Board of Public Utilities

Council Chamber City of Santa Rosa 100 Santa Rosa Avenue Board of Public Utilities Regular Meeting Minutes - Final Thursday, June 5, 2025 1:30 PM 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Chair Galvin called the meeting to order at 1:32 p.m. Present 7 - Chair Daniel Galvin III, Vice Chair William Arnone Jr., Board Member Lisa Badenfort, Board Member Robin Bartholow, Board Member Duane De Witt, Board Member J. Matthew Mullan, and Board Member Glen Wright 2 REMOTE PARTICIPATION UNDER AB 2449 (IF NEEDED) None. 3. STATEMENTS OF ABSTENTION BY BOARD MEMBERS None. 4. STUDY SESSION None. 5. MINUTES APPROVAL 5.1 May 15, 2025 - Regular Meeting Minutes - DRAFT The May 15, 2025 Regular Meeting Minutes were approved as submitted. 6. STAFF BRIEFINGS 6.1 FEMA FLOOD RISK MAPPING PROJECT FOR THE SANTA ROSA CREEK WATERSHED Staff will present the latest update on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Santa Rosa Creek Watershed Flood Risk Mapping Project. The multi-year FEMA project will map high-risk flood areas in the Watershed. The Board may discuss this item and give direction to staff. Claire Myers, Storm Water and Creeks Manager, and Jimmy Bliss, Chief Building Official, presented and answered Board Member City of Santa Rosa Regular Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 9 Board of Public Utilities Regular Meeting Minutes - Final June 5, 2025 questions. Janice Carmen asked questions regarding FEMA taking in the waterways infrastructure, the flood channels, and easements that have already been taken care with regards to floods. 6.2 2024 WATER QUALITY REPORT UPDATE Staff will provide an overview of Santa Rosa’s 2024 water quality report, including information on Santa Rosa’s water supply, distribution system, drinking water regulatory requirements, and 2024 water quality results. The Board may discuss this item and provide direction to staff. Tony Llamas, Water Quality Manager, presented and answered Board Member questions. Janice Carmen spoke regarding how lucky Santa Rosa is to have high quality water. 6.3 WATER AND RECYCLED WATER SUPPLY UPDATE Staff will update the Board on water and recycled water supply issues. The Board may discuss this item and give direction to staff. Peter Martin, Deputy Director - Water Resources, presented and answered Board Member questions. 7. CONSENT ITEMS A motion was made by Vice Chair Arnone, Jr., seconded by Board Member Mullan, to approve Consent Item 7.1. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 7 - Chair Galvin III, Vice Chair Arnone Jr., Board Member Badenfort, Board Member Bartholow, Board Member De Witt, Board Member Mullan and Board Member Wright 7.1 MOTION - APPROVAL OF A FIRST AMENDMENT TO PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT FOR LEGAL SERVICES WITH MINASIAN LAW RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended by the City Attorney’s Office and Santa Rosa Water that the Board of Public Utilities, by motion,1) City of Santa Rosa Regular Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 9 Board of Public Utilities Regular Meeting Minutes - Final June 5, 2025 approve a First Amendment to Professional Services Agreement (PSA) number F002930 with the law firm of Minasian Law, LLC for outside legal services for Santa Rosa Water in the amount of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000), for a total contract not to exceed amount of two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000), subject to approval as to form by the City Attorney, and 2) delegate authority to the City Attorney to execute the First Amendment. This Consent - Motion was approved. 8. REPORT ITEMS 8.1 REPORT - RECOMMEND TO CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL OF THE REVISED PUBLIC STORM DRAIN STANDARDS AND DELEGATE APPROVAL AUTHORITY FOR FUTURE REVISIONS TO THE BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES BACKGROUND: The Public Storm Drain Standards (Standards) set forth the design policies and construction methods associated with additions and modifications to the public storm drain infrastructure. The standards, details, and specifications require routine revisions to ensure that new installations and modifications are consistent with various regulations, references, industry best practices, industry needs, and operational needs to serve the community’s urban environment. The delegation of approval authority is consistent with the general policy and management authority over the public storm drain infrastructure granted to the Board under Section 25 of the Charter of the City of Santa Rosa (City) and City Council Resolution RES-2017-177, which delegated approval authority of the Potable Water, Recycled Water, and Sewer Design Standards, Construction Standards, and Construction Specifications to the Board of Public Utilities (BPU). RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended by Santa Rosa Water and the Planning and Economic Development Department that the Board of Public Utilities, by motion, recommend the Santa Rosa City (City) Council adopt, by resolution, the revised Public Storm Drain Standards as presented with an effective date 30 days from the date of adoption and delegate authority to the Board of Public Utilities to adopt future revisions to the standards. Flannery Banks, Supervising Engineer, and Cleve Gurney, Deputy City of Santa Rosa Regular Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 9 Board of Public Utilities Regular Meeting Minutes - Final June 5, 2025 Director - Development Services, presented and answered Board Member questions. Board Member Bartholow left Council Chamber at 2:44 p.m. A motion was made by Vice Chair Arnone, Jr., seconded by Board Member Wright, to approve the recommendation to the Santa Rosa City (City) Council to adopt, by resolution, the revised Public Storm Drain Standards as presented with an effective date 30 days from the date of adoption and delegate authority to the Board of Public Utilities to adopt future revisions to the standards. