Board of Public Utilities
Regular MeetingSanta Rosa, CA · August 17, 2023
Minutes
Council Chamber
City of Santa Rosa 100 Santa Rosa Avenue
Board of Public Utilities
Regular Meeting Minutes - Final
Thursday, August 17, 2023 1:30 PM
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Chair Galvin called the meeting to order at 1:31 p.m.
Present 5 - Chair Daniel Galvin III, Vice Chair William Arnone Jr., Board Member
Lisa Badenfort, Board Member Robin Bartholow, and Board Member
Mark Walsh
Absent 1 - Board Member Glen Wright
2. STATEMENTS OF ABSTENTION BY BOARD MEMBERS
Board Member Bartholow recused herself from Item 5.4 to prevent
any actual or perceived conflict of interest due to her employment
with the Farm Bureau.
3. STUDY SESSION
3.1 STUDY RESULTS FOR THE WATER SUPPLY ALTERNATIVES PLAN
Santa Rosa Water wishes to diversify and increase its potable urban
water supply portfolio to enhance its resiliency during Sonoma Water
supply shortages (particularly during droughts) or service interruptions
that could occur in catastrophic events. With expertise and assistance
from Woodard & Curran, the project team has completed a study of 18
water supply sources to assess their feasibility as new supply options.
The team also developed four portfolio alternatives (mixes of the most
feasible water supply options). In separate meetings, the study results
and the draft portfolio alternatives were presented to the Water Team,
the external Stakeholder Group, and the community to seek their input.
The feasibility study Technical Memorandum and a narrative
description of the Draft Portfolios were revised to integrate the
comments received. Staff and the consulting team will present the study
findings and draft portfolios to the Board of Public Utilities to seek input
before developing a Draft Water Supply Alternatives Plan.
Colin Close, Senior Water Resources Planner, and Katie Cole,
Project Manger consultant from Woodard Curran, presented the
study results for the Water Supply Alternatives Plan.
City of Santa Rosa
Regular Meeting Minutes
Page 2 of 5
Board of Public Utilities Regular Meeting Minutes - Final August 17, 2023
Staff answered Board Member questions and received comments.
4. MINUTES APPROVAL
4.1 July 20, 2023 - Special Meeting Minutes - DRAFT.
The July 20, 2023 Special Meeting Minutes were approved as
submitted.
4.2 July 20, 2023 - Regular Meeting Minutes - DRAFT.
The July 20, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes were approved as
submitted.
4.3 August 3, 2023 - Regular Meeting Minutes - DRAFT.
The August 3, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes were approved as
submitted.
5. STAFF BRIEFINGS
5.1 CREEK WEEK 2023
The Storm Water & Creeks section of Santa Rosa Water participates in
the regional recognition of "Creek Week and Pollution Prevention
Week" as a way to celebrate and clean up our local waterways and
educate the public on ways to prevent creek pollution.
A proclamation will be presented at City Council on September 12,
2023, proclaiming September 16 - 23, 2023, as “Creek Week and
Pollution Prevention Week”. To celebrate Creek Week, staff is
coordinating a beginner’s nature journaling class, a guided nature walk,
four underground culvert tours, a Tour de Creek bike ride, and local
creek cleanups along Prince Memorial Greenway. The Board may
discuss this item and give direction to staff.
Claire Myers, Storm Water and Creeks Manager, presented.
Staff responded to Board Member comments and questions.
5.2 DISINFECTION SYSTEM UPGRADE PROJECT UPDATE
Staff will brief the Board on the Disinfection System Upgrade Project
City of Santa Rosa
Regular Meeting Minutes
Page 3 of 5
Board of Public Utilities Regular Meeting Minutes - Final August 17, 2023
currently underway at the Laguna Treatment Plant. The Board may
discuss this item and give direction to staff.
Mike Prinz, Deputy Director of Regional Water Reuse Operations,
presented.
Board Member Walsh left the meeting at 3:15 p.m.
5.3 WATER SUPPLY UPDATE
Staff will update the Board on water supply issues. The Board may
discuss this item and give direction to staff.
Peter Martin, Deputy Director of Water Resources, presented.
