. Mr. Tseng responded to this inquiry. President Martinez suggested that the Infrastructure Committee could review some of the future SCADA projects to possibly move funding to accelerate the SCADA upgrades. He also inquired about potential state Page 5 of 11 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2021 WATER COMMISSION VIA TELECONFERENCE, 9:00 AM MINUTES and federal funding. President Martinez requested that Mitra provide a verbal presentation regarding SCADA prior to the requested field trip. Mr. Garner made comments regarding the CIP budget. A motion was made by Secretary Shannon, seconded by Vice President Levine, to approve recommendation. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 4 - Naomi Rainey, Robert Shannon, Art Levine and Frank Martinez Excused: 1 - Gloria Cordero 5. 21-060WA Recommendation to Authorize the General Manager to enter into seven (7) separate agreements for On-Call Engineering Support Services with (1) DRP Engineering, Inc., (2) JIG Consultants, (3) Kleinfelder, Inc., (4) Tetra Tech, Inc., (5) AKM Consulting Engineers, (6) GHD, Inc., and (7) Psomas for a period of four (4) years, and a total aggregate amount not-to-exceed $1,500,000, spread among the seven firms as needs arise. BUREAU: Engineering President Martinez introduced agenda item 5. Mr. Verceles provided a staff report and reviewed a presentation with the Board. President Martinez complimented staff on the clarifications that had been made to this item. Commissioner Shannon inquired if utilization of these contractors was a new philosophy being used by the engineering group to increase the use of outside contractors. Mr. Verceles responded. Commissioner Shannon inquired about increasing in-house staffing in engineering. Mr. Verceles and Mr. Garner responded. Page 6 of 11 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2021 WATER COMMISSION VIA TELECONFERENCE, 9:00 AM MINUTES Commissioner Levine inquired about the factors that are considered during the design of a project. Mr. Verceles responded. President Martinez inquired about the use of seven contractors, rather than an even number. Mr. Verceles responded. A motion was made by Commissioner Rainey, seconded by Secretary Shannon, to approve recommendation. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 4 - Naomi Rainey, Robert Shannon, Art Levine and Frank Martinez Excused: 1 - Gloria Cordero 6. 21-061WA Recommendation to authorize the General Manager to execute an agreement with AKM to provide engineering design services for the Arbor Street and Locust Avenue Sewer Improvement Project (SC-0373), in an amount not-to-exceed $302,867. BUREAU: Engineering President Martinez introduced agenda item 6. Ms. Huang-Wy provided a staff report. President Martinez called for any Commission comments or questions. He then called for any public comment. He then called for a motion and a roll call. A motion was made by Secretary Shannon, seconded by Vice President Levine, to approve recommendation. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 4 - Naomi Rainey, Robert Shannon, Art Levine and Frank Martinez Excused: 1 - Gloria Cordero Page 7 of 11 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2021 WATER COMMISSION VIA TELECONFERENCE, 9:00 AM MINUTES 7. 21-063WA Recommendation to authorize the General Manager to sign and file all necessary documents associated with the Community Power Resiliency Allocation from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services. BUREAU: Legislation & Grants President Martinez introduced agenda item 7. Ms. Croci provided the staff report. President Martinez complimented Ms. Croci for her work in obtaining these types of grants. He then called for any Commission questions or comments. Hearing none he called for any public comment. Mr. Garner also complimented Ms. Croci for her work in obtaining grant funding. President Martinez called for a motion and roll call vote. A motion was made by Commissioner Rainey, seconded by Secretary Shannon, to approve recommendation. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 4 - Naomi Rainey, Robert Shannon, Art Levine and Frank Martinez Excused: 1 - Gloria Cordero 8. 21-064WA Recommendation to adopt Resolution No. WD-1438 authorizing the General Manager to sign and file all necessary documents associated with the application for the United States Department of Interior Bureau of Reclamation Fiscal Year 2021 WaterSMART: Applied Science Grants for the Wellfield Management and Forecasting Tool. BUREAU: Legisltion & Grants President Martinez introduced agenda item 8. Ms. Croci provided a staff report. President Martinez called for any Commission comments or questions. He Page 8 of 11 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2021 WATER COMMISSION VIA TELECONFERENCE, 9:00 AM MINUTES then called for any public comment. Hearing none he called for a motion and a roll call. A motion was made by Secretary Shannon, seconded by Commissioner Rainey, to approve recommendation. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 4 - Naomi Rainey, Robert Shannon, Art Levine and Frank Martinez Excused: 1 - Gloria Cordero 9. 21-065WA Recommendation to receive report of the April 13, 2021 Metropolitan Water District Board of Directors Meeting President Martinez advised there would be no report since Director Cordero was absent. He advised any questions regarding this meeting could be held over to the next meeting. CONSIDER STANDING COMMITTEE REFERRALS President Martinez noted the May 13, 2021 Finance Committee meeting scheduled for 8:00 A. M. prior to the Board meeting on that date. He also reminded Mr. Garner and staff to be developing a list of shovel-ready projects that could be considered by the Infrastructure Committee for potential state and federal funding that may become available. NEW BUSINESS President Martinez made a motion to excuse Commissioner Cordero from the April 15, 2021 Board meeting. Commissioner Shannon seconded the motion. President Martinez called for Commission comments or questions. He then called for any public comment. Hearing none he called for a roll call vote. The motion carried with a 4-1 vote (Cordero absent). Page 9 of 11 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2021 WATER COMMISSION VIA TELECONFERENCE, 9:00 AM MINUTES ADJOURNMENT President Martinez adjourned the Board meeting at 10:13 A.M. to the next teleconference special Board meeting of April 28, 2021. Page 10 of 11 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 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 11 of 11