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 6 - Chair Galvin III, Vice Chair Arnone Jr., Board Member Badenfort, Board Member De Witt, Board Member Mullan and Board Member Wright Absent: 1 - Board Member Bartholow 8.2 REPORT - UPDATE TO 2018 WATER AND SEWER STANDARDS AND SPECIFICATIONS BACKGROUND: Santa Rosa Water’s Design and Construction Standards (Standards) provide the specifications for designing and constructing additions and modifications to the public water and sewer systems. In October of 2018, the Board, via Resolution No. 1180, last approved an update to Santa Rosa Water’s current Standards. Santa Rosa Water was a participant in U.S. et al., ex rel. Hendrix v. J M Manufacturing Co., Inc., et al., Case No. EDCV 06 0055 GW (C.D. of CA) (“Action”), and therefore, the current Standards include a restriction on the use of PVC pipe manufactured by J M Manufacturing and JM Eagle. In May 2025, the City entered into an agreement settling the Action, and the settlement requires the City to remove the restrictions on J M Manufacturing and JM Eagle. RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended by Santa Rosa Water and the City Attorney's Office that the Board of Public Utilities, by resolution, approve updates to the Water Distribution System Design Standards, the Water Distribution System Construction Standard Specifications, and the Sanitary Sewer System Construction Standard Specifications, removing the restricted use of J M Manufacturing or JM Eagle pipe. City of Santa Rosa Regular Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 9 Board of Public Utilities Regular Meeting Minutes - Final June 5, 2025 Andy Allen, Supervising Engineer, presented and answered Board Member questions. A motion was made by Board Member Wright, seconded by Board Member De Witt, to waive reading of the text and adopt RESOLUTION NO. RES-2025-007 ENTITLED: RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES ADOPTING THE REVISED AND UPDATED WATER AND SEWER STANDARDS AND SPECIFICATIONS. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 6 - Chair Galvin III, Vice Chair Arnone Jr., Board Member Badenfort, Board Member De Witt, Board Member Mullan and Board Member Wright Absent: 1 - Board Member Bartholow 8.3 REPORT - RECOMMENDATION TO CITY COUNCIL FOR CONSIDERATION OF COUNCIL’S DIRECTION TO ITS WATER ADVISORY COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVE REGARDING THE PROPOSED WATER SUPPLY AGREEMENT BETWEEN MARIN MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT AND SONOMA WATER BACKGROUND: The City of Santa Rosa entered into the Restructured Agreement for Water Supply with the Sonoma County Water Agency (Sonoma Water) in 2006 (2006 Restructured Agreement). The 2006 Restructured Agreement created the Water Advisory Committee (WAC), which is an advisory committee to the Sonoma Water Board of Directors and is comprised of elected officials of each of the eight prime contractors that are party to the 2006 Restructured Agreement, including Santa Rosa. Marin Municipal Water District (Marin Water) has a separate existing water supply agreement with Sonoma Water with a term expiring June 30, 2025. Sonoma Water and Marin Water have prepared a draft amended and restated water supply agreement (Draft Agreement), which proposes changes to several key provisions. The 2006 Restructured Agreement provides for deliveries to Marin Water pursuant to their 1996 water supply agreements, or to amendments to those agreements that have been approved by the WAC, or to subsequent agreements between Sonoma Water and Marin Water that have been approved by the WAC. Therefore, the WAC will be considering approval of the Draft Agreement at a future WAC City of Santa Rosa Regular Meeting Minutes Page 6 of 9 Board of Public Utilities Regular Meeting Minutes - Final June 5, 2025 meeting, currently scheduled for August 4, 2025. Staff are recommending that the Board of Public Utilities provide a recommendation to the City Council regarding the Council’s direction to its WAC representative, Councilmember Natalie Rogers, regarding support for the Draft Agreement for Water Supply by and between Marin Water and Sonoma Water. RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended by Santa Rosa Water that the Board of Public Utilities consider the proposed water supply agreement by and between Marin Municipal Water District and Sonoma County Water Agency and, by motion, make a recommendation to the City Council regarding Council’s direction to its Water Advisory Committee (WAC) representative. Peter Martin, Deputy Director - Water Resources, presented and answered Board Member questions. Board Member Badenfort left Council Chambers at 2:56 p.m. and returned to Council Chambers at 3:00 p.m. A motion was made by Board Member Wright, seconded by Board Member Mullan, to approve consideration of the proposed water supply agreement by and between Marin Municipal Water District and Sonoma County Water Agency and make a recommendation to the City Council regarding Council's direction to its Water Advisory Committee (WAC) representative. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 6 - Chair Galvin III, Vice Chair Arnone Jr., Board Member Badenfort, Board Member De Witt, Board Member Mullan and Board Member Wright Absent: 1 - Board Member Bartholow 8.4 REPORT - RECOMMENDATION TO CITY COUNCIL TO APPROVE GRANT OF EASEMENT TO SONOMA COUNTY WATER AGENCY OVER PORTIONS OF CITY PROPERTY LOCATED AT 2200 LLANO ROAD AND 0 SEBASTOPOL ROAD (APNS 060-060-059 AND 060-060-064) BACKGROUND: Sonoma Water owns and operates ground water wells within the Santa Rosa plain, one of which is adjacent to the City owned Property, commonly known as Brown Farm. The wells are intended to City of Santa Rosa Regular Meeting Minutes Page 7 of 9 Board of Public Utilities Regular Meeting Minutes - Final June 5, 2025 augment water supplies during periods of drought. In connection with Sonoma Water’s Emergency Sebastopol Road Well Activation Project, which upgraded the Sebastopol Road well (“Well”) during the most recent drought, Sonoma Water requires a water line and access easement over a portion of the Property. Staff is seeking a Board recommendation to Council to approve these actions. RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended by Santa Rosa Water and Real Estate Services that the Board of Public Utilities, by resolution, recommend that City Council: 1) grant a 730 square foot water line easement and a 3,504 square foot access easement (collectively, “Easement”) to Sonoma County Water Agency (“Sonoma Water”) over certain portions of City property located at 2200 Llano Road, APN 060-060-059, and 0 Sebastopol Road, APN 060-060-064, respectively (collectively, the “Property”) in connection with Sonoma Water’s Emergency Sebastopol Road Well Activation Project (“Project”); 2) approve entering into an Easement Agreement in a form to be approved by the City’s Attorney’s Office; and 3) authorize the Assistant City Manager to execute necessary documents in connection therewith. Sean McNeil, Deputy Director - Environmental Services, and Stephanie Valkovic, Associate Real Property Agent, presented and answered Board Member questions. A motion was made by Board Member Mullan, seconded by Board Member De Witt, to waive reading of the text and adopt RESOLUTION NO. RES-2025-008 ENTITLED: RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES RECOMMENDING THAT THE SANTA ROSA CITY COUNCIL APPROVE A GRANT OF EASEMENT TO SONOMA COUNTY WATER AGENCY OVER PORTIONS OF CITY PROPERTY LOCATED AT 2200 LLANO ROAD AND 0 SEBASTOPOL ROAD (APNS 060-060-059 AND 060-060-064). The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 6 - Chair Galvin III, Vice Chair Arnone Jr., Board Member Badenfort, Board Member De Witt, Board Member Mullan and Board Member Wright Absent: 1 - Board Member Bartholow 9. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA MATTERS Janice Carmen spoke regarding Planning Commissioner appointments including her objection to Council Member City of Santa Rosa Regular Meeting Minutes Page 8 of 9 Board of Public Utilities Regular Meeting Minutes - Final June 5, 2025 MacDonald's appointment, tree cuttings not being picked up, and on another Planning Commission matter. 10. REFERRALS None. 11. WRITTEN COMMUNICATION (AND POSSIBLE BOARD DISCUSSION) None. 12. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS None. 13. BOARD MEMBER REPORTS Board Member DeWitt expressed his desire to speak to Deputy Director McNeil regarding McMinn Ave. 14. DIRECTORS REPORTS Director Burke reported: Santa Rosa Water Staff will host two days of the Mike Hauser STEM Academy. The Academy is open to all 8th grade students in partnering school districts and is designed to motivate students as they enter high school and begin making important course decisions. The students will attend sessions at both the Laguna Treatment Plant, and the Utilities Field Office where they will be introduced to diverse work environments and engage them in interactive, hands-on learning guided by teachers, engineers, and technical experts. The Academy is devoted to strengthening math and science skills, expanding the boundaries of what these students believe is possible, and inspiring them to pursue higher education and careers in the fields of STEM. Reminder that there will be no Board meeting on June 19, as it is a City holiday. Next meeting on July 3, Peter Martin, Deputy Director - Water Resources, will be your contact for that meeting. City of Santa Rosa Regular Meeting Minutes Page 9 of 9 Board of Public Utilities Regular Meeting Minutes - Final June 5, 2025 15. ADJOURNMENT OF MEETING Chair Galvin adjourned the meeting 3:27 p.m. The next Board of Public Utilities meeting is scheduled for July 3, 2025 at 1:30 p.m. Approved on: July 17, 2025 /s/ Michelle Montoya, Recording Secretary