5.4 UPDATE ON RUSSIAN RIVER WATER FORUM AND POTTER
VALLEY PROJECT
Staff will provide an update on the Russian River Water Forum, which is
a grant funded collaborative effort to identify water supply resiliency
solutions in response to the planned license surrender and
decommissioning of Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E’s) Potter Valley
Hydroelectric Project, as well as the recent proposal to PG&E from the
Mendocino County Inland Water and Power Commission, the Round
Valley Indian Tribes, and the Sonoma County Water Agency, to create a
regional entity that would advance a regional solution for preserving
flows in the Russian River and improving Eel River fisheries. The
Board may discuss this item and give direction to staff.
Due to loss of quorum, this item was continued to the next regularly
scheduled Board of Public Utilities meeting.
6. CONSENT ITEMS
A motion was made by Vice Chair Arnone, Jr., seconded by Board Member
Badenfort, to approve Consent Item 6.1.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Yes: 4 - Chair Galvin III, Vice Chair Arnone Jr., Board Member Badenfort and
Board Member Bartholow
Absent: 2 - Board Member Walsh and Board Member Wright
6.1 MOTION - MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN
City of Santa Rosa
Regular Meeting Minutes
Page 4 of 5
Board of Public Utilities Regular Meeting Minutes - Final August 17, 2023
SONOMA COUNTY WATER AGENCY, SANTA ROSA WATER,
NORTH MARIN WATER DISTRICT, VALLEY OF THE MOON WATER
DISTRICT AND THE CONSULATE GENERAL OF DENMARK IN
SILICON VALLEY TO STRENGTHEN COOPERATION AND
KNOWLEDGE SHARING RELATED TO CLIMATE RESILIENCE,
WATER MANAGEMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended by Santa Rosa Water that the
Board of Public Utilities (Board), by motion, approve the Memorandum
of Understanding Between Sonoma County Water Agency, Santa Rosa
Water, North Marin Water District, Valley of the Moon Water District,
and the Consulate General of Denmark in Silicon Valley to Strengthen
Cooperation and Knowledge Sharing Related to Climate Resilience,
Water Management and Environmental Policy (MOU) and authorize the
Board Chair to sign the MOU.
This Consent - Motion was approved.
7. REPORT ITEMS
None.
8. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA MATTERS
None.
9. REFERRALS
None.
10. WRITTEN COMMUNICATION (AND POSSIBLE BOARD DISCUSSION)
None.
11. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
None.
12. BOARD MEMBER REPORTS
Board Member Bartholow thanked Director Burke and staff for the
tour of the Geysers.
13. DIRECTORS REPORTS
Director Burke reported: The City is in the process of finalizing our
City of Santa Rosa
Regular Meeting Minutes
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Board of Public Utilities Regular Meeting Minutes - Final August 17, 2023
pathogen special study. This study analyzed any potential
pathogens that may exist in our recycled water ponds. Santa Rosa
Water staff gathered samples weekly for five months, which enabled
staff to analyze the bacteria in the ponds. The study showed that the
recycled water ponds are not a source of pathogenic bacteria
running into local water bodies. This study will be finalized and
submitted to the Regional Water Board before the due date of July
2024. Santa Rosa Junior College Dormitory Building opened for
students last Friday, August 11, and is being served by City water
and sewer. The 5-story, 352-bed dormitory building consists of
traditional single- and double-bed dorm rooms, along with
semi-suites (with in-suite bathrooms) and apartment type units (with
bathrooms and a kitchen). Following last month's meeting, when the
BPU approved the Water Service Agreement with Wright
Elementary School District, our Local crews set up a hydrant meter
to provide City water to Wright Elementary School, while the
process of completing the permanent connection continues. The
School District will be making the temporary connection from the
hydrant meter to the school water distribution system in the near
future.
14. ADJOURNMENT OF MEETING
Chair Galvin adjourned the meeting at 3:30 p.m. The next Board of
Public Utilities Meeting is scheduled for September 7, 2023.
Approved on: September 21, 2023
___/S/________________________
Easter Ledesma
Recording Secretary
Agenda
Council Chamber
City of Santa Rosa 100 Santa Rosa Avenue
BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES
REGULAR MEETING AGENDA AND
SUMMARY REPORT - FINAL
AUGUST 17, 2023
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC CAN PARTICIPATE IN THE MEETING BY
ATTENDING IN-PERSON FROM COUNCIL CHAMBER AT 100 SANTA
ROSA AVENUE OR VISITING
HTTPS://SRCITY-ORG.ZOOM.US/J/85294101130 LINK, OR BY DIALING
877-853-5257 AND ENTER WEBINAR ID: 852 9410 1130
THE MEETING WILL ALSO BE LIVE STREAMED AT
HTTPS://SANTA-ROSA.LEGISTAR.COM/CALENDAR.
CLICK ON THE "IN PROGRESS" LINK TO VIEW. THE MEETING CAN
ALSO BE VIEWED ON COMCAST CHANNEL 28 AND AT
HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/CITYOFSANTAROSA
The public attending in person or accessing the meeting through the
Zoom link will be able to provide public comment on agenda items at the
time an agenda item is discussed during the Board of Public Utilities
Meeting. Public Comment may also be submitted via e-mail at
bpu-comment@srcity.org or recorded voice message at 707-543-4224.
Deadlines and additional instruction for public comment are set forth
below. If you have any questions regarding this meeting, please contact
Michelle Montoya at mmontoya@srcity.org
1:30 PM - VIA IN-PERSON AND ZOOM
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
2. STATEMENTS OF ABSTENTION BY BOARD MEMBERS
3. STUDY SESSION
3.1 STUDY RESULTS FOR THE WATER SUPPLY ALTERNATIVES PLAN
Santa Rosa Water wishes to diversify and increase its potable urban
water supply portfolio to enhance its resiliency during Sonoma Water
City of Santa Rosa
Regular Meeting Agenda and Summary Report
Page 2 of 5
Board of Public Utilities - FINAL AUGUST 17, 2023
supply shortages (particularly during droughts) or service interruptions
that could occur in catastrophic events. With expertise and assistance
from Woodard & Curran, the project team has completed a study of 18
water supply sources to assess their feasibility as new supply options.
The team also developed four portfolio alternatives (mixes of the most
feasible water supply options). In separate meetings, the study results
and the draft portfolio alternatives were presented to the Water Team,
the external Stakeholder Group, and the community to seek their input.
The feasibility study Technical Memorandum and a narrative
description of the Draft Portfolios were revised to integrate the
comments received. Staff and the consulting team will present the study
findings and draft portfolios to the Board of Public Utilities to seek input
before developing a Draft Water Supply Alternatives Plan.
Attachments: Staff Report
Attachment 1 - Technical Memorandum
Attachment 2 - Draft Portfolios
Presentation (Uploaded 8.16.2023)
4. MINUTES APPROVAL
4.1 July 20, 2023 - Special Meeting Minutes - DRAFT.
Attachments: July 20, 2023 - Special Meeting Minutes - DRAFT
4.2 July 20, 2023 - Regular Meeting Minutes - DRAFT.
Attachments: July 20, 2023 - Regular Meeting Minutes - DRAFT
4.3 August 3, 2023 - Regular Meeting Minutes - DRAFT.
Attachments: August 3, 2023 - Regular Meeting Minutes - DRAFT
5. STAFF BRIEFINGS
5.1 CREEK WEEK 2023
The Storm Water & Creeks section of Santa Rosa Water participates in
the regional recognition of "Creek Week and Pollution Prevention
Week" as a way to celebrate and clean up our local waterways and
educate the public on ways to prevent creek pollution.
City of Santa Rosa
Regular Meeting Agenda and Summary Report
Page 3 of 5
Board of Public Utilities - FINAL AUGUST 17, 2023
A proclamation will be presented at City Council on September 12,
2023, proclaiming September 16 - 23, 2023, as “Creek Week and
Pollution Prevention Week”. To celebrate Creek Week, staff is
coordinating a beginner’s nature journaling class, a guided nature walk,
four underground culvert tours, a Tour de Creek bike ride, and local
creek cleanups along Prince Memorial Greenway. The Board may
discuss this item and give direction to staff.
Attachments: Presentation (Uploaded 8.16.2023)
5.2 DISINFECTION SYSTEM UPGRADE PROJECT UPDATE
Staff will brief the Board on the Disinfection System Upgrade Project
currently underway at the Laguna Treatment Plant. The Board may
discuss this item and give direction to staff.
Attachments: Presentation (Uploaded 8.16.2023)
5.3 WATER SUPPLY UPDATE
Staff will update the Board on water supply issues. The Board may
discuss this item and give direction to staff.
Attachments: Presentation (Uploaded 8.16.2023)
5.4 UPDATE ON RUSSIAN RIVER WATER FORUM AND POTTER
VALLEY PROJECT
Staff will provide an update on the Russian River Water Forum, which is
a grant funded collaborative effort to identify water supply resiliency
solutions in response to the planned license surrender and
decommissioning of Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E’s) Potter Valley
Hydroelectric Project, as well as the recent proposal to PG&E from the
Mendocino County Inland Water and Power Commission, the Round
Valley Indian Tribes, and the Sonoma County Water Agency, to create
a regional entity that would advance a regional solution for preserving
flows in the Russian River and improving Eel River fisheries. The
Board may discuss this item and give direction to staff.
Attachments: Presentation (Uploaded 8.16.2023)
6. CONSENT ITEMS
City of Santa Rosa
Regular Meeting Agenda and Summary Report
Page 4 of 5
Board of Public Utilities - FINAL AUGUST 17, 2023
6.1 MOTION - MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN
SONOMA COUNTY WATER AGENCY, SANTA ROSA WATER,
NORTH MARIN WATER DISTRICT, VALLEY OF THE MOON WATER
DISTRICT AND THE CONSULATE GENERAL OF DENMARK IN
SILICON VALLEY TO STRENGTHEN COOPERATION AND
KNOWLEDGE SHARING RELATED TO CLIMATE RESILIENCE,
WATER MANAGEMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended by Santa Rosa Water that the
Board of Public Utilities (Board), by motion, approve the Memorandum
of Understanding Between Sonoma County Water Agency, Santa Rosa
Water, North Marin Water District, Valley of the Moon Water District,
and the Consulate General of Denmark in Silicon Valley to Strengthen
Cooperation and Knowledge Sharing Related to Climate Resilience,
Water Management and Environmental Policy (MOU) and authorize the
Board Chair to sign the MOU.
Attachments: Staff Report
Attachment 1 - Memorandum of Understanding Between Sonoma County
7. REPORT ITEMS
None.
8. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA MATTERS
Live Public Comment: Members of the public can provide comment on an
agenda item in-person from the Council Chamber, by accessing the meeting
through the Zoom link, or by dial-in at the time an agenda item is discussed
during the Board of Public Utilities Meeting. Go to
https://srcity.org/virtualparticipation for more information.
Advance Public Comment:
E-mail Public Comment: To submit an e-mailed public comment to the Board
of Public Utilities, please send to: bpu-comment@srcity.org by 5:00 p.m.,
Wednesday, August 16. Identify in the subject line of your e-mail the agenda
item number(s) on which you wish to comment, provide your name in the body
of the e-mail and your comment. These comments will be e-mailed to all
Board Members, will be posted to the agenda documents on-line, and be
City of Santa Rosa
Regular Meeting Agenda and Summary Report
Page 5 of 5
Board of Public Utilities - FINAL AUGUST 17, 2023
made part of the archive packet.
Recorded Voice Message Public Comment: To submit a voice message
public comment, please call 707-543-4224 by 5:00 p.m., Wednesday, August
16. State your name, the agenda item number(s) on which you wish to
comment, and your comment. Recordings will be limited to 3 minutes.
Recorded comments may be played at the time that the agenda item is
discussed during the Board Meeting.
Recorded public comments on public hearing items may be played at the time
when the hearing is opened.
9. REFERRALS
None.
10. WRITTEN COMMUNICATION (AND POSSIBLE BOARD DISCUSSION)
11. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
12. BOARD MEMBER REPORTS
13. DIRECTORS REPORTS
14. ADJOURNMENT OF MEETING
The Board of Public Utilities encourages public comments regarding the above items. If you are unable to attend this meeting,
please feel free to call the Water Department at 543-4200 or forward written comments to the City of Santa Rosa, Water
Department, 35 Stony Point Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95401. All comments will be forwarded to the Board at the meeting.
The City of Santa Rosa does not discriminate against individuals with disabilities in its employment, services, benefits,
facilities, programs or activities. Requests for accommodations, auxiliary aids, or services necessary to participate in a City
program, service, or activity, including printed information in alternate formats, are available by contacting the Secretary at
(707) 543-3901 (TTY Relay at 711) or mmontoya@srcity.org. Requests should be submitted as far in advance as possible, but
no later than two business days before the scheduled meeting. Meeting information can also be accessed via the internet at
http://srcity.org.
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